May 1, 1941 CE
First Appearance: More Fun Comics #67
Wotan, an evil sorcerer, makes his debut as an antagonist to Doctor Fate. He attempts to conquer the world using magic but is thwarted. #DCComics #DoctorFate )
Chronological Storyline (41 Milestones)
Aug 1, 1941 CE
More Fun Comics #70: Wotan Returns
Wotan returns to challenge Doctor Fate again, using a powerful mystic artifact. His defeat reinforces Doctor Fate's role as a guardian of magic. #DCComics #Villain )
Jan 1, 1942 CE
More Fun Comics #75: Wotan's Third Attack
Wotan allies with other mystical villains but is once again defeated by Doctor Fate. This story establishes Wotan as a recurring threat. #GoldenAge #Magic )
Oct 1, 1942 CE
More Fun Comics #85: Wotan's Final Golden Age Appearance
Wotan's last Golden Age story involves a plot to absorb all magic on Earth. Doctor Fate stops him, and Wotan is seemingly destroyed. #GoldenAge #DoctorFate )
Sep 1, 1965 CE
Silver Age Revival: Justice League of America #38
Wotan returns for a team-up battle against the Justice League alongside other villains. He is quickly defeated but marks his Silver Age revival. #JusticeLeague #SilverAge )
Mar 1, 1966 CE
Doctor Fate Backup: Showcase #55
In a Doctor Fate solo story, Wotan attempts to steal the Helm of Nabu. The battle highlights their rivalry. #DoctorFate #Showcase )
May 1, 1975 CE
1st Issue Special #9: Doctor Fate vs. Wotan
A one-shot featuring Doctor Fate and his arch-nemesis Wotan in a magical duel over the fate of the universe. #DoctorFate #1stIssueSpecial )
Feb 1, 1983 CE
All-Star Squadron #21: Wotan vs. JSA
Wotan battles the Justice Society of America (JSA) during World War II, showcasing his power against multiple heroes. #JSA #AllStarSquadron )
Oct 1, 1987 CE
Doctor Fate Vol. 1 #1: Wotan's Origin
In the first issue of Doctor Fate's solo series, Wotan's origin is hinted at: he is a sorcerer who sold his soul for power. #DoctorFate #Origin )
Mar 1, 1988 CE
Doctor Fate #5: Wotan's First Defeat by Inza
Inza Nelson, as Doctor Fate, defeats Wotan for the first time, proving her capabilities as a sorceress. #InzaNelson #DoctorFate )
Aug 1, 1989 CE
Doctor Fate #20: Wotan's True Origin Revealed
It is revealed that Wotan was originally a female sorceress from ancient times who reincarnated into a male body. This retcon adds depth to his character. #Retcon #Magic )
Jan 1, 1990 CE
Doctor Fate #24: Wotan's Temporary Death
Wotan is seemingly killed by Doctor Fate, but his soul escapes to the realm of magic, allowing for future returns. #Death #DoctorFate )
Jul 1, 1991 CE
Doctor Fate #33: Wotan's Return
Wotan returns from the dead, possessing a new host body. He continues his vendetta against Doctor Fate. #Resurrection #Villain )
Jun 1, 1992 CE
Doctor Fate #41: Wotan's Final Defeat in the Series
In the final issue of the series, Wotan is defeated and sealed away by Doctor Fate, ending his threat for a time. #SeriesFinale #DoctorFate )
Aug 1, 1993 CE
Justice Society of America Vol. 2 #1: Wotan's Cameo
Wotan appears as a minor villain in the early issues of the JSA revival, setting up future conflicts. #JSA #Cameo )
May 1, 1996 CE
Day of Judgment #1: Wotan in Crisis
Wotan is among the magical villains corrupted by the demon Neron during the Day of Judgment crossover event. #Crossover #Crisis )
Feb 1, 1998 CE
JLA #30: Wotan vs. the Justice League
Wotan battles the JLA alongside other magic-users, demonstrating his power on a global scale. #JLA #Magic )
Nov 1, 1999 CE
Doctor Fate Vol. 2 #1: Wotan's New Body
In a new Doctor Fate series, Wotan acquires a powerful new body and continues his quest for omnipotence. #NewSeries #DoctorFate )
Mar 1, 2001 CE
JSA #21: Wotan in the Magical Realm
Wotan invades the Realm of Dreams and battles the JSA in a surreal magical landscape. #JSA #DreamRealm )
Sep 1, 2002 CE
JSA #49: Wotan's Alliance with Mordru
Wotan teams up with fellow sorcerer Mordru to overthrow the Lords of Order, but they fail due to internal betrayal. #TeamUp #Magic )
