Emperor Hulkling

• Core Identity: Emperor Dorrek VIII, known on Earth as Theodore “Teddy” Altman, is the son of the Kree hero Captain Mar-Vell and the Skrull Princess Anelle, a powerful shapeshifting hybrid destined to unite the two warring empires as the King of Space and leader of the Kree-Skrull Alliance.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Hulkling is a living prophecy fulfilled, a symbol of unity and peace in a galaxy long defined by the ancient and bitter Kree-Skrull War. As Emperor, he commands one of the most powerful military forces in the cosmos and stands as a pivotal figure in galactic politics, frequently interacting with groups like the Guardians of the Galaxy and cosmic entities.
• Primary Impact: His most significant impact is the formation of the Kree-Skrull Alliance during the Empyre event. This fundamentally reshaped the Marvel cosmic landscape, ending a millennia-old conflict and creating a new superpower. His marriage to the powerful sorcerer Wiccan (Billy Kaplan-Altman) also represents a major milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream comics.
• Key Incarnations: In the Earth-616 comics, Hulkling is a deeply established character with a rich history tied to Mar-Vell and the Skrull Empire. As of now, Emperor Hulkling has not yet appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), leaving his potential screen adaptation a subject of fan speculation.

Theodore “Teddy” Altman, the hero who would become known as Hulkling, made his first appearance in Young Avengers #1, published in April 2005. He was co-created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung. Heinberg and Cheung's Young Avengers series was born out of the aftermath of the seismic Avengers: Disassembled storyline, which saw the classic Avengers team disbanded. The series introduced a new generation of heroes who were thematically and visually linked to the original Avengers, but with their own unique identities and mysteries. Hulkling was initially presented as a potential teenage version of the Hulk, possessing green skin and superhuman strength. This was a deliberate misdirection, a key part of the series' initial mystery. The reveal of his true parentage—that he was not related to Bruce Banner but was instead the hybrid offspring of Kree and Skrull royalty—was a central plot point of the series' first arc. This twist grounded him firmly in the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe and established his long-term potential far beyond a simple “teen Hulk” archetype. His romantic relationship with his teammate Wiccan was also established from the very beginning, a progressive and defining aspect of his character that has been central to his development ever since.

Hulkling's origin is a tale of forbidden love, galactic war, and a hidden destiny that spans from the throne rooms of warring empires to the suburbs of New York City.

Hulkling's story begins decades ago, during the first Kree-Skrull War. The decorated Kree warrior Captain Mar-Vell was captured by the Skrulls. During his captivity, he formed a secret relationship with the Skrull Emperor's daughter, Princess Anelle. Their love was a profound act of treason in the eyes of both empires, but it resulted in the conception of a child. Fearing for her son's life, knowing a Kree-Skrull hybrid would be hunted by both sides, Princess Anelle arranged for the infant to be smuggled to a neutral planet: Earth. One of her most loyal handmaidens was tasked with raising the child in secret. The baby, named Dorrek VIII in honor of his grandfather the Emperor, was given a new identity on Earth as Theodore “Teddy” Altman. His adoptive mother raised him as a normal human boy, completely unaware of his extraordinary heritage. Teddy's powers began to manifest during puberty. His superhuman strength and, most notably, his Skrull shapeshifting abilities emerged, allowing him to alter his appearance at will. He initially used this power to fit in, but he couldn't hide forever. His existence eventually came to the attention of the time-traveling entity known as Kang the Conqueror, in his younger guise as Iron Lad, who was assembling a new team of “Young Avengers.” Teddy, adopting the codename Hulkling due to his green-skinned, muscular default form, joined the team alongside Wiccan, Patriot, and Hawkeye (Kate Bishop). His royal lineage was violently revealed when representatives from both the Kree and Skrull empires arrived on Earth, each seeking to claim him for their own purposes. The conflict drew in the Super-Skrull (Kl'rt), who initially appeared as an antagonist but later revealed he was a secret protector, having known of Teddy's existence for years. The Super-Skrull confirmed that Teddy was the son of Princess Anelle. A Kree soldier then confirmed his other parent was the now-deceased hero Mar-Vell. This revelation positioned Teddy not as a monster or a weapon, but as a potential unifier—the rightful heir to two thrones. Teddy ultimately rejected both empires, choosing to remain on Earth with his found family, the Young Avengers.

