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'SKAAR: SON OF HULK' Q&A with GREG PAK
The mean green scribe talks about the ‘Skaar’ Hulk has left on space in anticipation of his upcoming maxi-series with Ron Garney
By Kiel Phegley
Posted 3/20/2008
Break out your cigars.
There’s a new baby boy coming to the Marvel Universe, but this one doesn’t carry a binky...he carries a big ass sword. And come to think of it, he’s not so much a baby. He’s the son of the Incredible Hulk.
In a 12-issue maxi-series promised since the final issue of the blockbuster event World War Hulk, writer Greg Pak (blogging up a storm at www.pakbuzz.com) and recently announced artist Ron Garney (Amazing Spider-Man) spin the space-faring story of Hulk’s son on the remnants of the planet Sakaar. But there’ll be more than savagery in Skaar: Son of Hulk when it debuts in June as both writer and artist can attest.
[Editor's Note: The image of Skaar shown here is not by Son of Hulk artist Ron Garney, but is by "Planet Hulk" artist Carlos Pagulayan and is the only released image of the Son of Hulk at this point.]
WIZARD: We first saw a hint of what Son of Hulk would be at the very end of World War Hulk. When this series hits comic shops, how much time will have passed since the end of that series?
PAK: Skaar: Son of Hulk picks up right on the heels of Planet Hulk and World War Hulk. Folks who have been following those epics will have plenty to dig their teeth into—but we're introducing the character and world in a way that's entirely accessible to brand new readers.
This series has been billed in some ways at the “third chapter” of a trilogy that started with "Planet Hulk" and continued in WWH. Did you always intend for this to exist in three distinct parts, or did one follow the other pretty naturally?
PAK: "Planet Hulk" and World War Hulk were part of the plan from the very beginning – we knew from day one that the Hulk would be shot into space and return with a vengeance. But during the development of "Planet Hulk," I had the brainstorm for Son of Hulk, which both Hulk editor Mark Paniccia and Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada loved—and suddenly our epic had its third act.
What is it about the world of Sakaar that has really dug itself into your brain? How different is the world now from the rather dire state we saw it in at the end of "Planet Hulk?"
PAK: What makes Sakaar such a rich milieu for storytelling right now is that the war against the Red King and the explosion that leveled Crown City have destroyed all central authority and social control. This is a shattered, war-torn world plagued by monsters and bandits in which the stakes are as high as they possibly can be. Every second of the day is a fight for life and death—and when the survival of some means certain death for others, every second becomes a test of what it means to be a hero in a world this brutal and lawless.
Obviously, the story of the Son of Hulk is going to be full of some mysteries, but what can you say about the character at this point? What will his status and main objective be as this series opens?
PAK: Skaar is the savage son of the Hulk and the woman warrior Caiera the Oldstrong, born in fire, raised by monsters, and destined to destroy. The fate of this planet may just lies in his hands—but as he claws his way through monsters and mayhem, is he more interested in saving the puny survivors—or smashing them?
The big news from [Wizard World Los Angeles] last weekend is that Ron Garney is going to be on art for the series. After such a great lineup of artists on your Hulk run so far, what does Ron bring to the table in terms of fitting the tone and feel of Hulk’s space adventures? What are you most excited to see him draw?
PAK: Ron's work during his Hulk run back when blew my mind—I particularly loved the way he combined great detail with incredible dynamism. He also completely understands the savage power and insane freedom that the Hulk—and now the Hulk's son—epitomize. There's a double-page spread in issue #9 of his run of the Hulk leaping over forested mountains through a flock of ducks with an old miner clinging to his back. It's just an amazing image, powerful and exhilarating and funny and scary all at once. I can't wait to see Ron tackle the giant action splashes we're tossing him in Skaar #1—he's going to eat this book alive.
For Skaar: Son of Hulk artist Ron Garney's take on the character, the world, working with Greg Pak and a whole lot of info and his current work on Wolverine with Jason Aaron click through to the next page.
