Phastos first appeared in The Eternals (vol. 2) #1 in 1985, created by Peter B. Gillis and Sal Buscema. He was introduced as a master technologist and weapons-maker for the Eternals, who preferred to live among humans and help them advance their civilization. He was also revealed to be a pacifist who disliked violence and war, often putting him at odds with his fellow Eternals.
Phastos has a long and complex history that spans millions of years. He was one of the 100 original Eternals created by the Celestials, a race of cosmic beings who experimented on early humans. He witnessed many events that shaped the history of the Eternals, such as the destruction of their city Titanos by Kronos’s experiment with time, the war between Uranos and Kronos that led to the creation of two branches of Eternals, and the schism between Zuras and A’Lars that resulted in the departure of some Eternals to Saturn’s moon Titan.
Phastos has also been involved in many important storylines that featured the Eternals and their interactions with other races and characters in the Marvel Universe. For example, he helped Ikaris fight against the Deviants, a monstrous offshoot of humanity who were enemies of the Eternals. He also joined the Uni-Mind, a collective consciousness formed by the Eternals, to confront the Celestials when they returned to Earth to judge their creations. He also participated in the Infinity Gauntlet saga, where he sided with Thanos against the heroes of Earth in exchange for stopping the Eternals’ resurrection process, which he considered unnatural and immoral. However, he later regretted his decision and helped restore the function with the help of Sprite.
Phastos is a brilliant inventor and engineer and a powerful Eternal with various abilities. He possesses superhuman strength, speed, durability, stamina, agility, reflexes, and senses. He can manipulate cosmic energy to fly, project blasts, create force fields, heal himself and others, and alter his appearance. He can also control technology with his mind, telepathically communicate with other Eternals, and access the memories of his past lives. However, he also has some weaknesses, such as being vulnerable to mental attacks and being susceptible to self-doubt and depression.
Phastos is also known for his signature weapon, a forged hammer. The hammer can amplify his powers and abilities and serve as a tool for his inventions. The hammer can also emit sonic waves that shatter objects or stun opponents. Phastos often uses his hammer to create or repair machines and devices for himself or others. He used it to make a sword for Kingo Sunen, an Eternal who became a samurai and a movie star in Japan. He also used it to fix the resurrection machine that Thanos damaged.
Phastos is a comic book character and a movie character who will debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021. He will be portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry in the Eternals film directed by Chloe Zhao. Phastos will be part of a diverse cast of actors who will play different members of the Eternals team. Phastos will also be the first openly gay superhero in the MCU, as he will have a husband and a child in the film. This will mark a milestone for LGBTQ representation in superhero movies.