To date, Emperor Hulkling has not been introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His character and storyline remain exclusive to the comics and other media. However, the MCU has laid significant groundwork that could facilitate his eventual debut. The Kree and Skrull conflict is a central element of the MCU, introduced in Captain Marvel (2019) and expanded upon in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), WandaVision (2021), and the Secret Invasion (2023) series. The MCU's adaptation of the Kree-Skrull War differs significantly from the comics, portraying the Skrulls as refugees and the Kree as militaristic zealots. Should Hulkling be introduced, several aspects of his origin would likely need to be adapted:

• Parentage: The MCU's Mar-Vell was a female Kree scientist (played by Annette Bening) who died years before the main events of Captain Marvel. This makes a direct adaptation of his parentage impossible. A potential retcon could reveal Mar-Vell had a secret son, or his Kree parent could be changed to another significant Kree character, perhaps even one related to Yon-Rogg. Alternatively, his “Kree” heritage could be derived from an experiment or a different lineage entirely.
• Introduction: Hulkling could be introduced as part of a potential Young Avengers project, a direction the MCU is clearly building towards with the introduction of characters like Kate Bishop, Cassie Lang, America Chavez, and Billy Maximoff. Billy's presence, in particular, makes Teddy's eventual appearance highly probable, given their iconic relationship.
• Context: His story could emerge from the fallout of The Marvels (2023), which dealt with the Kree civil war, or the consequences of Secret Invasion, which left the Skrulls in a precarious position on Earth. He could be revealed as a hidden Skrull royal living on Earth, whose Kree DNA makes him a figure of immense political importance in a galaxy still reeling from conflict.

Hulkling's unique genetic heritage grants him a potent combination of Kree and Skrull abilities, making him a formidable physical combatant and a versatile operative.

• Kree/Skrull Hybrid Physiology: Teddy's core power set stems from his mixed parentage. This grants him superhuman attributes far exceeding those of a normal human, Kree, or Skrull.
  • Superhuman Strength: While his strength level has fluctuated, he is consistently shown to be a powerhouse capable of trading blows with heavy hitters like The Thing and Captain Marvel. He can lift well over 100 tons, and his strength is sufficient to tear through starship hulls and overpower entire squads of elite soldiers.
  • Superhuman Durability: His dense alien musculature and skin make him highly resistant to physical injury. He can withstand high-caliber bullets, energy blasts, extreme temperatures, and the vacuum of space without harm.
  • Accelerated Healing Factor: A key trait inherited from his Skrull side, Teddy can heal from injuries much faster than a human. While not on the level of Wolverine or Deadpool, he can recover from deep wounds, broken bones, and severe tissue damage in a matter of hours or days.
• Shapeshifting (Metamorph): This is his most versatile ability, inherited from his Skrull mother.
  • Appearance Alteration: He can psionically alter the molecular structure of his body to change his appearance, voice, and clothing, allowing him to perfectly impersonate other individuals. He most commonly uses this to assume his human form as Teddy Altman.
  • Body Mass Alteration: He can increase or decrease his body's size and mass. His default “Hulkling” form is a manifestation of this, where he significantly increases his muscle mass and height.
  • Constituent Limb Generation: A more advanced application of his shapeshifting allows him to manifest biological weapons and tools from his own body. His most common tactic is to grow large, leathery wings for flight or to form hardened claws, spikes, and body armor for combat.
• Chlorokinesis (Plant Control): A more recently developed power, awakened after he claimed the Sword of Space and fully embraced his heritage. This ability connects him to the Cotati, an ancient plant-like race intertwined with Kree and Skrull history. He can manipulate and accelerate the growth of plant life, a power he used to great effect during the Empyre event to terraform parts of the Blue Area of the Moon.

