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Wow, even the Hulk’s son proves to be unstoppable..

2006’s Planet Hulk and 2007’s World War Hulk took the Hulk to the other end of the universe and back again, revitalizing the Hulk and bringing him back to the forefront as one of the premier Marvel characters. It seems that on the other end of the universe though, the Hulk left behind a son he thought burned away with his pregnant mother.  And, Skarr, Son of Hulk, proves more mindless and vicious than even his father.

Skaar tells the tale of a legend on the world that the Hulk left behind of a son of the Hulk, so naturally, the leader of the barbarians from the north trying to conquer the world sets out to destroy this legend by killing every child he comes across. Skarr #2 finds Axeman Bone running right into that legend and learning that sometimes legends do live up to their stories.

Greg Pak writes a good, action packed story that feels more akin to reading a slightly science-fiction Conan than a story based off the Hulk. A fun, overly violent story that only has one problem: it felt too short.  The story was only 14 pages with a 9 page backup. The backup revolves around events that happened in the Planet Hulk story line and I understand that they are trying to give new readers a chance; I just feel it limited the main storyline. 

Ron Garney’s art definitely strikes towards a rougher edge for this comic.  I actually had to look and see who the artist was since I did not recognize his art!  Mixed with Paul Mounts’ colors, the book has a rough, sketchy feel to it that while it looks good, I am not a fan.  The lighting in the book seems inconsistent as well, with some parts being bright and detailed and others being overly shadowed.  The art overall in both stories really drives home the barbarian-Conan-Warlord feel to me. 

Skaar, Son of Hulk, might not grab everyone’s attention, but gives off a nice subtle vibe of a bygone comic era.  I think it shows some good faith on Marvel’s part to let Greg Pak create and write a character that clearly will not fit into the superhero world that his father travels in and that faith comes well deserved.  Skaar is an enjoyable, different type of read.

Skarr, Son of Hulk #2
“Blood of the Dragon”
Words: Grek Pak
Pencils: Ron Garney
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

“Shadow Tales part One”
Words: Grek Pak
Pencils: Butch Guice
Colors: Paul Mounts
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

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