====== Gilgamesh ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity:** **Gilgamesh, also known as the Forgotten One, is one of the most physically powerful Eternals, a near-immortal cosmic being whose millennia-spanning history has seen him act as a legendary hero, a lonely outcast, an Avenger, and a devoted protector.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  *  **Role in the Universe:** As an [[eternals|Eternal]], Gilgamesh is a member of a genetically-engineered offshoot of humanity created by the [[celestials|Celestials]]. He primarily functions as a warrior and defender, often intervening in human affairs against the orders of his superiors, which has led to his frequent exile and his moniker, the "Forgotten One." His immense power places him in the same strength class as beings like [[thor]] and [[hercules]].
  *  **Primary Impact:** Gilgamesh's greatest impact stems from his direct influence on human mythology and his brief but crucial tenure with the [[avengers]]. By living among humanity, his deeds were recorded as the myths of Gilgamesh, Samson, Beowulf, and Hercules, blurring the line between man and god. His time as an Avenger provided the team with cosmic-level power during critical events like the "Inferno" crisis.
  *  **Key Incarnations:** The fundamental difference between his comic and MCU versions lies in his personality and core motivation. In the Earth-616 comics, he is a solitary, rebellious wanderer, defined by his exile and constant search for purpose. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is a warm, paternal figure defined entirely by his unwavering loyalty and protective love for his fellow Eternal, [[thena]].
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
Gilgamesh made his first official appearance in **''The Eternals #13''** in July 1977. He was created by the legendary writer and artist **Jack "The King" Kirby** during Kirby's second major tenure at Marvel Comics. This period was marked by Kirby's fascination with cosmic mythology and "ancient astronaut" theories, popularized by authors like Erich von Däniken. The Eternals, as a concept, were Kirby's grand exploration of gods who walked the Earth, and Gilgamesh was a perfect embodiment of this idea.
Initially referred to only as "The Forgotten One," his purpose was to be the ultimate proof of the Eternals' influence on human history. By revealing that this single, powerful being was the "true" figure behind multiple mythological strongmen, Kirby connected his new cosmic creations directly to the bedrock of human culture. The name "Gilgamesh" was later applied to the character by writers Roy and Dann Thomas in the pages of ''Thor'', solidifying his link to the ancient Sumerian hero. His subsequent induction into the Avengers in ''Avengers #300'' (1989) by writer Walter Simonson and artist John Buscema was a significant move, elevating him from a supporting character in the Eternals' lore to a mainstream hero within the Marvel Universe.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Born over a million years ago in the city of Olympia, located in the mountains of Greece, the being who would become known as Gilgamesh was a member of the third generation of Eternals. From his inception, he possessed a rebellious spirit and a deep-seated affinity for humanity. While the Prime Eternal, [[zuras]], decreed that the Eternals should not interfere in mortal affairs, Gilgamesh repeatedly defied this edict. He roamed the Earth, using his incredible strength to battle tyrants, slay monstrous beasts, and aid developing civilizations.
His actions did not go unnoticed by mortals. Lacking a framework to understand his cosmic nature, they chronicled his deeds in myth and legend, attributing them to various heroes. He was the great **Gilgamesh of Sumeria**, the mighty **Hercules of Greece** (leading to a friendly rivalry with the actual Olympian god), the powerful **Samson of the Israelites**, and the brave **Beowulf of the Geats**. For his constant meddling, Zuras punished him severely. He was confined to a small, isolated sector of Olympia, with his existence erased from the memories of most Eternals and all mortals. He became a whisper, a legend even among his own kind: **The Forgotten One**.
For centuries, he remained in this exile. He was only released when the [[deviants|Deviants]], the monstrous counterparts to the Eternals, breached his containment sector. After aiding his kin in repelling the attack, he was tasked by the One-Above-All (the leader of the Celestial hosts visiting Earth) to journey to the stars. He later returned to Earth and was once again outcast, this time by Zuras's daughter, Thena.
