- Living Tribunal
Superherobox|
caption=Art byJim Starlin .
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Living Tribunal
real_name=
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut= (Cameo) "Strange Tales " vol. 1, #157 (June, 1967)
creators=Stan Lee
Marie Severin
Herb Trimpe
alliance_color=background:#cccccc
alliances=
aliases=
powers=Virtual Omnipotence,
Omniscience,
Omnipresent|The Living Tribunal is a
cosmic entity that appears in thefictional Marvel Universe . The character first appeared in "Strange Tales " vol. 1, #157 June 1967 (cameo - first full appearance next issue). The Tribunal was created byStan Lee ,Marie Severin andHerb Trimpe .Fictional character biography
The Living Tribunal is a virtually omnipotent entity empowered by the
One-Above-All to oversee and maintain balance in the realities that constitute the Multiverse, from the mainstream universe (616) to all the alternate realities (e.g., "What If") and pocket universes (e.g.,Earth X ).The Living Tribunal only appears when needed, such as when passing judgment on Earth; ["Strange Tales" #157 - 163 (vol. 1, Jun. - Dec. 1967)] monitoring the actions of other cosmic beings; ["Rom" #46 (Apr. 1983); "Secret Wars II" #6 (Dec. 1985); "Silver Surfer" #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989); "Quasar" #26 (Sep. 1991)] or acting as a referee on matters affecting an entire universe. ["Warlock and the Infinity Watch" #1 (Feb. 1992)]
The Living Tribunal's power is apparently limitless, as the entity is capable of nullifying the combined power of the
Infinity Gems . ["Warlock and the Infinity Watch" #1] The entity has only been surpassed once - whenThanos of Titan becomes one with the entire universe through the use of an artifact called theHeart of the Universe and even the Living Tribunal was apparently powerless to stop him. ["Marvel Universe: The End" #1 - 6 (2004)]It has been revealed that the Living Tribunal has representatives that he calls "The Magistrati" who dispense judgments by request in various alien worlds. ["She-Hulk" #7 (vol. 4)]
Appearance
The Living Tribunal has three faces, although only one is fully visible, with the other two being partially and completely covered. The three faces represent Equity, Vengeance, and Necessity, respectively, and correspond to the different prime cosmic beings in all universes. ["Silver Surfer" #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989)]
In the
Earth-616 universe these beings are:* Equity -
Galactus
* Necessity - Eternity
* Vengeance - DeathIn the mystical realm of the
Vishanti , these beings are represented by theIn-Betweener (Equity);Master Order (Necessity) and Lord Chaos (Vengeance), although all are still governed by the Living Tribunal.The fourth side of the Living Tribunal's head is a void. The Tribunal once stated that it "could" have represented the cosmic entity the Stranger, but the latter refused. ["Silver Surfer" #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989)]
The Tribunal revealed the previously completely covered face of Necessity to
She-Hulk as a reflection of her own face, stating that the face is a "Cosmic Mirror which reminds us to always judge others as we would have ourselves judged." ["She-Hulk" #12 (vol. 4)]Powers and abilities
The Living Tribunal possesses infinite power and near-absolute control over the Marvel multiverse, second only to the
One-Above-All in station, authority and power.References
External links
* [http://www.knightmare6.com/faq/cosmic_entities_marvel Knightmare6.com; Marvel Cosmic Entities]
* [http://www.drstrange.nl/drstrange/sanctum/book/livingtribunal.htm Doctor Strange; Living Tribunal]
*http://www.marvel.com/universe/Living_Tribunal
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