Uatu

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Uatu

Fantastic Four #48 (Sept. 1966): The Watcher warns, in part one of the landmark "Galactus Trilogy". Cover art by Kiry & Sinnott.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #13 (April 1963)
Created by Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
In story information
Alter ego Uatu
Team affiliations Watchers
Notable aliases The Watcher
Abilities Enormous cosmic powers,
Vast scientific knowledge,
Immortality

Uatu often simply known as The Watcher is a fictional character created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Fantastic Four Volume 1 #13 (April 1963). He is a member of the Watchers, an extraterrestrial species who in the distant past stationed themselves across space to monitor the activities of other species. Uatu is the Watcher assigned to observe Earth and its solar system.

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[edit] Fictional character biography

Like other Watchers, Uatu is sworn to an oath of non-interference; however, he has bent or outright violated his oath on numerous occasions in order to aid humanity. Uatu dwells on the Blue Area of the Moon, an abandoned city built by the alien Kree centuries ago. In his first appearance, he encountered the Fantastic Four and their enemy, the Red Ghost, When the latter entered his home, he repelled the invader with a thought and, breaking his oath for the first time, revealed himself to the Fantastic Four. Uatu, being youthful and rebellious in comparison to his brethren, would break his oath many more times in the future, most notably in Fantastic Four volume 1 #48, in which he tried, and failed, to prevent the Silver Surfer from bringing the world-devourer Galactus to the Earth. He was once placed on trial for violating his oath.[1]

The mini-series Marvel 1602 reveals that, although Fantastic Four #13 was the first time he broke his oath, the anomalous appearance of Marvel's superheroes more than 300 years early forced him to severely bend it, communicating with the 1602 version of Doctor Strange prior to the latter's death. As a result, he must maintain a pocket universe containing the 1602 world within himself.

Uatu has appeared countless times since, on several occasions narrating other characters' adventures. He also served as narrator for the What If...? series, which told tales of alternate versions of the Marvel Universe where certain events unfolded differently (and often disastrously). At least once, he has been removed from his duty as Watcher of the Earth, but he nevertheless returns to his true calling, observing the world he has become so fond of.

Uatu also has a history with the X-Men, and most commonly appears when Jean Grey is experiencing enhancements to her Phoenix powers. He is also seen in Uncanny X-Men #473, where he reveals the true story of Jamie Braddock, the brother of X-Man Psylocke, and how he got involved with the villain group called "the Foursaken". He also appears to have some sort of history with the centuries old mutant Apocalypse. During the Onslaught saga, he and Apocalypse observed and discussed the conflict from afar.

Uatu revealed himself during the "Civil War" story arc, as well as during the wedding of the Black Panther and Storm. He also spoke briefly with the meditating Doctor Strange on the eve of the final battle between the two sides of the war. He asks Doctor Strange why he doesn't use his immense power to end the conflict with a wave of his hand. Strange answers that a Sorcerer Supreme cannot take sides in this matter, especially since there is no clear right or wrong, but he will pray for an outcome that will benefit mankind and spill the least amount of blood. Uatu reflects that this is much like his own situation.

[edit] Other versions

[edit] Earth X

In the alternate universe of Earth X, Uatu is portrayed as a cold, nihilistic manipulator who feels far superior to the people of earth whom he watches.

[edit] JLA/Avengers

In JLA/Avengers, Uatu makes a wordless cameo, as he watched the Justice League in the DC Universe, the only time a Watcher ever appeared there.

[edit] Powerless

In the Powerless limited series, reality is turned upside down and Uatu plays the role of psychiatrist William Watts. Watts's patients are the powerless heroes who face problems similar to their super-powered counterparts from Earth 616. Just like in Earth 616, Uatu finds that he cannot just stand by and watch as his patients' lives are ruined, and tries to come to their aid.

[edit] Star Trek/X-Men

In the Planet X Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men crossover novel, at the end the crossing of dimensions is revealed to be due to the interference of both Q and The Watcher.

[edit] Other Media

[edit] Television

[edit] Video Games

  • Uatu shows up in What If...? mode on the Playstation Spider-Man game.
  • Uatu is one of 140 characters in the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance video game, voiced by Phil LaMarr. He appears to aid the heroes after saving them from being destroyed by Doctor Doom (which Doctor Doom later reveals that he found out about Uatu saving them). He tells the heroes where to find the items required to defeat Doctor Doom: obtain the M'Kraan Crystal from the Shi'ar Empire and steal the Muonic Inducer from Galactus (who is attacking the Skrull homeworld). This results in his people depowering him for his act in saving the universe, although he assures the heroes the other Watchers will restore his powers eventually. Uatu brings up a history of the Watchers introducing technology to the residents of Prosilicus if the player asks him about the Watchers. Upon beating the game Uatu will tell the player the future of the Marvel Universe based on the actions of the player in the game. Outside of that, he has special dialogue with the Fantastic Four.
  • In Scarlet Traces: The Great Game, he is shown in a cave drawing on Mars as one of the original inhabitants of the Moon, along with the Selenites from The First Men in the Moon.

[edit] Internet

  • He has also been parodied in the webcomic PvP, coming down to Earth to observe the trial of the lawsuit put forth by Marvel Comics against the creators of City Of Heroes (in a rather annoying fashion). In the end of the storyline (when the judge declares a mistrial) Uatu appears one last time to show the outcome of the case: Galactus devouring the Earth.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Captain Marvel #39

[edit] External links