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Forgotten One (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Forgotten One is a superhero
in the Marvel Comics
universe
. He is a member of the near-immortal hidden race
known as the Eternals
.
, and first appeared in The Eternals (vol. 1) #13.
es of myth
and legend
, including Hercules
and Gilgamesh
. He became an outcast from his fellow Eternals when their ruler, Zuras
, decreed that he had been too proud a meddler in the mortal world and confined him to a sector of Olympus. He was eventually convinced to come out of exile and journey to the mother-ship of the Fourth Host of the Celestials
to assist the Eternals in battle against the Deviants by the Eternal called Sprite
.
After this battle, he was renamed Hero by the One Above All, the chief of the alien Celestials, who had created the Eternals and Deviants. After losing a battle with Thor
, Hero and the other Eternals assisted Thor in battling the host of the Celestials to prevent them from destroying humanity. Hero also fought Hercules
.
Hero later became known as the Forgotten One. He helped the other Eternals in battle against Ghaur
.
Later, when the membership of the Avengers
had been virtually emptied, the Forgotten One joined them for a time. He renamed himself Gilgamesh, donning a costume that resembled the hide of the Bull of Heaven and went to work as a monster-slayer. He assisted the Avengers in battles against the Growing Man
, Nanny
, the Orphan-Maker
, and N'astirh
's demons
. He participated in the Avengers' battle against Super-Nova, and helped them fight the U-Foes
. He assisted the Avengers in their struggle with the Lava Men, and was somehow severely injured during the battle. Gilgamesh was brought to the Eternals' home of Olympia
, which had temporarily fallen into the Negative Zone
, for recovery of his injuries. There, he fought against Blastaar
, who had temporarily disintegrated the other Eternals. Gilgamesh left the Avengers at that time, as his essence had been bound to Olympus. He later recovered from his injuries, and defeated B'Gon the sorcerer, thereby winning a reputation as a hero on modern day Earth. Gilgamesh was later seen among the superhumans selected by Her
as potential mates.
He returned to the Avengers Mansion during "The Crossing", a crossover
, only to be killed by Neut, an agent of the time travel
er Immortus
, who was at the time disguised as Kang the Conqueror
. It was later shown that Gilgamesh is alive, and once again associated with his fellow Eternals.
The Forgotten One possesses immense superhuman strength. While the exact limits are unknown, he is known as the, by far, physically strongest of all known Eternals, save for Thanos
. His strength has been shown to rival that of Thor
, and Hercules
.
Like all other Eternals, The Forgotten One is virtually immortal. He hasn't aged since reaching adulthood and he is immune to all known diseases. Also, his body is highly durable and resistant to physical injury. He is capable of withstanding high caliber bullets, falls from great heights, powerful concussive forces, and temperature extremes without being injured. However, it is possible to injure him. He is in complete mental control over every molecule in his body, which allows him to regenerate any damaged or destroyed tissue. However, if his mental discipline over his body is broken, it is possible to permanently injure or kill him.
Other abilities he has in common with most other Eternals includes the power to levitate himself and fly at superhuman speed, projecting beams of concussive force or heat from his eyes and hands, and the manipulation of matter. However, to what degree these powers have been developed in comparison with other Eternals isn't known, but the first two have been stated as presumed to be average. He also has highly developed senses that helped to compensate for his former blindness, and is one of the most accomplished hand-to-hand combatants among the Eternals.
The Forgotten One is an extraordinary hand-to-hand combatant, with knowledge of most methods of combat known in ancient Earth civilizations. He is also an extraordinary hunter and tracker. He sometimes wears battle armor of unknown composition, and usually arms himself with simple hand weapons such as an axe, spear, or club.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
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...
. He is a member of the near-immortal hidden race
Hidden Races (Marvel Comics)
The Earth of Marvel Comics' main continuity has contained a number of fictional hidden native humanoid races. A list of these includes:*The Alpha Primitives *Atlanteans*Bird-People...
known as 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...
.
Publication history
The Forgotten One 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....
, and first appeared in The Eternals (vol. 1) #13.
Fictional character biography
During his millennia of activity, the adventurer and warrior Forgotten One has used the names of or been mistaken for numerous heroHero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
es of myth
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
and legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
, including Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
and Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh was the fifth king of Uruk, modern day Iraq , placing his reign ca. 2500 BC. According to the Sumerian king list he reigned for 126 years. In the Tummal Inscription, Gilgamesh, and his son Urlugal, rebuilt the sanctuary of the goddess Ninlil, in Tummal, a sacred quarter in her city of...
. He became an outcast from his fellow Eternals when their ruler, 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...
, decreed that he had been too proud a meddler in the mortal world and confined him to a sector of Olympus. He was eventually convinced to come out of exile and journey to the mother-ship of the Fourth 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....
to assist the Eternals in battle against the Deviants by the Eternal called 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...
.
After this battle, he was renamed Hero by the One Above All, the chief of the alien Celestials, who had created the Eternals and Deviants. After losing a battle with 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....
, Hero and the other Eternals assisted Thor in battling the host of the Celestials to prevent them from destroying humanity. Hero also fought Hercules
Hercules (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....
.
