Ajak
Encyclopedia
Ajak is a fictional character
, a member of the Eternals
, a race in the Marvel Comics
universe
.
. Ajak made subsequent appearances in the series, in issues #3-4 (September–October 1976), #7 (January 1977), and #12 (June 1977).
The character subsequently appears in Thor Annual #7 (1978) (in flashback, as Ajax), Thor vol. 1 #284 (June 1979), 291 (January 1980), 300-301 (October–November 1980), Contest of Champions vol. 1 #1 (June 1982), Iron Man Annual #6 (1983), Avengers vol. 1 #248 (October 1984), Eternals: Herod Factor (November 1991), Avengers vol. 1 #361 (April 1993), and Starblast #1 (January 1994).
The character did not appear again for some time, but Ajak briefly appeared in the Marvel mini-series The Eternals, written by Neil Gaiman
, in Eternals #5-7 (December 2006, January 2007, March 2007). He also made an appearance in Incredible Hercules #117-120 (July–August 2008).
Ajak received an entry in the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
#1, and in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #10.
. His parents were Raka and Amaa, and he has a brother named Arex. He was an archeologist with an advanced knowledge of archeology.
Ajak fought Warlord Kro
's Deviant
forces in Babylon
2500 years ago. He also had a strong presence in Central America, where the Aztec
s believed him to be Quetzalcoatl
and the Incas worshipped him as Tecumotzin, Lord of Flight. Ajak once met the Norse
god
Thor
, and fought alongside him against Dromedan. During the Third Host of the Celestials
, Ajak acted as a liaison between the Celestials and Earth and was present in Peru when they arrived. With Zuras
, he arranged the flight plan the Celestials used to leave Earth. Then he put himself into storage as atoms within the City of the Space Gods, to await their eventual return.
Under Zuras' order, Ikaris
awoke Ajak when the Fourth Host of the Celestials arrived. Ajak befriended human archaeologist Dr. Daniel Damian, and let him live in the City of the Space Gods. Ajak was sealed with Doctor Damian behind the force barrier surrounding the site of the Fourth Host's arrival. Ajak was attacked by agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
, who were converted to stored atoms by the Celestials after their failed escape attempt. He is also known for battling an Incan wrestler.
Ajak then had another encounter with Thor at the Fourth Host site in Peru. This time Ajak opposed him, but Thor won their battle. Ultimately Ajak found himself battling Zeus, who saw the Eternals as the Celestials' pawns. He was also among the Eternals captured by Brother Tode
, and was later set free by Iron Man
.
Ajak joined the space-faring Eternals Uni-Mind
, but eventually returned to earth. A maddened Dr. Damian transformed Ajak into a monster through the use of Celestial technology, and sent him to kill Thena
and Kro
's twin children, Donald & Deborah Ritter
. The monstrous Ajak killed many sets of twins along the way. After the Eternals restored him to his true form, he was so grief-stricken with his deeds that he disintegrated himself along with Dr. Damian.
Sprite
states that some time later he used the machineries of Olympia
to partially "reactivate" Ajak and Zuras
— and then deceived them into visiting the tomb of the Dreaming Celestial
, forming a Uni-Mind
there. This provided Sprite with the power he needed to rewrite some aspects of reality, stripping the other Eternals of their powers and memories and removing all record of them from the world. Sprite also stated that Ajak is the only Eternal able to directly speak with the Celestials.
Ajak appeared, seemingly in his normal state, and revived Zuras to his normal state. He is keeping the Dreaming Celestial under watch at the end.
' "God Squad
" to battle the Skrull
gods—not only to defend Earth, but, due to the Skrulls, in fact, being Deviants (as their native people were also transformed by the Celestials, but the Deviants won their war), which he thinks will allow him greater understanding of the Celestials, and perhaps allow him to communicate with the Dreaming Celestial (whom only Makkari can communicate with). He takes command of the God Squad just before they battle the Skrull Gods, thinking Hercules is a bad leader and caused Snowbird's death with his lack of planning. He is killed in the confrontation with the Skrull God Kly'bn, himself an Eternal Skrull, by their eye beams overcoming his and striking him, but it is implied that he will return to life as all Eternals do.
Sometime during these events Ajak helps the Eternals battle the Young Gods who have returned from the Celestial's ship. Ajak mainly watches the battle from Olympia, reveling in the Young Gods defeat of Makkari, but when Makkari is about to be killed Ajak chooses to intervene because he thinks even an Eternal such as Makkari deserves better than death at the hands of "these blasphemers." It is assumed Ajak has gone back to monitoring the Dreaming Celestial.
