Wotan (comics)

Template:Short description Template:Short description Template:Template other Wotan is a 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 a principal adversary of Doctor 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 ancient Scandinavia 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 own reincarnation 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.

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.

Fictional character biography

Origin

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 the original Doctor Fate and faced Nabu in a previous lifetime. Later, his origin was revealed as a Stone 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 be 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.

20th century

In the 1940s Golden Age, Wotan encounters the first Green Lantern and the sorcerer Doctor Fate, becoming the latter's nemesis. 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.

In the second volume of The Spectre, Wotan unsuccessfully attempts to possess Zatanna. Wotan later discovers the temple where Yahweh's previous body is entombed. While fighting the current Doctor Fate (Linda Strauss) and the Justice League, Wotan enters the tower to confront God. Instead, he is blinded by God's power and teleported away.

21st century

In the DC All In initiative, Wotan appears as a member of Scandal Savage's incarnation of the Injustice Society, helping the team as they target Khalid 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. When Doctor Mid-Nite escapes from her cell, Wotan sends Gentleman Ghost and Solomon Grundy to Hell to assist the Demons Three in going after Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Kid Eternity. After Doctor Mid-Nite escapes from the ISA's headquarters with Obsidian's body, Wotan allows Scandal to pursue her as he takes Doctor Elemental, Fog, Lady Eve, and Red 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.

Powers and abilities

Wotan possess a mastery of black 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. However, Wotan possess limited skills in unarmed combat and uses magic primarily.

Other versions

Earth 2

A alternate version of Wotan, named Karel Wotan, appeared as an antagonist of the Earth 2 series, based upon the alternate universe of the same name. This version possesses a similar backstory as the main current version, having once been a prehistoric Viking 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 of Khalid Ben-Hassin and Jay 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.

Wotan II

An alternate universe variant of Wotan called Wotan II appears in DC Universe. This version is an alien child and member of the Injustice Army who idolizes the original Wotan.

In other media

• Wotan appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by James Arnold Taylor.
• Wotan appears in Young Justice, voiced by Bruce Greenwood. This version is a member of the Injustice League. During production of the series, he was considered a potential member for the Light before being replaced with Klarion the Witch Boy.
• Wotan appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.