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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).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.