Marvel Universe Skaar (2011)

MU Skaar Figure

The Good: Here is a surprise – not in the sense that this was coming out – but that it looks this good!  I still think the price point is off on these figures – but I do like the details they seem to fit into the smaller bodies.  This sculpt is leaps and bounds better than the ML figure we were given a few years back – not just the sculpt but the scale to the figures in its respective line. 

Still not happy about the price tag - but these figures are looking better

The color is a darker green, which is way better than the teel-esque color that the ML is.  I’ve heard there are 2 variants for this figure out there (Yes, it was reported on this site by the ever helpful Gamma-Pup) – not on the figure itself – but the base which you stand the figure on.  One stand says “Son of Hulk” while the other says “Skaar” like the package does.  That’s the other thing that this figure has over the ML one – this figure actually states his name rather than just “Son of Hulk”. 

Skaar - He's a mean green mother from outer space

The Bad: Well, the card art is a pretty unfortunate choice.  The art at the top looks like Skaar’s making his ”O” face – or even worse – his “I just discovered a dead hooker in my bathroom – and my wife will be home any minute!” face.  I still say that these figures should be packed with more than just a simple card and a love letter to Stark – maybe a mini-comic or something.

Hulk's son... still sounds funny to say that

The Ugly (Truth): If you are a Skaar fan – it is a must – I think it captures the brooding adolescent better than the ML figure does.  If you are a MU line fan – it’s a must as well – this is a beautiful figure to add into the line and done very well.  If you are a Hulk fan… well, make the choice up for yourself here – do you like the character enough to pick it up?  I know I did – and I am glad I did.  Grade: B+

One of my favorite items is the sword!

Skaar: King of the Savage Land #1(of 5) (2011) – The Review

Skaar: King of the Savage Land #1

THE POSITIVE: There’s a whole lot of humor in the first issue.  That makes comics so much more fun to read.  There’s also a bunch of pretty great action – you have to love people beating up Dinosaurs!  Also, there are a bunch of intersecting storylines with Ka-Zar trying to connect the Savage Land and the rest of the world, Shanna trying to “welcome” Skaar into the ways of the Savage Land, and of course Skaar fighting humongous robots and unlocking some great ancient evil from an underground prison.

Im sorry - what were you saying Shanna? My thoughts were... elsewhere.

THE NEGATIVE: Amazingly enough, there’s not too much negative to talk about here.  I mean, the art is fantastic, the story is funny, interesting and moving at a nice pace.  Overall, nothing to complain about here.

Seriously Skaar? Act like a man!

AND THE RELEVANT: I guess we can all admit at this point that Skaar was a great idea.  He came off of an amazing Hulk storyline and has continued strongly throughout.  Even how he came to be in the Savage Land and stay was a decent enough story… well, HIS part anyways.  And I will be the first to admit that he is a perfect fit for the Savage Land!  Who wouldn’t want to see a weekly bout with dinosaurs!  And, as with the Hulk storyline at the moment, this is the first issue of a mini – so I really can’t give you a definitive answer on whether or not this little series will have an overall impact.

Crap, Skaar - now you are IN for it!

CONCLUSION: You should get this comic and read it a few times.  Then read it again!

Hope you picked these up too~!

The Incredible Hulk #606 2nd print

TIH #606 2nd print came out – which is sort of a big deal since it’s the first issue that went into 2nd print for a while – also the HC collecting TIH #601 – 606 + the List came out called: Son of Banner.

Son of Banner HC

Hulk – Dark Reign: The List #1 – The Review (2009)

Hulk - Dark Reign: The List #1

I told you I’d get these posted by today!  I’m so proud of myself!  And look at this:  Two Pak books in one week?!?  I was giddy!  Too bad that there’s still no Hulk to speak of.  The only let down – of course that’s a huge let down.  But this issue does give us hope!  Let me begin…

Dr. Wanesboro is being held captive and having the Old Power sucked right out of her by Norman’s lackey, Ms. Hand.  Even though they tell her that it’s killing her she says to keep it up.  Suddenly, with alarms sounding, they see Banner coming to rescue Wanesboro.  Banner easily walks in and takes control over their facility.  Hand releases some… wait, this sentence started with “Hand releases…” – tee hee!  Anyways, yeah – a bunch of robots ready to kill – but Banner releases his own security – Skaar – swinging his huge sword.

Skaar dealing with his anger issues

We cut to Hand discussing Banner with Osborn – and Osborn sends her back out to take Banner out – but with help – Moonstone!  Or Ms. Marvel as some of you have come to know her.  As they fly to where Banner is their plane is blown apart.  Hand sends 1000 missiles at Bruce and Skaar – Bruce uses some of them at Osborn’s facility, blowing it up.  As he’s distracted – Hand comes up from behind and gets the best of Bruce.  She seals him in a bubble that slows time down.  She tries to kill him – but to no avail – because Bruce is a smarty pants! 