• Excelsior, the Sword of Space: A mythical blade that is the symbol of ultimate authority for both the Kree and the Skrulls. The sword once belonged to Dorrek Supreme, the very first leader of the Skrull Empire, and it chooses its wielder. By drawing the sword, Teddy solidified his claim to the throne and his destiny as the uniter of the two races. The sword is incredibly powerful, capable of deflecting energy blasts and cutting through almost any substance.
• Royal Armor: As Emperor, Hulkling wears ceremonial and combat armor that provides additional protection and is integrated with the advanced technology of the Kree-Skrull Alliance.
• The Kree-Skrull Alliance Fleet: As the supreme commander, Hulkling has the entire combined might of the Kree and Skrull armadas at his command, one of the largest and most powerful military forces in the known universe.

At his core, Teddy Altman is defined by his profound sense of empathy and a deep-seated desire to do the right thing. Growing up on Earth, he developed a strong moral compass that often puts him at odds with the more ruthless traditions of his imperial heritage. Initially, Teddy was plagued by insecurity and a feeling of being an outsider. He struggled with his identity as both a gay man and a half-alien, using his powers to blend in rather than stand out. His time with the Young Avengers was formative, providing him with a found family that accepted him for who he was. His relationship with Billy Kaplan was, and remains, the central anchor of his life. His journey to becoming Emperor has forced him to mature rapidly. He has grown from a reluctant prince into a decisive and confident leader, though he still carries the weight of his responsibilities heavily. He is a compassionate ruler who prioritizes peace over conquest, a radical departure for both the Kree and the Skrulls. He is a “king of the people,” determined to lead by example and prove that unity is stronger than division.

As Hulkling has not appeared, his MCU abilities and personality are speculative. A cinematic adaptation would likely focus on making his powers visually dynamic and his personality relatable.

• Potential Abilities: His powers would likely be streamlined for visual storytelling. His shapeshifting would be a key focus, offering opportunities for impressive visual effects as he morphs between his human form, his super-powered Hulkling form, and potentially other forms for espionage or combat. His superhuman strength would be showcased in action sequences comparable to other MCU powerhouses like Captain Marvel or Thor.
• Potential Personality: The MCU would likely lean heavily into the “fish out of water” aspect of his character—a kid from Earth suddenly thrust into a position of galactic importance. His core decency and his loving relationship with Billy would be central to his character arc, providing the emotional heart of his story. His struggle to reconcile his human upbringing with his alien destiny would be a primary source of conflict and growth.

Billy Kaplan is the single most important person in Teddy's life. They are soulmates, husbands, and one of the most celebrated and stable couples in the Marvel Universe. Their relationship began shortly after the formation of the Young Avengers. They bonded over their shared feelings of being outsiders and quickly fell in love. Their relationship has been a constant source of strength for both of them, navigating superhero battles, interdimensional threats, and the immense pressure of Teddy's royal destiny. Billy's reality-warping magic and Teddy's physical might make them an incredibly powerful duo. Their marriage during the Empyre event was not just a personal milestone but a significant political act, with Billy becoming the Royal Consort and Court Sorcerer of the Kree-Skrull Alliance.

The Young Avengers are Teddy's found family. They were the first group to accept him unconditionally, both for his powers and his identity.

• Kate Bishop (Hawkeye): A close friend and a steadying presence on the team.
• Eli Bradley (Patriot) & Cassie Lang (Stature): Fellow founding members with whom he shares a deep bond forged in their earliest battles.
• Tommy Shepherd (Speed): His brother-in-law (Billy's twin brother), their relationship is often playfully antagonistic but deeply loyal.

Even after ascending to the throne, Teddy holds his connection to the team as a fundamental part of who he is.

Teddy's relationship with Carol is complex, built on the legacy of his father, Mar-Vell, whom Carol deeply admired. When his parentage was first revealed, Carol was one of the first established heroes to take an interest in his well-being. She acts as a sort of mentor figure, though their relationship is one between equals now that Teddy is a galactic emperor. She provides him with counsel and acts as a crucial bridge between the Alliance and Earth's heroes.

