Living Tribunal

The Living Tribunal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #157 June 1967 (cameo - first full appearance next issue) and was created by Stan Lee, Marie Severin and Herb Trimpe.

The Living Tribunal debuted in a storyline called "The Sands of Death" in Strange Tales #157 - 163 (June - Dec. 1967), giving mystic hero Doctor Strange a limited time to prove Earth is worth saving. Established as apparently the supreme power in the Marvel Universe, the character made several sporadic appearances over the years, including What If #32 (April 1982); Rom #41 (April 1983) and Secret Wars II #6 (Dec. 1985). The Living Tribunal revealed clues as to its true purpose and nature in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #31 (Dec. 1989).

After brief appearances in the role of observer in Guardians of the Galaxy #16 (Sep. 1991) and Quasar #26 (Sep. 1991), the character had a significant role in the limited series Infinity Gauntlet #1 - 6 (July - Dec. 1991) and Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1 (Feb. 1992). The Living Tribunal's role was eventually expanded on She-Hulk vol. 2, #12 (Nov. 2006).

The Living Tribunal is a virtually omnipotent entity that oversees and maintains balance in the realities that constitute the Marvel Comics Multiverse, including the mainstream universe (616) and all alternate universe.