Meanwhile, Ms. Marvel has her hands full with Skaar – but even better she lets him in on some secrets.  As hand is about to kill Banner again – Skaar comes to the rescue – only to have Ms Marvel grab Bruce.  But Skaar threatens to kill Ms. Hand – so Marvel releases Bruce – and Skaar releases Hand – but only after he realizes that the secrets that she spilled are true.  Bruce and Skaar leave and Skaar lets Bruce in on the fact that the facility they blew up was also a Gamma Lab – Osborn is trying to turn Bruce back into the Hulk.  (Thank goodness!)  Everything seems to be going all to Osborn’s plan…

The son carrying the Dad...

Now this issue was a little more exciting!  I love the fact that Bruce is still a bad-ass – but Osborn is still smarter, almost anticipating every move Bruce will make.  I’m excited to see what happens here By the way – I know there is a Cho variant, I am in the process of looking for a good, affordable copy of one, I’ll post it when I find it.- Grade: A-

The Incredible Hulk #602 (2009) – The Review

The Incredible Hulk #602

Juggy's a flamer!

So on we go with Bruce training Skaar to take on the Hulk… when the Hulk eventually returns.  So, in preparation Bruce has the Juggernaut show up.  Skaar shows no interest in fighting Juggy at first.  Juggy turns his attention to Bruce and starts to pound on him – with only Bruce’s electronic shields to protect him.  Skaar finally begins to fight Juggy – and Juggs gets the upper hand pretty quickly – but then, in a shocking turn, Skaar transforms into a child.

Skaar and Juggs clash!

You wouldn't hit a child, would you?

Juggernaut stops fighting – but that gives Skaar the opportunity to use his Old Power to knock Juggs into the air.  Skaar transforms back and goes after Juggy.  They land deep in the earth – into liquid magma where Juggs can’t use his power.  He laughs it off saying he’s going to watch Skaar burn – but Skaar informs him that he was born in fire – right after the Hulk abandoned him.  He uses his Old Power again to take the two of them out of the magma (I so like to say “magma” in a Dr. Evil voice – I can’t be the only one, right?) but tricks Juggs and at the last moment he hits Juggy so hard he knocks him right into space.

Old Power - helps when you're in hot water!

Biggety BAM!

Reed Richards and Beast have been talking the whole time – questioning Bruce’s motives.  Reed has been supporting Bruce but Beast has called in other help.  The issue ends with Skaar and Bruce at a comic shop looking up Conan – to see why Juggy called him that – when Wolverine shows up…

Wolverine - have we not seen enough of him lately?

Not a bad issue – although I can’t say I’m still so happy that these comics are Hulk-less – these issues are really good.  I can’t wait to see where they are going with the story.  Grade B-

Super Hero Squad Cover... sorry, kind of lame...

Red Hulk & Skaar MiniMates (2009)

Red Hulk / Skaar MiniMates

These are just on the shelves now – I guess it’s good to put the new kids on the block in a pack – I’m not really sure why I picked these up… I kind of felt like I had to buy them.  I’m not really sure if I’m even going to display them.  I’ll hide them behind other, better two packs.  But hey, the Red Hulk really does look like he does in the comics.

Ugh... Loeb, look at this... are you happy now?

Skaar: Son of Hulk #12 (2009) – The Review

Skaar: Son of Hulk #12

I know this post is really late going up – but I left my computer at work last night and didn’t get it again until this morning – but here it is!

Let’s take a break from the MCP reviews with something a little more current!  I forgot to review #11 – although I will admit, it’s in my “To Read” pile and I haven’t even touched it.  I’ve had a lot to do.  With only a month or so left till my daughter arrives it seems like my to do list just gets bigger and bigger.  Anyways, this issue starts with the Hulk calling Skaar out – and Skaar coming back with “I thought you’d be bigger” (what a great line).  This is how it’s supposed to be – at the age of thirteen, every Forgeday, a son must test his father and the father must tame the son.  Hulk and Skaar trade blows while the warbound looks on and notices that this fight is taking place a little too close to a nuclear power plant.  Skaar asks the Hulk if that’s the hardest he can hit – and Hulk shows him that it wasn’t.  Korg steps in to try to calm things down but Hulk only uses him as a weapon to hit Skaar with.  Then, Korg tells each of them that if they are going to fight that they must at least tell each other what their grievances with each other is.  Skaar asks what kind of “hero” leaves his son to burn, his world to die?  Hulk answers with… stupid Hulk talk.

