Hulkling
Hulkling is a male comic superhero who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Dorrek VIII was a male Kree/Skrull hybrid who was the child of Captain Mar-Vell and the Princess Anelle as well as being the grandson of Emperor Dorrek VII and Empress R'Klll. (Young Avengers v1 #11) It was said that Anelle had become pregnant with a male hatchling and when the identity of the father was discovered then the Emperor ordered the child to be slain. However, the child’s nurse managed to take the boy to safety before the death sentence could be carried out. (Young Avengers v1 #10) Unknowingly to them all the child's conception was secretly orchestrated by Anelle's mother Empress R'Klll, who wanted to use the child to unite Kree and Skrull and by controlling him control the galaxy. (Empyre: Aftermath Avengers v1 #1) The offspring’s mother was later killed when Galactus devoured the Skrull Throneworld. (Young Avengers v1 #10)
He used his powers mainly in an effort to fit in with his high school classmates, particularly the class president and basketball team captain, Greg Norris. Fitting in for Teddy included using his shapeshifting to provide access to New York City high life by impersonating various superheroes and celebrities. Finally, when Greg coerced him into breaking into the ruins of Avengers Mansion, Teddy decided that some things were more important than fitting in, and rather than let Greg loot the mansion, he ended the friendship. (Young Avengers Special v1 #1)
He was approached by Iron Lad to become a member of the Young Avengers after the Vision's failsafe program indicated that he was a superpowered being with the potential of becoming a hero. (Young Avengers v1 #3)
Young Avenger
Hulkling first appeared during an emergency when the Young Avengers were attempting to stop a hostage situation at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He revealed his shapeshifting abilities by changing his body to mimic Hulk-like proportions, using his enhanced strength to smash through locked doors and protect civilians from armed assailants. During the altercation, Hulkling worked closely with Patriot and Wiccan, using his physical might to disarm hostiles and shield innocents from harm. Although inexperienced and somewhat unsure of his place on the team, his bravery was evident as he stood at the frontline of the confrontation, enduring gunfire that would have incapacitated a normal human and responding with restraint rather than lethal force. His actions directly contributed to the resolution of the crisis, establishing him as an integral part of the fledgling group. (Young Avengers v1 #1) He further demonstrated his shapeshifting and resilience during the team’s battle against the arriving forces of Kang the Conqueror. While the others struggled with the futuristic technology deployed by Kang’s minions, Hulkling adapted by altering his body size and muscle density to counter their strength, engaging them in direct physical combat. He also used his shapeshifting to create natural armor, thickening his skin to withstand energy blasts. Importantly, Hulkling began showing his sense of responsibility toward his teammates, pulling Wiccan out of harm’s way during an explosion and covering for Patriot when he was briefly overwhelmed. His contributions made it clear that he was more than simply a powerhouse, as his instincts and adaptability allowed the team to recover and push back against their attackers. (Young Avengers v1 #2)
Teddy's life changed again when the shape-shifting extraterrestrial known as the Super-Skrull showed up, claiming that Teddy was a Skrull. The Super-Skrull was surprised to learn that Teddy had super strength and wondered if the rumours about the boy's father were true. The Super-Skrull followed the Young Avengers to the home of Wiccan, where Teddy's mother was waiting for him. The Super-Skrull released a device designed to turn Teddy into his true form, trying to prove to him his Skrull heritage. However, the device didn't change Teddy's physical appearance. Instead, Ms. Altman, who was also caught in the device's beam, revealed her true Skrull form. When the Super Skrull accused her of being a traitor to her race, she responded by saying that the Empress ordered her to protect Teddy even from the likes of the Super-Skrull. Before she could say much else, she pulled out a gun with the Super-Skrull responding by killing her though this was deemed unintentional after which he kidnapped Teddy. (Young Avengers v1 #9) The Super-Skrull broadcasted to all Skrull worlds that he had located Dorrek VIII, though Teddy insisted that he was not a Skrull. Kl'rt insisted that was and revealed the truth about his past. He insisted that he must return to his people so that they could reunite the Skrull Empire. Kree soldiers then arrived to help Teddy, stating that the Kree looked after their own. (Young Avengers v1 #10) A battle then erupted between the Kree and the Skrulls, both claiming Teddy as their own. (Young Avengers v1 #11) The only solution that Teddy saw to end the battle was surrender. It was settled that Teddy would spend half an Earth-year with the Kree and the other half with the Skrull, at which time he would declare his ultimate allegiance, while also being able to make scheduled visits to Earth. It was later revealed that the "Teddy" who left with the Kree was actually the Super-Skrull disguised as him, and therefore the real Teddy stayed on Earth. (Young Avengers v1 #12)
