Wand of Watoomb
Encyclopedia
The Wand of Watoomb is a fictional artifact
that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics
. The Wand first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man
Annual #2 (December 1965) and was created by Stan Lee
and Steve Ditko
.
Xandu. The object reappeared - with Xandu - in Marvel Team-Up
#21 (May 1974) before being lost. After yet another appearance with Xandu in Marvel Fanfare
#6 (January 1983), the object does not appear again Marvel continuity until being featured in Doctor Strange
vol. 2, #81 (February 1987) and Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol. 3, #8 (October 1989).
The Wand of Watoomb also appeared in a retroactive story set thousands of years before the modern Marvel Universe in the magazine
publication Savage Sword of Conan
#188 (September 1991). After being used as a plot point in Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol. 3, #36 (December 1991) which was part of the larger Infinity Gauntlet storyline, the Wand reappeared in the graphic novel
Spider-Man/Doctor Strange: The Way to Dusty Death (June 1992). Although apparently destroyed, the Wand reformed in Secret Defenders #6 - 8 (Aug - October 1993), and was acquired by a criminal mastermind in Avengers Annual 1998. Writer Kurt Busiek
used the Wand and eleven other objects from Marvel and DC Universe
continuity in the limited series
JLA/Avengers
. Issues #1 & 3 (Sep & December 2003) carried this title, while issues #2 & 4 (October 2003 & May 2004) were titled Avengers/JLA.
The object reappeared briefly in She-Hulk vol. 2, #2 (January 2006) and Ms. Marvel #4 - 5 (Aug - September 2006).
Conan
battles a priest
ess of the god
Yog, who attempts to use the Wand to summon the entity. The priestess, however, panics in a final confrontation with Conan and drops the Wand, which Conan uses to fatally wound her.
The Wand is used in an unsuccessful attempt by the sorcerer Xandu to destroy the Sorcerer Supreme
, Doctor Strange
. Although the artifact is at first divided into two halves, Xandu manages to reunite the pieces and restore the Wand after hypnotizing two thugs to steal one half from Strange, having stolen the other from a magician. He joins the two halves and attempts to destroy Strange, but is defeated by Strange and the hero Spider-Man
both attacking him at once. Strange scans Xandu's mind, then apparently erases his knowledge of the Wand, then drains the Wand of all power and discards it.
Xandu locates the Wand uses another artifact, the Crystal of Kadavus, to recharge it. Xandu hopes to use the Wand to revive his wife Melinda from a coma
, although after another battle with Strange and Spider-Man discovers that his wife is in fact dead. The Wand is abandoned by Strange in an alternate dimension
created by Xandu. Xandu continues to obsess over the revival of his wife and relocates the Wand, using it to transfer the soul
of the heroine the Scarlet Witch
into the body of his dead wife. This is reversed when Xandu is defeated once again by Spider-Man. The Wand is revealed to be transported to the dimension of the entity Agamotto
for safekeeping during Strange's final battle with the villain Urthona
, although it and other artifacts are recovered by Strange.
Strange uses the Wand of Watoomb and other artifacts during the Infinity Gauntlet storyline. Xandu eventually returns and possesses Spider-man, stealing the artifact. Strange aids Spider-Man in thwarting Xandu, with the Wand finally being shattered. The Wand reforms when Xandu uses it to attempt to merge the Earth-616
universe with the dimension of the dead. Doctor Strange; the Scarlet Witch; Spider-Man and Captain America
attempt to stop Xandu, but the villain is ultimately stopped by his former wife.
The Wand is used as a weapon used by criminal mastermind Imus Champion to defeat Squadron Supreme
member Moonglow
, and then as one of twelve objects of power collected by the villain Krona
when he attempts to learn the secrets of creation. It is hidden in the Flash museum
and won by Quicksilver
and the Scarlet Witch
. After an attempted theft from Doctor Strange the Wand is used briefly by an interdimensional being called the Traveller.
Magic item
A magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the person or being whose hands they fall into. Magic items are commonly found in both folklore and modern fantasy...
that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics
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 Wand first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
Annual #2 (December 1965) and was created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Steve Ditko
Steve Ditko
Stephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
.
Publication history
The Wand of Watoomb first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 (December 1965), being sought by the sorcererMagician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
Xandu. The object reappeared - with Xandu - in Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
#21 (May 1974) before being lost. After yet another appearance with Xandu in Marvel Fanfare
Marvel Fanfare
Marvel Fanfare is the title of two comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Both versions of Marvel Fanfare were anthology, showcase titles featuring a variety of characters from the Marvel universe.-Volume One:...
#6 (January 1983), the object does not appear again Marvel continuity until being featured in Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
vol. 2, #81 (February 1987) and Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol. 3, #8 (October 1989).
