Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Miek ====== ===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary ===== * **Core Identity:** **Miek is a resilient insectoid gladiator from the planet Sakaar who evolves from a downtrodden slave into a key member of the Hulk's Warbound, with his comic book incarnation defined by a tragic and catastrophic betrayal that contrasts sharply with his comedic, loyal portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.** * **Key Takeaways:** * **Role in the Universe:** Originally a Sakaaran "native," a member of an oppressed insectoid species, Miek rises from the gladiatorial pits to become a warrior, freedom fighter, and trusted lieutenant to the [[hulk|Hulk]]. He is a founding member of the [[warbound|Warbound]], the Hulk's inner circle of alien allies. * **Primary Impact:** Miek's single most significant act in the comics is his secret orchestration of the tragedy that directly caused the //World War Hulk// event. By allowing the shuttle that brought Hulk to Sakaar to explode, killing millions including Hulk's queen [[caiera|Caiera]], Miek ensured the Hulk's rage would be unleashed upon Earth, making him one of the most consequential, and tragic, figures in the Hulk's history. * **Key Incarnations:** The chasm between Miek's two main versions is immense. In the Earth-616 comics, he is a complex, talkative character whose journey involves metamorphosis, deep trauma, and a devastating act of villainy. In the [[mcu|Marvel Cinematic Universe]], Miek is a non-verbal, larval-like creature in a cybernetic suit who serves as a loyal friend and comedic sidekick to [[korg|Korg]] and [[thor|Thor]]. ===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution ===== ==== Publication History and Creation ==== Miek made his first appearance in **//The Incredible Hulk// vol. 2 #92**, published in April 2006. He was co-created by writer **Greg Pak** and artist **Carlo Pagulayan** as a central character for the landmark storyline, `[[planet_hulk]]`. The creation of Miek and the entire "Planet Hulk" saga was a deliberate effort by Marvel Comics to radically alter the Hulk's status quo. For years, the Hulk's narrative had been cyclical: Bruce Banner struggles with the beast within, Hulk smashes, the military pursues him, and he is left alone. Greg Pak was tasked with breaking this cycle by exiling the Hulk to a world where he could not be the strongest one there is, forcing him to rely on intellect, alliances, and grit. Miek was conceived as the embodiment of this new world's oppressed masses. He was designed to be the audience's entry point into the alien society of Sakaar, a physically weak but determined character who finds strength and hope in the Hulk, whom he dubs the "Sakaarson." His insectoid design, created by Pagulayan, immediately established the alien nature of the setting and provided a visually distinct member for the future Warbound. Miek's evolution from a timid scavenger to a hardened warrior and, ultimately, a tragic manipulator, became one of the core emotional arcs of the entire saga spanning both "Planet Hulk" and its sequel, `[[world_war_hulk]]`. ==== In-Universe Origin Story ==== The origin of Miek differs profoundly between the primary comic book universe and the cinematic universe, representing one of the most significant character reinterpretations between the two mediums. === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === On the war-torn planet of [[sakaar|Sakaar]], Miek was born into the insectoid species known as the "natives." Considered the lowest caste in Sakaar's rigid social hierarchy, Miek and his kind were routinely persecuted by the ruling imperial class. His early life was one of survival and fear. The defining trauma of his youth occurred when his father, along with 300 other members of his hive, was slaughtered by the forces of the tyrannical [[red_king|Red King]]. Miek himself was captured, branded, and forced into slavery. His life changed forever when he was thrown into "The Maw," the Red King's brutal gladiatorial arena. There, he was part of a "team" of slaves forced to fight to the death for the amusement of the masses. It was in this pit of despair that he first encountered the [[hulk|Hulk]], who had been exiled from Earth by the [[illuminati|Illuminati]] and had crash-landed on Sakaar. Initially, Miek was terrified of the Green Goliath, but he soon witnessed the Hulk's indomitable will and refusal to be broken. Alongside other gladiators like [[korg|Korg]], [[hiroim|Hiroim the Shamed]], and [[elloe_kaifi|Elloe Kaifi]], Miek formed an unlikely bond with the Hulk. They became "Warbound," swearing a pact to live or die together. Inspired by the Hulk's strength, Miek began to find his own. He learned to fight, to lead, and to hope. He saw the Hulk not as a monster, but as a prophesied savior, the "Sakaarson," who would liberate their world. A crucial part of Miek's development was his biological imperative. As an insectoid, he underwent a metamorphosis. After entering a chrysalis state, he emerged in a massive, powerful "King" form, physically capable of standing alongside his Warbound brethren. After the Red King's defeat and Hulk's ascension to the throne of Sakaar, Miek was appointed as a key advisor. For a brief, shining moment, he had everything he'd ever wanted: freedom, respect, and a family. This peace, however, was tragically and deliberately shattered. