Hulk: Skaar, Son of Hulk

While I had not read Planet Hulk or World War Hulk, I wanted to get to the core of this character first after finding the very cool Marvel Universe Skaar this past summer. I was completely unaware of this character, and resolved to read about him as soon as I could find a copy at a decent price- couldn't do better than $3.99 on Amazon, kids!

By the time I'd read this 200 pager, I had become aware of the Hulk being shot into space by Iron Man, landing on a far off planet where he becomes king and saves the people, his pregnant wife being killed as the planet erupts in destruction, and Hulk returning to Earth to exact his revenge. Well, something like that anyway. So when the story began with this creepy baby born into a lava pit, I knew where things were going  :D

The editorial blurb:

Born in fire. Raised by monsters. Destined to smash! On an alien planet shattered by war, no one is stronger than Skaar, the savage Son of Hulk. But as a Fillian warlord, an Imperial princess, and a mysterious Earthman spread chaos through the wastelands, will Skaar save the puny survivors - or eat them?! Another epic fever dream from Greg Pak, writer of Planet Hulk and World War Hulk - featuring the return of fan-favorite Hulk artist Ron Garney! Collects Skaar: Son of Hulk #1-6, Savage World of Skaar and Hulk Family.

A lot of the story of Skaar's early infancy to his coming of age were told in flashback, and this was mildly confusing- I wasn't sure exactly what point in time we were through some of it, but I got the general idea. I read some reviews that complained about this observance, one in particular who had read Planet Hulk & World War Hulk, and realized having not read those was not the issue. Aside from that, I was fascinated by the book's art depicting the savage world that gave birth to this violent creature. His main nemesis is a brutal warlord Axeman Bone out to kill every child born in order to stamp out the "old power" drawn from the planet that Skaar's mother possessed, believed to be the Sakaarson, a figure of apocalyptic legend.

I liked author Greg Pak's creation, the world of Sakaar, though it was nothing new- he claimed to have gotten the flesh of the idea from reading about the real lives of gladiators in ancient Rome, Ghengis Khan, as well as contemporary literature on the art of war. Conan the Barbarian came to mind naturally. But hey- some of the oldest stories are the best, right? Told over & over again, to the next generation, then the next and so on...  I plan on reading Planet Hulk & World War Hulk some time in the future, and maybe some of the following tales where Skaar catches up with Bruce Banner, which I got a glimpse of in Seven the Hard Way when he stomps Wolverine's butt into the ground, then impales him on a tree.  See how Marvel got me all wrapped up in that? Damn   :D

* See my post on the Marvel Universe World War Hulk & Skaar action figures!

More Later- Read Your Comics!

Marvel Universe Skaar & World War Hulk

As I said in my last post, finding Skaar on the pegs where he wasn't just a few days ago after having won  this World War Hulk on eBay was a a double play worthy of note- almost too good to be true. It gets better by the minute over here, I swear  :D  These two are quite the father & son pairing- the sculpt and paint are so damn great on these rather large Marvel Universe figures... it's hard to believe they are going for the same price as their smaller counterparts- there is literally three times as much mass!

Skaar is the son of Hulk & Caiera, an extraterrestrial colonial to the planet Sakaar where she & the Hulk first met and subsequently battled prior to him becoming king. The planet was doomed ultimately, and Hulk's queen along with it- when he ran off to find those responsible, Skaar was born alone on the destroyed planet.

While my nephew loaned me his copy of  World War Hulks this past July 4th, I've not read the entire World War Hulk story arc- I merely enjoyed these Hulk figures dressed as barbarians, which seems quite natural to me. While I enjoy these as art objects, I am interested in learning more about, reading more of the story.

The articulation on these is exceptional: wrists, elbows, biceps, shoulders, midsection, hips, cut thighs, double-jointed knees, ankles, & ball jointed necks. Their shoulder harnesses, loincloths, & wrist gauntlets are separate pieces, as well. And these sculpts are unique. Needless to say, I've been having a ball with these today, and I highly recommend both. They are simply outstanding toys- Beautiful!

It's my understanding that Skaar initially wanted to kill Hulk for abandoning him. Upon arriving on Earth he engages Hulk, but is easily defeated...

Time for a group shot, I say!

A.) Hasbro Marvel Universe World War Hulk  B.) ToyBiz Marvel Legends First Appearance/Green Variant Hulk  C.) Marvel Essential Hulk, Vol.6  D.) ToyBiz Famous Covers Hulk  E.) Hasbro Marvel Universe Skaar  F.) Marvel Mini Heroes & Villains Hulk.  I actually have another ToyBiz Marvel Legends Series II Hulk with a white lab coat that I've never opened, as well  :D