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|creators = Credited to [[Stan Lee]] <br>[[Jack Kirby]]
|creators = Credited to [[Stan Lee]] <br>[[Jack Kirby]]
|deities =
|deities =
|homeworld = [[Blue Area of the Moon]]<br>(Uatu only)
|homeworld =
|members = [[Uatu]]<br>[[Aron (comics)|Aron]]
|members = [[Uatu]]<br>[[Aron (comics)|Aron]]
|powers = [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman strength|Superhuman strength]], [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman intelligence|intellect]], stamina, [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman durability|durability]] and longevity<br>[[List of comic book superpowers#Energy manipulation|Energy]] and [[List of comic book superpowers#Molecular manipulation|molecular manipulation]]<br>Psionic powers<br>[[List of comic book superpowers#Teleportation|Teleportation]]
|powers = [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman strength|Superhuman strength]], [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman intelligence|intellect]], stamina, [[List of comic book superpowers#Superhuman durability|durability]] and longevity<br>[[List of comic book superpowers#Energy manipulation|Energy]] and [[List of comic book superpowers#Molecular manipulation|molecular manipulation]]<br>Psionic powers<br>[[List of comic book superpowers#Teleportation|Teleportation]]
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==Known Watchers==
==Known Watchers==
* '''Acba''' - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse.<ref name="Quasar #25">''Quasar'' #25</ref>
* '''Acba'''
* '''[[Aron (comics)|Aron]]''' – A renegade Watcher
* '''[[Aron (comics)|Aron]]''' – A renegade Watcher.
* '''Critics''' - A branch of the Watchers that comment on everything they observe.<ref>''Sensational She-Hulk'' #14</ref>
* '''Ecce''' – The Watcher who first came upon the newborn [[Galactus]]. Despite realizing the danger of his existence, he chose not to eliminate him in his helpless state thereby contributing to his evolution into the Devourer of Worlds.
* '''Ecce''' – The Watcher who first came upon the newborn [[Galactus]]. Despite realizing the danger of his existence, he chose not to eliminate him in his helpless state thereby contributing to his evolution into the Devourer of Worlds.<ref>''Thor'' #168</ref>
* '''Edda'''
* '''Edda''' - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse.<ref name="Quasar #25"/>
* '''Egma'''
* '''Egma''' - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse where he watched Quasar's fight with Maelstrom and his master Oblivion.<ref name="Quasar #25"/>
* '''Eihu'''
* '''Eihu''' - A Watcher who witnessed and affected the outcome of the battle between the Stranger and Overmind.<ref name="Quasar #16">''Quasar'' #16</ref>
* '''Emnu'''
* '''Emnu''' - The leader of the Homeworld High Council who opposed the Prosilicus experiment.<ref name="Tales of Suspense #53">''Tales of Suspense'' #53</ref>
* '''Engo'''
* '''Engu''' - A Watcher who was present at the trail of Uatu.<ref name="Captain Marvel #39">''Captain Marvel'' #39</ref>
* '''Eta''' - A female Watcher that lives on the floating island called [[Weirdworld]].<ref>''Weirdworld'' Vol. 2 #3</ref>
* '''Eta''' - A female Watcher that lives on the floating island called [[Weirdworld]].<ref>''Weirdworld'' Vol. 2 #3</ref>
* '''He Who Summons''' - The leader of the Watchers who engaged Exitar the Celestial.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #378</ref>
* '''Ikor'''
* '''Ikor''' - The father of Uatu who proposed the Prosilicus experiment.<ref name="Tales of Suspense #53">
* '''Ing'''
* '''Ing''' - A Watcher who was present at the trial of Uatu.<ref name="Captain Marvel #39"/>
* '''Ocam'''
* '''Ocam''' - A Watcher who witnessed and affected the outcome of the battle between the Stranger and Overmind.<ref name="Quasar #16">
* '''The One'''<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #400</ref>
* '''The One''' - The repository of the Watchers' collective knowledge and observations throughout the eons.<ref>''Fantastic Force'' #7</ref> He was later killed by Exitar the Celestial.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #400</ref>
* '''Otmu'''
* '''Otmu''' - A Watcher who operates in a sector of the [[Shi'ar]] galaxy.<ref name="Quasar #15">''Quasar'' #15</ref>
* '''Qyre'''
* '''Qyre''' - A Watcher who discovered the recluses.<ref name="She-Hulk #7">''She-Hulk'' Vol. 3 #7</ref>
* '''Ualu'''
* '''Talmadge''' - A newborn Watcher.<ref>''Thing: Freakshow'' #1</ref>
* '''Ualu''' - A Watcher who was present when Quasar fought Otmu.<ref name="Quasar #15"/>
* '''[[Uatu]]''' – Originally assigned to Earth, Uatu was the first Watcher to break with his people's principles of non-interference by allying himself with the [[Fantastic Four]] against Galactus.<ref>''The Fantastic Four'' #13 (1963)</ref>
* '''[[Uatu]]''' – Originally assigned to Earth, Uatu was the first Watcher to break with his people's principles of non-interference by allying himself with the [[Fantastic Four]] against Galactus.<ref>''The Fantastic Four'' #13 (1963)</ref>
* '''Uilig''' - A Watcher on Earth-691 who was the survivor of the Hawk God's attack on the Watchers.<ref>''Guardians of the Galaxy'' #49</ref>
* '''Uilig'''
* '''Ulana''' – A female Watcher and Uatu's lover.
* '''Ulana''' – A female Watcher and Uatu's lover.<ref>''FF'' #13</ref>
* '''Uravo''' – A young female Watcher who was sent to find Uatu when he had abandoned his post on Earth.<ref>''Hulk'' Vol. 2 #28</ref>
* '''Uravo''' – A young female Watcher who was sent to find Uatu when he had abandoned his post on Earth.<ref>''Hulk'' Vol. 2 #28</ref>
* '''Ute''' - A Watcher from Earth-374 who told the history of Proctor to the Avengers.<ref>''Avengers'' #363</ref>
* '''Ute'''
* '''Watcher of the Calishee''' – A Watcher who observed the planet Calishee.<ref>''Thor'' #419</ref>
* '''Watcher of the Calishee''' – A Watcher who observed the planet Calishee.<ref>''Thor'' #419</ref>
* '''Xecu'''
* '''Xecu'''
* '''Zoma''' - A Watcher who was present at the trial of the recluses under She-Hulk.<ref name="She-Hulk #7"/>
* '''Zoma'''


