Oneg the Prober

• Core Identity: Oneg the Prober is a member of the enigmatic and immeasurably powerful cosmic race known as the Celestials, serving as a specialized analyst and data-gatherer during their “Hosts,” or judgment visitations, to planetary civilizations.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: As a Celestial, Oneg is a “space god” who, along with his brethren, was responsible for the genetic experiments on early humanity that resulted in the creation of the superhuman Eternals and the genetically unstable Deviants. His specific function is to probe, test, and analyze a planet's composition, lifeforms, and overall worthiness for continued existence. celestial_hosts.
• Primary Impact: Oneg's most significant impact was as a member of the Fourth Host of Celestials on Earth. His silent, imposing presence alongside figures like Arishem the Judge and Exitar the Exterminator represented an existential, god-level threat that forced humanity, the Asgardians, and the Eternals to unite against a power that dwarfed them all.
• Key Incarnations: In the Earth-616 comics, Oneg is a physically distinct, active member of the Celestial Hosts with a specific design and title. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Oneg the Prober has not appeared or been named. The MCU's Celestials, such as Arishem, have been shown to fulfill the collective judgment role, potentially absorbing the specific functions of individual Celestials like Oneg.

Oneg the Prober first appeared in Eternals (Vol. 1) #9, published in March 1977. He was created by the legendary writer and artist Jack "The King" Kirby as part of his groundbreaking “Eternals” saga. Kirby, having returned to Marvel Comics in the mid-1970s, sought to introduce a new, epic mythology that existed on the periphery of the established Marvel Universe. This mythology was heavily influenced by Erich von Däniken's “ancient astronauts” theories, which posited that extraterrestrial beings had visited Earth in the distant past and were responsible for humanity's technological and evolutionary leaps, being mistaken for gods. The Celestials were the embodiment of this concept. They were designed to be utterly alien, incomprehensible, and powerful on a scale that made even cosmic figures like Thor or the Silver Surfer seem insignificant. Oneg's design, like that of his brethren, is a classic example of Kirby's “cosmic” art style: massive, geometric, and exuding an aura of inscrutable power. His distinctive head, resembling a massive trident or a complex antenna array, immediately communicates his function—to probe, scan, and analyze. He was not a character in the traditional sense, with dialogue or personality, but a living plot device; a silent, walking representation of impending, impartial judgment from the heavens.

The in-universe origin of Oneg the Prober is inseparable from the origin of the Celestials themselves. Billions of years ago, the First Firmament, the sentient first iteration of the universe, created life. Its first creations, the Aspirants, were loyal servants. Its second, a group of multicolored beings, desired their creations to be diverse and to evolve, and were branded as rebels. These rebels became the Celestials. A catastrophic cosmic war ensued, shattering the First Firmament and giving birth to the Second Cosmos, the first multiverse. The Celestials survived and began their vast, mysterious work of cosmic propagation and evolution. Their grand experiment involves traversing the cosmos, identifying nascent worlds with the potential for life, and “seeding” them. On Earth, approximately one million years ago, the First Host of Celestials arrived. Led by Arishem the Judge, this host included Oneg the Prober. They discovered a primitive, ape-like species with latent genetic potential: early humanity. Oneg, alongside Gammenon the Gatherer, conducted experiments, manipulating the genetic code of these early hominids. This single act of cosmic engineering created three distinct offshoots of the human race:

• The Eternals: A small population of functionally immortal, super-powered, and physically perfect beings designed to be the planet's protectors.
• The Deviants: A genetically unstable race with a chaotic genetic code, resulting in monstrous mutations and a warlike culture. They were an unintended, chaotic byproduct of the experiments.
• Baseline Humanity: The majority of the species was left with latent genetic potential, which would eventually give rise to mutants (the X-Gene) and other super-powered individuals upon exposure to specific stimuli.

After their initial work, the Celestials departed, promising to return in subsequent “Hosts” to judge the progress of their experiment. Oneg returned to Earth with the Second Host around 21,000 BC, an event that led to a great cataclysm when they battled the Deviant empire based in Lemuria, sinking it beneath the ocean. He returned again with the Third Host, which interacted with the pantheons of Earth, such as the Asgardians and Olympians, leading to a pact of non-interference. Oneg's most documented appearance was with the Fourth Host in the modern era. He arrived with a contingent of nine other Celestials in a massive mothership, landing in the Andes Mountains. His purpose was clear: to conduct the final probes and gather the last pieces of data for Arishem to pass judgment on Earth's worthiness. This arrival triggered a global panic and served as the central conflict of Kirby's Eternals series and its subsequent continuation in the pages of Thor.