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The MCU's Miek, introduced in //Thor: Ragnarok//, has a far simpler and more ambiguous origin. Unlike his comic counterpart, the audience meets Miek as an established, if unsuccessful, gladiator on Sakaar, under the rule of the [[grandmaster|Grandmaster]]. He is already a close friend and companion of [[korg|Korg]], with the two having an established rapport. This version of Miek is a small, larval-like creature who operates a cybernetic exosuit equipped with four legs and two blade-like arms. He is non-verbal, communicating through gestures and clicks that only Korg seems to fully understand. His backstory of familial tragedy, societal oppression, and a desperate fight for survival is entirely absent. Instead, he is presented as a quirky and loyal member of the gladiatorial community. He joins Thor, Hulk, and Valkyrie in their escape from Sakaar, becoming one of the founding members of the "Revengers." His contribution to the fight against Hela's forces on the Rainbow Bridge is more comedic than heroic, as he is seen mostly flailing and is at one point accidentally stepped on by Korg. He survives the destruction of Asgard and travels with the Asgardian refugees, surviving Thanos's attack on the Statesman and the subsequent Snap. He is later seen in New Asgard on Earth, playing video games with Korg and Thor, and participates in the final battle against Thanos's army in //Avengers: Endgame//. In //Thor: Love and Thunder//, Miek is shown to have a more prominent role in New Asgard's bureaucracy, and a significant biological detail is revealed: Miek is female. She is seen laying eggs, solidifying her gender within the MCU and marking another major deviation from the male character in the comics. This adaptation strips Miek of his comic book's tragic depth, re-casting him (now her) as a source of lighthearted comedy and unwavering, simple loyalty. ===== Part 3: Abilities, Equipment & Personality ===== === Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) === Miek's abilities and personality in the comics are defined by his insectoid nature and the harsh realities of his life on Sakaar. * **Abilities:** * **Sakaaran Native Physiology:** Miek possesses a durable chitinous exoskeleton that provides significant protection against physical harm. He has multiple limbs, granting him enhanced agility and the ability to wield several weapons simultaneously. * **Metamorphosis:** Miek's most unique biological trait. He underwent a pupal stage where he encased himself in a chrysalis. Upon emerging, he had grown exponentially in size and strength, transforming from a diminutive "hivelin" into a towering "Native King." This new form was strong enough to fight alongside superhumans like the Hulk. * **Pheromonal & Auditory Communication:** While capable of speaking Galactic Standard, Miek can also communicate with other insectoids through a series of complex clicks, whistles, and the release of pheromones. * **Expert Gladiator:** Forged in the crucible of The Maw, Miek is a highly skilled and brutal combatant. He is proficient with a wide array of Sakaaran weaponry and is a master of fighting in a pack, a skill honed by his hive instincts and his time with the Warbound. * **Equipment:** * **Gladiator Armor:** During his time as a slave, Miek wore piecemeal armor. As a King and member of the Warbound, he donned more formidable, custom-fit Sakaaran armor. * **Blades:** Miek's preferred weapons were large, sharp blades, often attached directly to his upper limbs, which he used for vicious slashing and stabbing attacks. * **Personality:** Miek's personality is a tragic arc of transformation. He begins as timid, fearful, and subservient, a product of a lifetime of oppression. His meeting with the Hulk ignites a spark of courage and a fierce, almost fanatical loyalty. He grows into a brave warrior and a respected leader of his people. However, beneath this lies a deep-seated trauma and a thirst for vengeance against those who wronged him and his family. This festering rage ultimately corrupts his loyalty, turning him into a manipulator who believes that the Hulk's true purpose is to be a "Worldbreaker," a god of destruction. He becomes driven by the philosophy that rage is the purest emotion, leading him to commit an unforgivable act of betrayal to keep his "Sakaarson" forever angry and vengeful. === Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) === The MCU version of Miek is fundamentally different, designed for a completely different narrative purpose. * **Abilities:** * **Unknown Insectoid Physiology:** Miek is a larval creature