Young Avengers used subtext and coded language to depict their romance due to editorial mandates at the time. The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction quickly led to the relationship being portrayed explicitly.
Hulkling first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (April 2005), a cornerstone of the “Avengers Disassembled” era that saw Marvel introducing a new generation of heroes. He was co-created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung.
Heinberg, also known for his work on television shows like The O.C. and Grey's Anatomy, was tasked with creating a new team that felt both fresh and deeply connected to the legacy of the Avengers. The initial concept for the Young Avengers involved teenagers who modeled themselves after the classic heroes. Hulkling's name and initial green-skinned, muscular appearance were designed as a clever misdirect, leading readers and in-universe characters to believe he was connected to the Hulk. Similarly, his romantic partner, Wiccan (then called Asgardian), was presented as a magic-user with ties to Thor.
The creators intended from the outset for Hulkling and Wiccan to be a gay couple, but their relationship was initially depicted through subtext due to editorial concerns at the time. However, fan response was overwhelmingly positive, and the characters' romance was soon made explicit, becoming a celebrated and defining feature of the series. Hulkling's creation marked a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in superhero comics, presenting a loving, stable, and central same-sex relationship that was integral, not incidental, to the team's dynamic and the overarching plot. His complex origin, slowly revealed to be a tapestry of cosmic Marvel lore involving the Kree and Skrulls, elevated him from a simple “teen Hulk” into a character of immense galactic importance.
The story of how Hulkling came to be is a sprawling epic, deeply woven into the fabric of one of Marvel's oldest conflicts. The two primary continuities have yet to align on his tale.
Theodore “Teddy” Altman grew up in New York City, raised by a single mother, believing himself to be a normal, if unusually strong, high school student. His life changed when he was approached by the ambitious young hero Iron Lad, who was assembling a new team of heroes to fill the void left by the disassembled Avengers. Teddy, who had begun to manifest superhuman strength and the ability to change his appearance, was recruited under the codename “Hulkling.” Alongside teammates like Patriot, Wiccan, and Kate Bishop, he began a new life as a superhero. Initially, Teddy believed he was a mutant and that his powers, especially his green skin and strength, were a result of gamma radiation in his DNA, possibly linking him to Bruce Banner. This theory, however, was a red herring. The truth was far more complex and cosmically significant. The turning point came during a conflict that drew the attention of both the Kree and Skrull empires. The Super-Skrull, a legendary Skrull warrior, arrived on Earth, not to attack, but to retrieve Teddy. He revealed Teddy's true identity: he was not related to the Hulk at all, but was in fact Dorrek VIII, the son of the deceased Skrull Princess Anelle and the original Kree hero, Captain Mar-Vell. Decades ago, during the Kree-Skrull War, Captain Mar-Vell was captured by the Skrulls. During his captivity, he and Princess Anelle fell in love, and she secretly bore his child. This hybrid child was prophesied to one day unite the two warring empires and bring lasting peace. To protect him from political enemies, particularly the Skrull Empress R'Klll, Princess Anelle had her son smuggled to Earth to be raised in secret by one of her most loyal handmaidens, who became Teddy's adoptive mother, Mary-Jo Altman. This revelation threw Teddy's life into chaos. He was now a prince, the heir to the Skrull throne, and a figure of immense political and symbolic power. Both the Kree and the Skrulls sought to control him for their own ends. With the help of the Young Avengers and the New Avengers, Teddy was able to assert his own agency, choosing to remain on Earth and define his own destiny rather than be a pawn in an ancient galactic war. This origin story transformed Hulkling from a simple powerhouse into a character of profound legacy, straddling the worlds of Earth-bound heroism and cosmic royalty.
As of the current phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hulkling has not yet made an appearance. His character and origin story remain entirely within the realm of comic book canon. However, the MCU has strategically laid the groundwork for his potential introduction. Several key elements are already in place:
Captain Marvel and continues to be a factor in stories like Secret Invasion and The Marvels. The MCU has established the Kree as militaristic zealots and the Skrulls as a refugee race, a significant departure from the comics' more morally ambiguous portrayal of both sides.Hawkeye), Cassie Lang ( Quantumania), Eli Bradley (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), and, most importantly, Billy Maximoff (WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) have all been introduced. The inevitable formation of a Young Avengers team is one of the most anticipated future projects, and Hulkling is a non-negotiable founding member.Captain Marvel, her legacy and connection to both races could easily be adapted to provide a backstory for a child hidden on Earth.Speculative Adaptation: When Hulkling is introduced, his origin will likely be modified for the MCU's streamlined continuity. The core concept of a Kree/Skrull hybrid will almost certainly remain. He could be revealed as the secret child of the MCU's Mar-Vell and a Skrull dignitary (perhaps even a male version of Princess Anelle), hidden on Earth among the Skrull refugees overseen by Talos. His discovery could be a major catalyst for a new chapter in the Kree-Skrull saga, forcing both empires to confront the reality of a shared future personified in him. His powers would likely manifest during a moment of crisis, drawing the attention of other young heroes and kickstarting the formation of the Young Avengers, with his fated romance with Billy Kaplan as its emotional core.
