Among the many surprises in the finale of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Hulk returned from Sakaar with company: his son Skaar. Since he only appeared for a few seconds, the MCU Skaar left fans with more questions than answers. Regardless, comic readers know better than to sit and wait. Skaar isn't a new character.
Skaar debuted in 2006, and there is plenty to say about him already. From his origins to his current adventures in the Marvel multiverse, the comics have plenty of storylines that the MCU can draw inspiration from. But for those who have just learned about Skaar, there are some things to know about the Son of Hulk.
10 Skaar Was Created By Greg Pak & John Romita Jr.
Skaar first appeared in the "Planet Hulk" storyline, published in The Incredible Hulk in 2006. This arc, created by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr., centers around Hulk after the Illuminati exile him from Earth. Across13 issues, it follows Hulk as he conquers the planet Sakaar, and his attempts to return to Earth.
Since "Planet Hulk" is one of the best Hulk comics, Thor: Ragnarok already drew inspiration from it to explain Hulk's time on Sakaar. However, this film painted Hulk as a very different character than the comics. He was way less hostile in the movie, for starters. Fans will have to wait to see how the MCU develops Hulk's relationship with Skaar when they modify this.
9 Skaar Is Half-Mutated Human, Half-Shadow Person
When it comes to race, Skaar is a very uncommon mix. His father is a gamma-mutated human and his mother is a member of the Shadow People, a humanoid race living on several planets, including Sakaar. Shadow People, which first appeared in Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan's Incredible Hulk #92, are an ancient race with super strength, stamina, and an ability to enhance themselves through the "Old Power."
It seems likely that Skaar will be a member of the Shadow People in the MCU, as his tattoos are reminiscent of the comics version. In the comics, Skaar's tattoos are a cultural expression of the Shadow People. So far, Disney hasn't introduced this race, but Skaar's cameo points to an expansion of Marvel races on the MCU.
8 Skaar Has A Human Form Just Like His Dad
Since Skaar is Hulk's son and Hulk has a human form, it's only logical that the teenager has one too. As Planet Skaar #1, by Greg Pak, Dan Panosian, and Alex Garner, shows, the boy isn't always a Hulk. Since his mom is a humanoid and his dad is an actual human, he can look like a regular man too, but this depowers him.
Given that Bruce is currently stuck in his Smart Hulk form, it makes sense that Skaar is also a Hulk. However, knowing the MCU issues with constant CGI, they may use his depowering as a narrative ploy to take care of their budget, just like they did with She-Hulk's transformations.
7 Skaar Worked For Norman Osborn, But It Was All A Ploy
During Jeff Parker and Declan Shalvey's Dark Avengers #175, Skaar joined the second incarnation of Norman Osborn's superteam. However, his time with the team was quite short. When the villainous group arrested Captain America during Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato Jr.'s New Avengers #20, Skaar revealed his true loyalty to Steve Rogers.
As it turns out, Skaar was always working as a double agent for Captain America. After he freed Cap, Skaar joined the fight against the Dark Avengers. His allegiance would be key for the New Avengers to win the battle and, eventually, the war against Osborn's corrupt reign.
6 Skaar Wasn't On Good Terms With His Father In The Beginning
In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Hulk introduces Skaar to the family in the middle of a barbecue. This domestic scene couldn't be further from the comics canon. In the books, Skaar and Hulk get into a huge battle before being able to talk it out as father and son.
Since Skaar only knows Bruce as War Hulk, one of the most violent Marvel characters, he arrives on Earth ready to kill his father. However, Skaar soon discovers that Hulk is a very different creature now. So far, the MCU hasn't pointed to a conflict between Skaar and Hulk previous to She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's finale, but fans are yet to know about Hulk's time in Sakaar from his own perspective.
5 Skaar First Appeared As A What If? Character
Skaar first appeared in Marvel Comics as part of an alternate universe. "What If the Hulk Died and Caiera Lived?" a story by Greg Pak and Leonard Kirk in What If? Planet Hulk #1, is set in Earth-7121, a universe where Hulk sacrifices himself to save Caiera. Here, Caiera enslaves Earth's heroes and raises Skaar on her own.
Earth-7121's version of Skaar doesn't appear in the comics again, but a couple of months later, his Earth-616 iteration debuted in the main continuity. Since then, he has been a secondary character in some of Hulk's best comics. Now, with his MCU debut, Skaar is surely set to become even more famous.
4 Skaar's Mother Was One Of The Last Oldstrongs
MCU fans already know that Skaar is Hulk's son, but what about his mother? Skaar is the son of Caiera the Oldstrong, who met Hulk on Sakaar when they worked together against the Red King. Hulk and Caiera became lovers. Unfortunately, when the warp core of Hulk's shuttle exploded, she died alongside millions of innocents.
Caiera's death was one of the reasons why Hulk swore vengeance on the Illuminati, which lead him to return to Earth and destroy them. Given the differences in the MCU, Skaar's backstory in the films may not be this dramatic. There's still a chance fans will see Caiera in live-action.
3 Skaar Possesses An Artificial Version Of The Power Cosmic
As the son of a gamma being, Skaar possesses Hulk's strength, nigh-invulnerability, and stamina, which are fueled by intense feelings. In fact, Skaar was able to take a full Iron Fist punch once. Additionally, as a Shadow Person, he's an Oldstrong and can tap into the Old Power to manipulate the earth and stone of a planet.
According to Son of Hulk #15, by Paul Jenkins and Andres Guinaldo Isabel, this energy, which was created by Ancient Shadow Priests, is a man-made version of the Power Cosmic, which all Galactus' Heralds possess. If the MCU doesn't change this, Skaar could become one of the most powerful heroes of this universe.
2 Skaar Isn't An Only Child
Skaar has two different siblings. Hiro-Kala, his twin brother, died in the battle against Axeman Bone on Sakaar. His half-sister Lyra is the daughter of Hulk and Thundra, empress of the United Sisterhood.
Since Skaar's appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, it's clear that the MCU is planning on expanding the Hulk family. However, it's definitely too soon to know if Lyra or Hiro-Kala will appear in any upcoming MCU projects. If this was the case, both characters would open the door for some of Hulk's greatest storylines.
1 Skaar Has Starred In Two Solo Series
In 2008, a year after Skaar debuted in Marvel's main continuity, Greg Pak and Ron Garney teamed up for Skaar: Son of Hulk. Three years later, in 2011, Rob Willaims and Brian Ching created Skaar: King of the Savage Land. Both series followed Skaar's solo stories, focusing on his perspective and adding to the surrounding lore.
This is something no other runs have done before. Fans interested in learning more about Skaar, his abilities, and his personality before he reappears in the MCU can check out these two series.