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SAMUEL HOLDEN

Real Name: Samuel Holden

Identity/Class: Human, citizen of the United States

Occupation: Professor of anthropology

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Bradford, Dave Chatterton, City College students (Hotchkiss, Arnold Radisch, unidentified others), Daniel Damian, Margo Damian, Ikaris, Karkas, Khoryphos, Kro, Makkari, Phastos, Ransak the Reject, Sersi, Kingo Sunen, Thena, Zuras

Enemies: Bandrhude, Deviants, Lord Ghaur, Cosmic Hulk

Known Relatives: Unrevealed

Aliases: "Sam" (common abbreviation of "Samuel")

Base of Operations: New York City, New York

First Appearance: Eternals I#6 (December, 1976)

Powers/Abilities: Samuel Holden possesses no known superhuman abilities. A learned anthropologist with a keen, open mind, Holden is eager to expand his horizons. Holden wears glasses and smokes a pipe.

Height: Unrevealed, (approximately 5'9")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 160 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

History:

(Eternals I#6 (fb) - BTS) - Anthropologist Samuel Holden was an old friend of archeologist Daniel Damian and his daughter Margo.

(Eternals I#6 (fb) - BTS) - In order to oppose the Celestials who had come to judge Earth, Eternals and Deviants decided to reveal themselves to their genetic cousins: homo sapiens. They reasoned they first had to convince mankind's academics.

(Eternals I#6 (fb) - BTS) - The Eternals' ally Margo Damian figured Samuel Holden would be the ideal person to help them.

(Eternals I#6) - Samuel Holden was teaching anthropology at City College in New York. He was visited in his office by Margo who told him of the Eternals and Deviants. Her tale got him excited because it could potentially revolutionize his chosen field. He was then introduced to Ikaris, Makkari, Sersi, Thena and the Deviant Kro.

(Eternals I#6 (fb) - BTS) - For the next week, Holden was in closed negotiations with the Eternals, Kro and several political and law enforcement agencies. The end result of these talks was Holden getting permission to formally introduce the Eternals and Deviants to the world during one of his classes.

(Eternals I#6) - Holden's students marveled at Ikaris, Makkari, Sersi, Thena and Kro. Holden had Ikaris and Kro show off their abilities, but his rude, sceptical student Arnold Radisch still felt it was all a hoax and called them out. Sersi put Radisch in his place by briefly turning his head into the Thing's.

(Eternals I#8 (fb) - BTS) - Holden continued to work on ways to help introduce the existence of the Eternals and Deviants to the general population. In his New York apartment he worked up busts of the three species of man. He excitedly invited Margo, Ikaris, Makkari and Sersi over to look at them.

(Eternals I#8) - Holden held court, explaining his plans with the busts in great detail. He was so wrapped up in his lecture, he didn't even register everyone left out of boredom. He only noticed when Sersi livened the mood by giving the three statues some silly hats. Holden felt embarrassed for having been a bad host who ruined everyone's evening. However, Sersi assured him that he managed to hold her attention. She rearranged the molecules of the furniture in his living room to create a ballroom floor and an artificial chamber orchestra which played while they danced the night away.

(Eternals I#11 (fb) - BTS) - When Zuras called all the Eternals home to Olympia to form the Un-Mind, Sersi reasoned the sacred ritual might be an interesting experience for Samuel Holden as well. Holden agreed to accompany her, unaware that it involved teleportation.

(Eternals I#11) - Holden and Sersi popped up in the heart of Olympia where they were met by Ikaris and Margot Damian who immediately sensed that Holden was overwhelmed by these new experiences. He assured her everything was fine while he did his best to take in the splendor of the Eternals' home city.

(Eternals I#12) - When it came time to form the Uni-Mind, Zuras ordered the Eternals into the air over the city. Sersi used her powers to lift up Samuel Holden as well, assuring him everything would work out fine. He expressed some momentary hesitation, begging Sersi not to leave him while they entered the blue flames that birthed the Uni-Mind.

(Eternals I#14) - When the Uni-Mind returned to Olympia after its failed showdown with the Celestials, Samuel Holden regained his own body. Both Holden and Margo Damian were overwhelmed by all they had experienced, much to the chagrin of Sersi who felt humans were incorrigible softies. Holden explained that as a man of science, levitation had seemed impossible to him, let alone the notion of a Uni-Mind. He requested to be returned home, which led Sersi to suggest they throw a Uni-Mind party in New York to help them all process these new experiences. Holden, Sersi and Damian were flown back to New York by Ikaris and Makkari. However, on the way their craft picked up unusual cosmic energy readings, leading them to investigate. Before too long, they were fighting a cosmically powered Hulk robot that made short work of Makkari. Holden and Damian cared for the battered Eternal while Ikaris was forced to go all out against this opponent. When he failed, Hulk left with Sersi.

