Greg Pak Talks Skaar to Newsarama

Newsrama.com got a chance to talk to Greg Pak about the upcoming Skaar, Son of Hulk comic:

"As the Planet Hulk storyline saw the character embracing the world of Sakaar, writer Greg Pak expanded the Hulk mythos to include an entirely new landscape of characters and history.

Yet when Sakaar was destroyed at the end of Planet Hulk, the charred planet was left behind by an enraged Hulk as he rocketed toward earth, looking for revenge.

But Sakaar's story isn't quite finished yet...

With Pak's new Skaar: Son of Hulk series starting in June, readers will find out what happened to the unborn child that Hulk left behind. Announced at Wizard World L.A. as new ongoing series with art by Ron Garney, the comic will initially follow the story of Skaar as he fights for survival on his home planet, raised in a savage world that should prepare him for what battles he may encounter as the series continues.

Newsarama talked to Pak to find out more about the series and whether this new character will ever get off his homeworld and join his daddy for a heartwarming family smash-fest in the Marvel Universe.

Newsarama: How did the idea for son of Hulk originally come about? Was this planned as the third part of your story all along?

Greg Pak: I remember pitching the idea to Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada at a Marvel Christmas party a few months before the first issue of Planet Hulk hit stores. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa happened to walk by while Joe and I were excitedly talking through the science of how a half-Hulk, half-alien embryo could survive the incineration of his mother and thrive in the radioactive soup after a nuclear explosion – I remember Roberto cracking up and saying something like, "This is what comics is all about!"

So yep, it's been part of the plan from the beginning.

NRAMA: Why is this a story you want to tell?

GP: I loved every minute of writing the Planet Hulk epic and would jump on any chance to return to that world. And Skaar's story is so rich with epic action and emotion and subtext that you'd need a crowbar to pry me away.

NRAMA: What can you tell us about Skaar as a character?

GP: He's the son of Hulk and the alien Shadow warrior Caiera the Oldstrong -- born in fire, raised by monsters, and destined to destroy. In a world scarred by war, all he's ever known is blood and pain. Now an Imperial princess seeks Skaar's help against an invading warlord. But is the savage Son of Hulk more likely to save -- or smash -- the puny survivors of Planet Sakaar?

NRAMA: Does he know what happened to his planet? Does he know about his father?

GP: Skaar begins his life as a wild animal, running with monsters in the radioactive wastelands. All he knows is the rage that comes from unbearable pain and the joy of savage conflict. But if and when he's able to piece together his history and heritage, I wouldn't much like being the dude most responsible for his condition...

NRAMA: Is his rage against his father what drives him, or is there another motivation for Skaar as he travels through the story?

GP: Let's just say that a few key characters provide Skaar with some massive motivation in several different categories for the mayhem that ensues.

NRAMA: Seeing as Skaar is, basically, a newborn, is this a coming of age story?

GP: It's an exploration of what you get if you raise a person in a war-torn world stripped of every vestige of civilization – and then ask him to play nicely with others. Skaar will absolutely come of age during the course of this story – but not exactly in that heartwarming, afterschool special sort of way.

NRAMA: Who designed the way Skaar will look? Was that something you imagined, or something that was a group effort? And why does he look that way? What are the reasons for the design?

GP: It was a collaborative effort, with the brilliant Planet Hulk penciller Carlo Pagulayan and me going through several designs with the input of Joe and Hulk editor extraordinaire Mark Paniccia. From the beginning, we knew he'd have his mother's eerie black eyes with white pupils and his skin would be a steely gray-green, halfway between his mother's and his father's complexions. And whatever clothing he'd wear would be made of debris he'd find in the ruins of Crown City. But in the initial designs, he was more ascetic and mysterious – bald, dressed for a desert trek, with a hammered piece of metal covering his face and his head wrapped in cloth. Joe recommended revealing his face and giving him hair, which allowed the character's savage inner nature to shine through much more clearly. Carlo added the arm tattoos, part of Skaar's Shadow heritage. And I recommended always drawing him poised in a hunched, stalking position, like a great cat-like predator, always on the verge of attack.

NRAMA: What do you hope the Skaar character brings to the landscape of the Marvel universe?

GP: A chance to explore and explode that perennial fantasy of savage survival in its rawest and purest state.

NRAMA: Is it safe to assume he'll be meeting his father one day?

GP: That's probably not a bad bet...

NRAMA: If that's a good bet, then it's obvious he'd eventually run into other Marvel characters. Any Marvel character you'd like for Skaar to meet one day and any comment on what might happen?

GP: Skaar and She-Hulk would be an awesome team up. Jen's a lawyer, about as tied into the foundations of civilization as you can get. And she's funny and verbal and has great posture – she'd be a great foil for the savage, prowling Son of Hulk.

