Bearing the Skaars of Limbo

I wasn’t expecting much out of Wizard World LA.  Just the usual Final Crisis and Secret Invasion teasers with some general griping about Countdown and Spider-man tossed in from the fans.  I was greatly shocked, however, to find one bit of news, almost lost amid the Mondo Marvel news hurricane that Skaar: Son of Hulk was back on the radar.  Sure, it looked a little different than I remembered, as Ron Garney had replaced Carlo Pagulayan as penciler, but with Greg Pak still at the helm, I was a happy camper.  Hulk’s half-alien son would live, and our time on Sakaar was not yet over.

Skaar had been originally scheduled for a March release, but solicitations for March came and went with no sign of the title.  There was no comment about the title coming from either Marvel of Greg Pak.  The only hint we got about Skaar’s status was a quote, purportedly from Planet Hulk colorist Chris Sotomayor, stating that Marvel was unsure of what to do with the title with The Incredible Hulk debuting in theatres in the Summer.  With Marvel apparently getting cold feet about debuting a title starring Hulk’s son at the risk of confusing the casual, movie-going fans, it seemed Skaar had been banished to Limbo, cursed to spend eternity with the Wonder Woman movie and Miracleman.  But Marvel, however, has warmed to the idea, and, despite rumors of a Fall launch, Skaar has been solicited for June, the very month Hulk bounds back into theatres.

The only dark cloud for some is the loss of Pags on pencils.  While Carlo Pagulayan is one awesome penciler, one thing about his work never sat right with me.  That thing?  Hulk himself.  In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad.

See, that’s a pretty sweet Hulk right there.  But sometimes …

Just say no to three-fingered, cat-faced Hulk.  Not that Aaron Lopresti, the other penciler for Planet Hulk, had a perfect Hulk, either, but I often preferred his to the Pag’s Hulk of issue 100+.  Ron Garney has worked on Hulk before.  Now, sure, it was for the relaunch in 1999, where Hulk showed up once every handful of issue, but it was enough to impress me.  Garney’s style is somewhat cartoony.  Big, exaggerated faces, a clean, simple line, and lots of overwrought movement.  But, it also has the heft and power and detail of Pagulayan or Lopresti.  I’m actually more excited for Skaar with Ron Garney behind the pencil.  Just check out this Juggernaut.

This image is the best example I can find of Garney’s skill handling massive physiques, a prerequisite for drawing Hulk or his son.  And speaking of Hulk himselves …

Fixit

The Professor

And the Original

All 3 core Hulks in one issue, not to mention a few dozen others, as well.  See The Incredible Hulk V. 3 #12-13 if you want to see the full range of Hulks.

Skaar is in very good hands, and it has every chance to be a top 10 seller when it debuts.  Until then, I have a little plan to help the weeks go by until Skaar’s June 4th debut.  Check in next week for Letters to Skaar.