Oneg the Prober has not officially appeared or been named in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The concept of the Celestials and their role in creating the Eternals and Deviants, however, is a central plot point of the film Eternals (2021). In the MCU, the Celestials are depicted as the architects of the universe, creating stars, galaxies, and planets. Their life cycle, however, is parasitic. They implant a “seed” within a host planet, which gestates for eons, feeding on the sentient energy of the planet's dominant lifeforms. Once a critical population is reached, the Celestial “emerges” from the planet's core, a process that completely destroys the planet and its civilization. This is known as the “Emergence.” To manage this process, the Celestials created the Eternals, synthetic beings designed to protect the burgeoning intelligent life on a host planet from the Deviants—predators also created by the Celestials that evolved beyond their control. The Celestials' plan, as revealed by their Prime Celestial, Arishem the Judge, was for the Eternals to guide and protect humanity until its population was large enough to trigger the birth of the Celestial Tiamut from within the Earth. While Oneg himself is absent, his function as a “prober” and analyst is conceptually present.

• Arishem the Judge: Arishem acts as the primary point of contact and judgment for the Eternals. He is the one who monitors the progress of the Emergence and ultimately judges the actions of his creations.
• Eson the Searcher: Eson the Searcher made a brief appearance in a flashback in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), shown wielding the Power Stone to wipe out a civilization, demonstrating the immense, destructive power of the Celestials. His title, “the Searcher,” implies a role of seeking out worlds, which overlaps with the data-gathering function of a Prober.
• Knowhere: The MCU introduced the severed head of a massive, deceased Celestial, which has been hollowed out and turned into a cosmic mining colony and port. This effectively established the scale and physical reality of the Celestials long before they became a major plot point.

The adaptation in the MCU streamlines the Celestial Host concept. Instead of multiple visits for judgment, the MCU posits a single, long-term plan (the Emergence) overseen by one primary Celestial (Arishem) with the Eternals acting as his on-planet agents. If a character named Oneg the Prober were to be introduced, he would likely be a subordinate of Arishem, perhaps a specialized Celestial dispatched to investigate why the Emergence of Tiamut failed or to conduct a more direct analysis of Earth's surviving population.

As a Celestial, Oneg the Prober possesses power on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. His abilities are inherent to his race and are far beyond those of nearly all other known beings in the Marvel Universe.

• Vast Cosmic Power: Oneg can manipulate cosmic energy for a nearly limitless variety of effects. This includes projecting energy blasts capable of leveling mountains or incinerating planets, creating impenetrable force fields, and altering matter on a molecular or subatomic level.
• Immeasurable Strength and Durability: The physical strength of a Celestial is, for all practical purposes, infinite. They are capable of moving planets. Their armor, an unknown material, makes them virtually indestructible. They have withstood the combined might of the Asgardian pantheon, including Odin wielding the power of all his subjects, and direct attacks from multiple Sky-Father level beings simultaneously with no visible damage.
• Malignant Immortality: Celestials do not appear to age or die from natural causes. While they can be killed, the level of power required to do so is astronomical. Only forces like the God-Killer armor, the full power of the Infinity Gauntlet, or the cosmic entity Oblivion have been shown to be capable of harming them.
• Size Alteration: Celestials are typically depicted as being around 2,000 feet tall, but they can alter their size and mass at will, growing to be as large as gas giants if they so choose.
• Omniscience (Limited): While not truly omniscient, their consciousness operates on a level that is beyond mortal understanding. They are aware of events across galaxies and can perceive multiple dimensions and timelines.
• Genetic Manipulation: As demonstrated by their creation of the Eternals and Deviants, they are masters of genetics, capable of rewriting the evolutionary destiny of an entire species with precision.

Oneg's Specific Function - The Prober: Beyond these general abilities, Oneg's title denotes a specialized purpose. During the Celestial Hosts' visitations, he is the primary surveyor and analyst.

• Planetary Analysis: Oneg's primary task is to conduct deep, comprehensive scans of the host planet itself. This includes analyzing its geological composition, atmospheric conditions, and magnetic fields. He is effectively performing a planetary-scale physical exam to ensure its viability.
• Biological and Genetic Probing: Oneg's most crucial role is to analyze the dominant lifeforms. He probes their genetic structure, tracing their evolutionary path and assessing the “purity” of the genetic experiment initiated by the First Host. He measures their societal progress, their technological achievements, and their potential for future growth or self-destruction. This data is what Arishem uses to make his final “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” judgment.
• Data Collation: He acts as a living repository of information. The complex antennae on his head are believed to be sophisticated sensory and broadcasting instruments, allowing him to gather this immense amount of data and share it with the other members of the Host.

While Oneg is not present, the Celestials shown in the MCU display a similar power set, albeit with some visual and conceptual differences.

• Cosmic Energy Manipulation: Arishem is shown creating complex interstellar portals, communicating across vast distances via cosmic energy projections, and effortlessly disassembling and reassembling the Eternals. Eson the Searcher used the Power Stone to amplify his innate abilities, channeling it through his staff to unleash a surface-wiping wave of energy.
• Immense Scale and Durability: The sheer size of the Celestials is emphasized heavily. The birth of Tiamut from Earth's core showed a being whose hand and head alone were the size of continents. Arishem is depicted as casually dwarfing planets. Their durability is assumed to be on a similar, nigh-invulnerable level as their comic counterparts.
• Creation and Life-Cycle: The MCU provides a more concrete, and arguably more horrifying, purpose for the Celestials. Their power is not just for inscrutable experimentation, but for their own procreation. This makes their relationship with worlds like Earth parasitic rather than purely judicial. The power to create entire synthetic races like the Eternals and monstrous creatures like the Deviants highlights their mastery over biology and technology, a power that is far beyond even the most advanced civilizations like the Kree or Xandarians.

The key difference is in focus. The Earth-616 Celestials are presented as gardeners or scientists running an experiment. The MCU Celestials are presented as a cosmic life-cycle, where the death of one world is necessary for the birth of one of them. The “probing” in the MCU is less about worthiness and more about readiness—is the planet “ripe” for the Emergence?

Oneg does not have “allies” in the conventional sense. He operates as part of a unified collective with the other Celestials, each performing a designated function. His most important relationships are with the other members of the Hosts that have visited Earth.

• Arishem the Judge: The leader of the Celestial Hosts on Earth and often the final arbiter. Oneg's role is directly subservient to Arishem's. Oneg gathers the data, probes the subjects, and provides a complete analytical report, upon which Arishem bases his critical judgment.
• Exitar the Exterminator: A massive, 20,000-foot-tall Celestial who is only summoned if Arishem's judgment is negative. Exitar is the executioner who “purifies” the planet, wiping it clean of the failed experiment. Oneg's work directly determines whether Exitar is called upon.
• Gammenon the Gatherer: Gammenon's function is to seek out and collect samples of lifeforms from a planet for study and preservation. He and Oneg often work in tandem, with Oneg performing in-situ analysis while Gammenon collects physical specimens.
• The Eternals: As one of their creators, Oneg has a foundational relationship with the entire Eternal race. They were created to be the stewards of the Celestial experiment on Earth. The Eternals view the Celestials, including Oneg, as their gods, and their entire societal purpose is based on anticipating and preparing for their creators' return and judgment.

The Celestials operate on a level so far above most beings that few can be considered true “enemies.” Conflict usually arises when other powerful entities attempt to interfere with their cosmic work or challenge their judgment.

• The Asgardians (Odin): During the arrival of the Fourth Host, Odin, then All-Father of Asgard, viewed the Celestials' judgment of Earth (or Midgard) as a violation of his protectorate. He confronted them wearing the Destroyer Armor and wielding the Oversword of Asgard, channeling the life-force of all Asgardians (save Thor). Despite this immense power, he was unable to harm the Celestials. Arishem and his brethren effortlessly melted the Destroyer Armor into slag, demonstrating the unbridgeable gulf in their power levels.
• The Horde: Revealed in Jason Aaron's Avengers run, the Horde are the cosmic “locusts” that are antithetical to the Celestials' purpose of creation. They are an infection that swarms planets, drawn to sickness and death. The Celestials' ancient enemies were the Aspirants, servants of the First Firmament, who created the Horde as a weapon.
• Galactus and other Cosmic Beings: While not always direct enemies, other cosmic entities often have goals that conflict with the Celestials. The Watchers, with their oath of non-interference, are ideologically opposed to the Celestials' direct genetic manipulation. Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, poses a threat to the Celestials' experiments simply by consuming the planets they are cultivating.