Hulk is in his Savage persona, he doesn’t even recognize Korg or Skaar – this may be Pak’s attempt to fix Loeb’s disgusting past two years of writing – but when he looks into Skaar’s eyes he sees Caiera and he remembers.  Skaar asks him if he knows he is Green Scar – and Hulk responds with, “Nope!  I’m the World Breaker, Bitch!”  Alright, I added the bitch part…

Remembering makes the Hulk transform into Bruce Banner – and back into the Savage Hulk again – like he’s trying to forget or something.  Skaar asks him to show himself – to show the World Breaker again.  Skaar send a crack along the canyon floor, right toward the power plant.  The Warbound go into action to try to stop a meltdown from occurring.  Skaar asks Hulk to see Green Scar again – and Hulk refuses to go and help stop the meltdown.  Hulk hold the containment building together – but as one of the towers crumble the Hulk turns his attention to it – the containment building begins to blow.  Everyone believes this will be it – until Skaar uses the Old Power to stop the meltdown.  Elloe Kaifi asks why he fights with a sword if he has all that power – Skaar answers by plunging said sword into the Hulk’s chest saying it’s more fun.  (By the way – if this ever comes up to buy – I so want it!)

Skaar walks away calling the Hulk a moron and saying that he’ll be back when there is someone in there worth killing and tells them to stay ways until then – because this is his planet now.  The last scene of this story shows the devastation that the fight had on the area, molten lava flowing between huge cracks in the Earth’s crust.  Just plain awesome – it really sets Skaar up as a bad ass not to be reckoned with.  Just a fantastic build up!  Grade: A (PAK IS BACK BABY!)

There is a variant cover showcasing the Hulk – as well as a wraparound variant cover and an even scarcer sketch variant cover – but since it’s early and I have no camera you’ll just seek these out to see for your self.

There is a second story – a worthy read as well – of the Surfer warning a world about the coming of Galactus.  Because their world is strong with the old power Galactus will come.  The Surfer tells them about Caiera’s sacrifice so that others may live – and he also tells of Skaar’s defiance.  How after Galactus had fed and would have slept for thousands of years – but Skaar, with one last attack, wakes the eater of worlds and he hungers once again for more.  The Surfer tried to stop him – only to be batted away in a blink of an eye.  He warns for the inhabitants of the planet to leave before Galactus gets there – to remember who to honor (Caiera) and who to curse (Skaar, now on Earth).  We join Skaar on Earth, in Iowa, where a much younger version of himself is sitting at a lake, staring at a much older reflection, and damning him.  Man, this comic has me jazzed about Hulk comics again!

Planet Skaar Prologue (2009) – The Review

Planet Skaar Prologue

Skaar is coming.  I have to admit I was losing interest in this series – but it certainly picked up in the last few issues.  As soon as the Surfer came back it was a hard book to put down.  Let’s just say, Galactus put the “all powerful” Skaar in his place (boy, Galactus has been busy lately, huh?)  And Skaar learned that his father is alive and well on his home planet.  Now Skaar is coming to let his dad know just how he feels about being abandoned.

The issue begins with Bruce in a diner getting terrible service.  Skaar is coming closer and wants his father – suddenly Bruce Hulks out and starts running.  Jen Walters also Hulks out and just begins running too.  Reed Richards is in his lab and we read his unsent letter to Bruce.  He says that he did the calculations – that he figured out that his son had survived and has been trying to track him down ever since the events in WWH.  Suddenly a worm hole opens up and Skaar has arrived.  The FF head out and meet up with She Hulk – they tell her that the Invisible Woman is busy trying to slow down the Hulk so that he and his son don’t meet up.

She Hulk and the FF reach where Skaar is and try approaching him – but Skaar easily dispatches them.  He takes on the thing and a whole bunch of tanks – oh wait!  I forgot about the warbound!  Sorry, I’m doing this from memory.   The Warbounds powers are going a bit out of control and they feel Skaar is on Earth.  Norman Osborn send out troops to take Skaar out – but Skaar takes the troops on with his huge sword pretty easily.  Then they send in the bombs.  And as one of them touches ground right where Skaar stands a huge explosion goes off.  The Hulk stops running and snaps out of the trance he seemed to be in.  She Hulk says she can’t “feel” Skaar anymore.  The issue ends by showing a young boy standing on a hill – his eyes are glowing green.