The Wand of Watoomb also appeared in a retroactive story set thousands of years before the modern Marvel Universe in the magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
publication Savage Sword of Conan
Savage Sword of Conan
The Savage Sword of Conan was a black-and-white magazine-format comic book series published beginning in 1974 by Curtis Magazines, an imprint of Marvel Comics, and then later by Marvel itself. Savage Sword of Conan starred Robert E...
#188 (September 1991). After being used as a plot point in Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme vol. 3, #36 (December 1991) which was part of the larger Infinity Gauntlet storyline, the Wand reappeared in the graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
Spider-Man/Doctor Strange: The Way to Dusty Death (June 1992). Although apparently destroyed, the Wand reformed in Secret Defenders #6 - 8 (Aug - October 1993), and was acquired by a criminal mastermind in Avengers Annual 1998. Writer Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek
Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.-Early life:...
used the Wand and eleven other objects from Marvel and DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
continuity in the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to May 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez...
. Issues #1 & 3 (Sep & December 2003) carried this title, while issues #2 & 4 (October 2003 & May 2004) were titled Avengers/JLA.
The object reappeared briefly in She-Hulk vol. 2, #2 (January 2006) and Ms. Marvel #4 - 5 (Aug - September 2006).
Biography
The Wand first appears in the Hyperborean era (thousands of years before the modern age), when the barbarianBarbarian
Barbarian and savage are terms used to refer to a person who is perceived to be uncivilized. The word is often used either in a general reference to a member of a nation or ethnos, typically a tribal society as seen by an urban civilization either viewed as inferior, or admired as a noble savage...
Conan
Conan (Marvel Comics)
Conan is a fictional character based on Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. He was introduced to the comic book world in 1970 with Conan the Barbarian, written by Roy Thomas, illustrated by Barry Smith and published by Marvel Comics....
battles a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
ess of the 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....
Yog, who attempts to use the Wand to summon the entity. The priestess, however, panics in a final confrontation with Conan and drops the Wand, which Conan uses to fatally wound her.
The Wand is used in an unsuccessful attempt by the sorcerer Xandu to destroy the Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme
Sorcerer Supreme or Sorceress Supreme is a title granted in the fictional Marvel Universe to the "practitioner of the mystic or magic arts who has greater skills than all others or commands a greater portion of the ambient magical energies than any other organism on a given world or dimension". By...
, Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
. Although the artifact is at first divided into two halves, Xandu manages to reunite the pieces and restore the Wand after hypnotizing two thugs to steal one half from Strange, having stolen the other from a magician. He joins the two halves and attempts to destroy Strange, but is defeated by Strange and the hero Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
both attacking him at once. Strange scans Xandu's mind, then apparently erases his knowledge of the Wand, then drains the Wand of all power and discards it.
Xandu locates the Wand uses another artifact, the Crystal of Kadavus, to recharge it. Xandu hopes to use the Wand to revive his wife Melinda from a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
, although after another battle with Strange and Spider-Man discovers that his wife is in fact dead. The Wand is abandoned by Strange in an alternate dimension
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
created by Xandu. Xandu continues to obsess over the revival of his wife and relocates the Wand, using it to transfer the soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
of the heroine the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
into the body of his dead wife. This is reversed when Xandu is defeated once again by Spider-Man. The Wand is revealed to be transported to the dimension of the entity Agamotto
Agamotto
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...
for safekeeping during Strange's final battle with the villain Urthona
Urthona
In the mythological writings of William Blake, Urthona is one of the four Zoas, who were created when Albion, the primordial man, was divided fourfold. Specifically, he is the Zoa of inspiration and creativity, and he is a blacksmith god. His female counterpart is Enitharmon...
, although it and other artifacts are recovered by Strange.
Strange uses the Wand of Watoomb and other artifacts during the Infinity Gauntlet storyline. Xandu eventually returns and possesses Spider-man, stealing the artifact. Strange aids Spider-Man in thwarting Xandu, with the Wand finally being shattered. The Wand reforms when Xandu uses it to attempt to merge the Earth-616
Earth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
universe with the dimension of the dead. Doctor Strange; the Scarlet Witch; Spider-Man and Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
attempt to stop Xandu, but the villain is ultimately stopped by his former wife.
The Wand is used as a weapon used by criminal mastermind Imus Champion to defeat Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
member Moonglow
Moonglow (comics)
Moonglow is a fictional character found in comic books from Marvel Comics. She was a member of a team of superheroes, Squadron Supreme.The Supreme Squadron members exist in numerous alternate universes, but their main and original timeline is Earth-712....
, and then as one of twelve objects of power collected by the villain Krona
Krona (comics)
Krona is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Green Lantern #40 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane.-Fictional character biography:...
when he attempts to learn the secrets of creation. It is hidden in the Flash museum
Flash Museum
The Flash Museum is a fictional museum that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The museum is dedicated to the superheroes sharing the alias of the Flash, with its primary focus on Barry Allen...
and won by Quicksilver
Quicksilver (comics)
Quicksilver is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
and the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
. After an attempted theft from Doctor Strange the Wand is used briefly by an interdimensional being called the Traveller.