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
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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.<ref>''Earth X:Issue X'' (Mar 2000)</ref>
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.<ref>''Earth X:Issue X'' (Mar 2000)</ref>


===Ultimate Watchers===
===Ultimate Marvel===
In the [[Ultimate Marvel]] [[Parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]] limited series ''Ultimate Origins'', the Watchers are depicted as machines that speak through a human host ([[Invisible Woman#Ultimate Marvel|Sue Storm]]). They choose [[Rick Jones (comics)|Rick Jones]] as their "herald" to help humans survive an "upcoming crisis".<ref>''Ultimate Extinction'' #1 - 5 (Jan. 2006 - May 2006)</ref>
In the [[Ultimate Marvel]] [[Parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]] limited series ''Ultimate Origins'', the Watchers are depicted as machines that speak through a human host ([[Invisible Woman#Ultimate Marvel|Sue Storm]]). They choose [[Rick Jones (comics)|Rick Jones]] as their "herald" to help humans survive an "upcoming crisis".<ref>''Ultimate Extinction'' #1 - 5 (Jan. 2006 - May 2006)</ref>


==In other media==
==In other media==
Line 81: Line 84:


===Film===
===Film===
The Watchers appear in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'' where their close-up appearances are portrayed by Walt Linscott. They are seen in both in the film and a post-credits scene. In these scenes, an informant of theirs (portrayed by [[Stan Lee]]) tells the uninterested group of Watchers about the experiences he has had on Earth. During the post-credits part, the Watchers meeting with their informant start to get uninterested with his experiences and take their leave as the informant tells them that they are his only ride back to Earth. Director and screenwriter [[James Gunn]] has stated that the scene was created because of the online fan-theory that Stan Lee's cameos throughout the franchise are due to his relation to the Watchers.
The Watchers appear in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'' where their close-up appearances are portrayed by Walt Linscott. They are seen in both in the film and a post-credits scene. In these scenes, an informant of theirs (portrayed by [[Stan Lee]]) tells the uninterested group of Watchers about the experiences he has had on Earth when they meet with him on an asteroid. During the post-credits part, the Watchers meeting with their informant start to get uninterested with his experiences and take their leave as the informant tells them that they are his only ride back to Earth. Director and screenwriter [[James Gunn]] has stated that the scene was created because of the online fan-theory that Stan Lee's cameos throughout the franchise are due to his relation to the Watchers.


