Watcher (comics)
| Watcher | |
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 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. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| Characteristics | |
| Place of origin | Blue Area of the Moon (Uatu only) |
| Notable members | Uatu Aron |
| Inherent abilities | Superhuman strength, intellect, stamina, durability and longevity Energy and molecular manipulation Psionic powers Teleportation |
| Part of the collection on |
| Cosmic Marvel |
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| Major Characters |
| Groups |
| Major species |
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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 the Prosilicans who used the nuclear technology gained to create weapons and destroy itself. When the Watchers returned to Prosilicus, the survivors blamed them for 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, and in his first appearence 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 contained 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, and when the Hulk won he transported Qnax back to his homeworld and 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, this huge 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]
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]
The one time the other Watchers had to interfere was when the world-ending robot Omegex was approaching the Milky Way and were able to repel Omegex.
[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] Known Watchers
- Acba -
- Aron - A renegade Watcher.
- Atul -
- Ecce - The Watcher who first came upon the newborn Galactus. But 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.
- Edda -
- Egma -
- Eihu -
- Emnu -
- Engo -
- Ikor -
- Ing -
- Ocam -
- Otmu -
- Ualu -
- Uatu -
- Uilig -
- Uravo - A young female Watcher who was sent to find Uatu when he had abandoned his post on Earth.[12]
- Ute -
- Watcher of the Calishee - A Watcher who observed the planet Calishee.[13]
- Xecu -
[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.[14]
[edit] Wha... Huh?
The Watcher appears as the host of Marvel Comics spoof. On the first page he appears a peeping-tom.
[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.[15]
[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".[16]
[edit] In other media
[edit] Television
- The Watchers appears as a group featured in the animated Silver Surfer.
[edit] Video games
- The Watchers are referenced in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. Uatu saves the heroes from Doctor Doom when he steals the power of Odin (comics). For this he is stripped of his powers, and he remains in Attilan. If the player asks Uatu about the Watchers, Uatu will bring up a history of the Watchers introducing technology to the residents of Prosilicus.
[edit] References
- ^ Tales of Suspense #52-53
- ^ Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
- ^ Fantastic Four #20 (Nov. 1963)
- ^ Fantastic Four #48 (Mar. 1966)
- ^ Fantastic Four #113 (Aug. 1971)
- ^ Tales to Astonish #73-74
- ^ Tales to Astonish #75
- ^ 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
- ^ Hulk Vol. 2 #28
- ^ Thor #419
- ^ 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)
[edit] External links
- Watchers at Marvel Wiki
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