The Cotati are a sentient, telepathic plant-like species who were the primary antagonists of the Empyre event. They have a shared history with the Kree and Skrulls, originating from the same home world as the Kree, Hala. A dispute over which species was more “worthy” led the Kree to commit genocide against the Cotati, an act that sparked the Kree's militarism and began the Kree-Skrull War. Led by the messianic Quoi (the Celestial Messiah and son of Mantis and a Cotati-possessed Swordsman), the Cotati sought to exterminate all “animal” life in the universe. Hulkling was forced to lead the newly formed Alliance against them in a war to save the galaxy, a baptism by fire for his new reign.

Kl'rt's relationship with Hulkling is one of the most dynamic in his history, evolving from antagonist to reluctant protector to loyal general. Initially, Kl'rt came to Earth to bring Teddy back to the Skrull Empire, viewing him as a political pawn. However, Kl'rt came to respect Teddy's character and honor the memory of Princess Anelle. He eventually became one of Teddy's most trusted, if gruffest, advisors and the primary commander of the Alliance military, fiercely loyal to his new Emperor.

Mother was a dangerous interdimensional parasite encountered by the second incarnation of the Young Avengers. This entity fed on the potential of others and could manifest powerful illusions based on its victims' memories. It was a deeply personal foe for the team, creating doppelgangers of their parents to psychologically torment them. Defeating Mother required the entire team, including Hulkling, to push themselves to their absolute limits.

• Kree-Skrull Alliance: He is the Emperor and Supreme Commander.
• Young Avengers: Founding member.
• New Avengers (A.I.M.): Briefly served on Sunspot's Avengers Idea Mechanics team.
• Guardians of the Galaxy: As Emperor, he is a frequent and crucial ally to the team, often directing them on missions critical to the stability of the galaxy.

This is Hulkling's debut storyline. The plot centers on the mystery of the new team of teenage heroes who appear in the wake of Avengers: Disassembled. Teddy is introduced as the team's muscle, with an origin presumed to be connected to the Hulk. The story's climax reveals his true, far more complex heritage as Kree-Skrull royalty. This arc establishes his core personality, his relationship with Wiccan, and the galactic-level stakes that would define his future. He is forced to confront both warring empires and make his first major decision: to forge his own path on Earth rather than be a pawn in their ancient war.

During the first superhero Civil War, Hulkling and the Young Avengers sided with Captain America's anti-registration Secret Avengers. Teddy's role was primarily as a combatant, but the event was significant in that it forced the young team to operate outside the law and make difficult ethical choices. At one point, in a desperate attempt to free their captured allies, Teddy impersonated the pro-registration hero Hank Pym to gain access to the Negative Zone Prison 42. This event hardened the team and solidified their place as heroes in their own right.

This is Hulkling's most significant storyline and the culmination of his entire character arc. A prophecy foretelling that a child of both Kree and Skrull blood would unite the empires and wield the Sword of Space comes to the forefront. Teddy accepts his destiny, travels into space, and claims Excelsior, officially uniting the two warring races into the Kree-Skrull Alliance with himself as Emperor. His first act is to prepare for a war against a resurgent Cotati empire, which plans to eradicate all non-plant life. The event sees Teddy lead the Alliance, marry Wiccan in a formal ceremony, and save Earth from the Cotati invasion. He emerges from the conflict as one of the most powerful political and military leaders in the entire Marvel cosmos.

• Earth-1610 (Ultimate Universe): A character named Teddy Altman appears in the Ultimate Universe, but he is a non-powered human and a friend of the Ultimate version of Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew). This version bears no relation to the powers or heritage of the Earth-616 Hulkling.
• Marvel's Avengers Alliance (Video Game): Hulkling was a playable character in the popular turn-based RPG on Facebook. He was classified as a Bruiser and utilized his shapeshifting and superhuman strength in combat, with moves that reflected his comic book abilities.
• Future Imperfect (Secret Wars - Battleworld): During the 2015 Secret Wars event, the multiverse was destroyed and reformed into Battleworld. In the Future Imperfect domain, ruled by the Maestro, a version of Hulkling (named Teddy) was a member of the resistance fighting against the tyrant's rule.

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