During the Civil War, S.H.I.E.L.D. arrested the Young Avengers. However, Falcon and Captain America intercepted the S.H.I.E.L.D bus which was transporting the prisoners, and Wiccan teleported the team out of the situation, into the Secret Avengers base. (Civil War v1 #2)
Teddy played a pivotal role in Captain America's plan for the final confrontation with Iron Man's forces, impersonating Yellowjacket in order to free the imprisoned heroes of Prison 42. (Civil War v1 #6)
Shortly after the return of Captain Marvel, Teddy and Billy saw him battling giant robots alongside the Avengers on a broadcast in Times Square. Teddy quickly arranged a meeting with the Captain to explain their biological relationship. Captain Marvel was shocked by the news as he never knew a child was conceived during his and Anelle's secret union. Captain Marvel needed to process this new information and almost immediately departed. He returned later to again speak with Teddy. The two discussed the Captain and Anelle's brief courtship, Marvel's cancer and his quest to return to his own time period. Before separating, Marvel told Teddy that he was proud of him for having become a warrior and the two agreed to meet again, though Teddy never again saw him alive. (Young Avengers Presents v1 #2)
New Avengers
Eventually both Teddy and Billy returned to full-time super heroes when they joined Roberto Da Costa's team of New Avengers. (New Avengers v4 #1) After saving Paris from an epidemic called Life-Minus that engulfed most of the nation and turned living beings into living-dead crystal headed entities. (New Avengers v4 #2)
Hulkling and his teammates were at Avengers Island when a group of aliens using both Kree and Skrull technology kidnapped him, taking Wiccan with him by accident. Whilst at his abducters headquarters, Hulkling came to learn that they had been abducted by the Knights of the Infinite. This group consisted entirely of Kree/Skrull hybrids who believed that Teddy was prophecised king to lead them and unite the devastated Skrull and Kree empires. Their base of operations was in a region called the Forbidden Asteroids where they had brought Hulkling so he could pass a test in order to see if he was truly the chosen one, which was pulling the sword Excelsior from a stone. Hulkling passed the test, and the Knights kneeled before him. (New Avengers v4 #4)
Emperor Hulkling
Whilst at a club, he was approached by a disguised Kree named Bel-Dann and a Skrull named Raksor with the two requesting an audience with Hulkling. The two revealed that their two respective empires had been attacked by a long dormant power. (Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling v1 #1) The danger came from the Cotati who had conducted a purge of all animal worlds from the cosmos and had been testing their weapons on both Kree as well as Skrull worlds. To combat this foe, factions in both empires looked to form an Alliance that would unite under a ruler with these efforts being made by Bel-Dann and Raksor. (Empyre v1 #2) The two requested that he helped put an end to the bloodshed by serving as the emperor of the Alliance. They were then attacked by a Skrull fanatical group called the Children of Tarnax who stopped when they saw him summon the Star-Sword. Bel-Dann and Raksor then pleaded with Hulkling to assume the throne with him taking some time to think about the matter where he confided in his fiancé Wiccan. Ultimately, Hulkling decided to take the throne where he was informed that Bel-Dann and Raksor had been killed by the enemy. Upon becoming emperor, he made it clear that there would be an end to bloodshed and peace being offered to their defeated enemies. This stance caused unrest among the soldiers with fanatics among the Kree looking to kill Dorrek-El for his weakness. Once the mutiny was stopped, his advisors expressed their concerns that Hulkling's ties to Earth would inspire further revolts. Thus, they pushed that he end his engagement with his human boyfriend Wiccan and fully assume the mantle of emperor. Reluctantly, Emperor Dorrek-El seemingly ended his ties to Wiccan though secretly the two maintained their relationship. (Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling v1 #1) Thus, Teddy came to embrace his heritage and sought to use it to end galactic conflict that was raging across the cosmos. (Incoming v1 #1) The Alliance armada then arrived in the Sol system where they set course for Earth's Moon to confront the Cotati garden that was growing there. (Empyre v1 #1)
In the aftermath, he continued his duties as Emperor, Star-Marshal and First Sword of the Kree-Skrull Alliance. One of the meetings was with the Shi'ar Vice-Chancellor who congratulated the Emperor and his husband the court wizard with him offering a stay at the luxurious beaches at Little Chandilar. During the honeymoon, the planet came under attack from Symbiotes dispatched by their master Knull who had the creatures take over Kree and Skrull warriors that were sent to kill their emperor. Hulkling with his husband and bodyguard Lauri-Ell then worked to save the occupants of the planet from Symbiote Dragons. Using Billy's magic, they were able to remove the Symbiotes from the captive hosts and helped evacuate the planet with a Kree/Skrull Alliance fleet present to take them to safety. (King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling v1 #1)