It was also revealed in Gaiman's miniseries The Eternals that Ajak possesses the ability to directly communicate with the Celestials
when they are nearby.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a member of the Eternals
Eternals (comics)
The Eternals are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics universe. They are described as an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth. The original instigators of this process, the alien Celestials, intended the Eternals to be the defenders of Earth which...
, a race in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Publication history
Ajak first appeared in Eternals vol. 1 #2 (August 1976), and was created by Jack KirbyJack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
. Ajak made subsequent appearances in the series, in issues #3-4 (September–October 1976), #7 (January 1977), and #12 (June 1977).
The character subsequently appears in Thor Annual #7 (1978) (in flashback, as Ajax), Thor vol. 1 #284 (June 1979), 291 (January 1980), 300-301 (October–November 1980), Contest of Champions vol. 1 #1 (June 1982), Iron Man Annual #6 (1983), Avengers vol. 1 #248 (October 1984), Eternals: Herod Factor (November 1991), Avengers vol. 1 #361 (April 1993), and Starblast #1 (January 1994).
The character did not appear again for some time, but Ajak briefly appeared in the Marvel mini-series The Eternals, written by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, in Eternals #5-7 (December 2006, January 2007, March 2007). He also made an appearance in Incredible Hercules #117-120 (July–August 2008).
Ajak received an entry in the original Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#1, and in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #10.
Fictional character biography
Ajak is a member of the sub-race of Eternals known as the Polar Eternals. He was born in the area of Polaria, SiberiaSiberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. His parents were Raka and Amaa, and he has a brother named Arex. He was an archeologist with an advanced knowledge of archeology.
Ajak fought Warlord Kro
Kro (comics)
Kro is a Marvel Comics supervillain.-Publication history:Created by Jack Kirby, Kro first appeared in Eternals vol. 1 #1 ....
's Deviant
Deviant (comics)
The Deviants are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics' universe. They are an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth instigated by the alien Celestials, and wage war against their counterparts, the Eternals...
forces in Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
2500 years ago. He also had a strong presence in Central America, where the Aztec
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
s believed him to be Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and has the meaning of "feathered serpent". The worship of a feathered serpent deity is first documented in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE...
and the Incas worshipped him as Tecumotzin, Lord of Flight. Ajak once met the Norse
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
god
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, and fought alongside him against Dromedan. During the Third Host of the Celestials
Celestial (comics)
The Celestials are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters first appear in Eternals #1 and were created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
, Ajak acted as a liaison between the Celestials and Earth and was present in Peru when they arrived. With Zuras
Zuras
Zuras is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a member of the Eternals.-Fictional character biography:Zuras was born in Titanos, first city of the Eternals, and is the son of the Eternals Kronos and Daina, and brother of A'Lars...
, he arranged the flight plan the Celestials used to leave Earth. Then he put himself into storage as atoms within the City of the Space Gods, to await their eventual return.
Under Zuras' order, Ikaris
Ikaris
Ikaris is a fictional character, a member of an alien race known as the Eternals in the Marvel Comics universe. Both Ikaris and the Eternals were created by Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
awoke Ajak when the Fourth Host of the Celestials arrived. Ajak befriended human archaeologist Dr. Daniel Damian, and let him live in the City of the Space Gods. Ajak was sealed with Doctor Damian behind the force barrier surrounding the site of the Fourth Host's arrival. Ajak was attacked by agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
, who were converted to stored atoms by the Celestials after their failed escape attempt. He is also known for battling an Incan wrestler.
Ajak then had another encounter with Thor at the Fourth Host site in Peru. This time Ajak opposed him, but Thor won their battle. Ultimately Ajak found himself battling Zeus, who saw the Eternals as the Celestials' pawns. He was also among the Eternals captured by Brother Tode
Brother Tode
Brother Tode is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe comic books.Brother Tode is a Deviant with green skin and an oversized head. He was once the monarch of the Deviants, ruler of the Deviant Empire of Lemuria, husband of Queen Vira and father of Ranar.-Fictional character biography:Tode,...
, and was later set free by Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
.
Ajak joined the space-faring Eternals Uni-Mind
Uni-Mind
The Uni-Mind is a fictional composite being in the Marvel Universe. The Uni-Mind and the Eternals were the creation of Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, but eventually returned to earth. A maddened Dr. Damian transformed Ajak into a monster through the use of Celestial technology, and sent him to kill Thena
Thena
Thena is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. She is a member of the Eternals.- Fictional character biography :Thena was born in the city of Olympia in ancient Greece, and is thus one of the Eternals of Olympia...
and Kro
Kro (comics)
Kro is a Marvel Comics supervillain.-Publication history:Created by Jack Kirby, Kro first appeared in Eternals vol. 1 #1 ....