Hero later became known as the Forgotten One. He helped the other Eternals in battle against Ghaur
Ghaur
Ghaur is a Marvel Comics supervillain. Created by Peter B. Gillis and Sal Buscema, he first appeared in Eternals vol. 2, #2 .In the Marvel Universe, he is the head of the Deviant race's priesthood.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Later, when the membership of the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
had been virtually emptied, the Forgotten One joined them for a time. He renamed himself Gilgamesh, donning a costume that resembled the hide of the Bull of Heaven and went to work as a monster-slayer. He assisted the Avengers in battles against the Growing Man
Growing Man
The Growing Man is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #140 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
, Nanny
Nanny (comics)
Nanny is the name of two different fictional characters in X-Men and related titles in the Marvel Comics Universe.The more well known Nanny is a mutant.-Publication history:...
, the Orphan-Maker
Orphan-Maker
Orphan-Maker is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics universe. His first appearance was in X-Factor vol. 1 #31.-Publication history:...
, and N'astirh
N'astirh
N'astirh is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics as a demonic inhabitant of Limbo. He first appeared in X-Factor #32 and was created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove.-Fictional character biography:...
's demons
Demons (Marvel Comics)
The Marvel Comics universe hosts a number of demons, many of whom are at times at conflict with gods and angels. All possess varying degrees of mystical power, feed upon souls for self-sustenance, and are inclined towards dark or “black” magic - evil....
. He participated in the Avengers' battle against Super-Nova, and helped them fight the U-Foes
U-Foes
U-Foes are a fictional comic book supervillain team appearing in various series published by Marvel Comics. The group first appeared in Incredible Hulk #254...
. He assisted the Avengers in their struggle with the Lava Men, and was somehow severely injured during the battle. Gilgamesh was brought to the Eternals' home 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:...
, which had temporarily fallen into the Negative Zone
Negative Zone
The Negative Zone is a fictional setting, an antimatter universe depicted in publications from Marvel Comics, most frequently in Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #51 .-Fictional description:The Negative Zone in the Marvel...
, for recovery of his injuries. There, he fought against Blastaar
Blastaar
Blastaar, sometimes called the Living Bomb-Burst and Blasstaar, is a Marvel Comics supervillain. Blastaar is an opponent of the Fantastic Four and lives in the Negative Zone...
, who had temporarily disintegrated the other Eternals. Gilgamesh left the Avengers at that time, as his essence had been bound to Olympus. He later recovered from his injuries, and defeated B'Gon the sorcerer, thereby winning a reputation as a hero on modern day Earth. Gilgamesh was later seen among the superhumans selected by Her
Kismet (Marvel Comics)
Kismet, also known as Paragon and Her is a fictional superheroine that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics...
as potential mates.
He returned to the Avengers Mansion during "The Crossing", a crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
, only to be killed by Neut, an agent of the time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
er Immortus
Immortus
Immortus is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is the future self of Kang the Conqueror, and first appeared in Avengers #10, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, who was at the time disguised as Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror
Kang the Conqueror is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Avengers #8 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
. It was later shown that Gilgamesh is alive, and once again associated with his fellow Eternals.
Powers and abilities
The Forgotten One is a member of the Eternal race, and possesses a number of superhuman abilities common to the Eternals, but has trained some of them far beyond the norm.The Forgotten One possesses immense superhuman strength. While the exact limits are unknown, he is known as the, by far, physically strongest of all known Eternals, save for Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
. His strength has been shown to rival that of 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 Hercules
Hercules (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....
.
Like all other Eternals, The Forgotten One is virtually immortal. He hasn't aged since reaching adulthood and he is immune to all known diseases. Also, his body is highly durable and resistant to physical injury. He is capable of withstanding high caliber bullets, falls from great heights, powerful concussive forces, and temperature extremes without being injured. However, it is possible to injure him. He is in complete mental control over every molecule in his body, which allows him to regenerate any damaged or destroyed tissue. However, if his mental discipline over his body is broken, it is possible to permanently injure or kill him.
Other abilities he has in common with most other Eternals includes the power to levitate himself and fly at superhuman speed, projecting beams of concussive force or heat from his eyes and hands, and the manipulation of matter. However, to what degree these powers have been developed in comparison with other Eternals isn't known, but the first two have been stated as presumed to be average. He also has highly developed senses that helped to compensate for his former blindness, and is one of the most accomplished hand-to-hand combatants among the Eternals.
The Forgotten One is an extraordinary hand-to-hand combatant, with knowledge of most methods of combat known in ancient Earth civilizations. He is also an extraordinary hunter and tracker. He sometimes wears battle armor of unknown composition, and usually arms himself with simple hand weapons such as an axe, spear, or club.
As Gilgamesh
- Thor Annual #17
- Avengers Spotlight #35
- Avengers vol. 1 #300
- Captain America Annual #11
- Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: The Book of the Dead
- Tales of the Zombie #3
- Thor vol. 1 #287, 291
As Hero
Identity used after he saved a Celestial mother-ship from Deviant astronauts- Avengers vol. 1 #249
- Contest of Champions #1-3
- Thor vol. 1 #287-289, 291-292, 300, 350-351