(Eternals I#15) - Samuel Holden and Margo Damian accompanied Makkari when he chased after the Hulk and Sersi aboard his flying machine. Holden worried what they could do against the monster once they caught up with them, but Makkari and Margo didn't want to hear any of his concerns. Makkari's flying module engaged the Hulk who had climbed a skyscraper in New York City and was throwing debris at them. Eventually, the robot caused the craft to crash. Makkari made sure Damian and Holden escaped unharmed. He left them with the police while he joined the other Eternals in a last-ditch attempt to stop Hulk. Before the finale battle could start, Zuras arrived to take care of things personally.

(Eternals I#16) - Zuras quickly ended the threat of the Hulk's cosmic power by forcing the energy to leave its frame. Zuras then ordered Ikaris and Makkari to chase down and bring in their still formidable emerald opponent. Zuras proceeded to hold an impromptu press conference, addressing the news media with Samuel Holden and Margo Damian at his side. Zuras stressed the importance of humans and Eternals working together.

(Eternals I#18 - BTS) - Zuras took Samuel Holden, Ikaris, Sersi, Makkari and Margo Damian to Washington D.C. to help the government study the Celestials. He ordered Ikaris to take a camera and fly reconnaissance near Ziran the Tester so the government could have some footage of these mysterious beings.

(Eternals I#18) - When Zuras was meeting with Bradford, Sersi took Holden and the others to see their leader because she was tired of cooling her heels in the government facility they were kept at. Zuras introduced Bradford to the others and when he unthinkingly used the word "party", Holden was too late to stop the temperamental Eternal from using her powers to transmute their meeting room into a party barn. Holden and the others, used to Sersi's shenanigans, set back and enjoyed themselves while waiting for Ikaris to return from his mission.

(Eternals II#1 (fb) - BTS) - Samuel Holden continued to try and educate mankind about the existence of the Celestials, Eternals and the Deviants. He even borrowed an advanced holographic projector from Sersi to create a visually impressive slideshow for his talk. However, he found the Celestials had somehow made sure humanity could not retain any knowledge of their existence. After each and every lecture, Holden realized his audience remembered nothing of what he said.

(Eternals II#1) - Holden's most recent lecture was met with thunderous applause, only for everyone to leave wondering what the topic of his seminar had been. Sersi was there to try and pick up the demoralized professor's spirits. She was openly flirting with him in the hallway as they passed his student Hotchkiss who was impressed his teacher had such a gorgeous lady friend. Later, Sersi announced plans for a trip to Paris, but he reminded her they were expected in Olympia to attend Thena's coronation.

(Eternals II#3) - Samuel Holden and Sersi were preparing to go to an art gallery opening when Sersi casually saved the life of young Dave Chatterton who had decided to commit suicide because no one seemed to care for him. While they talked, Holden continued to dress, though Sersi used her powers to help him tie his bowtie. Sersi explained to the depressed youth that life was valuable and insisted he accompanied them to the opening. They later hosted an afterparty for the artist in Sersi's apartment where Holden watched Sersi give Chatterton even more pointers. The pleasant evening was cut short when Ikaris sent word: the Deviants had launched their armada, they were now at war.

(Eternals II#4 - BTS) - Responding to Ikaris' summons, Sersi took Samuel Holden and Dave Chatterton aboard an Eternals flying craft headed for Olympia. On the way there, Sersi's powers proved essential in stopping the illusion casting mental singing of the Deviant monstrosity Bandrhude.

(Eternals II#5 - BTS) - Samuel Holden accompanied the Eternals and their allies to Olympia.

(Eternals II#5) - Holden kept back while Ikaris and Thena had a heated argument over the fact the Eternals' battle against the Deviant fleet was interrupted by the arrival of an Alpha Ship. The craft allowed the Deviants to flee and Ikaris reasoned that only she had the authority to send it. Thena punished Ikaris severely for his accusations and insinuations.

(Eternals II#6 - BTS) - Sersi allowed her fellow Eternals to settle this internal dispute. She took Holden and Chatterton back to New York where she resumed her carefree socialite life, taking both men to the latest Alan Ayckbourn play with dinner and drinks afterwards.

