Skrull

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Skrulls

The Skrulls' first appearance in Fantastic Four #2 (vol. 1, Jan. 1962). Art by Jack Kirby
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Fantastic Four #2 (vol. 1, Jan. 1962)
Created by Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
Characteristics
Place of origin Skrullos; later moved capital to Tarnax IV (destroyed)
Inherent abilities Shapeshifting

The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 (vol. 1, Jan. 1962) and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Contents

[edit] Conception

In creating the Skrulls, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby drew upon stereotypes of extraterrestrial life common in science fiction. Skrull skin color suggested the concept of little green men, and Skrull shapeshifting and infiltration abilities recalled the then-recent horror-thriller film Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).[1] The name "Skrull" hints at the word "skull", bringing to mind images of death. The cover of the first issue of the Fantastic Four to feature the Skrulls is also highly evocative of the Skrulls' origins as pulp fiction alien invaders. Though originally nothing more than stereotypical alien invaders bent on conquest, writers have over the years written Skrull characters into more complex and multifaceted roles.

[edit] Fictional species biography

Millions of years ago, the Celestials performed genetic experiments on the reptilian ancestors of the Skrulls, resulting in three branches of Skrulls that eventually warred with one another. The Deviant branch - possessing the innate ability to shapeshift - were triumphant, and after wiping out all other Skrulls began to expand their territory. The Deviant branch would later split into two more groups, being the modern Skrulls and an anomaly called the Dire Wraiths, a parasitic race that could still shapeshift and had use of magic, but were not as technologically advanced as the Skrulls.

The modern Skrulls originate from the planet of Skrullos, and were originally a mercantile civilization, primarily interested in free trade and willing to share their technology with all races they deemed worthy. A Skrull delegation to the planet Hala, home to the then barbaric Kree and the peaceful Cotati, held a contest between the two races to determine with whom the Skrulls would trade. The Cotati won, but the vengeful Kree massacred the Skrull delegation, took over the Skrull landing spaceship by force, and developed their own technology from it with which to begin waging war against the Skrulls. Kree aggression forced the Skrulls to become a militaristic civilization, and the Kree-Skrull War continues for thousands of years with only brief interruptions.[2] The Skrull Throneworld was later moved from Skrullos to the more central Tarnax IV.

The Skrull Empire eventually decides to conquer Earth, but fails to take into account the presence of the modern superhero. An initial scouting party impersonates the Fantastic Four and attempts to have them incarcerated but are beaten through trickery. [3] In retaliation the Skrull Emperor Dorrek VII dispatches Kl'rt, a Skrull known as the Super-Skrull to Earth to defeat the Fantastic Four. Kl'rt possesses the powers of the entire Fantastic Four (in addition to shapeshifting and hypnotism ) and holds the team at bay until Mr. Fantastic discovers the source of his power. [4] The Fantastic Four later travel to Tarnax IV and find the Skrull responsible for the murder of Susan and Johnny Storm's father. [5]

The largest conflict involving Earth to date is the The Kree-Skrull War. The Kree Accuser Ronan wrests control of the Empire from the Supreme Intelligence and attacks the Skrulls, reigniting hostilities. The Avengers become involved once the Super Skrull kidnaps Captain Marvel, and in turn battle a Kree Sentry robot, three of the original Skrulls that fought the Fantastic Four, SHIELD agents, rogue Inhumans and legions of Skrulls. The Supreme Intelligence ends the immediate conflict by revealing to Avengers' ally Rick Jones that he has vast mental potential, which is then used to freeze all combatants in place. The Supreme Intelligence then announces that while the Kree and Skrulls have reached genetic dead ends, the human race displays incredible untapped potential. [6] It is revealed years later that the conflict actually produced a Kree-Skrull hybrid - Hulkling - who is the child of one-time lovers Captain Marvel and the Skrull Princess Anelle. [7]

Despite this development there is still bad blood between the Kree and the Skrulls, and years later the cosmic being the Watcher adjudicates over a duel between champions from both races: Colonel Bel-Dann of the Kree and Warlord Raksor of the Skrulls. Unfortunately, after one year of conflict the duel is deadlocked and is ultimately abandoned with no resolution. [8] Years later during a conflict with Xandar, Emperor Dorrek VII's wife, Empress R'klll, stages a coup and kills him to become ruling Empress. [9] Empress R'klll's reign is short-lived, however, due to the arrival of the World Devourer Galactus. After his Herald Nova annihilates the Skrull fleet, Galactus devours Tarnax IV, killing billions of Skrulls - including R'klll and the Princess Anelle. [10]

