Snoke

• Core Identity: In a critical point of clarification for students of multiversal lore, Supreme Leader Snoke is a powerful, Force-sensitive artificial being who led the First Order in the Star Wars galaxy, and is not a character native to the Marvel Universe in any of its incarnations, including Earth-616 or the MCU.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Snoke's entire existence and narrative significance are confined to the Star Wars franchise, a separate fictional universe owned by Disney, just as Marvel is. He serves as the primary antagonist in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, acting as a proxy for the revived Emperor Palpatine. He has no connection to Marvel's cosmic entities like thanos, galactus, or the celestials.
• Primary Impact: His most significant impact was the corruption of Ben Solo into kylo_ren and the establishment of the first_order as the successor to the Galactic Empire. His death was a pivotal moment, leading to Kylo Ren's ascension as the new Supreme Leader and directly setting up the final conflict of the Skywalker Saga.
• Key Incarnations: Snoke has no Marvel incarnations. The distinction is absolute. His canonical history, powers, and identity are derived solely from the Star Wars sequel trilogy films, official novels, and the comic books published by Marvel Comics under the Star Wars banner, which are set in the Star Wars galaxy and are separate from the Marvel superhero continuity.

Supreme Leader Snoke made his first on-screen appearance in the 2015 film, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. He was conceived by director J.J. Abrams, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and their creative team as the new master villain to menace the galaxy in the post-Emperor Palpatine era. The character was brought to life through performance capture by the legendary actor Andy Serkis, renowned for similar roles such as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series. The design of Snoke went through numerous iterations. The creative team, led by artists like Ivan Manzella, wanted a figure who was both physically imposing and deeply scarred, suggesting a long history of conflict and suffering. Early concepts ranged from female to serpentine, but the final design settled on a tall, gaunt, and heavily disfigured humanoid. His immense holographic projection in The Force Awakens was deliberately designed to evoke the first appearance of Emperor Palpatine in The Empire Strikes Back, establishing a clear thematic lineage. A common point of confusion for fans stems from Marvel Comics regaining the publishing license for Star Wars comics in 2015. While Marvel does indeed publish comics featuring Snoke, such as the Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren miniseries, it is crucial to understand that these are licensed Star Wars stories. They exist within the Star Wars canon and do not cross over with the Marvel Universe of Earth-616. The presence of the Marvel logo on a Star Wars comic book simply denotes the publisher, not a shared universe with characters like spider-man or captain_america.

A fundamental aspect of this encyclopedia's mandate is the clear separation of continuities. For the topic of Snoke, this separation is not between comic and cinematic versions of a Marvel character, but between the Marvel Universe where he is absent, and the Star Wars Universe, where his complex and deliberately mysterious origin unfolds.

To be unequivocally clear: Supreme Leader Snoke does not exist within the Earth-616 continuity or any of its divergent timelines or alternate realities. There is no mention of him in the annals of S.H.I.E.L.D., the databases of the Avengers, the cosmic archives of the Watchers, or the mystical libraries of Doctor Strange. He is not a known cosmic entity, a mutant, an Inhuman, a Skrull, or a Kree. From a thematic and narrative standpoint, a character like Snoke would occupy a space already filled by numerous established Marvel villains. His role as a shadowy manipulator who corrupts a powerful young apprentice is archetypally similar to figures like:

• mephisto: A demonic entity who preys on the souls and potential of heroes, offering power in exchange for servitude.
• emperor_doom: The dark reflection of reed_richards, a powerful, scarred ruler who commands legions and mixes technological prowess with dark magic.
• The shadow_king: A powerful psychic entity who corrupts and possesses others to serve his will, particularly targeting powerful telepaths like professor_x and psylocke.
• thanos: The Mad Titan, whose followers (the Black Order) exhibit a fanatical devotion similar to that of the First Order's command structure.

The power source Snoke wields, the Dark Side of the Force, has no direct analogue in Marvel. While there are “dark” energies—such as the Darkforce Dimension, demonic magic, or the corrupting influence of the Chaos King—none function with the specific philosophical and metaphysical rules of the Force. Therefore, his insertion into the Marvel Universe would require a fundamental alteration of its cosmic laws. He remains, definitively, a figure external to this continuity.

Similarly to the comics, Supreme Leader Snoke has no presence or history within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU's cosmic tapestry has been defined by threats such as Loki, the Chitauri, the Dark Elves, HYDRA, Ultron, Thanos and his armies, and more recently, the multiversal threat of kang_the_conqueror. The narrative space for a shadowy, galactic-level emperor figure was filled entirely by Thanos. An analysis of the MCU's structure reveals why Snoke would be a redundant and incompatible character:

• Thematic Overlap: Thanos's role in the Infinity Saga, as the hidden puppet master manipulating events from behind the scenes (as seen in the post-credits scenes of The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron), mirrors Snoke's role in The Force Awakens. The MCU invested a decade in building Thanos as its ultimate villain; introducing a similar figure simultaneously would have diluted his impact.
• Power Incompatibility: The MCU's cosmic powers are rooted in the Infinity Stones, alien technology (Kree, Chitauri), celestial energy (Eternals, Captain Marvel), and magic (Masters of the Mystic Arts). The Force, as depicted in Star Wars, is a biological and spiritual energy field that does not align with these established power systems. While a character like scarlet_witch wields immense telekinetic and reality-warping power, its source is Chaos Magic, a concept distinct from the Force.
• Narrative Focus: The MCU is, at its core, centered on Earth and its heroes' relationship with the wider cosmos. The Star Wars saga is set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” a deliberate framing that separates it from our reality and, by extension, the Earth-centric narratives of the MCU.