===Video games===
===Video games===
Line 94: Line 97:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://marvel.wikia.com/Watchers Watchers] at Marvel Wiki
* [http://marvel.wikia.com/Watchers Watchers] at Marvel Wiki
* [http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Watchers Watchers] at Marvel Wiki
* [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-watchers/4060-11523/ Watchers] at Comic Vine
* [http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/watchers.htm Watchers] at Marvel Appendix


{{Fantastic Four}}
{{Fantastic Four}}

Revision as of 17:11, 16 August 2017

Watcher
Cover of Fantastic Four vol. 1, 48 (Mar, 1966)
Featuring Uatu the Watcher (left) warning the Fantastic Four of the coming of Galactus, art by Jack Kirby, pencils, and Joe Sinnott, inks
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceFantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
Created byCredited to Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
Characteristics
Notable membersUatu
Aron
Inherent abilitiesSuperhuman strength, intellect, stamina, durability and longevity
Energy and molecular manipulation
Psionic powers
Teleportation

The Watchers are a race of fictional extraterrestrials appearing in American 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 total non-interference came into existence due to a former, well-meant attempt by the Watchers to bestow advanced knowledge on the Prosilicans, who used the nuclear technology gained to create weapons and destroy themselves. When the Watchers returned to Prosilicus, the survivors blamed them for causing the catastrophe by giving the Prosilicans nuclear technology before they were ready for it. The Watchers then took a vow never to interfere with other civilizations.[1]

Despite this, the Watcher Uatu has revealed himself to the superhero team the Fantastic Four, telling them of his race. In his first appearance, he made them battle the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes for control of the Moon. He complimented Reed Richards and claimed he would go to a more distant part of the Galaxy to observe humanity.[2] He aids them on several occasions against global threats such as the Molecule Man,[3] Galactus,[4] and the Overmind.[5] The Leader discovered his existence and tracked him to his world. He transported the Hulk there to get the Ultimate Machine, which contains all the information in the Universe. The Hulk battled the Amphibious Qnax, who had also been sent to recover the machine. The Watcher transported them away from his machines to battle, and when the Hulk won, he transported Qnax back to his homeworld. He then took the Hulk back to his base, where the Hulk took the Machine despite the Watcher's warnings. The Leader transported him back to Earth and tried to use the device. However, the tremendous amount of knowledge proved too much for the Leader. He collapsed to the ground, unmoving, and the Hulk assumed that he died of shock.[6] When the Hulk tried to use the machine himself, Uatu allowed him to hear the voice of Rick Jones, after which the Hulk removed the device. The Watcher then transported the Ultimate Machine back to his planet.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] The Dreaming Celestial later scans Uatu and learns the Watcher has broken his pact of non-interference almost 400 times.[10] The Celestial also reveals the Watchers, like the Celestials themselves, are servants of a concept called Fulcrum, with apparent consequences for interference.[10] Despite this, the other Watchers have interfered in other civilizations' events, though rarely, notably when the world-ending robot Omegex approached the Milky Way and they deemed it dangerous enough to act directly against it.

There is also a tongue in cheek splintered off faction of Watchers that call themselves The Critics, who not only observe events, but also give dramatic critique as they take place. The only known Critic looks similar to other Watchers, but wears a mustache, goatee, dark sunglasses, and, rather than toga, dresses in a tweed sport coat.[11]

When Nova briefly visits Uatu and witnesses him watching various alternate realities, he learns that Uatu's father was the Watcher who originally gave nuclear technology to the Prosilicans, with Uatu's search of parallel universes being motivated by the desire to find the one world where his father's act of charity was proved to be the right thing to do.[12]

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 highly advanced technology.