Skaar and Betty Banner could be extremely interesting – or monumentally disturbing.

Skaar and the Warbound are a no-brainer. Would he blame them for the death of his mother and his own abandonment? Would they feel bound to him as they were to his father? All were forged through war on the savage planet of Sakaar – but who's become a hero, and who's become a monster?

Skaar and Rick Jones. Given recent revelations in Jeph Loeb's "Hulk" series, these guys have a lot more in common than you might ordinarily think.

Skaar and Namor. The proudest prince of Planet Earth and the most savage spawn of Sakaar? Bring it on!

Skaar and X-23... versus the Hulk and Wolverine, right? Is that a mini-series I smell?

NRAMA: Could be! But you know, with a green Hulk and a red Hulk and now a son of Hulk, is there any concern that there might be too much Hulk around? Is that possibility part of why the direction of this comic might be a little different from the main Hulk title?

GP: Too much Hulk? Perish the thought! The Hulk's a massive character who thrives with a rich supporting cast – and it's a kick in the pants to have been given the chance to expand the Hulkiverse a bit. But of course, expanding the mythos only makes sense if you've come up with new ways to explore the big themes. With his distinct story and world, we're doing our best to give Skaar every opportunity to hack and slash his way to his rightful place in the Marvel Universe.

NRAMA: What will be the tone of the book? Will it be similar to the Planet Hulk story, with a mythic/fantasy feel, or something different?

GP: Planet Hulk and World War Hulk fans will be right at home. Skaar will be just as epic. Just as fun. Just as emotionally shattering. And approximately a hundred and six times more savage.

NRAMA: What do you think of the choice of Ron Garney on art for this comic? What do you think his art will bring to the title? And are you writing with his style in mind?

GP: I absolutely loved the work Ron did on the Hulk a few years back – he has that uncommon ability to render scenes with both incredible detail and mind-blowing dynamism. So from the minute his name was floated as a penciller, I was champing at the bit to get him on board. And then I saw his most recent work for "Wolverine." And my jaw dropped out of my skull. He's going to be insanely great on this book, and yes, I'm doing my best to give him plenty of room to cut loose with all his spectacular skills.

NRAMA: Switching gears a little, how's it been working on Incredible Hercules, and what do you think of fan response to the series so far?

GP: I've had a ridiculous amount of fun working with co-writer Fred Van Lente on Incredible Hercules. From the beginning, this has felt like one of those lucky projects where things just click. The pairing of brawny Hercules and brainy Amadeus Cho, the merging of mythology and the modern day stories, and the way Fred and I immediately hooked into the same vibe all felt just right.

But just 'cause something's fun to write doesn't necessarily mean it's good, so both Fred and I are extremely grateful for the hugely positive response from readers and reviewers. We have over a year's worth of increasingly more mind-blowing stories mapped out, so as long as y'all keep on buying 'em, we'll keep on writing 'em!

NRAMA: Can you tell Hercules fans what's coming in that series?

GP: Incredible Hercules #115 hits stores this Wednesday, and it's a doozy! It's the conclusion of our first big story arc – wherein Amadeus Cho teeters on the brink of super-villainy, Hercules and Ares fight atop the helicarrier using exploding missiles as clubs, and Zeus only knows what's up with that poor coyote pup!

Shameless plug: if you're in New York, please note that Fred and I will be doing a signing of Incredible Hercules #115 with penciller Khoi Pham at Jim Hanley's Universe from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, March 19. For the full scoop, visit http://www.pakbuzz.com/entries/001569.shtml .

Second shameless plug -- we're still collecting suggestions for names for the pup – to see the latest submissions, check out Amadeus's blog at http://www.puppycho.com .

Next up in the world of Incredible Hercules is our insane "Secret Invasion" crossover, which begins with a visit with the Eternals in #116 and the revelation of the God Squad in #117. Also not to be missed is the giant sized "Hulk Vs. Hercules" oneshot which hits stores in April. I have to say I'm really in love with this book – it's an insane smashfest telling an untold tale of an epic Hercules/Hulk battle that delves deep into the core of each character in surprising ways while laying the groundwork for the next big thing in Incredible Hercules. With gorgeous art from Khoi Pham, Eric Nguyen, Reilly Brown, and the incomparable Bob Layton! Not to be missed, my friends.

NRAMA: Your fans have been clamoring for another Phoenix story from you and Greg Land. Will there be any more of those type of stories coming from you? Or can you give us any indication of other comics projects you might like to tell your fans to look out for?

GP: Nothing to report on the Phoenix front at the moment. But I'm working on a book featuring another A-list mutant that may be the most harrowing story I've ever told in any medium. More news soon!

NRAMA: Anything else you want to tell readers about Skaar: Son of Hulk?

GP: Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement regarding a certain cover artist – who's an absolute fantasy come true."