Captain Marvel Vol 1 39

Captain Marvel Vol 1 #39 Published July, 1975 Editor-in-Chief Marv Wolfman Cover Artist Al Milgrom Klaus Janson Gaspar Saladino "The Trial of the Watcher" Writer Steve Englehart Al Milgrom Tony Isabella Penciler Al Milgrom Inker Klaus Janson Colourist Phil Rachelson Letterer June Braverman Editor Len Wein Previous Issue Next Issue Captain Marvel #38 Captain Marvel #40

Appearing in "The Trial of the Watcher"

Featured Characters:

• Captain Marvel
• Rick Jones

Supporting Characters:

• The Watcher

Antagonists:

• Mad-Eye a Rackcat

Other Characters:

• Watchers
  • Aron (First appearance)
  • Ingu
  • Atul/Engu
  • Emnu
  • Ikor (Only in flashback)
• Fantastic Four (Only in flashback)
  • Ben Grimm (Only in flashback)
  • Human Torch (Only in flashback)
  • Reed Richards (Only in flashback)
  • Sue Storm (Only in flashback)
• Galactus (Only in flashback)
• Mandarin (Only in flashback)
• Electro (Only in flashback)
• Melter (Only in flashback)
• Super-Skrull (Only in flashback)
• Executioner (Only in flashback)
• Cobra (Only in flashback)
• Porcupine (Only in flashback)
• Silver Surfer (Only in flashback)
• Him (Only in flashback)
• Dormammu (Only in flashback)
• Loki (Only in flashback)
• Leonard Tippit (Only in flashback)
• Over-Mind (Only in flashback)
• Tempus (Only in flashback)
• Molecule Man (Only in flashback)
• Red Ghost (Only in flashback)
• Super-Apes (Only in flashback)
  • Peotor (Only in flashback)
  • Igor (Only in flashback)
• Super Skrull (Only in flashback)
• Thor (Only in flashback)
• Captain America (Only in flashback)

Locations:

• Watcher's World
  • Temple of Justice
• Avengers Mansion (Only in flashback)

Items:

• Nega-Bands

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "The Trial of the Watcher"

Captain Marvel follows the Watchers' teleportation beam back to their homeworld. Mar-Vell insists on speaking in Uatu's defense at his trial, but the other Watchers refuse to acknowledge him and imprison him in a stasis field so he can't follow, then leave him in the jungle clearing where they arrived. Mar-Vell and Rick plan to switch in hopes of disrupting the field, but Mar-Vell can't even move his arms enough to clash the Nega-Bands. Instead, they put their minds together in an extension of their newfound ability to switch through will alone and ultimately free themselves from each other as well as the field.

Their feat is witnessed from the shadows by a young Watcher named Aron as well as a jungle predator called a Rackcat. The Rackcat attacks as soon as Mar-Vell and Rick separate, forcing Mar-Vell to fend it off before they can search for the trial. The Rackcat pursues them persistently and Aron continues to observe out of fascination.

Mar-Vell and Rick find the Watchers' Temple of Justice just as the trial begins. Emnu concedes to let them stay for the trial as long as they observe the Watchers' code and explains how his race's original indulgence in interfering with other worlds even with good intentions had brought about catastrophe for those they sought to help. He then reads off the numerous charges of interference Uatu had been guilty of in Earth's recent history, ending with his direct assault against Captain Marvel. Mar-Vell attempts to persuade the Watchers to reconsider their code considering all of Uatu's interference had been helpful and that he doesn't hold their earlier conflict against him.

When the Rackcat and Aron catch up, the Rackcat continues its assault on Mar-Vell while the Watchers stand by in non-interference. Aron offers to help, saying he believes that Mar-Vell doesn't deserve to die, but Emnu refuses to allow it. With no other option, Rick risks his own life to help Mar-Vell incapacitate the Rackcat. Afterwards, Mar-Vell makes one more plea to the Watchers to consider that saving his life was worth the act of interfering. Uatu confesses that he only wanted to help and that attacking Captain Marvel was out of envy for his role as Protector of the Universe. He promises never to interfere again and Emnu accepts the promise, ending the trial. Rick Jones is left flabbergasted that Uatu could get off so easily.

Notes

• Plot by Englehart and Milgrom, script by Englehart, "research" by Isabella.
• Key elements of Uatu's nature is presented this issue. He has had feelings that he was the protector of the universe (rather than Captain Marvel) and that watching the heroes of Earth also inspired him to do heroic acts to save the planet from danger. His acts of heroism, however, broke his "Watcher's Code". This issue, Uatu recognizes his shortcomings and vows not to break his code again.
• In this issue, Emnu is mistakenly referred to as "Emmu"
• This issue does not contain a letters page.

See Also

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Footnotes