| Wotan | |
|---|---|
.png) Wotan as depicted inWho's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #26 (April 1987). Art byMike Mignola. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940) |
| Created by | Gardner Fox (writer) Howard Sherman (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Place of origin | AncientScandinavia |
| Team affiliations | Injustice Society |
| Partnerships | Demons Three |
| Abilities |
|
Wotan is asupervillain featured inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. The character, created byGardner Fox and Howard Sherman, made their first appearance inMore Fun Comics #55 in 1940. Wotan is frequently a principal adversary ofDoctor Fate. Like his archnemesis, Wotan possess powers that have allowed him to adopt various different incarnations. In his original form, Wotan was a woman of a pre-historic tribe in ancientScandinavia subjected to sexual assault and nearly beaten to death by male tribe members. Learning sorcery soon after to gain power, she became worshipped akin to a goddess and sought immortality, resulting in her learning to control her ownreincarnation cycle with her memories intact. Adopting various forms over the millennia both male and female of varying origins, he eventually settled on the name "Wotan" and pursued more power, eventually bringing him into conflict with Doctor Fate in the 20th century.[1][2]
Wotan has made appearances in various forms of media, including adaptations in animated series such asBatman: The Brave and the Bold andYoung Justice
Wotan first appeared inMore Fun Comics #55 (May 1940) and was created byGardner Fox and Howard Sherman.[3]
When Wotan's background and origin was first a deliberate mystery, it was expressed Wotan had lived another incarnation prior to his first encounter with theoriginal Doctor Fate and facedNabu in a previous lifetime.[2] Later, his origin was revealed as aStone Age woman from what would later be Scandinavia raped and beaten nearly to death by male tribe members. Inquiring the reason behind human suffering and existence, she came to be trained under a sorceress until her death, taking her place. Growing powerful enough to revered like a deity, she later learns how to direct her reincarnation, allowing her to take various forms of different sexes and ethnic origins and sought to gain more power.[4]
In the 1940sGolden Age, Wotan encounters the firstGreen Lantern and the sorcererDoctor Fate, becoming the latter's nemesis.[5]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 theAll-Star Squadron. When theSpectre 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.[6]
During the second volume ofThe Spectre, Wotan unsuccessfully attempts to possessZatanna.[7] Later on, Wotan discovers the temple whereYahweh's previous body is entombed.[2] 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.[8]
In theDC All In initiative, Wotan appears as a member ofScandal Savage's incarnation of theInjustice Society, helping the team as they targetKhalid Nassour's Helmet of Fate. During a meeting with the members, it is revealed the helm is needed for a device created by the villain group, and reassures the group of capturing the Tower of Fate despite Nassour proving to be more capable then anticipated. WhenDoctor Mid-Nite escapes from her cell, Wotan sendsGentleman Ghost andSolomon Grundy to Hell to assist theDemons Three in going after Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and their female ghost friend who calls herself "Kid Eternity". After Doctor Mid-Nite escapes from the ISA's headquarters withObsidian's body, Wotan allows Scandal to pursue her as he takesDoctor Elemental,Fog,Lady Eve, andRed Lantern to claim the Helmet of Fate. After the Tower of Fate collapses, Wotan takes Nassour's helmet and teleports himself and the villains away.[9]
Wotan possess a mastery ofblack magic from centuries of study, possessing a number of magical abilities including the ability to traverse between dimensions, spell-casting, and transferring 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.[1] However, Wotan possess limited skills in unarmed combat and uses magic primarily.[10]
A alternate version of Wotan, namedKarel Wotan, appeared as an antagonist of the Earth 2 series, based upon the alternate universe of the same name. This version possess a similar backstory as the main current version, having once been a prehistoricViking sorceress whose feud with Nabu led to her being cursed with green skin so the sorcerer could recognize her form. As a male simply called Wotan, she seeks to usurp Nabu's power within the Helmet of Fate, enlisting the aid ofKhalid Ben-Hassin andJay Garrick under the threat of killing Garrick's mother. Inspired by Garrick's heroism, the archaeologist dons the helm and with his knowledge of Egyptian deities and Nabu's input, he defeats Wotan.[11]
An alternate universe variant of Wotan calledWotan II appears inDC Universe as an alien child and member of the Injustice Army who idolizes the original Wotan.[12]