He was on Throneworld II on the sacred ruined world of Hala when it came under attack from the Progenitors. Emperor Hulkling called an evacuation whilst he and Wiccan battled the giant invaders. The pair were later joined by one team of the Guardians of the Galaxy where together they managed to defeat the Progenitors who were warned against committing another attack in the future. (Guardians of the Galaxy v6 #13)
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Teddy appeared as a young blonde haired white human teenager who was able to change into a larger green-skinned form. (Young Avengers v1 #3) This default form resembled a tall, broad-shouldered human with green skin and blonde hair. His musculature was heavily developed, reminiscent of the Hulk, with a strong jawline and youthful features. He wore a costume consisting of a sleeveless dark bodysuit with armored gauntlets and boots, designed to accommodate his transformations while still marking him as a superhero. The outfit emphasized functionality but also reinforced his 'Hulk-like' presence, setting him visually apart from his teammates. When he shapeshifted, his form could alter in size, shape, and density, though his baseline form maintained the combination of human and alien attributes. (Young Avengers v1 #1) From his other form, he took the name Hulkling though he had no connection to the Hulk. (Young Avengers v1 #3)
In terms of personality, Hulkling was loyal, compassionate, and empathetic, often serving as the moral center of the Young Avengers. He demonstrated bravery in combat, but unlike more aggressive teammates, he approached conflicts with restraint and a desire to minimize harm. His loyalty to Wiccan, both as a teammate and partner, reflected his deep sense of devotion, while his interactions with others showed an openness and willingness to listen. Beneath his courage, however, there was a persistent undercurrent of uncertainty about his origins and place in the world, though this did not diminish his willingness to act when innocents were endangered. (Young Avengers v1 #1)
He was a fan of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice book series, as well as its TV series adaptation Game of Thrones, and Tyrion Lannister is his favorite character. (Young Avengers v2 #3)
Teddy Altman was the biological son of the Kree warrior Mar-Vell and the Skrull Princess Anelle. Hulkling never came to know his parents as he was only a child when he was sent away with both his parents having died in that time. (Young Avengers v1 #11)
His 'mother' had assumed the guise of a human where she went by the name of Mrs. Altman with her being given orders by the empress to protect her charge. (Young Avengers v1 #9) As a child, his adoptive mother who was the nurse that raised him taught him that it took bravery to be kind and that a good king found a way to make peace rather than war. (Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling v1 #1)
Powers and abilities
Initially, Hulkling believed he was a Mutant and was unaware of the fact that he was part Skrull. As a son of Pink-skinned Kree and Skrull, Teddy actually inherited powers from both races, though some are more potent due to his hybrid nature. (Young Avengers v1 #9) As such, he was a shapeshiter allowing him to alter his form though it took practice for him to make use of his ability in his role as a superhero. (Young Avengers v1 #4) Subconsciously, he was able to the biomass of his body to shift vital organs to prevent damage to them. (Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways v1 #4) Originally when he went on missions with the Young Avengers as 'Hulkling', he pretended to be a teenaged version of the Hulk with green skin, dark-green hair and increased body-mass and muscles. (Young Avengers v1 #1) In his Hulkling form, he was noted to possess super-strength as one of his powers. (Young Avengers v1 #3) His physiology prevented him from falling under the sway of pheromone-based powers. (Dark Reign: Young Avengers v1 #5)
Due to his Kree heritage, Hulkling was much stronger than normal humans or Skrulls. (Young Avengers v1 #9)
After meeting the Knights of the Infinite, he came to acquire the star-sword Excelsior that was forged from the two ancestral mystical swords of the ancient Dorrek Supreme's parents. (New Avengers v4 #4) The blade was said to be magic and capable of always returning to him if he willed it. (Empyre v1 #3)
Dorrek had some alliance scouts scavenge the detonation site of the Nega Bomb that devastated Shi'ar space decades prior. When they came back with the slagged remains of his fathers Nega Bands used to build the device. He had their remains fashioned into a pair of engagement rings which he would share with his husband Wiccan. When the two choose to initiate the warping function, the rings enable their wearers to swap places between the wielders current destination. Allowing one to take the place of the other rings bearer and vice versa. (Last Annihilation: Wiccan & Hulkling v1 #1)
It was said that he was the first royal hybrid to had been born in a thousand years. (New Avengers v4 #4)
Notes
- Hulkling was created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung where he made his first appearance in Young Avengers v1 #1 (April, 2005).