While the MCU's exploration of the Multiverse in projects like Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens up infinite possibilities, there has been no canonical suggestion that the Star Wars galaxy exists as one of these alternate universes. Such a crossover remains purely in the realm of fan speculation.

While Snoke has no abilities within the Marvel context, a complete encyclopedic entry requires a detailed analysis of his capabilities within his native Star Wars canon, presented here for comparative purposes against Marvel archetypes.

Snoke was an exceptionally powerful user of the Dark Side of the Force. His abilities, while formidable, were later revealed to be an extension of his creator, the cloned Emperor Darth Sidious, who controlled him from the Sith world of Exegol.

• Telekinesis: Snoke demonstrated immense telekinetic power, comparable to high-tier telekinetics in the Marvel Universe like jean_grey or a focused scarlet_witch. He could effortlessly incapacitate and torture General Hux from across the galaxy via hologram, rag-doll the powerful Force-user Rey, and pin Kylo Ren to his throne. In a Marvel context, this level of fine control and raw power would classify him as an Omega-Level threat if he were a mutant, or a sorcerer of considerable rank.
• Force Lightning: A signature Dark Side ability, Snoke could project powerful bolts of electrical energy from his fingertips to incapacitate and torture his victims. This is visually similar to the abilities of Marvel characters like electro or the magical lightning conjured by thor or doctor_doom, but its source is metaphysical, drawn from the user's hatred and aggression.
• Mental Manipulation & Force Telepathy: Snoke's greatest weapon was his skill at mental and emotional manipulation. He could bridge the minds of two individuals, Rey and Kylo Ren, across vast distances, a feat that required immense power and control. This “Force-bond” allowed them to see and communicate with each other. This ability is analogous to the most powerful telepaths in Marvel, such as professor_x, emma_frost, or the aforementioned Jean Grey. His ability to sense and prey upon the internal conflicts of Ben Solo is reminiscent of how villains like Nightmare or Mephisto exploit the psychological weaknesses of their targets.
• Nature as a “Strandcast”: The most critical aspect of Snoke's biology, revealed in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, is that he was not a unique, organic being. He was a “strandcast”—an artificial lifeform created by Sith cultists on Exegol using genetic material from various sources, including Palpatine's own. Multiple Snoke bodies were seen preserved in a cloning tank, confirming he was a disposable puppet. This concept has parallels in Marvel lore:
  • clones: The infamous “Clone Saga” involving Spider-Man and his clone, Ben Reilly, explores themes of identity and manufactured life.
  • Life-Model Decoys (LMDs): S.H.I.E.L.D. uses hyper-realistic androids to replace key personnel, a concept that has often led to complex storylines about identity and infiltration.
  • Mister Sinister: The X-Men villain mister_sinister is a master geneticist who has created countless clones, including a clone of Jean Grey known as Madelyne Pryor, to serve his own twisted purposes. Snoke's origin as a genetically engineered proxy for a more powerful master aligns perfectly with Sinister's modus operandi.

Despite his immense power, Snoke's primary weakness was his supreme arrogance. His confidence in his control over Kylo Ren and his ability to read his apprentice's mind led him to overlook Kylo's true intentions, resulting in his own shocking demise.

All of Snoke's relationships and affiliations are exclusively within the Star Wars universe.

• Kylo Ren (Ben Solo): Snoke's prized apprentice and the focal point of his plans. He saw Ben Solo's unique heritage—the grandson of darth_vader and the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo—as a perfect confluence of light and dark Force potential. Snoke deliberately preyed on Ben's fears, insecurities, and resentment towards his family to turn him to the Dark Side, molding him into the leader of the Knights of Ren. Their relationship was one of a cruel master and an emotionally tormented apprentice, defined by brutal training and psychological abuse. Snoke's ultimate failure was underestimating Kylo's cunning and the depth of his internal conflict.
• General Armitage Hux: The fanatical, high-ranking military leader of the First Order. Hux and Kylo Ren shared a bitter rivalry for Snoke's favor. While Kylo commanded the spiritual and unconventional aspects of the First Order, Hux controlled its military machine. Snoke often played them against each other, using their mutual animosity to drive them to greater extremes. He viewed Hux as a useful but ultimately limited tool, often berating and physically punishing him for his failures.

