Wotan (comics)

Last updated
Wotan
Wotan (DC Comics).jpg
Wotan as depicted in Who's Who in the DC Universe #1(August 1990).
Art by Jay Geldhof (penciller/inker) and Anthony Tollin (colorist).
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940)
Created by Gardner Fox (writer)
Howard Sherman (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoUnknown (originally)
Karel Wotan (Earth 2)
Team affiliationsInjustice League
Notable aliasesWotan
Abilities
  • Mastery in Black magic
  • Spell crafting
  • Soul stealing
  • Spiritual drain
  • Eldritch blasts
  • Conjuration
  • Matter transmutation
  • Mind control
  • Illusion casting
  • Astral projection
  • Telepathy
  • Telekinesis
  • Teleportation
  • Dimensional travel
  • Immortality
  • Reincarnation
  • Skilled scientist and inventor

Wotan is a fictional supervillain featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character, created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, made their first appearance in More Fun Comics #55 in 1940. Wotan is frequently portrayed as the primary antagonist of Doctor Fate. Originally a female who obtained her powers through sorcery, Wotan later underwent reincarnation in a male form. Adopting the name "Wotan" from Germanic and Norse legends, the character developed a strong desire for power, leading to conflicts with Doctor Fate. [1]

Contents

Wotan has made appearances in various forms of media, including adaptations in animated series such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Young Justice .

Publication history

Wotan first appeared in More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940) and was created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman. [2]

Fictional character biography

Wotan was originally a Stone Age woman who was raped by someone claiming to be a servant of God. She studies black arts and learns to direct her own reincarnation, eventually becoming the male being Wotan. [1] In the Golden Age, Wotan encounters the first Green Lantern and the sorcerer Doctor Fate, becoming the latter's nemesis. [3]

Per Degaton summons Wotan, among other villains, to assist in capturing the JSA and stop them from interfering in his attempt to alter history. Wotan uses his magic aura to hold the JSA captive in caves beneath an island. The plan is foiled by the actions of the All-Star Squadron. When the Spectre is released and frees the other members, Degaton goes back in time, erasing everybody's memories of the event and returning them to their proper places. [4]

During the second volume of The Spectre, Wotan unsuccessfully attempts to possess Zatanna. [5] Later on, Wotan discovers the temple where Yahweh's previous body is entombed. [1] While fighting the current Doctor Fate and the Justice League, Wotan enters the tower to confront God. Instead, he is blinded by God's power and teleported away. [6]

In the DC All In initiative, Wotan appears as a member of Scandal Savage's incarnation of the Injustice Society. [7]

Powers and abilities

A powerful sorcerer capable of challenging Doctor Fate, Wotan possess a mastery of black magic from centuries of study. With their magic, Wotan possess a number of magical abilities including the ability to traverse between dimensions, perform intricate spell-casting, and even transfer their own soul into another body, effectively undergoing a form of self-directed reincarnation. Wotan is also an accomplished scientist and inventor, possessing technology surpassing anything developed during the 20th century. [8] However, Wotan possess limited skills in unarmed combat and utilizes magic primarily than combat techniques. [9]

Other versions

Earth 2

Wotan as depicted in Earth 2 #12 (July 2013). Art by Brett Booth (penciler), Norm Rapmund (inker), and Andrew Dalhouse (colorist). Wotan Earth 2 (DC Comics).jpg
Wotan as depicted in Earth 2 #12 (July 2013). Art by Brett Booth (penciler), Norm Rapmund (inker), and Andrew Dalhouse (colorist).

A female alternate universe variant of Wotan from Earth 2 named Karel Wotan appears in the alternate Earth's self-titled series. This version is an ancient sorceress who began life as a Viking before learning magic and living several lifetimes. Additionally, she was left with green skin following an encounter with Nabu, who prevented her from taking the Helmet of Fate. By the present, she believes herself to be "the mage of an organization that seeks to augment its control of magic in the world". [10] [11]

Injustice Army

An alternate universe variant of Wotan called Wotan II appears in DC Universe as an alien child and member of the Injustice Army who idolizes the original Wotan. [12]

In other media

Television

Video games

Wotan appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure . [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectre (DC Comics character)</span> Comic book character

The Spectre is the name of several antiheroes who appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original version first appeared in More Fun Comics #52. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily although some sources attribute creator credit solely to Siegel, limiting Baily to the artist assigned to the feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Fate</span> Comics character

Doctor Fate is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version was originally created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, debuting in More Fun Comics #55. Eight characters have served as incarnations of the character within the mainstream DC Universe, with each new version after the original attempting to reinvigorate the character for contemporary audiences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zatara</span> DC Comics character

Giovanni "John" Zatara, simply called Zatara, is a fictional magician and superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, making him one of DC Comics' oldest characters.