of an unnamed species. Her natural physical abilities are largely unknown, as she is almost never seen outside of her cybernetic suit. She is shown to be highly resilient, surviving being stepped on and the vacuum of space. As of //Thor: Love and Thunder//, she is capable of parthenogenesis, laying eggs to reproduce. * **Cybernetic Piloting:** Miek's primary skill is her ability to expertly pilot her custom-built exosuit, which serves as her means of locomotion, communication (via digital displays), and combat. * **Equipment:** * **Cybernetic Exosuit:** This is Miek's defining feature. A sophisticated walker-like suit, it provides her with mobility and protection. Its key features include: * **Blade Arms:** The suit's primary offensive capability, featuring two large, retractable blades. * **Digital Display:** A simple screen that can display rudimentary graphics, which Miek uses to express basic ideas or information. * **Life Support:** The suit presumably contains life support systems that allow Miek to survive in various environments. * **Personality:** MCU Miek's personality is one of unwavering loyalty and quirky charm. She is, for all intents and purposes, a comedic character. Her non-verbal nature makes her something of an enigma, but her actions consistently show her to be a dependable friend to Korg and Thor. She is depicted as gentle and easily flustered, a far cry from the rage-filled warrior of the comics. She is brave in her own way, always willing to join a fight, but lacks the tactical mind or brutal efficiency of her 616 counterpart. Her transition into a professional, suit-wearing diplomat in New Asgard further underscores her shift into a more civilized and humorous role within the MCU's narrative. ===== Part 4: Key Relationships & Network ===== ==== Core Allies ==== * **[[hulk|The Hulk (Bruce Banner)]]:** The central figure in Miek's life. In the comics, Hulk is the "Sakaarson," a messianic figure whom Miek revered to the point of obsession. This reverence twisted into a possessive desire to preserve the Hulk's "purest" state—that of the enraged Worldbreaker—leading to his ultimate betrayal. In the MCU, their relationship is much simpler; they are fellow gladiators and members of the Revengers, with a bond of shared experience but none of the comics' profound, tragic weight. * **[[korg|Korg]]:** Miek's most consistent and loyal friend across both universes. In Earth-616, they are fellow Warbound, brothers-in-arms who fought and bled together to free Sakaar. In the MCU, their bond is even tighter, portrayed as an inseparable comedic duo. Korg often acts as Miek's interpreter and protector, and their friendship is one of the franchise's most endearing background relationships. * **[[caiera|Caiera the Oldstrong]]:** (Earth-616 only) The Shadow Queen of Sakaar and Hulk's wife. Miek held Caiera in high esteem as his queen. However, his actions are directly responsible for her death. His decision to let the Illuminati shuttle explode, which killed Caiera and their unborn child (or so he thought), is the ultimate betrayal of the family he claimed to love, all in the name of keeping the Hulk's rage alive. * **[[warbound|The Warbound]]:** (Primarily Earth-616) The group consisting of Hulk, Korg, Miek, Hiroim, Elloe Kaifi, and No-Name the Brood was Miek's sworn family. They were bound by a slave's oath and forged into a fighting unit. Miek's betrayal was thus not just against the Hulk, but against all of his Warbound brethren who had trusted him with their lives. ==== Arch-Enemies ==== * **[[red_king|The Red King (Angmo-Asan II)]]:** (Earth-616) The despotic emperor of Sakaar who enslaved Miek and his fellow gladiators. The Red King represents the oppressive system that Miek and the Warbound fought to overthrow. His defeat was Miek's first taste of true freedom and vengeance. * **[[illuminati|The Illuminati]]:** (Earth-616) The clandestine group of Earth's heroes ([[iron_man|Iron Man]], [[mr_fantastic|Mister Fantastic]], [[dr_strange|Doctor Strange]], etc.) who exiled the Hulk. Miek channeled his and the Hulk's rage towards them, blaming them for the destruction of their new home. While his rage was genuine, the catastrophe itself was his own doing, making the Illuminati a scapegoat for his own horrific crime. ==== Affiliations ==== * **Gladiators of Sakaar:** Miek's first "team," a collection of slaves forced to fight for their lives. This is where he learned the fundamentals of combat and survival. * **[[warbound|The Warbound]]:** Miek's primary and most important affiliation. He was a founding member of this elite group of warriors who served as the Hulk's personal guard, army commanders, and chosen family. * **The Revengers (MCU):** The impromptu team formed on Sakaar consisting of Thor, Hulk, Valkyrie, Korg, and Miek to escape the Grandmaster and defeat Hela. * **Citizens of New Asgard (MCU):** Following the events of //Avengers: Infinity War//, Miek becomes a resident of the Asgardian settlement on Earth, eventually taking on a diplomatic or