Edge Rewrite
restyle Source code View original
// HTMLRewriter · presentation

This page was redesigned at the edge.

Cloudflare fetched the original article and streamed it through HTMLRewriter to apply an entirely new visual system without rebuilding the source page.

Jump to content

Uatu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Uatu
Uatu, as he appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 6 #25 (October 2020).
Art by R.B. Silva.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoUatu
SpeciesWatcher
Notable aliasesWatcher
AbilitiesVast cosmic powers
Superhuman intelligence and scientific knowledge beyond Earth measuring
Immortality

Uatu (/ˈwɑːtuː/), often simply known as the Watcher, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963).[1] 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.

The character has been adapted into other media, such as video games, toys, and television. Jeffrey Wright voiced Uatu in the Marvel Cinematic Universe animated series What If...? (2021–2024) on Disney+.

Publication history

[edit]

The Watcher was created by Jack Kirby.[2] The character first appeared without a name in Fantastic Four #13 (Apr 1963), and periodically reappeared in that title. He then starred in "Tales of the Watcher", a backup feature that ran in Tales of Suspense #49-58 (Jan 1964-Oct 1965), Silver Surfer #1-7 (Aug 1968-Aug 1969) and Marvel Super-Heroes #23 (Nov 1969). His origin was revealed in Tales of Suspense #53 (May 1964), and his name was revealed in Captain Marvel #39 (Jul 1975).

The character has made many cameo appearances across the Marvel Universe since his debut, including Avengers,[3] Uncanny X-Men,[4] Hulk,[5] Silver Surfer, Quasar,[6] and Marvel Point One. He acts as the narrator in Marvel's What If? title.

In the 2014 "Original Sin" storyline, the character is murdered, sparking a hunt for his murderer. The core miniseries of that storyline is written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Mike Deodato.[7]

Fictional character biography

[edit]

The Watchers are among the oldest and most advanced beings in the cosmos. Eons ago, they sought to spread their knowledge to benefit the lesser races of the Universe. Their first attempt, on the planet Prosilicus, included sharing nuclear technology. When the Watchers returned to Prosilicus, they found the natives had all but destroyed themselves in a nuclear war. The Watchers blamed themselves for the catastrophe and vowed to never again meddle in the affairs of other races.[8] Instead, they passively observe and record events for those who will come after the universe ends.[9]

Uatu is the Watcher assigned to watch over Earth from his home in the Blue Area of the Moon. He is an altruist and has bent or violated his oath on numerous occasions to aid humanity. He revealed himself to the Fantastic Four when they discovered his home, telling them he would leave the Moon to observe humanity from a more distant area.[10] He proceeded to violate his oath several more times to aid the Fantastic Four.[11][12][13] His most notable transgression was in Fantastic Four #48, in which he tried, and failed, to prevent the Silver Surfer from bringing the planet-devourer Galactus to the Earth.[14] For his continuous disregard for the Watchers' mission, Uatu is once placed on trial by the Watchers. He is found guilty, but is released on his own recognizance.[15]

When the Shi'ar seek to prosecute Mister Fantastic for saving Galactus' life, Uatu serves as his lawyer and receives help from Odin, Eternity, and even Galactus himself to explain that Galactus is part of the universe's balance.[16] Uatu is removed from his duty as Watcher of the Earth, but he returns to observe the world of which he has become so fond.[17]

Uatu is present when the Dreaming Celestial awakens, but he turns away, unwilling to watch.[18] After scanning him, the Dreaming Celestial reveals Uatu has broken his pact of non-interference almost 400 times.[19]

Original Sin and death

[edit]

The 2014 "Original Sin" storyline reveals that Uatu's father was the Watcher who originally gave nuclear technology to the Prosilicans, and that Uatu's observation of parallel universes is motivated by a desire to find the one world where his father's act of charity was proved to be the right thing to do.[20] In the beginning of the story, Uatu is murdered and his eyes are gouged out, setting off a search by the Avengers and their allies for his killer.[21] Prior to his death, Uatu was attacked and one of his eyes was removed, ending up in the possession of the villain Orb. However, Uatu refused to identify his attacker and share the location of his missing eye due to it risking his oath. As Uatu gathers his power for an apparent attack, Nick Fury kills him and inherits Uatu's power and position.[22]

Revival

[edit]

In the aftermath of the "Empyre" storyline, Fury uses his powers to bring the Cotati's weapons to him so that he could learn how a pacifistic race like the Cotati had gained them. Once he begins analyzing them, Fury realizes the weapons were created by the First Race and is overcome with energy as Uatu is brought back to life.[23]

During the "Reckoning War" storyline, Uatu attempts to appeal to the other Watchers for help against the Prosilicans, but they reject his warnings, to the extent that his father forces Uatu to watch what he describes as the "What If" scenario he has never looked at himself; "What If Uatu Had Never Interfered?". In a world where Uatu never alerted the Fantastic Four to the coming of Galactus, Mister Fantastic creates a weapon that destroys Galactus, but ends up destroying the universe as well.[24] Revealing that the Prosilicans' weapons were based on Watcher technology and they were responsible for the devastation of the Great Barrens, Uatu absorbs the power of the Apex, the center of all power and knowledge of the Watchers.[25]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

As a member of the race of Watchers, Uatu possesses vast psionic abilities which have been further developed through training. These abilities include flight, telepathy, energy-manipulation powers, power-negating force-field projection, illusion casting, the ability to psionically alter his appearance at will, and highly advanced cosmic senses allowing him to be aware of countless events of Earth. His superhumanly complex intelligence enables him to monitor activities throughout Earth's solar system simultaneously. Uatu can convert his body into an unknown form of energy while still retaining his sentience for travel through hyperspace, and then return to his physical form. Bolstered by treatment with "delta-rays", Uatu possesses virtual immortality, although he can die by losing the will to live. He has shown he is able to transport himself and others through time,[13] and in one issue he claims he can send someone to Limbo.[26]