His modern re-emergence came when the Eternal known as Sprite, seeking a powerhouse to combat a massive Deviant threat, freed him from his prison in Olympia. After this adventure, Gilgamesh, now going by the name "Hero," joined the Avengers. This occurred after the High Evolutionary's "Evolutionary War," when Captain America sought to bolster the team's roster with raw power. During his time as an Avenger, he fought through the "Inferno" invasion of Earth, where he was temporarily blinded by mystical energy. Despite this handicap, he continued to serve valiantly, using his other enhanced senses to fight. His tenure was cut short after he sustained grievous injuries in a battle against Lava Men, forcing him to return to Olympia for recovery, where he eventually faded back into the background of the Eternals' society until his memory was wiped and he was living as a circus strongman in the 21st century.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
In the continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as depicted in the film **''Eternals''** (2021), Gilgamesh's origin is fundamentally streamlined and tied directly to a single, specific mission. He is one of the ten genetically-engineered, immortal beings created by the Celestial **Arishem the Judge** in the World Forge. In 5,000 BCE, he and his nine comrades were dispatched to Earth with a clear directive: protect humanity from the monstrous Deviants and allow the planet's sentient population to flourish, paving the way for the "Emergence" of a new Celestial, Tiamut, from the Earth's core.
Unlike his comic counterpart's rebellious nature, this version of Gilgamesh was a loyal and steadfast soldier. He served as the team's primary physical powerhouse, the "strongman" who could go toe-to-toe with the largest of Deviants. For millennia, he fought alongside his fellow Eternals, from Mesopotamia to the Aztec Empire, dutifully fulfilling his mission.
The core of his story, however, diverges dramatically from the comics with the introduction of **Mahd Wy'ry**, a psychological affliction caused by the strain of having millennia of memories forcibly erased and reimplanted with each new mission. Thena, the team's fiercest warrior, began to suffer from Mahd Wy'ry, causing her to lash out violently as fragmented memories of past apocalypses bled through. While Druig suggested wiping her memory completely, Gilgamesh volunteered to become her full-time guardian.
When the Eternals disbanded in the 1500s CE after believing all Deviants were eradicated, Gilgamesh took Thena into a life of self-imposed exile. They settled in a remote home in Australia, where he spent centuries caring for her, helping her manage her episodes, and providing a stable, peaceful presence. He developed a passion for cooking and found contentment in this quiet, protective role. His life was not one of a lonely outcast punished for hubris, but of a devoted caregiver who chose love and loyalty over all else. This quiet life was shattered when the Deviants re-emerged. He heroically sacrificed himself to save Thena from the Deviant leader, Kro, using his final moments to implore her to "remember who you are." His death was a pivotal, emotional blow to the team and served as Thena's primary motivation for the remainder of the conflict.
===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality =====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
As an Eternal of Olympia, Gilgamesh possesses the standard suite of superhuman abilities granted by the Celestials, but his are honed for physical combat to a degree few can match.
  *   **Powers and Abilities:**
  *  **Superhuman Strength:** This is Gilgamesh's most defining attribute. He is arguably the physically strongest of all Earth-born Eternals, rivaling the likes of Thor, Hercules, and the Hulk on his best day. He is classified as possessing Class 100+ strength, capable of lifting well over 100 tons. He has demonstrated this by physically overpowering immensely powerful Deviants and holding his own in direct combat with demigods.
  *  **Cosmic Energy Manipulation:** Like all Eternals, he can manipulate cosmic energy for various effects. He can project powerful concussive blasts, intense heat (akin to plasma), and light from his hands and eyes. He is less refined in this ability than masters like Ikaris or Sersi, preferring to channel it into physical enhancements.
  *  **Invulnerability & Durability:** His body is incredibly resistant to injury. He can withstand high-caliber bullets, extreme temperatures, immense impact forces, and powerful energy blasts without sustaining damage. This durability is tied to the psionic control he maintains over his own molecular structure.
  *  **Flight:** By psionically levitating himself, Gilgamesh can fly at supersonic speeds, estimated to be at least 850 miles per hour.
  *  **Psionic Abilities:** While not a primary telepath like Zuras, he possesses latent psionic capabilities, including limited telekinesis, telepathy, and the ability to create illusions. His most crucial psionic talent is the complete mental control over his own body's molecules, which grants him his immortality and durability. If this concentration is broken, he can be dispersed, but it would take a being of immense power to do so.
