The Watcher is one of the more obscure Marvel characters out there, despite how long he's been around. It's possibly because he doesn't directly influence the events around him, with a few notable exceptions. So it took until the animated Disney+ show What If...? for the Watcher to take on a bigger role.

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Voiced by Jeffrey Wright in What If...?, the Watcher observes what's happening in other alternate timelines and universes. Since he comes from a race of beings who can see everything, there's no better guide for the show. However, the Watcher doesn't have a very active role in the series, and only serves as a narrator and an observer. As a result, there are plenty of details about this interesting character that only comic book readers will know.

8 He's Been Around A While

Stan Lee and the Watchers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Just like many Marvel characters who are still popular to this day, the Watcher was created during the Golden Era of the comics, in April 1963. His first comic book appearance is in Fantastic Four #13.

That wasn't the only time the Watcher and the iconic superhero team crossed ways, as their paths are connected. Theoretically, the Watcher's presence could be a way to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU, which is something that fans have wanted for a long time.

7 He's From An Old Species

As his name suggests, the Watcher watches over the Earth; however, in comparison to his species, humans are just children. The Watchers have the honor of being the first intelligent species that ever existed in the universe. They didn't always think they shouldn't interfere, but when their attempt to help led to a disaster, they decided to step back and observe.

That's what they've doing ever since. Their distant attitude makes them similar to other sci-fi species, for example, the Time Lords from Doctor Who, who also tend to separate themselves from the rest of the universe (with a few notable exceptions).

6 He Lives On The Moon In The Comics

The Watcher in outer space in Marvel's What If

Even though the Watcher could reside almost anywhere, he chose the Moon as his home while he observes the Earth. He's not the only person who resides on the Moon though, as the Inhumans, including the royal family, also live there.

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However, the Watcher usually keeps his distance from any other residents of the Moon so that he can focus on his task. That doesn't mean people don't sometimes visit him there (such as Nick Fury), and the Inhumans know where he lives as well.

5 He Interfered Before

Infinity Ultron Galactus in What If...?

The Watcher is supposed not to interfere; rather, he's supposed let events happen as they're supposed to. However, as the last episode of the first season demonstrated, that's not always the case.

This isn't the only time the Watcher broke the rules. For example, in the comics, when he learned that Galactus wanted to eat Earth, the Watcher tried to stop him. Considering the Watcher's job is to watch Earth, his behavior makes sense in this case. After all, if Galactus ate the planet, the Watcher would have to relocate and start over.

4 He Has Met Multiple Superheroes

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The incident with Galactus wasn't the only time the Watcher met Marvel superheroes. In that storyline, he helped Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four find the weapon against Galactus, the Ultimate Nullifier. Later on, Watcher also interacted with Hulk.

At one point in the comics, the Leader, one of Hulk's villains, tried to steal the Ultimate Machine from the Watcher. That would have led to disaster, since the Ultimate Machine contains all information that has ever been known. The Watcher teleported the Leader and Hulk closer to make them fight, and later stopped Hulk when the superhero wanted to use the Ultimate Machine.

3 He Got Into Trouble For Interfering

The Watcher looms over the team in What If...? Episode 9

As far as the Watchers are concerned, this particular Watcher is a bit of a rebel. By helping the Earth, he broke the rules. When the other Watchers found out, he had to stand trial for what he had done.

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He was even excluded from the ranks of the Watchers for a time when he broke the rules yet again. However, even that didn't stop him from looking over Earth, and he eventually got his old job back.

2 Nick Fury Killed Him

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Nick Fury was never one to shy away from violence. However, he took it a step too far when he killed the Watcher, after the ancient being refused to give Fury the information he wanted.

The other Watchers eventually discovered who the killer was, and punished Fury by putting him in the Watcher's place. They bound him to the Moon so that he couldn't leave, and from then on, Nick Fury was known as the Unseen.

1 He Came Back To Life

The Watcher from Marvel’s What If

It's not unusual for comic book characters to come back to life, sometimes more than once. The Watcher was one of the luckier beings who managed to revive.

When the Unseen — formerly Nick Fury — studied alien weaponry, it led to the Watcher's resurrection. That allowed the Watcher to once again return to his old position that he felt he was best suited for, watching over the Earth and its inhabitants.

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