• Luke Skywalker: Snoke considered Luke to be his greatest threat. He was acutely aware that as long as the legendary Jedi Master lived, he represented a beacon of hope that could inspire a new generation of Jedi and topple the First Order. The primary objective of the First Order in The Force Awakens is the destruction of the map leading to Luke's hidden location.
• Leia Organa and the Resistance: As the leader of the Resistance, Leia was Snoke's direct military and political opponent. The conflict was also deeply personal; Snoke took a sadistic pleasure in having corrupted her son and using him as a weapon against his own mother.
• Rey: Initially viewed as an insignificant “scavenger,” Snoke's interest in Rey grew exponentially when he witnessed her raw, untrained power in the Force. He saw her as a potential replacement for the conflicted Kylo Ren or, at the very least, a tool to solidify Kylo's fall to darkness. His attempt to turn her and discover the location of Luke Skywalker ultimately led to his death.

• The First Order: Snoke was the founder and Supreme Leader of the First Order, a military and political junta that rose from the ashes of the Galactic Empire in the Unknown Regions. He modeled its ideology on the Empire's doctrines of power, order, and fear, but amplified its fanaticism.
• The Sith Eternal (Proxy): Unbeknownst to the wider galaxy and even to Snoke himself, he was a proxy agent of the Sith Eternal, a cult loyal to Darth Sidious operating from the hidden world of Exegol. Snoke's consciousness and actions were puppeteered by the cloned Emperor Palpatine, making the First Order merely the vanguard for the Sith's ultimate return to power.

Snoke's entire narrative arc is contained within the three films of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Snoke is introduced as a mysterious and colossal holographic figure, the undisputed master of Kylo Ren and the First Order. His primary goal is to extinguish the last embers of the Jedi by finding and killing Luke Skywalker. He senses an “awakening” in the Force and tasks Kylo Ren with retrieving the map to Luke and destroying the Resistance. He expresses disappointment in Kylo Ren's sentimentality after Kylo confronts his father, Han Solo, and orders General Hux to use the Starkiller Base superweapon to destroy the New Republic. After the base's destruction, he commands Hux to bring the wounded Kylo Ren to him to complete his training.

Appearing in the flesh for the first time aboard his flagship, the Supremacy, Snoke's power and cruelty are on full display. He viciously berates Kylo Ren for his failure and his perceived weakness, mocking him for being defeated by a girl who had never held a lightsaber. His masterstroke is creating and exploiting a Force-bond between Rey and Kylo, believing he can use it to lure Rey into a trap and uncover Luke Skywalker's location. When Rey comes before him, he easily overpowers her, tortures her for information, and then presents her to Kylo, ordering his apprentice to strike her down to prove his loyalty. In a stunning turn of events, Snoke's supreme arrogance blinds him. While he gloats about reading Kylo's mind and seeing his intent to kill his “true enemy,” he fails to realize that Kylo is using the Force to secretly turn the lightsaber at Snoke's side. Kylo ignites the blade, cutting Snoke in half and killing him instantly.

Though deceased, Snoke's true nature is the central revelation of the film's opening. Kylo Ren travels to the Sith world of Exegol and discovers the revived Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine reveals that he was the mastermind behind everything, including Snoke. He shows Kylo a vat containing other Snoke bodies, stating, “I made Snoke.” He explains that Snoke was a puppet created to control the First Order and mold Kylo Ren into a suitable vessel for the Dark Side, while Palpatine rebuilt his own strength and assembled the Sith Eternal's Final Order fleet. This retcon fundamentally re-contextualizes Snoke from a master villain into a tragic, powerful, yet ultimately disposable pawn in a much larger game.

As a character from a single, primary canon (the Star Wars films), Snoke does not have “variants” in the sense of Marvel's multiverse (e.g., no Earth-1610 Ultimate Snoke or Earth-295 Age of Apocalypse Snoke). However, different interpretations and non-canon versions exist.

• Fan Theories: Prior to the release of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, Snoke was the subject of intense fan speculation. Popular theories posited that he was Darth Plagueis (Palpatine's supposedly deceased master), a corrupted Mace Windu, or the Grand Inquisitor from the Star Wars Rebels animated series. These theories, while ultimately proven incorrect, represent a significant part of the character's reception history.
• LEGO Star Wars: In various LEGO animated specials and video games like LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Snoke is portrayed in a comedic, less menacing light, in keeping with the brand's tone. He is often shown as a vain leader obsessed with his opulent lifestyle.
• Concept Art: The book The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens showcases numerous early designs for Snoke, including a female version and a more snake-like alien, providing a glimpse into the creative process and the “what ifs” of his character design.

• thanos (For a comparable Marvel cosmic manipulator and master villain)
• emperor_doom (For a Marvel character who is a scarred, absolute ruler of a vast domain)
• mephisto (For a Marvel villain specializing in the corruption of powerful souls)
• mister_sinister (For a Marvel villain who is a master of cloning and genetic manipulation)
• darth_vader (A key figure in Snoke's backstory and a Star Wars character whose comics are published by Marvel)

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