Hulkling's powerset is a direct result of his unique genetic heritage, combining the strengths of two powerful alien races.
Teddy Altman is defined by his profound empathy and quiet strength. Despite his immense power and royal lineage, he is fundamentally down-to-earth, loyal, and often puts the well-being of others far ahead of his own. Early in his career, he was insecure about his origins and struggled with self-acceptance, but he grew into a confident and decisive leader. His relationship with Wiccan is his anchor; he is fiercely protective of his husband and their bond is the emotional bedrock of his life. While he prefers diplomacy and peace, he is a formidable and ruthless warrior when his loved ones or his people are threatened. He carries the weight of his crown not with arrogance, but with a deep sense of responsibility.
As Hulkling has not appeared, his abilities in the MCU are speculative. They would likely be adapted to fit the visual language and power-scaling of the cinematic universe.
Hulkling's identity is defined by the powerful bonds he has forged with his found family, his husband, and his people.
Hulkling's conflicts are more often political and ideological than personal.
Empyre event. Believing that “meat” life (i.e., animals and humanoids) was a plague upon the universe, their leader, the Celestial Messiah Quoi, launched a genocidal campaign with Earth as the primary target. This forced Teddy to embrace his destiny, unite the Kree and Skrull fleets, and lead the charge against them, marking his first major test as a galactic leader.Empyre, Hulkling has worked closely with the Guardians of the Galaxy, who effectively serve as a special operations team under his new galactic order.Hulkling's journey from teenage hero to emperor has been defined by several key universe-spanning events.
This is Hulkling's foundational story. The arc introduces him as a seemingly simple brawler with a mysterious background. The narrative masterfully builds the mystery of his parentage, first teasing a link to the Hulk, then revealing his earth-shattering connection to the Kree-Skrull War. This storyline establishes his core personality, his deep love for Wiccan, and the central theme of his life: the struggle between his duties to his heritage and his loyalty to his chosen family on Earth. It is essential reading for understanding the character's origins.
This event was intensely personal for Hulkling. When the Skrull Empire launches a massive infiltration and invasion of Earth, Teddy is caught in the middle. As a Skrull hybrid, his loyalties are questioned by everyone around him. He is targeted by the Skrulls, who see him as either a messiah or a traitor. Ultimately, Teddy makes a definitive choice, fighting ferociously to protect Earth, the only home he's ever known, against the machinations of the Skrull Empress Veranke. His actions during this crisis solidified his identity as an Earth hero first and foremost.
This is Hulkling's single most important storyline. A delegation of both Kree and Skrull soldiers arrive on Earth, kneeling before him and begging him to fulfill his destiny by uniting their empires against a common foe, the Cotati. Accepting his birthright, Teddy travels into space, claims the legendary Star-Sword, and is crowned Emperor Dorrek VIII. Just before leading the united armada, he and Billy Kaplan are married in a small, impromptu ceremony. The event sees Hulkling lead the combined forces of the Kree, the Skrulls, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four to save Earth from the Cotati invasion. By the end, he successfully forges a lasting peace between his two peoples and establishes a new galactic power structure with himself at its center, forever changing his status in the Marvel Universe.
While the Earth-616 version is the definitive one, several other interpretations of Hulkling have appeared across the multiverse.
House of M tie-in domain of Battleworld, a version of Hulkling was part of a resistance group fighting against Magneto's rule, showcasing his inherent heroic nature even in a vastly different reality.Avengers: The Children's Crusade: While taking place in the main 616-continuity, this storyline functions as a deep dive into the potential futures and destinies of Hulkling and Wiccan. The story revolves around the search for the Scarlet Witch, and a future version of Hulkling is seen, older and wearing royal Kree/Skrull regalia, hinting at the destiny he would eventually fulfill in Empyre.LEGO Marvel's Avengers and the mobile game Marvel Avengers Academy. In these appearances, his powers are typically represented by a combination of super-strength and shapeshifting into a winged form for flight and combat.Young Avengers used subtext and coded language to depict their romance due to editorial mandates at the time. The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction quickly led to the relationship being portrayed explicitly.New Avengers (Vol. 2), Teddy formally proposed to Billy, but they did not marry until the events of Empyre #4 (2020), where their wedding was officiated by his former teammate, Patriot, just before Teddy led the Kree-Skrull armada into battle.