Warning: contains spoilers for "Eternity in Gotham (Part One)" in Batman: Urban Legends #11!
Eternity, a forgotten member of the Eternity arrives in Gotham, looking for a fresh start—but no sooner than he arrives than he finds himself in the thick of it. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.
Eternity (also known as Kid Eternity) is Christopher Freeman, who was granted the ability to communicate with the dead. The character has also had a unique publishing history; much like Shazam and his allies, Eternity was created by a different company: Quality Comics. When Quality ceased publication of its superhero titles, DC Comics purchased the rights to the characters and incorporated them into its own fictional universe. When Eternity’s time came, the publisher realized he had the same last name as Freddy Freeman (formerly known as “Captain Marvel Jr.”) and made the two relatives. Eternity would share adventures with Freddy and the rest of the Shazam Family. However, his connections to Shazam, Freddy and the rest were retconned out as a result of the Crisis on Infinite Earths; Eternity would be rebooted in the early 1990s by writer Grant Morrison and the character would make sporadic appearances throughout the DC Universe. Now, Eternity is moving into the big time, relocating to Gotham City!
"Eternity in Gotham" is written by Mohale Mashigo, illustrated by Arist Deyn, colors by Deyn and letters by Saida Temofonte. The story opens with Eternity freshly arrived in Gotham, working as a coroner for the Gotham City Police Department; he is conversing with the corpse of a murder victim while working a crime scene. Readers learn of Eternity’s origin and powers, and that he is looking for a new start in Gotham. He is not having a good go of it—he feels out of place and cannot wrap his brain around the city’s dynamics, a place where ordinary people live next to costumed heroes. The story also introduces the villain, a mysterious, murderous stranger bearing a strong resemble to Eternity.
Eternity’s power set makes him unique among the heroes of the DC Universe and could be a huge asset to Batman as well—assuming Eternity sticks around. Eternity is a maverick and a loner, bringing an outsider’s perspective to Gotham City. Gotham can be a violent and deadly place, and someone with Eternity’s gifts could do quite well. Eternity would also fit in a team such as Justice League Dark.
Although Eternity’s connections to the Shazam Family have been erased from continuity, it still does not rule out a crossover. Much like Eternity, the Shazam Family themselves have undergone an extreme reinvention, with new and powers. “Eternity in Gotham” established that Eternity’s last name is still “Freeman,” potentially setting up for another crossover with Freddy and the rest of the Shazam Family.
