Skaar was born out of Planet Hulk, the storyline that inspired Thor: Ragnarok, in which Hulk was expelled from Earth to the farthest regions of space after being deemed too dangerous by the scheming illuminati. After winding up on Sakaar, just as he does in the film, Hulk becomes a champion of gladiatorial combat, rising through the ranks to challenge the oppressive leadership of the planet.

Not seen in the film, he also falls in love with a Sakaaran woman named Caiera the Oldstrong, with the two ultimately becoming king and queen after toppling the cruel former regime. However, their rule would not last long, as when the ship that Hulk was banished on unexpectedly explodes, it claims the lives of millions and leaves Sakaar utterly ravaged.

Among the fatalities is Caiera, who had been pregnant with Hulk’s child at the time. In his grief and fury, he returns to Earth for revenge on those who cast him away in a storyline titled World War Hulk. Later, he learns that Caiera’s final act had been to save the life of her son, who rapidly grew among the ruins of Sakaar (likely due to the gamma radiation in his DNA).

The spirit of Caiera remained long after her death and was a guiding voice through Skaar’s early years, but ultimately, she denounced him after his reckless actions led to Sakaar’s destruction and the deaths of its remaining inhabitants. Using her powers, she expelled him from the planet (like father like son), sending him to Earth.

To say that Skaar and Hulk have a rocky relationship to begin with would be an understatement – of course, they have their obligatory scrap upon first meeting – but things do ease between them over time. That said, Skaar remains firmly an antihero, and primarily keeps to himself in the Savage Lands; a region of the Marvel Universe where prehistoric animals still reign.

Is Skaar joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe?