The recently released series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law opened up a whole new direction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe — a doorway to exploring the rich family of Hulk characters from the comics. The show followed Tatiana Maslany as Bruce Banner’s cousin, Jennifer Walters, as she learned to deal with the reality of becoming the She-Hulk. Fans had varied reactions to the series, with some criticizing the show’s creative choices (per The Direct), while others were in awe of the fourth-wall-breaking ending.

Amidst all the hubbub and the unusual cameos, She-Hulk quietly introduced a brand-new character to the MCU: Skaar, son of the Hulk. The character appears on-screen for a hot second, but has set up huge implications for future MCU stories — especially since the appearance was directly approved by Kevin Feige. The character has a fearsome and exciting backstory that can potentially make him more deadly than the Hulk himself. He is also intimately connected to one of the most important Hulk storylines in Marvel Comics. So, here is all you need to know about Skaar, the son of Hulk.

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Born to Sakaaran Warrior Caiera Oldstrong

     Marvel Comics

The very first comic book appearance of Skaar was in the What If? Planet Hulk series, which reimagined the popular Planet Hulk storyline in a number of different ways. He was quickly set up as a mainstay character in the World War Hulk comic book storyline, getting his own series titled Skaar: Son of Hulk.

Skaar was born to Hulk and Caiera Oldstrong, a member of the Shadow People race of Sakaar. The Planet Hulk storyline ends when the space shuttle that brought Hulk to Sakaar self-detonates, destroying an entire city and killing Caiera in the process. Before dying, she uses a special form of magic to wrap her unborn child in a cocoon, from where Skaar emerges with the appearance of a young boy.

Skaar grows to resemble a fully grown adult within a year, and quickly learns to become a fierce warrior on his own right. His unique lineage earns him a great deal of respect from his fellow Shadow People — during his time on Sakaar, the Hulk came to be considered as a prophesied savior of the race, while Caiera was one of the few from the Shadow race born with a mystical ability known as the Old Power. Equipped with these powers, he soon becomes a formidable Sakaaran general.

Equipped with Mystical Powers

As the son of Hulk, Skaar has all the powers that make the Hulk such a powerful MCU character — he is near-invulnerable, has super strength, enhanced healing, and more. But he has also inherited the Old Power from his mother, Caiera. This arguably makes him a more dangerous character than even the Hulk. The Old Power gives its users the ability to telepathically manipulate the soil, rocks, and even the lava of any planet. In the comics, he is also able to speak to the dead spirit of his mother, who gives him valuable advice.

An Important Setup for a World War Hulk Movie

The appearance of Skaar in the She-Hulk series has got many fans excited about the possibility of a World War Hulk movie. The World War Hulk comic book storyline follows in the events of the Planet Hulk comics, upon which the Thor: Ragnarok movie was based. Additionally, this storyline marked the first canon appearance of Skaar in the comics. He subsequently received his own title series that detail the dramatic circumstances of his early life. In his home planet, he became revered as a warrior and a general, and defeated a powerful ruler known as Axeman Bone. Following that, planet Sakaar became prey to the planet-eating god Galactus, and Skaar has a brush with the Silver Surfer as well.

Skaar finally ends up on Earth with the intention of exacting revenge against his father, for abandoning him as a child. He enjoys a complex love-and-hate relationship with his father, as Bruce Banner initially seeks to rehabilitate his son and inspire him to become a hero on Earth. All the while, Skaar is waiting for the War Hulk persona to emerge so that he may finally take his revenge.

World War Hulk and Young Avengers

     Marvel Studios/Disney+

While much of Skaar’s life story is detailed in comic titles separate from World War Hulk, his relationship with the Hulk is compelling material to adapt for a solo Hulk movie. His appearance in the MCU has been long-awaited by fans, who were clamoring for a World War Hulk movie. There have also been rumors that the rights to a solo Hulk movie, which had been held by Universal Pictures till now, is about to expire, allowing the MCU to finally make a solo Hulk film. The hurried introduction of Skaar at the tail-end of the She-Hulk series has nearly convinced fans that a World War Hulk movie is in the works.

At the same time, the appearance of Skaar is also in line with an ongoing MCU trend of bringing new-generation versions of the original Avengers — the Hawkeye series introduced Kate Bishop, the Black Widow movie brought in Yelena Belova, and we have seen Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Since Skaar appeared to be on good terms with the Hulk in his MCU introduction, we could also see his character arc take a different direction from the comics, becoming Hulk’s counterpart in a Young Avengers movie or series.