Oshtur (Marvel Comics)
Encyclopedia
Oshtur is a fictional character published in Marvel Comics
. The character is depicted as an Elder Goddess
born from the demiurge sometime billions of years ago. Unlike her siblings, Oshtur had a fascination with the realms beyond Earth. She took to the heavens before the fall of the Elder Gods and their degeneration into malevolent demons. It is unknown for how long Oshtur left earth, but it is presumed to be millions of years. While exploring the universe and other planes of existence, she met a companion in the mysterious but immensely powerful mystical entity Hoggoth
, one of the founders of the later Vishanti
. Again, it is unclear when or where Oshtur and Hoggoth discovered each other, though it has been confirmed that Oshtur asexually spawned Agamotto from one of her tears.
Oshtur appeared as part of the "Vishanti" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89
#8.
. She instructed Agamotto then left him to undertake the paths of magic.
With Agamotto and Hoggoth, she formed the Vishanti.
Oshtur is also responsible for creating the Tome of Oshtur and the Book of the Vishanti.
, a tome of untold power comparable to the Darkhold, but based in white magic.
In Mystic Arcana
, Ian McNee has a vision of Oshtur in which he is assigned to find the Four Cornerstones of Creation. In the final book he learns that this was a deception by Chthon, and the real Oshtur intercedes. In Book I, McNee claims Ma'at and Ishtar
as names Oshtur is known by. Additionally, in Marvel Tarot, Oshtur is hinted to be some kind of angelic being set as an opposite to the evil of the demonic Chthon
, and has also been implied to have some undefined connection with the Judeo-Christian God
and the Virgin Mary, along with many other ancient human mythologies and pantheons.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. The character is depicted as an Elder Goddess
Elder Gods (Marvel Comics)
The Elder Gods are fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe. They were the first generation of Earth's gods, apparently inspired by Greek mythology and the Cthulhu Mythos.-Fictional group history:...
born from the demiurge sometime billions of years ago. Unlike her siblings, Oshtur had a fascination with the realms beyond Earth. She took to the heavens before the fall of the Elder Gods and their degeneration into malevolent demons. It is unknown for how long Oshtur left earth, but it is presumed to be millions of years. While exploring the universe and other planes of existence, she met a companion in the mysterious but immensely powerful mystical entity Hoggoth
Hoggoth
Hoggoth is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:The character appears in Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #43 , #48-49 , and #54 ....
, one of the founders of the later Vishanti
Vishanti
The Vishanti are a fictional triumvirate of powerful mystical beings appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. The three beings who make up the Vishanti are Agamotto the All-Seeing , Omnipotent Oshtur , and Hoary Hoggoth...
. Again, it is unclear when or where Oshtur and Hoggoth discovered each other, though it has been confirmed that Oshtur asexually spawned Agamotto from one of her tears.
Publication history
The character appears in Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #43 (July 1992), #48-49 (December 1992-January 1993), and #54 (June 1993). She plays a significant part in the four-part series Mystic Arcana (2008).Oshtur appeared as part of the "Vishanti" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#8.
Birth of Agamotto & the Vishanti
After witnessing children play, Oshtur was moved and gave birth to AgamottoAgamotto
Agamotto is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is known mainly as the source of the Eye of Agamotto—a tool of magical clairvoyance used by superhero sorcerer Doctor Strange.-Publication history:In a preface to the Dr...
. She instructed Agamotto then left him to undertake the paths of magic.
With Agamotto and Hoggoth, she formed the Vishanti.
Oshtur is also responsible for creating the Tome of Oshtur and the Book of the Vishanti.
The Book of the Vishanti
Oshtur is credited as the creator of the Book of the VishantiBook of the Vishanti
The Book of the Vishanti is a fictional grimoire appearing in Marvel Comics, most closely associated with the character of Doctor Strange. It first appeared in Strange Tales #116 and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It is the greatest known source of "white" magical knowledge on the...
, a tome of untold power comparable to the Darkhold, but based in white magic.
In Mystic Arcana
Mystic Arcana
Mystic Arcana is a 2007 Marvel Comics storyline published as a series of four one-shot titles. Each book in the series contains an individual main story followed by a back-up story whose plot continues through all four books. The main story in each book focuses upon a different fictional character,...
, Ian McNee has a vision of Oshtur in which he is assigned to find the Four Cornerstones of Creation. In the final book he learns that this was a deception by Chthon, and the real Oshtur intercedes. In Book I, McNee claims Ma'at and Ishtar
Ishtar
Ishtar is the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex. She is the counterpart to the Sumerian Inanna and to the cognate north-west Semitic goddess Astarte.-Characteristics:...
as names Oshtur is known by. Additionally, in Marvel Tarot, Oshtur is hinted to be some kind of angelic being set as an opposite to the evil of the demonic Chthon
Chthon
Chthon may mean:*Chthon , two separate fictional entities from Marvel Comics and DC Comics*Chthon , a science fiction novel by Piers AnthonyChthon may also mean:...
, and has also been implied to have some undefined connection with the Judeo-Christian God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and the Virgin Mary, along with many other ancient human mythologies and pantheons.