  *  **Immortality & Regenerative Healing:** Gilgamesh does not age and is immune to all terrestrial diseases and toxins. He can regenerate from almost any injury short of having his molecules scattered across a wide area.
  *  **Superhuman Senses & Stamina:** His senses are heightened far beyond human capability. He can fight at peak capacity for days or even weeks before feeling the effects of fatigue.
  *   **Skills and Equipment:**
  *  **Master Combatant:** Millennia of experience have made him a master of hand-to-hand combat, proficient in countless fighting styles, both ancient and modern. He often wields simple, effective weapons like axes, clubs, or spears, which he can imbue with cosmic energy.
  *  **Eternal Armor:** He occasionally wears the traditional armor of the Eternals, crafted from unknown, near-indestructible alloys.
  *   **Personality:**
The Gilgamesh of the comics is often defined by a profound sense of loneliness and world-weariness. His long exiles have made him an outsider even among his own people. He is noble, courageous, and possesses a strong moral compass, which is precisely why he so often defied the Eternals' non-interference pact. He carries the weight of history and myth on his shoulders, and while proud of his heroic deeds, he is also burdened by the isolation they brought him. He is a warrior first and foremost, more comfortable in battle than in the political arenas of Olympia.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The MCU's Gilgamesh retains the core concept of being the team's strongest member, but his powers and personality are adapted significantly for cinematic storytelling.
  *   **Powers and Abilities:**
  *  **Superhuman Strength & Durability:** He is unequivocally the physically strongest of the ten Eternals sent to Earth. He demonstrates this by easily dispatching Deviants with his bare hands and fighting the evolved Kro to a standstill. His durability is immense, allowing him to take direct blows from Kro that would kill any mortal instantly.
  *  **Cosmic Energy Manipulation (Exo-Skeleton):** The most distinct visual change in the MCU is how Gilgamesh manifests his cosmic power. Instead of projecting beams of energy, he channels it into creating a tangible, golden **exo-skeleton** around his arms and fists. These cosmic gauntlets amplify his striking power to devastating levels, allowing him to shatter Deviants with a single punch. This specialization makes him a focused, close-quarters brawler.
  *  **Immortality & Regeneration:** Like his teammates, he is immortal, does not age, and can rapidly heal from injuries. However, as his death at Kro's hands demonstrates, this healing is not instantaneous and he can be killed by overwhelming physical trauma, particularly if impaled and drained of his cosmic energy.
  *   **Personality:**
The MCU radically re-envisions Gilgamesh's personality. Gone is the lonely, rebellious outcast. In his place is a warm, charming, and deeply empathetic man. He is the heart and soul of the team's familial unit.
  *  **Loyal Protector:** His defining trait is his absolute devotion to Thena. He willingly sacrifices his own life among the Eternals to care for her, showing a profound capacity for platonic love and patience. He is her anchor, her protector, and her closest confidant.
  *  **Paternal and Amiable:** He has a gentle, "cool uncle" demeanor. He's quick with a smile, a good meal (being an excellent chef is a key character detail), and a supportive word. He easily diffuses tension and provides a calming presence.
  *  **Heroic and Selfless:** When danger arises, his amiable nature gives way to a fierce warrior. His ultimate sacrifice is the truest expression of his character—he dies without hesitation to save the person he loves most.
===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network =====
==== Core Allies ====
  *   **Thena (Earth-616 & MCU):**
  *  In the **comics**, Thena and Gilgamesh are comrades and fellow Eternals. While they share a bond as kin, their relationship is not a central focus. Thena, as Zuras's daughter and a leader, has at times been the one to enforce Gilgamesh's exile, creating a more complex and sometimes adversarial dynamic.
  *  In the **MCU**, this relationship is completely redefined and becomes the absolute cornerstone of Gilgamesh's character. He is Thena's sole protector and anchor against the ravages of Mahd Wy'ry. Their bond is a deep, abiding, and seemingly platonic love built on centuries of trust and mutual care. He understands her like no one else, and his death serves as the catalyst for her to regain control of her mind and fight for their shared cause.