- Editor Tom Brevoort noted that, "Originally, Allan pitched Hulkling as a female character using her shape-changing abilities to pose as a man. I suspect this was as close as Allan felt he could get to depicting an openly gay relationship in a Marvel comic. But as we got underway... he started to have second thoughts and approached me about maintaining Hulkling and Wiccan as two involved male characters."
- For Empyre, writer Al Ewing noted in an interview on Newsarama that, “Hulkling became Emperor to save lives. By taking on the role, he was able to end the ongoing hot-and-cold war between the Kree and Skrulls, as well as call a halt to the smaller Kree Civil War. So by becoming Emperor, he's already saved millions of lives - but now, he's got a difficult job to do, and various hard decisions to make. All I can say for now is that he believes he's acting for the best of reasons - we're not turning Teddy into a moustache-twirling, cackling villain.”
Alternate Versions
- In Avengers: The Children's Crusade - Young Avengers v1 #1 (2011), an alternate version of Hulkling appeared in a possible future reality that was designated as Earth-11051 in the Multiverse. Captain Marvel was a member of a team of Avengers who teamed up with Kang the Conqueror were being hunted through the Timestream by the original Avengers after their attempted rescue of the Scarlet Witch led to war with the Avengers. Some time in the future on the planet Moord, Iron Lad was battling Kang but was stopped by the arrival of Captain Marvel and the Avengers.
- In A-Force v1 #5 (2015), an alternate version of Hulkling appeared in the Battleworld domain of Arcadia that was designated as Earth-16191 in the Multiverse. Hulkling was a member of the A-Force, protectors of Arcadia, one of the many domains of Battleworld. When Loki breached the wall and Zombies swarmed Arcadia, Hulking was one of the many heroes who assembled to fight off the horde until Singularity removed all the zombies.
- In New Avengers v4 #5 (2016), an alternate version of Hulkling appeared in the 20XX reality that was designated as Earth-16364 in the Multiverse. The Avengers confronted their biggest threat ever when the evil wizard Moridun took full control of Demiurge's mind after having spent several years germinating inside it. After an initial confrontation against Moridun led to a disastrous result in the form of the deaths of three Avengers, the surviving heroes took advantage of hole opened in the timespace of the past and traveled there in order to stop Moridun from taking control of Demiurge in the first place. After arriving to the Avengers Island of the New Avengers, Captain America explained the situation to the local heroes. The Demiurge from this time arrived and confronted the future Avengers, due to being under the influence of Moridun, leading to a fight between the two Avengers teams. King Hulk tried to convince his past counterpart, Hulkling, to kill Demiurge while he was weakened, but Hulkling resisted. In the end, King Hulk's past self was was able to reach out to Demiurge in his mindspace, prompting the young hero to fight against Moridun's control and ultimately expel the evil wizard from his mind. Demiurge's victory over Moridun caused a temporal divergence that sent the future Avengers back to the future 20XX, albeit a peaceful one.
In other media
Video games
- In Marvel Future Fight, Hulkling appeared as a playable character in the mobile video game.
- In Marvel Avengers Academy, Hulkling appeared as a recruitable character in the Young Avengers event of the mobile video game.
Appearances
- Young Avengers v1: (2005)
- Young Avengers v2:
- New Avengers v4:
- Death Head: (2019)
- Incoming v1: (2019)
- Empyre v1: (2020)
- Lords of Empyre: Emperor Hulkling v1: (2020)
- Captain Marvel v10:
- King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling v1: (2021)
- Guardians of the Galaxy v6: (2021)
- Imperial v1:
External Links
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