Oneg's sole affiliation is with The Celestials. He is an integral part of their collective and participates in the various “Hosts” they dispatch across the universe. A Celestial Host is a designated expeditionary group sent to a specific planet to perform a task. The Hosts that have visited Earth-616 are:

• The First Host (1,000,000 BC): The initial arrival to experiment on early man, creating the Eternals and Deviants. Oneg was a key member.
• The Second Host (c. 20,000 BC): Returned to check on their experiment's progress and ended up in a devastating war with the Deviant Empire in Lemuria, resulting in the Great Cataclysm that reshaped the planet.
• The Third Host (c. 1,000 AD): Arrived to negotiate with the various pantheons of Earth (Asgardians, Olympians, etc.), brokering a thousand-year pact of non-interference with mortal development.
• The Fourth Host (Modern Era): The arrival to pass final judgment on humanity, which brought them into conflict with Thor, Odin, and the Eternals. Oneg was present for this final, crucial analysis.
• The Final Host (Modern Era): A group of “Dark Celestials,” long dead and infected by the Horde, who arrived to cleanse the Earth. This event revealed a new origin for the Celestials, stemming from a single sickened Celestial, the Progenitor, who fell to Earth billions of years ago.

This is Oneg the Prober's defining storyline. After centuries of absence, the Fourth Host arrived on Earth, silently taking their positions in a designated formation in Peru. Their arrival was a world-changing event, witnessed by all of humanity but understood by few. Oneg, alongside Jemiah the Analyzer, Tefral the Surveyor, and others, immediately began his work. He moved across the planet, a 2,000-foot-tall silent giant, conducting his inscrutable probes. His presence, and that of the Host, created a central conflict for the Eternals. Ikaris and his allies sought to prove humanity's worth, while the rogue Eternal Druig sought to use Celestial weaponry against them to seize power. The core of the conflict, however, escalated when Thor Odinson took notice. Believing the Celestials to be an existential threat to Midgard, he confronted them directly, only to be effortlessly rebuffed. The climax occurred when Odin, armed with the Destroyer, challenged the Host. Oneg stood with his brethren as Arishem and He Who Is Above All Others (a Celestial, not the entity of the same name) faced down the Asgardian All-Father. They tanked his most powerful attacks before casually dispatching him. Ultimately, the judgment was swayed by Gaea, the Elder Goddess of Earth, who presented the Celestials with “Twelve Just Men and Women,” a handpicked selection of humanity's finest examples. This offering, representing mankind's potential, satisfied Arishem, and the Fourth Host departed, sparing Earth for the time being. Oneg's role was critical: his unbiased, factual probing provided the raw data that allowed for this final, merciful judgment to be made.

This storyline fundamentally retconned the origin of life and superheroes on Earth-616. It was revealed that billions of years ago, a diseased and dying Celestial called the Progenitor, infected by the Horde, crashed onto the primordial Earth. Its cosmic blood and viscera mixed with the planet's evolutionary soup, becoming the catalyst for all super-powered potential. Millions of years later, Loki manipulated a group of dead, dormant Celestials, reanimating them as the “Dark Celestials” and bringing them to Earth as the Final Host. These corrupted giants began exterminating all life. While Oneg the Prober was not one of the named Dark Celestials, this event is crucial to his history as it recontextualizes the entire purpose of his race's interest in Earth. The “experiment” of the First Host was not a random choice; they came to Earth to investigate the Progenitor's corpse and contain the Horde infection it had spawned. This changes Oneg's motivation from a disinterested scientist to something more akin to a cosmic hazmat specialist, analyzing the results of an ancient, unplanned contamination.

Due to their nature as fundamental cosmic beings, Celestials like Oneg the Prober have few true “variants” in the way that characters like Spider-Man or Captain America do. They are often treated as multiversal constants. However, some interpretations exist.

• Earth X (Earth-9997): In this alternate reality, the Celestials are revealed to be beings of pure energy encased in armor of vibranium. Their life cycle is explicitly parasitic: they implant an embryo in a planet's core, manipulate the dominant species to develop powers (thus creating a protective “antibody” for the gestating Celestial), and are “born” by destroying the planet. This version heavily influenced the MCU's depiction. In this reality, the Celestials are ultimately revealed to be the true “Elders of the Universe,” manipulating Galactus to destroy planets that do not contain a Celestial egg to prevent their species from overpopulating and consuming the universe.
• Marvel: Avengers Alliance (Video Game): Oneg the Prober appears as a minor character or background element in the defunct Facebook game. His appearance is faithful to his Jack Kirby design and serves to establish the cosmic scale of the threats players face in the game.
• HeroClix (Tabletop Game): Oneg the Prober has been immortalized as a collectible miniature figure in the HeroClix tabletop game. He is represented as a “Colossal” figure, emphasizing his immense size and power within the game's mechanics. This adaptation focuses on translating his cosmic abilities into playable stats and powers.

• celestials
• arishem_the_judge
• eternals
• deviants
• jack_kirby
• thor
• odin
• celestial_hosts

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