  *   **The Avengers (Earth-616):**
  *  Gilgamesh's time as a member of the Avengers was a significant period of his life. He was recruited by **Captain America (Steve Rogers)**, who valued his immense power and noble spirit. He developed a respectful, soldier-to-soldier relationship with Cap. He also formed a friendly rivalry with **Thor**, another hero of myth with cosmic power. Serving with the Avengers gave the eternal wanderer a sense of purpose and camaraderie he had long been denied by his own people.
  *   **Sprite (Earth-616):**
  *  The trickster Eternal Sprite has a unique relationship with Gilgamesh. Because Sprite is trapped in the body of a child, they often felt like an outsider, similar to Gilgamesh. It was Sprite who, on more than one occasion, defied Zuras's orders and freed Gilgamesh from his confinement when his strength was needed. While Sprite's motives were often self-serving, they showed a consistent belief in Gilgamesh's power and value.
==== Arch-Enemies ====
  *   **The Deviants (Earth-616 & MCU):**
  *  As an Eternal, Gilgamesh's natural and ancient enemies are the Deviants. This genetically unstable race represents the chaotic opposite of the Eternals' ordered perfection. He has fought them for millennia across both continuities. In the MCU, the evolved Deviant **Kro** becomes his personal nemesis, a creature that can absorb the powers of the Eternals it kills. Kro is directly responsible for Gilgamesh's death, making their conflict deeply personal.
  *   **Zuras (Earth-616):**
  *  While not a villain, the former Prime Eternal Zuras was Gilgamesh's primary antagonist for much of his existence. Zuras was a strict traditionalist who believed fanatically in the Eternals' isolation from humanity. He viewed Gilgamesh's constant heroism and interaction with mortals as a dangerous violation of their sacred laws. It was Zuras who repeatedly exiled Gilgamesh and christened him the "Forgotten One," making him the enforcer of Gilgamesh's long periods of solitude.
==== Affiliations ====
  *   **The Eternals (Earth-616 & MCU):** This is his race and his family. In the comics, his affiliation is often strained; he is a member by birth but an outcast by choice and by punishment. In the MCU, he is a loyal and integral part of the original ten-member team sent to Earth, viewed as a reliable and beloved brother-in-arms.
  *   **The Avengers (Earth-616):** Gilgamesh was a full, card-carrying member of the Avengers. He joined in ''Avengers #300'' and served on the main roster, providing cosmic-level power that was crucial during major threats like the High Evolutionary's genetic bomb and the demonic invasion of New York during "Inferno."
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== The Coming of the Celestials (The Eternals Vol. 1) ====
In his first appearance, Gilgamesh is introduced as a mysterious and impossibly powerful figure. Freed by Sprite to help battle a Deviant Uprising, he is initially mistaken for the biblical Samson by archaeologists. This storyline establishes his core concept: the outcast Eternal whose deeds inspired multiple myths. He aids his brethren in the conflict against the Deviant Lord Kro and prepares for the arrival of the Fourth Host of the Celestials, cementing his place as a force of nature within the Eternals' mythology, even if he remains an outsider.
==== Joining the Avengers ("The Evolutionary War" & "Inferno") ====
This period marks Gilgamesh's most significant integration into the wider Marvel Universe. Following a roster shake-up, Captain America seeks out new members with the power to face cosmic-level threats. He finds Gilgamesh (then calling himself "Hero") and recruits him. Gilgamesh proves his worth immediately during "The Evolutionary War," helping to stop the High Evolutionary's plans. His finest hour comes during the "Inferno" crossover, where demons invade New York. Despite being blinded by a mystical attack from a N'astirh-possessed Ceylonese idol, Gilgamesh continues to fight, using his other senses to protect civilians and battle demons alongside Thor. This storyline showcased not just his power, but his indomitable heroic will. His membership ends after he is nearly killed in battle, forcing his return to Olympia.
==== Memory Wiped (Eternals Vol. 3 by Gaiman and Romita Jr.) ====
In this transformative 2006 miniseries, Sprite uses the power of the Dreaming Celestial to rewrite reality, erasing the memories of all Eternals and casting them into ordinary human lives. Gilgamesh is found by his comrades living as **"O Famoso,"** a circus strongman in Brazil. He is a gentle giant, beloved by the crowds but with no memory of his cosmic heritage. This storyline provided a poignant look at the man beneath the myth, a simple soul content with a simple life, before the burdens of godhood are thrust upon him once more when his memories are restored to fight a new threat.
==== The Eternals' Mission and Sacrifice (MCU's "Eternals") ====
This is the definitive storyline for the cinematic version of the character. The film traces his entire arc, from his arrival on Earth in 5,000 BCE to his death in the present day. The narrative focuses almost exclusively on his relationship with Thena. We see him as a powerful warrior in flashbacks and as a gentle, patient caregiver in the present. The story's central conflict forces him out of his quiet exile in Australia. He rejoins the team, provides crucial muscle in their first major battle against the new Deviants, and ultimately makes the ultimate sacrifice. His death is not just a plot point; it is the emotional fulcrum of the film's second half, galvanizing Thena and giving the team a deeply personal reason to defy their creator, Arishem.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
While Gilgamesh has not been a major focus of large-scale alternate reality stories like //Age of Apocalypse// or //House of M//, his character has seen different interpretations across media.
  *   **Forgotten One vs. Gilgamesh (Earth-616):** The most significant "variant" is the evolution of the character himself. The initial "Forgotten One" persona created by Kirby was a mysterious, almost feral force of nature. Later writers, particularly Simonson, developed him into the more heroic and articulate "Gilgamesh" who joined the Avengers. The Gaiman-era "O Famoso" persona can be seen as a third distinct version—a gentle soul stripped of his power and past.
  *   **Marvel Future Fight (Video Game):** Gilgamesh is a playable character in the popular mobile RPG. His appearance is based on his MCU incarnation, portrayed by Don Lee. His in-game abilities reflect the MCU version's power-set, focusing on physical brawling and cosmic-energy-infused punches, allowing players to experience his unique combat style firsthand.
  *   **The "Hercules" Myth:** Within the Earth-616 canon, it is established that many of the twelve labors attributed to the Olympian Hercules were actually performed by Gilgamesh. This creates an in-universe variant of classic Greek myths, where the "true" hero was an Eternal, not a demigod. This has led to a good-natured rivalry between the two strongmen whenever they cross paths.
===== See Also =====
  * [[eternals]]
  * [[thena]]
  * [[deviants]]
  * [[celestials]]
  * [[avengers]]
  * [[zuras]]
  * [[ikaris]]
  * [[kro]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((Gilgamesh is based on the protagonist of the //Epic of Gilgamesh//, an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that is often regarded as the earliest surviving great work of literature.))
((In his first appearance in ''The Eternals #13'', the character is never named. He is referred to exclusively as "The Forgotten One" or "the hero." He was officially named Gilgamesh years later in ''Thor #291'' (1980).))
((The moniker "The Forgotten One" has been used by at least one other significant Marvel character: a powerful agent of the cosmic entity Oblivion who fought Hercules.))
((Gilgamesh officially joined the Avengers in ''Avengers #300'' (February 1989). He was brought onto the team alongside a new Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Doctor Druid, and others in a major roster overhaul.))
((The MCU version of Gilgamesh, portrayed by South Korean actor Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), was a deliberate departure from the comics' typically fair-skinned, blond depiction, as part of the film's commitment to creating a diverse, international cast reflecting the global nature of the Eternals' mission.))
((In the comics, Gilgamesh's blindness during his Avengers tenure was eventually healed upon his return to Olympia, using advanced Eternal technology and restorative processes.))
((The concept of Mahd Wy'ry ("mad weary" in Gaelic) in the MCU is a unique invention for the film, serving as a sci-fi explanation for the psychological toll of immortality and memory-wiping. It has no direct parallel in Earth-616 comics lore.))
((While Gilgamesh and the Olympian God of Strength Hercules are separate individuals in the Marvel Universe, they have a friendly relationship. Hercules acknowledges and respects that Gilgamesh's deeds in ancient Greece contributed to his own legend.))
((The circus strongman persona "O Famoso" that Gilgamesh adopted during the Gaiman/Romita Jr. run translates from Portuguese to "The Famous One," an ironic name for a character best known as the Forgotten One.))
((Gilgamesh's death in the MCU at the hands of Kro is a significant departure from the comics, where he is still alive. This creative choice served to raise the personal stakes for the cinematic team and provide Thena with a powerful emotional arc.))