Known Watchers

  • Acba - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse.[13]
  • Aron – A renegade Watcher.
  • Critics - A branch of the Watchers that comment on everything they observe.[14]
  • Ecce – The Watcher who first came upon the newborn Galactus. Despite realizing the danger of his existence, he chose not to eliminate him in his helpless state thereby contributing to his evolution into the Devourer of Worlds.[15]
  • Edda - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse.[13]
  • Egma - A Watcher that was present during the universe's potential collapse where he watched Quasar's fight with Maelstrom and his master Oblivion.[13]
  • Eihu - A Watcher who witnessed and affected the outcome of the battle between the Stranger and Overmind.[16]
  • Emnu - The leader of the Homeworld High Council who opposed the Prosilicus experiment.[17]
  • Engu - A Watcher who was present at the trail of Uatu.[18]
  • Eta - A female Watcher that lives on the floating island called Weirdworld.[19]
  • He Who Summons - The leader of the Watchers who engaged Exitar the Celestial.[20]
  • Ikor - The father of Uatu who proposed the Prosilicus experiment.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). He was later killed by Exitar the Celestial.[21]
  • Otmu - A Watcher who operates in a sector of the Shi'ar galaxy.[22]
  • Qyre - A Watcher who discovered the recluses.[23]
  • Talmadge - A newborn Watcher.[24]
  • Ualu - A Watcher who was present when Quasar fought Otmu.[22]
  • Uatu – Originally assigned to Earth, Uatu was the first Watcher to break with his people's principles of non-interference by allying himself with the Fantastic Four against Galactus.[25]
  • Uilig - A Watcher on Earth-691 who was the survivor of the Hawk God's attack on the Watchers.[26]
  • Ulana – A female Watcher and Uatu's lover.[27]
  • Uravo – A young female Watcher who was sent to find Uatu when he had abandoned his post on Earth.[28]
  • Ute - A Watcher from Earth-374 who told the history of Proctor to the Avengers.[29]
  • Watcher of the Calishee – A Watcher who observed the planet Calishee.[30]
  • Xecu
  • Zoma - A Watcher who was present at the trial of the recluses under She-Hulk.[23]

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.[31]

Wha... Huh?

The Watcher appears as the host of Marvel Comics spoof. On the first page he appears as a peeping-tom.

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.[32]

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel alternate universe limited series Ultimate Origins, the Watchers are depicted as machines that speak through a human host (Sue Storm). They choose Rick Jones as their "herald" to help humans survive an "upcoming crisis".[33]

In other media

Television

Film

The Watchers appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 where their close-up appearances are portrayed by Walt Linscott. They are seen in both in the film and a post-credits scene. In these scenes, an informant of theirs (portrayed by Stan Lee) tells the uninterested group of Watchers about the experiences he has had on Earth when they meet with him on an asteroid. During the post-credits part, the Watchers meeting with their informant start to get uninterested with his experiences and take their leave as the informant tells them that they are his only ride back to Earth. Director and screenwriter James Gunn has stated that the scene was created because of the online fan-theory that Stan Lee's cameos throughout the franchise are due to his relation to the Watchers.

Video games

The Watchers are referenced in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. If the player asks Uatu about the Watchers, Uatu will bring up a history of the Watchers introducing technology to the residents of Prosilicus.

Web series

The Watcher is the title of a web series that runs on Marvel's official YouTube page hosted and written by Lorraine Cink, featuring news about Marvel comics, film, television, and toys.

References

  1. ^ Tales of Suspense #52-53
  2. ^ Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
  3. ^ Fantastic Four #20 (Nov. 1963)
  4. ^ Fantastic Four #48 (Mar. 1966)
  5. ^ Fantastic Four #113 (Aug. 1971)
  6. ^ Tales to Astonish #73-74
  7. ^ Tales to Astonish #75
  8. ^ Captain Marvel #37 - 38 (March–May (bi-monthly)1975)
  9. ^ Fantastic Four #400 (May 1995)
  10. ^ a b Eternals vol. 7, (Oct. 2008)
  11. ^ Sensational She-Hulk #14-17
  12. ^ Original Sin #0
  13. ^ a b c Quasar #25
  14. ^ Sensational She-Hulk #14
  15. ^ Thor #168
  16. ^ Quasar #16
  17. ^ Tales of Suspense #53
  18. ^ Captain Marvel #39
  19. ^ Weirdworld Vol. 2 #3
  20. ^ Fantastic Four #378
  21. ^ Fantastic Four #400
  22. ^ a b Quasar #15
  23. ^ a b She-Hulk Vol. 3 #7
  24. ^ Thing: Freakshow #1
  25. ^ The Fantastic Four #13 (1963)
  26. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #49
  27. ^ FF #13
  28. ^ Hulk Vol. 2 #28
  29. ^ Avengers #363
  30. ^ Thor #419
  31. ^ What If #1 - 47 (Feb. 1977 - Oct. 1984) and What If vol. 2 #1 - 114 (Jul. 1989 - Nov. 1998)
  32. ^ Earth X:Issue X (Mar 2000)
  33. ^ Ultimate Extinction #1 - 5 (Jan. 2006 - May 2006)

Template:Marvel Cosmic Entities

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