The Eternals are among the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe—immortal, godlike, and more concerned with debating philosophy than halting apocalypse. But beneath the old school wisdom and soap operas, some of these cosmic titans contain enough might to hold their own against the universe’s greatest threats. Thanos tends to hog the limelight (deservedly so), but he’s hardly the only Eternal able to rattle galaxies. Let’s deconstruct seven of Marvel Comics’ most powerful Eternals, excluding the Mad Titan himself, and examine what makes them tick in a pantheon packed with demigods.
7. Druig – Deadly by Design
Druig is that Eternal that never ceases scheming. He doesn’t use brute strength or flashy abilities—instead, he controls minds, twists wills, and somehow manages to be one step ahead of everyone else (or at least believes he is). He’s the king of insidious control, employing fear, politics, and psychic coercion to achieve his goals. As other people are pounding their fists, Druig is reconfiguring the battlefield behind the scenes. He’s attempted to take over more times than anyone can begin to count, but he always slips back into Eternal society as if nothing ever went down. He might not win a lot of fights up and down, but in terms of long games, he’s always in play.
6. Kingo – The Eternal Samurai
Kingo’s more than just another cosmic bruiser—he’s a samurai who sacrificed dominance for discipline. Even with the same abilities as the rest of the Eternals—super strength, flight, energy projection—he chooses to use his samurai skills. In the comic books, Kingo mastered swordwork centuries ago and still uses it with lethal skill. That choice to battle as a mortal, even when he could destroy armies with a thought, is what distinguishes him. He’s a reminder that real strength is sometimes not about blasting off cosmic fireworks—it’s about knowing when to refrain from it.
5. Interloper – The Silent Force
Betilakk, alias the Interloper, is something of an enigma even among Eternals. He does not boast much, nor does he ever make many appearances—but when he does, something big is happening. He’s battled ancient cosmic menaces solo and has an aura that can freeze foes in fear. He doesn’t crave leadership, fame, or acknowledgment—he simply appears when the cosmos requires someone who won’t give up. Interloper isn’t showy, but raw, nearly animalistic brute strength makes him one of the most intimidating Eternals when things are cosmic.
4. Sersi – Reality’s Redesign Artist
If any Eternal can make chaos seem classy, it’s Sersi. Her matter manipulation abilities are off the scale—even for an Eternal. She can warp reality itself, a weapon to a flower, or an enemy into something harmless with a wave of her hand. But she’s not only formidable; she’s charming, highly empathetic with humans, and was once an Avenger (something few Eternals can say). Sersi is powerful because she can transform everything around her—literally and otherwise—making her just as dangerous a warrior as she is a symbol of empathy.
3. Makkari – Speed with Purpose
Of the Eternals, Makkari made a different choice—opting for speed above all else. By concentrating almost entirely on her speed, she sacrificed all of her other Eternal abilities for the sake of being the fastest entity on Earth. But it’s not all about speeding around; Makkari has acted as the messenger of the Celestials and is an important part of cosmic communication bridges.
She possesses lightning-fast reflexes and can respond in microseconds, making her almost impossible to counter. When disaster must be halted in a heartbeat, Makkari doesn’t hesitate—she’s already there.
2. Thena – Mind and Body Warrior
Thena is the closest thing the Eternals have to a flawless warrior. She’s ancient, intelligent, and deadly on the battlefield. Tied to the Greek goddess Athena, Thena not only possesses power, but wisdom and tact. She’s had centuries of experience with telekinesis, energy projection, and matter manipulation, and her fight skills are second to none. She’s commanded the Eternals as Prime Eternal, and when she battles, she does so with history and reason on her side. Her opponents can’t hope to match her in a straight fight, and fewer still have the brains to keep up with hers. Thena’s not merely a warrior—she’s a force to be reckoned with.
1. Gilgamesh and Ikaris – The Titans of the Eternals
Raw power-wise, it’s really hard to distinguish between these two legends: Gilgamesh and Ikaris. Gilgamesh, better known as The Forgotten One, is all muscle and heart. He’s lived among mortals, battled beasts, and guarded the innocent well before most contemporary heroes were even ideas. His power matches Hercules’, and his combat experience is the best. He might like his quiet life, but push him too hard, and he’ll flatten a mountain without so much as raising a sweat. And then there’s Ikaris—the ageless face of the Eternals.
He’s got it all: flight, energy blasts, near-immunity, and centuries of combat experience. He’s defeated Thanos, fought with cosmic entities, and even wrestled the Red Hulk in a fiery battle. Ikaris is a traditional powerhouse—unwavering, relentless, and motivated by obligation. Some even liken his power to Marvel heavies such as Captain Marvel and Sentry. Both Gilgamesh and Ikaris are the epitome of Eternal power, brute strength, and equilibrium, heart, and heroism.
Thanos is… different. He’s a technical Eternal, but with Deviant DNA and a genius-level intellect that makes him something greater than a mere brawler. Gilgamesh and Ikaris might manage in a bare-knuckle brawl, but Thanos operates on a higher plane. He’s cold, calculating, and almost impossible to kill. His grasp of energy and matter, plus that icy logic and the drive for balance, make him the ultimate anomaly. Still, next time you have your knee-jerk reaction to the Eternals as second-stringers, recall: they’re gods who inhabit the Earth, and some of them have strength enough to give even Thanos pause.