(Eternals II#6) - Holden quietly ate his supper while Sersi and Chatterton had a conversation. He had no interest in discussing the Ayckbourn play and wanted to know more about the situation with Ikaris and Thena. Dave was eager to get involved in the Eternals' affairs, because he felt it was sure to be part of history. Sersi was intrigued by Chatterton's enthusiasm and fearlessness, he even casually batted away a live scorpion she created on his arm to show him that this was no game. Chatterton begged to be allowed to participate and Sersi obliged.

(Eternals II#8) - Holden and Chatterton assisted Sersi to get her loft ready for a costumed party. They were setting up the punch bowl when Kro and Thena arrived, tired and on the run from the Eternals and the Deviants. After they finally admitted that they loved each other, Sersi was happy to offer them refuge. Samuel Holden helped Kro pick a disguise: he became Dracula while Chatterton dressed Thena up as a Playboy Bunny. In the course of the evening, Holden, Chatterton and Sersi tried to discreetly hide Thena and Kro from the Eternals and the Deviants who had all crashed her party to look for the duo. During the party, Holden had a chance encounter with the Deviant high priest Ghaur who he sensed was the closest thing to pure evil he ever experienced. In the end, Sersi allowed Kro and Thena to escape when she caused considerable confusion by changing everyone's outfits into a copy of Ikaris' costume.

(Eternals II#10) - When Sersi was summoned to Olympia at the request of Ikaris, Samuel Holden was content to stay behind. He tried to calm down Dave Chatterton who felt betrayed and wanted to go as well. Holden watched Chatterton contact Olympia, only to be rebuffed by Karkas. This only angered Chatterton more, leading to his decision to head for Olympia on his own. All Holden could offer was the advice to dress warmly.

Comments: Created by Jack Kirby, Mike Royer.

Jack Kirby used Eternals to show how differently a love between mortal and immortal might look. The (eternally) young and pretty Sersi fell for the charm and sophistication of professor Samuel Holden, who looked old enough to be her father. She didn't care for looks, she was interested in the passion he felt for his chosen profession and the way he perceived the world.

Peter B. Gillis brought Holden back for 1985's Eternals limited series, but he never got around to finishing his arc before he prematurely left the title. Walt Simonson wrote the final three issues and didn't do much with Samuel Holden. Be thankful for small favors, because all the other main human cast members died.

Holden's final fate remains unrevealed. He survived the 1985 Eternals mini, but it looks like he and Sersi parted company before she got involved with the Black Knight in the early 90s Harras/Epting era.

Technically speaking, Holden can be considered affiliated with every Eternal that joined him in the Uni-Mind. For clarity's sake, only the Eternals he has directly interacted with on panel have been included.

Samuel Holden made his debut in a story called "Gods and Men at City College". Try saying that title out loud a couple of times, it's so gloriously verbose you can't help but smile.

Profile by Norvo

CLARIFICATIONS:
Samuel Holden should not be confused with

Arnold Radisch

Arnold Radisch was a student at City College who took professor Samuel Holden's anthropology class. He was in attendance when Holden officially introduced humanity to their genetic cousins: the Eternals and the Deviants. The critical Arnold openly questioned their existence, even believing it was all a big trick. Ever impatient and petulant, Sersi showed off her transmutation power by turning Radisch's head into the rocky hide of the Thing. Seconds later, she reversed the process, leaving the perplexed Radisch with plenty to consider.

-- Eternals I#6











Images: (without ads)
Eternals II#1, p3, pan1 (main)
Eternals I#6, p12, pan6 (meet the Eternals)
Eternals I#11, p5, pan4 (visit Olympia)
Eternals I#14, p9, pan4 (levitating)
Eternals II#1, p5, pan6 (with holographic projector)
Eternals II#8. p9, pan1 (Kro as Dracula)
Eternals I#6, p16, pans1,3 (Arnold Radisch)

Appearances:
Eternals I#6 (December, 1976) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Eternals I#8 (February, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks)
Eternals I#11 (May, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks)
Eternals I#12 (June, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks)
Eternals I#14 (August, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Eternals I#15 (September, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Eternals I#16 (October, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Eternals I#18 (December, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer, pencils, editor), Mike Royer (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Eternals II#1 (October, 1985) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Al Gordon (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#3 (December, 1985) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Al Gordon (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#4 (January, 1986) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#5 (February, 1986) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils & inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#6 (March, 1986) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils & inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#8 (May, 1986) - Peter B. Gillis (writer), Sal Buscema (pencils & inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Eternals II#10 (July, 1986) - Walt Simonson (writer, inks), Keith Pollard (pencils), Danny Bulanadi, Tom Morgan (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)

First Posted: 11/13/2024
Last Updated: 11/13/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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