May 1, 2003 CE
JSA #57: Wotan's Banishment
Wotan is banished to a pocket dimension by the JSA. He spends years plotting his escape. #Banishment #JSA )
Dec 1, 2004 CE
JSA #75: Return of Wotan
Wotan escapes from his prison and attacks the JSA during the 'Princes of Darkness' storyline. #Escape #JSA )
Oct 1, 2005 CE
Infinite Crisis #1: Wotan's Role
Wotan appears in the Infinite Crisis event as a pawn of the Secret Society of Super Villains. #InfiniteCrisis #SecretSociety )
Aug 1, 2007 CE
Justice Society of America Vol. 3 #8: Wotan vs. New JSA
Wotan fights the newer generation of JSA members, showcasing his adaptability against varied powers. #JSA #NewGeneration )
May 1, 2008 CE
Justice Society of America #16: Wotan's Ancient Past
A flashback reveals Wotan's original life as a witch in ancient Mesopotamia, further explaining his deep-seated hatred for order. #AncientHistory #Origin )
Feb 1, 2009 CE
Justice Society of America #24: Wotan's Soul Split
Wotan performs a soul-splitting spell, creating multiple copies of himself. The JSA must defeat each copy. #SoulSplit #Magic )
Jul 1, 2010 CE
Justice Society of America #40: Wotan's Final Defeat by Legacy
The JSA's new Doctor Fate, Hector Hall, defeats Wotan by using the combined power of the Lords of Order. #Legacy #DoctorFate )
Sep 1, 2011 CE
New 52 Relaunch: Earth 2 #1
Wotan is reimagined in the New 52 multiverse as a powerful sorcerer on Earth 2. His first appearance in this continuity is as a threat to the Wonders of the World. #New52 #Earth2 )
Jun 1, 2012 CE
Earth 2 #3: Wotan's Defeat by Jay Garrick
The Flash (Jay Garrick) fights Wotan, using super-speed to disrupt his spellcasting. #Earth2 #Flash )
Aug 1, 2013 CE
Earth 2 #15: Wotan's Alliance with Darkseid
Wotan temporarily allies with Darkseid's forces to gain greater power, but eventually betrays them. #Darkseid #Betrayal )
Mar 1, 2014 CE
Earth 2: World's End #1: Wotan's Ascension
Wotan attempts to ascend to godhood by absorbing the power of the tower of fate. The Wonders stop him. #Ascension #WorldsEnd )
May 1, 2015 CE
Earth 2: Society #1: Wotan's Imprisonment
After his defeat, Wotan is imprisoned in a magical vault in the new world built by the Wonders. #Imprisonment #Earth2Society )
Nov 1, 2016 CE
Rebirth: Doctor Fate Vol. 4 #1
Wotan is reintroduced in the DC Rebirth era as a primary antagonist for the new Doctor Fate, Khalid Nassour. #Rebirth #DoctorFate )
May 1, 2017 CE
Doctor Fate #9: Wotan's Origin Revisited
The story delves deeper into Wotan's original female identity and her motivations for reincarnation. #Origin #Reincarnation )
Mar 1, 2018 CE
Doctor Fate #16: Wotan's Temporary Redemption
Wotan is temporarily redeemed when he helps Doctor Fate defeat a greater evil, but his true nature reasserts itself. #Redemption #AntiHero )
Jan 1, 2019 CE
Justice League Dark #8: Wotan's Role in the Lords of Chaos
Wotan joins the Lords of Chaos to combat the Justice League Dark. His actions lead to a magical war. #JusticeLeagueDark #LordsOfChaos )
Jun 1, 2020 CE
Doctor Fate Vol. 5 #1: Wotan's New Form
Wotan gains a more powerful form by merging with a fragment of the Lords of Order. #NewForm #PowerUp )
Mar 1, 2021 CE
Doctor Fate #12: Wotan's Defeat by Khalid
Khalid Nassour uses the power of the Amulet of Anubis to outsmart Wotan and banish him to the Underworld. #KhalidNassour #Victory )
Oct 1, 2022 CE
Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #1: Wotan's Return
Wotan escapes the Underworld and aligns with the new JSA to fight a common threat, then betrays them. #JSA #Betrayal )
May 1, 2023 CE
Doctor Fate: Wotan's Last Stand
In a special one-shot, Wotan fights Doctor Fate in a battle that decides the fate of all magic. #OneShot #FinalBattle )
Jan 1, 2024 CE
DC's Dark Crisis: Wotan's Role
Wotan appears in the Dark Crisis event, manipulating events to his advantage. #DarkCrisis #Crossover )