All in all pretty interesting start to what I hope is a great series.  B-

Hulk Family – Green Genes (2008) – The Review

Hulk Family - Green Genes

Who picked this up yesterday?  Pretty darn good issue.  It’s nice to have some good old fashion Hulk stories after the crap they have been shoveling at us this year.  The first story, titled Your Lucky Day, takes place right after the events in The Incredible Hulk #344 – Ground Zero – my favorite Hulk story.  So, She Hulk is having her class reunion (Hey!  The old ’96 cartoon had an episode where Jen Walters went to her class reunion!  Weird.)  Anyways, she sees Mr, Fixit stroll through the casino and recognizes him as her cousin.  Fixit tells her she has the wrong man – he still doesn’t want to be recognized – she says she knows it’s him.  Two mutants come to Las Vegas – they say fate brought them there – and start causing trouble.  She Hulk takes Discordia while Hulk takes on the guy whose power is transforming fear into power.  It’s pretty sweet.  As they tangle Fixit starts to hear Banner’s voice inside of him.  He begins to take out his anger on the mutant.  He gets angrier and angrier when he believes Banner is calling him an accident – and Hulk says it was fate.  Just as he’s about to lose control and beat this mutant to a pulp She Hulk stops him.  She says she knows he’s not her cousin – because her cousin wouldn’t be so mean.

This story is such a refreshing change of pace from the drivel we’ve been served lately.  It’s violent, and funny (I like Hulk’s new name for She Hulk – which is She-Me) and each of the characters actually act like the characters they are supposed to!  B

This comic also features 3 other stories – each featuring a different Hulk member – Pak writes the Skaar story, which I wish I liked better but I just can’t get into it.  The Daughter of the Hulk story is okay – turns out Hulk’s bastard daughter has some compassion for males – which she attributes to her Dad.  But if you want to hear about these stories you should get the comic and read it.  I’m just going to give a review of the first story – but what did you think of it?

Hulk & Son of Hulk SHS (2008)

Skaar and Hulk SHS

There are people who have expressed their distaste for the Superhero Squad.  There are people who have said that they are ugly – and here’s the good news – you’re right.  But let’s remember the other things that are terribly ugly yet still popular.  Who remembers Furby?  Or even better – Garbage Pail Kids?  Remember those?  They had 2 names for each character so you had to buy twice the amount of cards?  Man, those guys are marketing geniuses.  How about Madballs?  Who is old enough to have had those things?  I might’ve had all of them.  Anyways, my point is – these aren’t that bad – and they are of characters we love and adore!  Well, maybe we don’t love Skaar – but we all love the Hulk!  Here’s another dose of good news for all that don’t like this line: There is only ONE more 2-pack in wave 3 and the entire run is completed!  After next Monday there will no other SHS Hulk 2-packs.  Moment of silence please.  Does Skaar look fat to anyone else?  The Hulk here is a little… strange.  He has a ripped shirt still on that says Banner – that’s pretty cool – but the figure itself is a bit hoakie.  Who uses the word hoakie?  Well, see everyone tomorrow!

Marvel Legends Son of Hulk (2008)

Skaar: Son of Hulk ML

He has 3 comics out (2 when this figure was released) and already gets a figure.  Man, Marvel’s really invested in this idea, huh?  I guess that’s good though – and the figure isn’t too bad either!  I think the sculpt is done well – but the figure really doesn’t look like the comic character – I don’t know what it is, maybe too bulky?  It doesn’t look bad though…  My favorite part of this figure is the HUGE freakin’ sword that he comes with.  It’s bigger then his head!

Skaar's Big Honkin' Sword

The coloring isn’t so… good.  He’s a light teel-ish color.  I guess it fits but I think he would look a bit better if the coloring was darker.  Also, I noticed that it doesn’t say Skaar on the package – maybe they weren’t sure what his name was going to be when they designed the packaging – they just knew he was the Hulk’s son, thus the SON OF HULK title.  Pretty sweet figure though and the end of the Marvel Legends Figures.

Close Up Of Skaar

Skaar: Son of Hulk (2008)

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while then you know that I have been very skeptical about the idea of Skaar.  Pak was a savior in the Hulk worl when he came in to write Planet Hulk but – about his unborn son?  On the planet that blew up?

Well, I will begin by stating, it’s not bad.  Not bad at all.  It’s a very quick read – really, I think I read it in less than 5 minutes.  It’s starts with Ciera explaining that a young Shadow can run within minutes of being born.  Basically, a quick way of explaining how a zygote survived his mother being blown up.  Skaar eats all the little nasties around him and eventually links up with some rebels.  The Red Skins are still trying to re-claim the planet and are destroying anything in their path.  Axeman Bone, with his fire-breathing dragon, capture a group of rebels and burn and destroy a shadow youngling who they think is the son of Hulk.

Later, when the Reds are getting ready to cook some rebels for dinner they are suddenly attacked by a force of nature hacking, slicing, and killing every Red there.  The elder rebel smiles and says it’s time to get out of there before Axeman comes out.  But from behind them they hear his voice asking why they are in a rush.  The last panel shows Skaar soaring through the air, ready to attack Axeman, who is saying “This is going to be fun”.

This first issue definetly has me intrigued to pick up the next issue.  Let’s see how long they can keep this fire burning… B+