The Skrulls are a race of extraterrestrial beings in the Marvel Comics universe that have been around since 1962. They were created by the legendary duo of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby and made their first appearance in the second issue of Fantastic Four. The Skrulls are a warlike race of shapeshifters who have been at war with other races, including the Kree, for centuries.
One of the Skrulls’ most notable abilities is their shape-shifting, which allows them to assume the appearance of any individual they have encountered, enabling them to infiltrate and spy on other civilizations. This has made them formidable foes for many of Earth’s heroes, as they are often able to take on the guise of friends or allies.
Over the years, the Skrulls have been depicted as both villains and allies of Earth’s heroes in various Marvel Comics storylines. For example, in the famous “Secret Invasion” storyline, the Skrulls had infiltrated many of Earth’s superhuman teams, and it was revealed that several prominent heroes were actually Skrull imposters. This storyline had a huge impact on the Marvel Universe and set the stage for future storylines involving the Skrulls.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Skrulls were first introduced in the 2019 film “Captain Marvel.” In the movie, the Skrulls are portrayed as a group of refugees seeking sanctuary on Earth from the Kree, who have been pursuing them across the galaxy. The Skrulls are led by Talos, who is played by Ben Mendelsohn, and they play a major role in the plot of the film.
The Skrulls also appeared in the Marvel television series “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” where they were depicted as a group of hostile infiltrators who had taken over the organization.
Super Skrull
Super-Skrull first appeared in Fantastic Four #18 in 1963. He is a member of the Skrull race, a shape-shifting extraterrestrial species known for their abilities to mimic other beings, and has been genetically engineered to possess the combined powers of the Fantastic Four.
The Super-Skrull was created by the Skrull Emperor as a weapon to defeat the Fantastic Four, who had defeated the Skrulls in previous encounters. His powers include the strength of the Thing, the elasticity of Mr. Fantastic, the ability to generate flames like the Human Torch, and the ability to turn invisible like the Invisible Woman.
Over the years, the Super-Skrull has been a recurring enemy of the Fantastic Four and other Marvel heroes, such as the Avengers and the X-Men. He has also been a member of various villainous groups, including the Frightful Four and the Intelligencia.
In some storylines, the Super-Skrull has also been depicted as a sympathetic character, struggling with his loyalty to the Skrull Empire and his own sense of honor and justice. For example, in the “Annihilation” storyline, he joins forces with other villains to defend the universe against an invading alien force.
Dorrek VII
Dorrek VII was the first monarch of the shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls, as depicted in the Marvel Comics. He appeared in “Fantastic Four” vol. 1 #18 (September, 1963). Dorrek’s rise to power was not a peaceful one – he assassinated his predecessor and married his daughter, Princess R’Klll, according to issue #206 (May, 1979). In “Iron Man” vol. 1 #65 (January, 1974), Dorrek was revealed to have trapped his political rival, Krimonn, in a crystalline form that was later empowered by the Grandmaster and became the source of power for a series of Doctor Spectrums.
“Dorrek was Emperor for several years before the formation of the Fantastic Four,” clarified “Marvel: The Lost Generation” #11 (April, 2000). The Skrulls had already sent scout missions to Earth during that time, preceding the arrival of the Fantastic Four. Dorrek was first shown in the comics when he attended a demonstration of the first Super-Skrull/Kl’rt’s powers. He sent him to challenge the Fantastic Four but witnessed his defeat.
In issue #32 (November, 1964), Dorrek arranged for the abduction of Dr. Franklin Storm and his replacement by the Super-Skrull to set a trap for his children, Susan and Johnny. When the plan failed, the Skrulls sent Franklin back to Earth with explosives on his chest. Franklin died while attempting to protect his children from the blast. In issue #37 (April, 1965), Dorrek learned that his military officer and prospective son-in-law, Morrat, had captured the Fantastic Four but had kept it a secret to gain the Skrull throne. Realizing Morrat’s deceit, Dorrek had him executed, ignoring protests by his daughter Anelle. She was nearly killed while trying to reach Morrat but was saved by the Invisible Girl. Dorrek allowed the Fantastic Four to leave in peace and owed them a favor for saving his daughter.
In issue #48 (March, 1968), Dorrek ordered parts of the Skrull Empire to shut down all equipment and maintain communication silence to avoid detection by Galactus and Silver Surfer, who were passing through Skrull space. In “Captain Marvel” vol. 1 #2 (June, 1968), Dorrek located a Kree agent on Earth, Captain Mar-Vell, and sent the Super-Skrull to eliminate him. When he failed, Dorrek ordered his capture and became a wanted fugitive. In “Avengers” vol. 1 #94 (December, 1971), Dorrek was involved in a Kree-Skrull War and arrested Captain Mar-Vell, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver. He used Pietro and Wanda as hostages, forcing Mar-Vell to work on the Omni-Wave weapon.
In issue #205 (April, 1979), Dorrek led an attack against planet Xandar, home of the Nova Corps, and captured three of the Fantastic Four. He had them placed on trial for crimes against the Skrull and sentenced them to death. However, they were saved from the metabolic booster’s effects and managed to escape. In the end, Dorrek was fed up with his wife’s bickering and ignored her protests to have the three prisoners recaptured, believing them harmless in their aged state.Empress R’Klll
Lyja
Lyja, a Skrull agent assigned by Paibok The Power Skrull, was tasked with infiltrating and destroying the Fantastic Four by secretly replacing Alicia Masters, The Thing’s blind lover. The plan involved kidnapping Alicia when the Fantastic Four were on a mission during the events of the Secret Wars, but Lyja’s mission took an unexpected turn when she found out that the Thing had not returned from the team’s mission. Lyja instead seduced Human Torch and the two eventually married. However, the truth eventually came to light and the Fantastic Four discovered that the real Alicia was being held captive by the Skrull nation. Lyja helped the team rescue Alicia but sacrificed herself to save Johnny when Paibok attacked.
Lyja was created by Tom DeFalco and Paul Ryan and first appeared as Alicia in Fantastic Four issue 265 (1984). Her true form was revealed in issue 358 (1991). During the Secret Invasion storyline, Lyja posed as the Invisible Woman and attacked her former spouse, feeling angry that he had forgotten her. However, they reconciled after Johnny saved her from being hit by a police car. Later, when the “NEW” Fantastic Four flew off to the Negative Zone, Lyja saved Franklin and Valeria from Negative Zone creatures and revealed that she had suggested sending the Baxter Building to the Negative Zone to keep them safe. She refused to leave the Negative Zone, wanting to discover her true identity.
Veranke
Veranke was a Skrull princess who belonged to a sect of Skrulls called the Dard’van, who were deeply religious and believed in an impending scenario that would lead to the end of the Skrull Empire. When Veranke attempted to warn then-ruler Dorrek VII of an approaching eater of worlds and a “wave”, he dismissed her as a religious zealot and exiled her to a deserted planet. However, Veranke became the Skrull Empress after the Skrull homeworld was destroyed by Galactus and orchestrated the Secret Invasion as a religious crusade.
Veranke posed as Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) after capturing her at a Hydra base filled with Skrull sleeper agents. Once the operation was a success, Veranke took part in the Skrull Infiltration Ritual and acquired Spider-Woman’s powers and memories. In an alternate reality created by Wanda Maximoff, Veranke found herself in a position in S.H.I.E.L.D. but was shocked to realize that Jessica’s desires had come true instead of hers. She sought out Criti Noll, who had been posing as Hank Pym and was also aware of the change. However, before Veranke could kill her, Wanda used her powers to revert reality back to normal and take away the powers of 90 percent of the mutant populations.