Galactus's consumption of Tarnax IV throws the entire Skrull Empire into disarray and civil war. Five warlords vie for leadership of the Empire and the ensuing conflict sparks the second Kree-Skrull War. [11]

[edit] Fall of the Skrull Empire

It is during this time of civil war that the Skrulls Zabyk and Myrn detonate a genetic "hyperwave bomb" which prevents all Skrulls - everywhere in the universe - from shapeshifting, trapping them in whatever form they occupied at the time. [12] The Skrull Empire is on the verge of collapse until Kl'rt the Super-Skrull is rescued from the Van Allen radiation belt, where he had been trapped as a stream of dissociated particles. The Super Skrull is not affected as he was not in physical form at the time of detonation.

After reintegration, the Super Skrull joins forces with the Silver Surfer, who introduces him to S'byll, one of the five claimants to the Skrull Throne. Using Kl'rt as a template, S'byll is able to regain her shapeshifting abilities and then to restore them to all Skrulls. [13] S'byll is then soon acclaimed as the new Empress by the Skrull race, and negotiates a truce with the Kree after defeating them in a decisive battle.[14]

Some time later a Skrull called Paibok mounts a campaign to invade Earth, using another Skrull called Lyja as an infiltrator. The plan, however, fails when Lyja defects, having fallen in love with the Human Torch, and ends with the Fantastic Four destroying the "Skrull War World", the Skrulls' largest attack ship. [15]

[edit] Annihilation

Main article: Annihilation (comics)

The Skrull Empire is the first of the major interstellar empires to be invaded by the forces of Annihilus. The Annihilation Wave's superweapon, the Harvester of Sorrow, destroys dozens of Skrull planets. [16] In the aftermath the Skrulls unsuccessfully attempt to convince Hulkling to become the new Emperor. [17]

[edit] Secret Invasion

Main article: Secret Invasion

Under the leadership of newcomer Queen Veranke, the Skrulls have infiltrated Earth and are preparing for a major assault. Several heroes have been revealed to be Skrulls, with the whereabouts of the real heroes being as yet unknown. [18] [19] [20]

[edit] Appearance and abilities

Skrulls are green-skinned reptilian humanoids, of roughly the same height and weight as humans, with large pointed ears and corrugated chins. The Skrulls are known for their ability to shapeshift, and are able to assume virtually any form, be it organic (e.g. cows [21]) or inorganic (e.g. lamp [22]). As a result, the Skrulls excel at spying and infiltration. Skrulls are also able to use their shapeshifting abilities to form weapons (eg. blades and clubs) with parts of their bodies, making them dangerous hand-to-hand combatants.

The Skrull have also recently gained the ability to render themselves undetectable when using their shapeshifting abilities, even from telepaths and those with superior senses. [23] [24]

Courtesy of their advanced technology, the Skrulls have also been able to augment their abilities in certain warriors, such as the Super Skrull and Warskrulls - an elite group who with special encoding are able to emulate the powers as well as appearance of their templates. [25]

[edit] Other versions

  • The Skrullian Skymaster (real name Skymax) is a member of the Squadron Supreme and possesses abilities matching the Super Skrull from Earth-616.[26]

[edit] Ultimate Skrulls

  • The Skrulls are first introduced as the Chitauri, who finance the Nazi regime in an attempt to conquer the Earth. [27] The more traditional Skrulls appear later (led by the billion year old Skrull Emperor), and the Chitauri are identified as a subversive group of Skrull terrorists. [28]