's twin children, Donald & Deborah Ritter
Donald & Deborah Ritter
Donald & Deborah Ritter are fictional characters from Marvel Comics. They are the twin children of Thena, leader of the Eternals, and Kro, sometime leader of the race of Deviants. The Ritter twins were created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas and Mark Texeira...
. The monstrous Ajak killed many sets of twins along the way. After the Eternals restored him to his true form, he was so grief-stricken with his deeds that he disintegrated himself along with Dr. Damian.
Sprite
Sprite (Eternal)
Sprite is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Although physically a child, Sprite is an Eternal, a member of an ancient and extremely powerful race. He was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals vol. 1 #9.-Fictional character...
states that some time later he used the machineries of Olympia
Olympia (comics)
Olympia is a fictional city in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared in Eternals #5 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Fictional history:...
to partially "reactivate" Ajak and Zuras
Zuras
Zuras is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a member of the Eternals.-Fictional character biography:Zuras was born in Titanos, first city of the Eternals, and is the son of the Eternals Kronos and Daina, and brother of A'Lars...
— and then deceived them into visiting the tomb of the Dreaming Celestial
Dreaming Celestial
In the Marvel Comics' universe, the Dreaming Celestial is a renegade member of the race of god-like Celestials.-Publication history:The Dreaming Celestial first appeared in Eternals Vol. 1, #18 , and was created by Jack Kirby....
, forming a Uni-Mind
Uni-Mind
The Uni-Mind is a fictional composite being in the Marvel Universe. The Uni-Mind and the Eternals were the creation of Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
there. This provided Sprite with the power he needed to rewrite some aspects of reality, stripping the other Eternals of their powers and memories and removing all record of them from the world. Sprite also stated that Ajak is the only Eternal able to directly speak with the Celestials.
Ajak appeared, seemingly in his normal state, and revived Zuras to his normal state. He is keeping the Dreaming Celestial under watch at the end.
Secret Invasion
Ajak left to join HerculesHercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
' "God Squad
God Squad (comics)
God Squad is the name fictional comic book character Amadeus Cho gave to a team of gods brought together in the Marvel Universe to face the oncoming Secret Invasion...
" to battle the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
gods—not only to defend Earth, but, due to the Skrulls, in fact, being Deviants (as their native people were also transformed by the Celestials, but the Deviants won their war), which he thinks will allow him greater understanding of the Celestials, and perhaps allow him to communicate with the Dreaming Celestial (whom only Makkari can communicate with). He takes command of the God Squad just before they battle the Skrull Gods, thinking Hercules is a bad leader and caused Snowbird's death with his lack of planning. He is killed in the confrontation with the Skrull God Kly'bn, himself an Eternal Skrull, by their eye beams overcoming his and striking him, but it is implied that he will return to life as all Eternals do.
Post-Secret Invasion
Ajak along with the other Eternals continue their mission of awakening Eternals who no longer remember who they are and are living human lives, thanks to Sprite. During this time Ajak breeds a resentment towards Makkari for being the Dreaming Celestial's chosen communicator, warning the other Eternals that the Dreaming Celestial is broken. While Ikaris and Druig's opposing forces race to awaken and convert as many "sleeping" Eternals as they can to their respective sides, Ajak locates the Eternal known as Gilgamesh, "The Forgotten One", in Peru, who he manipulates into believing Ikaris' Eternals are actually Deviants. Ajak does not do this out of loyalty to Druig but out of his resentment towards Makkari; Gilgamesh ends up brutally killing Makkari, which Druig and Legba witness. Ajak then goes to Makkari's side and signals Sersi, who he tells that it was Druig and his forces that killed Makkari. Ajak then continues to monitor the Dreaming Celestial while Ikaris and Druig's forces go to battle.Sometime during these events Ajak helps the Eternals battle the Young Gods who have returned from the Celestial's ship. Ajak mainly watches the battle from Olympia, reveling in the Young Gods defeat of Makkari, but when Makkari is about to be killed Ajak chooses to intervene because he thinks even an Eternal such as Makkari deserves better than death at the hands of "these blasphemers." It is assumed Ajak has gone back to monitoring the Dreaming Celestial.
Powers and abilities
Ajak possessed the standard Eternal abilities of cosmic energy manipulation and complete control of his own cellular makeup. The physical control granted him an indefinitely prolonged lifespan and cellular regeneration along with superhuman strength and durability. His cosmic powers granted him flight, teleportation and the ability to fire energy bolts.It was also revealed in Gaiman's miniseries The Eternals that Ajak possesses the ability to directly communicate with the Celestials
Celestial (comics)
The Celestials are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters first appear in Eternals #1 and were created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
when they are nearby.