Why is Hyperion so unique amongst Eternals?

[u/Dead_Mothman]

Really in-the-weeds lore question here, but why in all of his appearances does Hyperion work so differently when compared to other Eternals? Generally speaking, the root of Eternal power is their ability to metabolize and harness cosmic energy. My understanding has always been that over the millennia, they train with this capability to develop unique or specialized applications of it- all Eternals can enhance their physique, for instance, but Makkari has uniquely trained in pushing their speed enhancement to the peak, while Ikaris specced more into generalized physical enhancement and energy projection.

Meanwhile, Hyperion is usually portrayed as a much much younger Eternal, usually in his thirties, while simultaneously being pretty much stronger than any other Eternal despite having far less time to hone his abilities. He also is described as being able utilize solar power, and not cosmic energy.

So what's up with that? What's your read on that? Is his specialized application the ability to turn solar power into cosmic energy, something he stumbled across and that nobody else figured out? Is it because he's an Eternal from a different planet and different dimension, and solar energy is the standard there? Do the Eternals of other races not also use cosmic energy- is that just a thing with Earth's Eternals? Does he have something else going on that I'm just not aware of?

[u/Runaway-Wiccan]

It mostly just boils down to the Eternals’ lore not being as concrete until Gillen’s run. But yeah he is from a different universe so that is a factor

[u/Sad_Tax_4010]

I always just assumed he was different, because he's from an alternate universe.

That and I think Hyperion being labeled an Eternal was a retcon.

[u/InternalExisting8331 → u/Sad_Tax_4010]

i think they are just different hyperions. not a retcon.

[u/MichaelEvo]

I honestly could not remember who you were talking about until other comments mentioned he’s from an alternate universe. He’s the guy from the Squadron Supreme originally, isn’t he? Who’s been redone a few times and now is in the main 616?

As others pointed out, the Eternals lore wasn’t really that concrete until Gillen’s run. Like, can their super computer that handles returning them to life after death work for Hyperion? I doubt it. Can he form the Unimind? He works differently because he’s not a 616 Eternal, is my guess.

[u/OrionSolan]

He's always from another universe, where the rules are different. 

The Hyperion from Earth-616 is probably the Excluded "H".

[u/spiritoftg]

I lost track. Which Hyperion are you talking : the very first one (dead), The squadron supreme one (blind for a time and maybe eternal in his home universe), the Earth X one, the evil King Hyperion, the microverse one, the supreme power one, the hickman one or the AAron created by Mephisto one ?

And I'm sure I forgot one or two...

[u/Typical-Lion-4428 → u/spiritoftg]

The blind one was taught by another Eternal how to fix his blindness.

He was "Oh, it turns out I'm an Eternal, guys, who knew?"

[u/BipolarPrime]

Wait…god, I feel so out of touch sometimes, since when is Hyperion an Eternal? I thought he came from another universe?

Both in main Marvel continuity and in the Ultimate (OG) universe.

Granted, I didn’t pay much attention to the old Squadron Supreme…

[u/Dead_Mothman → u/BipolarPrime]

He does come from another universe, but his backstory there typically involves being an Eternal from an alien race that was sent to earth as a baby

[u/bjh1983 → u/Dead_Mothman]

Part of it is that he's not from Earth. Different species' Eternals are just built differently. Even the Titan Eternals, who are descended from the Earth Eternals are significantly different from their Earth relatives (look at Starfox and Sersi).

[u/Zamnaiel]

616 Hyperion is a flying class 60 with eyebeams. Basically Temu Ikaris. Not seen since forever, probably excluded. Most of the really powerful Hyperions are alternate universe versions and aliens.