[edit] Notable Skrulls

  • Cadre K - A group of mutant Skrulls who have powers unlike other Skrulls. They oppose the killing of their kind by the Empire in the name of racial purity.
  • Ch'gra - A Delegate in Queen Veranke's court.
  • Crusader - Currently a member of the Initiative.
  • Dalx - Skrull diplomat and cultural ataché.
  • Dezan - The brother of Dorek VII. He was long imprisoned due to his pacifist nature branding him a traitor to the Skrull Empire.
  • Dorrek VII - Former King of the Skrulls, died in the destruction of Tarnax IV.
  • Dro'ge - Royal Priest of the Sciences. He was one of the Skrull scientists that experimented on the Illuminati and discovered the advancements that allowed the Empire to to infiltrate Earth in a massive scale.
  • Jazinda - A Skrull bounty hunter and the daughter of Kl'rt, the Super-Skrull.
  • John the Skrull - The last surviving member of the Skrull "Beatles". A member of MI: 13.[29]
  • Khn'nr - A Skrull who posed as the original Captain Marvel. He turned against the other Skrulls.
  • Kl'rt - A Skrull who has the powers of the Fantastic Four and became the Super-Skrull.
  • Kly'bn -
  • Lyja the Skrull. Female Skrull, trained to impersonate Alicia Masters as an espionage agent. Replaced Alicia in Fantastic Four vol. 1 #265 (April 1984). She fell in love with the Human Torch and they married in Fantastic Four vol. 1 #300 (March 1987). Her identity was revealed in Fantastic Four (1st series) #357-358 (October-November 1991), though in truth this was a retcon. Lyja helped the team recover the original Alicia to prove that she could be trusted. Her allegiances were since divided between her native race and her new family, particularly her husband. Whereabouts unknown as of Fantastic Four (1st series) #416 (September 1996).
  • Morrat - A Skrull that is responsible for the death of Franklin Storm.
  • Paibok - The Power Skrull.
  • Prime Skrull - Only surviving member of the original non-Deviant Skrull race.
  • Rl'nnd - An undercover X-Skrull agent participating in the Secret Invasion. He has displayed the combined powers of several X-Men.
  • Siri - The Skrull agent that replaced Elektra. Killed by Echo.
  • Sl'gur't -
  • Talos - A Skrull who cannot shapeshift.
  • Titannus - A Skrull who cannot shapeshift, but has been bio-engineered to possess immense strength and regeneration ability.
  • Velmax - Founder of the super team First Line posing as a human hero Effigy with shape-shifting powers.
  • Veranke - Current Queen of the Skrull Empire.
  • Wor'il - Delegate in Dorrek's War Council.
  • Xavin - A Super-Skrull in-training and member of teenage super powered group Runaways.
  • Zedrao - A high-ranking Skrull general, notable for being on good terms with Earth and its superheroes. Gave the dying Mar-Vell the highest honor in the Skrull military for his being a worthy rival.

[edit] In other media

[edit] Television

[edit] Film

[edit] Video games

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Released in 1956
  2. ^ Avengers #133 - 134 (vol. 1, Mar. - Apr. 1975)
  3. ^ Fantastic Four #2 (vol. 1, Jan. 1962)
  4. ^ Fantastic Four #18 (vol. 1, Sep. 1963)
  5. ^ Fantastic Four #37 (vol. 1, Apr. 1965)
  6. ^ Avengers #89 - 97 (vol. 1, Jun. 1971 - Mar. 1972)
  7. ^ Young Avengers #9 - 12 (2005)
  8. ^ Fantastic Four Annual #18 (1984)
  9. ^ Fantastic Four #204 - 209 (vol. 1, Mar. - Aug. 1979)
  10. ^ Fantastic Four #257 (vol. 1, Aug. 1983)
  11. ^ Throughout Silver Surfer #1 - 31 (vol. 3, Jul. 1987 - Dec. 1989
  12. ^ Avengers Annual #14 (1985) & Fantastic Four Annual #19 (1985)
  13. ^ Silver Surfer #25 (vol. 3, Jul. 1989)
  14. ^ Silver Surfer #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989)
  15. ^ Fantastic Four #358 (vol. 1, Nov. 1991)
  16. ^ Annihilation: Prologue (May 2006) and Annihilation : Super-Skrull #1 - 4 (Jun. - Sep. 2006)
  17. ^ Young Avengers #9 - 12 (2005)
  18. ^ New Avengers #31 - #32 (2007)
  19. ^ New Avengers: The Illuminati #5 (2007)
  20. ^ Secret Invasion #1 (2008)
  21. ^ Fantastic Four #2 (vol. 1, Jan. 1962)
  22. ^ Avengers Annual #14 (1985)
  23. ^ New Avengers #31 - #32 (2007)
  24. ^ New Avengers: The Illuminati #5 (2007)
  25. ^ Uncanny X-Men #274 - 277 (vol. 1, Mar. - Jun. 1991)
  26. ^ Squadron Supreme: New World Order (1998)
  27. ^ Ultimates #8 - 13 (2005)
  28. ^ Ultimate Fantastic Four #27 - 29 (2004)
  29. ^ Super Spy Weekend: John the Skrull, Comic Book Resources, March 8, 2008

[edit] External Links

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