The Injustice Society is a group of supervillains in the DC Comics Universe. They are the main antagonists of the Justice Society of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomon Grundy (character)</span> Fictional DC Comics supervillain

Solomon Grundy is a supervillain and occasional antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He was originally depicted as a murder victim brought back to life as a corporeal revenant or zombie, though subsequent versions of the character have occasionally depicted a different origin. His name is taken from the 19th century nursery rhyme "Solomon Grundy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash (Jay Garrick)</span> Fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe

Jason Peter "Jay" Garrick is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Flash Comics #1, created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eclipso</span> Comics character

Eclipso is a supervillain in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Haney and Lee Elias, the character would first appear in House of Secrets #61. The character bears notable similarities to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klarion the Witch Boy</span> Comic book supervillain

Klarion the Witch Boy is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, having first appeared in The Demon #7 and was created by Jack Kirby. The character is typically portrayed as a powerful but mischievous, immature extradimensional warlock who serves as both the archenemy of Etrigan the Demon and is a reoccurring adversary for various mystic characters and teams in the DC Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mordru</span> DC Comics character

Mordru, also known as Mordru the Merciless, is a supervillain featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jim Shooter and artist Curt Swan, Mordru made his first appearance in Adventure Comics #369.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sportsmaster</span> Fictional supervillain in the DC comics universe

The Sportsmaster is the name of different supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the character; Lawrence "Crusher" Crock, is usually depicted as a criminal who uses sports-themed weapons and gadgets to commit crimes. He is also the husband of Paula Brooks and the father of Artemis Crock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detective Chimp</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Detective Chimp is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A common chimpanzee who wears a deerstalker cap, Detective Chimp has superhuman-level intelligence and solves crimes, often with the help of the Bureau of Amplified Animals, a group of intelligent animals that also includes Rex the Wonder Dog. He originally appeared in the final years of the Golden Age of Comic Books, continuing into the early years of the Silver Age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gentleman Ghost</span> DC Comics supervillain

Gentleman Ghost, introduced as Ghost, and also known as Gentleman Jim, is a supervillain appearing in works published by DC Entertainment. Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert, the character first appeared in Flash Comics #88.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizard (DC Comics)</span> Fictional supervillain of the DC Comics Golden Age

The Wizard is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a magic-user who is a known enemy of the Justice Society of America, Superman of Earth-Two, and the Justice League of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icicle (comics)</span> Comic book character

Icicle is the name of two supervillains appearing in comic books published by DC Comics: Joar Mahkent and Cameron Mahkent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Per Degaton</span> DC Comics supervillain

Per Degaton is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a known time-traveling villain who is a recurring enemy of the Justice Society of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)</span> DC comics character

Michael Holt is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the second character to take up the Mister Terrific mantle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)</span> Comic book superhero

Kent Nelson is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, the character first appeared More Fun Comics #55 during the Golden Age of Comic Books and is the first character to use the codename Doctor Fate. At times, he is also referred to as the Golden Age Doctor Fate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildcat (Ted Grant)</span> Fictional DC Comics character

Theodore "Ted" Grant is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero, known as the original Wildcat and a long-time member of the Justice Society of America (JSA). A world-class heavyweight boxer, Grant became inadvertently entangled in the criminal underworld and developed a costumed identity to clear his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour)</span> Comics character

Dr. Khalid Nassour is a superhero featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Levitz and artist Sonny Liew, Nassour first appeared in Aquaman: Convergence #2 and is the eighth version of the Doctor Fate. Unlike prior versions within the main continuity, the character has profound ties to the Egyptian aspect of the character and is the first Muslim character in DC Comics to headline a solo series.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Doctor Fate (vol. 2) #14. DC Comics.
  2. ↑ Golden, Christopher; Bissette, Stephen R.; Sniegoski, Thomas E. (2000). The Monster Book. Simon & Schuster. p. 196. ISBN   9780671042592.
  3. ↑ Secret Origins (vol. 2) #24 (March 1988). DC Comics.
  4. ↑ All-Star Squadron #1-3 (September - November 1981). DC Comics.
  5. ↑ The Spectre (vol. 2) #7-8 (October - November 1987). DC Comics.
  6. ↑ Doctor Fate (vol. 2) #15 (March 1990). DC Comics.
  7. ↑ JSA (vol. 2) #1 (January 2025). DC Comics.
  8. ↑ Who's Who in the DC Universe #1. DC Comics. 1990.
  9. ↑ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol. XXVI. DC Comics. 1987.
  10. ↑ James Robinson  ( w ), Nicola Scott  ( p ),Trevor Scott ( i )."The Tower of Fate: Prologue; The Man Who Was Scared" Earth 2 ,no. 9(April 2013).
  11. ↑ Earth 2 #11. DC Comics.
  12. ↑ Adventures of the Super Sons #7. DC Comics.
  13. 1 2 "Wotan Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 6, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  14. ↑ Weisman, Greg (September 2, 2022). "Search Ask Greg: Gargoyles: Station Eight". s8.org. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  15. ↑ Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.