Watchers can augment their strength with cosmic psionic energy if they choose to; however, they tend to minimize their physical activities. The 1985 edition of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe compared Uatu's scale of power to that of Galactus, the Stranger, Odin, and Zeus.[volume and issue needed]

Uatu received a highly extensive education in his youth on his home world. He has devoted himself to the study of Earth's solar system and its sentient beings for millions of years. His home on the Blue Area of the Moon contains an enormous array of weaponry, artifacts, and technology created by various alien races from throughout the universe.[volume and issue needed]

Uatu also studies the Earths of alternate realities. With permission from the Timekeepers, he possesses a portal through which he can observe alternate realities. He has acquired extraordinary knowledge of the history of both the sentient beings on "mainstream" Earth and the numerous alternate Earths.[6]

Other versions

[edit]

Several alternate universe versions of Uatu have appeared throughout the character's publication history.

  • In Earth X, Uatu is portrayed as nihilistic due to his knowledge that Earth contains an unborn Celestial and that the humans inhabiting it are mere "antibodies", a natural line of defense. Uatu was blinded by Black Bolt, furthering his nihilism.[volume and issue needed]
  • In the Marvel 2099 reality, Uatu was blinded by his fellow Watchers for his constant breaking of the Watcher's oath and later sacrificed himself to destroy a barrier around Earth.[27]
  • In Marvel Apes, Uatu is a gorilla who usually tells stories that entertain him.[28]
  • In Marvel Zombies Return, Uatu is beheaded by Giant-Man, but survives as pure energy.[29]
  • In Powerless, a series with no superpowered characters, Uatu's counterpart is psychiatrist William Watts.[30]
  • In the Ultimate Marvel universe, Uatu is an advanced alien computer resembling a totem.[31]

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
The Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, as he appears in What If...?

Video games

[edit]

Miscellaneous

[edit]

Merchandise

[edit]

In 2004, Bowen Designs released a bust sculpture of Uatu sculpted and designed by the Kucharek Brothers.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 387. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  2. ↑ Cohen, Jason (May 29, 2017). "The Mad King: 15 Jack Kirby Creations That Are Absolutely BANANAS". CBR. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ New Avengers: Illuminati #2 (March 2007)
  4. ↑ Uncanny X-Men #473 (August 2006)
  5. ↑ Hulk (vol. 2) #4 (August 2008)
  6. 1 2 Quasar #30 (January 1992)
  7. ↑ Meylikhov, Matthew (January 7, 2014) "The Watcher is Murdered in Upcoming Event "Original Sin" by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato Archived 2014-01-11 at the Wayback Machine", Multiversity Comics (accessed January 22, 2014)
  8. ↑ Tales of Suspense #53 (May 1964)
  9. ↑ Quasar #13-16 (1989)
  10. ↑ Fantastic Four #13 (April 1963)
  11. ↑ Fantastic Four #20 (November 1963)
  12. ↑ Fantastic Four Annual #3 (October 1965)
  13. 1 2 Strange Tales #134 (July 1965)
  14. ↑ Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966)
  15. ↑ Captain Marvel #39 (July 1975)
  16. ↑ Fantastic Four #262 (January 1984)
  17. ↑ Tales of Suspense #49-58 (January - October 1964)
  18. ↑ Eternals (vol. 2) #6 (January 2007)
  19. ↑ Eternals (vol. 3) #3 (October 2008)
  20. ↑ Original Sin #0 (June 2014)
  21. ↑ Original Sin #1 (July 2014)
  22. ↑ Original Sin #8 (November 2014)
  23. ↑ Empyre: Fallout Fantastic Four one-shot (November 2020)
  24. ↑ Fantastic Four (vol. 6) #43 (July 2022)
  25. ↑ Fantastic Four (vol. 6) #45 (September 2022)
  26. ↑ Fantastic Four #18
  27. ↑ 2099: Manifest Destiny one-shot (March 1998)
  28. ↑ Marvel Apes #1 (September 2008)
  29. ↑ Marvel Zombies Return #5 (November 2009)
  30. ↑ Powerless #1-6 (August 2004 – January 2005)
  31. ↑ Ultimate Origins #1-4 (August–November 2008)
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Uatu the Watcher Voices (Fantastic Four)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Marvel Super Hero Squad Voice Cast". Comics Continuum. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009.
  34. ↑ George, Joe (April 10, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode 5 Has a Hidden Marvel Cameo You Missed". Den of Geek. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  35. ↑ Studios, Marvel (July 20, 2019). "Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios' WHAT IF…?, the first animated series in the MCU, with Jeffrey Wright as the voice of The Watcher and many actors from across the MCU reprising their roles as voice talent. Streaming exclusively on Disney+, Summer 2021.pic.twitter.com/el6etc3xZH". Twitter.com.
  36. ↑ Babb, Tiffany (September 1, 2023). "I Am Groot season 2 cameo adds a cosmic heavyweight to MCU". PopVerse. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  37. ↑ Iacobucci, Jordan (Feb 25, 2025). "Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Finale's MAJOR Cameo, Explained". Cbr.com. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  38. ↑ Walker, Patrik (April 11, 2026). "Marvel Boss Confirms Cosmic Character Cameo In Daredevil: Born Again". CBR.
  39. ↑ Behbakht, Andy (April 13, 2024). "X-Men '97 Episode 5's Watcher Cameo & Show Future Explained By Producer". Screen Rant.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uatu&oldid=1367189529"