Uatu

Superherobox|


caption= The Watcher on the cover of "Fantastic Four" #48
Art by Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott.
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Uatu
real_name=Uatu
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Fantastic Four" Vol. 1 #13 (April 1963)
creators=Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
alliance_color=background:#cccccc
status=Active
species=Watcher
aliases=The Watcher
powers=Enormous cosmic powers,
Vast scientific knowledge,
Immortality
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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.

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. ["Captain Marvel" #39]

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 Forsaken". 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. When the Dreaming Celestial was awakened, the Watcher, for just an instant, turned away, unwilling to watch. ["The Eternals" (2006) #6]

Civil War

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.

Hulk

During his fight with the Hulk, the Red Hulk attacked Uatu who was watching the fight. ["Hulk" #4 (June 2008)]

Other versions

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. This is partially because of the fact that he has been blinded by Black Bolt.

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.

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.

tar Trek/X-Men

In the "Planet X" ""/"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.

Ultimatum

The Watcher was a character announced to appear Fact|date=August 2008 in the Ultimate Universe 6 part book, "Ultimatum".

In #4 of Ultimate Origins, the Ultimate counterpart of Uatu is revealed. Ultimate Uatu is not a person, but rather a highly advanced alien computer that "Watches" everything. Ultiamte Watcher resembles a stone totome of sorts with a glowing red eye. However, it appears that there is more than one Watcher in the Ultimate universe for in Ultimate X-Men #96 Jean Grey attempts to find heaven to ressurect her father, only to be stopped by a Silver Surfer that is stationed in front of thousands of Watcher's in a hive colony.

Marvel Apes

At the end of the main story of each Marvel Apes issue, a Gorilla version of the watcher can be seen telling us about stories from the past and trying to get aroung to a story of the "MARVEL APES AGE". In issue two he becomes drunk after drinking an "Ultimate Nullifier", which he claims is like a martini only mixed with "Kirby Dots", in his drunken state he vents at how boring watching everything all the time is. He also reveals how he is infatuated with the ape version of the Wasp. In his drunken ranting he goes so far as to ask the reader if they "Wanna make out" then after realising what he has said, he apologises and then tries to explain himself. He usually picks stories to tell that entertain him, such as the story of giant cowboy rat men, or homosexual cowboy-apes, or the story of how Odin sentenced the Thorangutang to learn humility by becoming a doctor in the upbeat, rich city of Manhattan.

Other Media

Television

* Uatu made two appearances in the "Fantastic Four" TV series.
* Uatu the Watcher appeared in "The Incredible Hulk" portion of "The Marvel Superheroes".
* Uatu made a cameo appearance in the "X-Men" TV series.
* Uatu made an appearance in the 1994 "Fantastic Four" TV series voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
* Uatu made appearances on the "Silver Surfer" cartoon voiced by Colin Fox.
* Uatu the Watcher appears in the "Robot Chicken" episode "Tapping a Hero" voiced by Tom Root. In the "Superheroes Tonight" segment, Uatu is arrested for peeping into the girl's locker room.
* On the Fox show Fringe, the mysterious bald, eyebrow-less, detached character called simply "The Observer" seems to be an homage to the role/appearance/demeanor of the Watcher.

Video Games

* Uatu shows up in "What If...?" mode on the Playstation "Spider-Man" game.
* Uatu is one of 140 characters in the "" video game, voiced by Phil LaMarr.

Other comics

* In "", 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".

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.

Books

*Uatu appears in the X-Men/"Star Trek" crossover novel "Planet X". In it, he appears to be an acquaintance of Q.

References

External links

* [http://marvel.com/universe/Uatu_the_Watcher Uatu entry on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki]
* [http://www.pvponline.com/2005/01/31/jan-31-2005/ Comic strip featuring Uatu on pvponline.com]