administrative role. ===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines ===== === Planet Hulk (Earth-616) === This storyline is Miek's genesis. We follow his journey from a scrawny, terrified "hivelin" to a respected member of the Warbound. The arc chronicles his enslavement, his first meeting with the Hulk in The Maw, the formation of the Warbound pact, and their bloody rebellion against the Red King. A pivotal moment for Miek is his metamorphosis, where he emerges from his chrysalis as a physically imposing Native King, finally able to fight on equal footing with his allies. The story culminates with the Hulk as King of Sakaar and Miek as his trusted advisor, a period of unprecedented peace and hope that serves as the perfect, tranquil prelude to the coming storm. === World War Hulk (Earth-616) === This is Miek's most defining and infamous storyline. After the shuttle that brought Hulk to Sakaar mysteriously explodes, killing Queen Caiera and millions of citizens, a grief-stricken Hulk leads his Warbound to Earth to exact vengeance on the Illuminati. Miek is at the forefront, seemingly the most zealous advocate for the Hulk's war, constantly stoking his rage and pushing him towards greater acts of destruction. The shocking climax reveals the truth: Miek was responsible. He discovered that some of the Red King's former loyalists had rigged the shuttle to explode. Instead of warning anyone, Miek allowed it to happen. He confessed that he saw the Hulk becoming "soft" in peacetime and wanted his hero, the "Worldbreaker," to return. This act of profound betrayal led to a savage battle between Miek and the Hulk, and ultimately cemented Miek's legacy as a tragic villain. === Chaos War / Planet Savage (Earth-616) === Following his defeat at the end of //World War Hulk//, Miek was presumed dead but was later revealed to be alive, having been used as a power source by the Leader. He eventually ends up in the Savage Land, where he attempts to use the Hulk's other son, [[skaar|Skaar]], for his own ends. During this time, Skaar learns the truth about Miek's role in his mother Caiera's death. This leads to another brutal confrontation, but ultimately, Miek begins a path toward a twisted form of redemption. He takes a clutch of unhatched insectoid children under his protection, attempting to build a new hive and atone for his past sins, though he remains a deeply disturbed and dangerous figure. ===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions ===== * **Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-199999):** As extensively detailed, the MCU Miek is the most prominent and drastically different variant. This version is female, non-verbal, operates a cybernetic suit, and serves as comedic relief. She is defined by simple loyalty and lacks the tragic depth, trauma, and villainous turn of her comic book counterpart. The MCU Miek is a friend, whereas the Earth-616 Miek is a Shakespearean tragedy. * **Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. (Animated Series):** In this animated series, Miek appears in the two-part "Planet Hulk" adaptation. This version is much closer to the early-comics portrayal: a young, talkative insectoid who looks up to the Hulk. The series, being targeted at a younger audience, completely omits his dark turn and the //World War Hulk// betrayal, presenting him solely as a heroic freedom fighter. * **Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Animated Series):** Miek appears in an episode where the Guardians visit Sakaar. This version is portrayed as a diminutive but fierce gladiator who initially tricks the Guardians but eventually helps them. He is more cunning than his MCU counterpart but still lacks the depth of the comic book original. ===== See Also ===== * [[hulk]] * [[planet_hulk]] * [[world_war_hulk]] * [[korg]] * [[warbound]] * [[sakaar]] * [[caiera]] ===== Notes and Trivia ===== ((Miek's name is pronounced to rhyme with "meek," which reflects his initial personality in the comics.)) ((The twist of Miek being the secret villain of //World War Hulk// was a closely guarded secret by Marvel Comics. Writer Greg Pak stated that the idea was to make the source of the Hulk's tragedy deeply personal, coming from one of the people he trusted most, rather than a faceless enemy.)) ((In the MCU, Miek was voiced through sound effects created by director Taika Waititi.)) ((The reveal of Miek's gender in //Thor: Love and Thunder// was a decision by Taika Waititi to add another layer of quirky world-building to New Asgard. It has no basis in the original comic book character, who is consistently portrayed as male.)) ((In the comics, Miek's species, the "natives" of Sakaar, were one of the two sentient species that evolved on the planet, the other being the humanoid Sakaaran Imperials. Their conflict was a central theme of Sakaar's societal problems.)) ((Source for first appearance: //The Incredible Hulk// vol. 2 #92 (April 2006).)) ((Source for the //World War Hulk// reveal: //World War Hulk// #5 (December 2007).))