Watcher (comics)
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The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear 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).
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[edit] 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 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 aids 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] The Dreaming Celestial later scans Uatu and learns the Watcher has broken his pact of non-interference almost 400 times.[7] The Celestial also reveals the Watchers, like the Celestials themselves, are servants of a concept called Fulcrum, with apparent consequences for interference.[7]
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.[8]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Other versions
[edit] 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.[9]
[edit] 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.[10]
[edit] Ultimate Watchers
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".[11]
[edit] In other media
[edit] Television
- The Watcher appeared in an episode of The Fantastic Four (1994 TV series).
- The Watchers as a group featured in the animated Silver Surfer (1998 series).
- The Watcher appeared in an episode of The Super Hero Squad Show.
[edit] Video games
- The Watcher appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (2006).
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ 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)
- ^ a b Eternals vol. 7, (Oct. 2008)
- ^ Sensational She-Hulk #14-17
- ^ 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)
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