Watcher (comics)
| Watcher | |
|---|---|
| File:FF48.jpg The Watcher (left) warns the Fantastic Four of the coming of Galactus on the cover of Fantastic Four #48 (Mar 1966). Art by Jack Kirby. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Uatu: Fantastic Four #13 (Apr. 1963) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| Characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Blue Area of the Moon (Uatu only) |
| Inherent abilities | Superhuman strength, intellect, stamina, durability and longevity Energy and molecular manipulation Psionic powers Teleportation |
The Watchers are a fictional extraterrestrial race of cosmic entities that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963).
Fictional history
The Watchers are one of the oldest species in the universe, and are committed to observing and compiling knowledge on all aspects of the universe. This policy of non-interference is due to a well-meaning attempt by the Watchers to bestow knowledge on another race which resulted in that race destroying itself. Despite this, the Watcher Uatu has revealed himself to the superhero team the Fantastic Four, [1] and aided them on several occasions against global threats such as the Molecule Man, [2] Galactus [3] and the Overmind. [4] After blatant interference with the mission of the Kree soldier Mar-vell, Uatu is put on trial by his own race, but is released on the provision that he never directly interfere again. [5]
Uatu is later banished by his race for aiding the Fantastic Four against the threat of his rogue nephew, Aron, the Renegade Watcher, who tries to destroy the universe. [6]
Powers and abilities
The Watchers are cosmic beings, who possess the innate ability to achieve virtually any effect desired, including augmenting personal attributes, time and space manipulation, molecular manipulation, energy projection and a range of mental powers. They also have access to incredibly advanced technology.
Other versions
What If
The Watcher Uatu often observes how key events from the Earth-616 Marvel Universe differed in alternate universes and speculates on the related consequences. [7]
Earth X
In the alternate reality of Earth X (Earth-9997), the Watchers are slaves of the Celestials. As punishment for their non-interference during the birth of their arch-enemy Galactus, the Celestials force the Watchers to observe the impregnation of newly-formed planets with their Celestial eggs, and the eventual birth of the Celestial within, which ultimately destroys that planet. [8]
Ultimate Watchers
In the Ultimate Universe, the Watchers are depicted as machines. [9]
In other media
- The Watcher appears in two animated segments of The Hulk on the 1966 series The Marvel Superheroes. He also makes a cameo later, in new Hulk edition from 2008, where is beaten by Red Hulk.
- The Watcher appears in two Fantastic Four cartoons - the 1967 version and the 1994 version.
- The Watchers appears in the role of narrator in the Fox Kids animated Silver Surfer series.
- The Watcher also appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
Notes
- ^ Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
- ^ Fantastic Four #20 (Nov. 1963)
- ^ Fantastic Four #48 (Mar. 1966)
- ^ Fantastic Four #113 (Aug. 1971)
- ^ Captain Marvel #37 - 38 (March-May (bi-monthly)1975)
- ^ Fantastic Four #400 (May 1995)
- ^ What If #1 - 47 (Feb. 1977 - Oct. 1984) and What If vol. 2 #1 - 114 (Jul. 1989 - Nov. 1998)
- ^ Earth X:Issue X (Mar 2000)
- ^ Ultimate Extinction #1 - 5, Jan. 2006 - May 2006 respectively