Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh, known across countless civilizations by names like Beowulf, Samson, Atlas, and Hercules, is one of Marvel's most ancient and powerful Eternals — a near-immortal being whose exploits became the foundation of humanity's greatest legends. First appearing in The Eternals #13 (1977), created by the legendary Jack Kirby during his landmark run at Marvel, Gilgamesh entered the scene as a figure of mythic proportions. That debut issue, part of Kirby's ambitious cosmic mythology, is a cornerstone key for any serious Eternals collector and has seen consistent demand as the franchise grows in cultural relevance.

Known for centuries as "The Forgotten One," Gilgamesh was exiled by his fellow Eternals for interfering too often in human affairs — his insatiable drive to protect and champion humanity setting him apart from his more detached kin. Armed with a staggering array of abilities including superhuman strength, invulnerability, flight, telekinesis, and even illusion casting, he operated in the shadows of history, inspiring myths across dozens of cultures without ever receiving credit. This outsider status made him one of the most compelling Eternals in the pantheon.

His highest-profile modern moment came when he joined the Avengers during the late 1980s, appearing in Avengers #300 as part of a dramatic roster shake-up. His time with the team — and his tragic fate during that era — gave collectors a direct tie-in between the Eternals mythology and Marvel's flagship team book, making those issues doubly desirable. He later surfaced in connection with the Anachronauts and the Gods of War, expanding his footprint across Marvel's cosmic and mythological corners.

For collectors, Gilgamesh represents a rare intersection of Jack Kirby's original creative vision and the broader Marvel Universe. His key issues span the Bronze Age through the Modern Age, and with the Eternals property receiving renewed attention, demand for his appearances — especially that pivotal Eternals #13 debut — continues to climb. Whether you're chasing raw copies or high-grade slabs, building a Gilgamesh run is a smart play for any collector with an eye on undervalued Kirby-era keys.