Warhammer 40,000 Inquisitors are often depicted as powerful figures, capable of planetary extermination and embodying a noir-infused sci-fi aesthetic. Their roles as Witch Hunters are complemented by their distinctive attire, the inclusion of varied warbands, and memorable names such as Ravenor, Eisenhorn, and Adrastia. However, the very first Inquisitor to be introduced in the franchise's history bore a name that stands out: Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau.
First appearing in the original Rogue Trader rulebook in 1987, Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau was illustrated by Martin McKenna. The character is described as a "tireless exposer of psychic misdeeds and genetic deviance." His attire consisted of skintight powered armor worn beneath a long cloak, and like many Inquisitors, he eschewed a helmet in favor of more civilian headwear, a detail noted as reflecting the eccentric nature of Inquisitors.
Clousseau's design also featured a yin-yang breastplate, a detail speculated to be a nod to Eldar iconography and the common practice of Inquisitors utilizing xenos gear. His loadout was extensive, including various energy field devices like conversion and stasis fields, a bolt pistol, a power sword, and multiple Jokaero digital weapons such as a hand flamer and laspistol. He also carried a diverse array of grenades, including blind, choke, haywire, and knockout variants, alongside plasma, stumm, tanglefoot, and vortex grenades. Furthermore, his equipment included a communicator, bioscanner, energy scanner, nose filters, photochromatic eye drops, an immune injector, infra-vision contacts, chemicals for a Jokaero needler, a porta-rack, rad counter, stimulant chemical, and a syn-skin applicator.
Despite his elaborate loadout and distinctive character, Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau has not reappeared in subsequent Warhammer 40,000 lore. However, he has never been retconned, leaving open the possibility that he continues his work in the vast Imperium. The character's enduring legacy lies in his memorable introduction and the enduring quirkiness that characterized early Warhammer 40,000 material.