Blood of the Dragon

Skaar, the Son of Hulk, has come upon a slave camp run by the barbarian known as Axeman Bone. The two clash, but although Skaar manages to draw blood from Axeman Bone for the first time in twenty years, the young savage is stabbed through the stomach with a spear. Axeman Bone gloats over how he slaves thought this swamp reeking savage was their savior because it managed to kill a few of his men. However, Skaar survives the attack, pulling the blade out of his body. One of the enslaved Shadow People -- named Old Sam -- recognizes Skaar as the true Son of Hulk, as he encountered the child three months prior. He begs Skaar to let them take him to Prophet Rock so he can seize his heritage. Instead, Skaar leaps into continue his battle with Axeman Bone. However, by this time, Bone's minions have arrived astride three dragons. They try to incinerate Skaar with the dragon's flames, but this hardly even phases the Son of Hulk. Skaar leaps at the dragons, and begins slaying them one-by-one. Axeman Bone orders his men to keep fighting, leaping onto one of the steeds as the battle takes to the air.

Watching from nearby is Princess Omaka, arrives with her two guards. She leads her men into the camp where they give the Fillian barbarians one chance to surrender. However, Omaka doesn't wait for a reply and lashes into the barbarians with the blades that are in place of her hands. Seeing their captors slaughtered, the slaves bow down to the last surviving member of the old royal family. When she orders the slaves to flee with her warriors, Old Sam refuses to go without Skaar. While high above, the Son of Hulk has slain all the dragons save the one that Axeman Bone is riding. Having leaped onto the creature, the savage decapitates the beast. As they fall, Axeman Bone realizes that he is facing not the savior of the people of Sakaar, but some mindless animal and feels pitty for the people of this planet as he plumets to the ground some distance away from where Skaar and the dragon's corpse land.

Axeman Bone survives the fall and is led away by his men. While Princes Omaka slays the remaining barbarians who run at the Hulk. General Yenrang calls a retreat, leaving Princes Omaka -- his chief rival for the throne -- to hopefully be slain by the Son of Hulk.

Recurring Characters

Skaar, Old Sam, Princess Omaka, Yenrang, Kram, Old One, Axeman Bone, Caiera Oldstrong (spirit)

Shadow Tales, Part One

The second flank of the Fillian Horde has set up camp following the massacre of some refugees who were trying to flee. As some of barbarians go to eat, they push over a young Shadow named Hiro-Kala who is carrying a pot filled with skulls. They warn him to stop being so clumsy or they will feast upon him next instead of keeping him as a slave. Suddenly they witness Skaar's battle with Axeman Bone on the back of the dragon. Hiro-Kala believes that this is the true Son of Hulk, even though the other enslaved Shadows point out that the brute doesn't use the Old Power. However, the elder Shadow warns the boy to be careful what he wishes for and channels a tale from the skull of one of the dead...

... It was in the town of An-Chaar after the Hulk and his Warbound had saved the town from the Wildebots. When it was discovered that the people of the village also enslaved the insectoid Natives of Sakaar, the Hulk freed them. In response, the Hulk destroyed their city. The refugees fled the city and survived the Spikes and the Deathfire Bombs that were unleashed upon them as the Red King attempted to slay the Hulk. When all seemed lost, they soon found themselves in the Wastlands to discover that it was now rife with lush Eleha'al vines. With this new paradise, grown from the blood of the Hulk himself, they also learn that the Red King is now dead. As they celebrate their newfound fortune, the refugees are horrified when there is a massive explosion that destroys Crown City. Suddenly, the Eleha'al vines become savage and start slaying all those who are close by. Three months of wandering in the wastelands, a young man is the last of the refugees left, dying in the desert heat. Axeman Bone standing over him. The brutal barbarian then slew the child, ending his life....

... Concluding his story, the elder Shadow explains that when someone gains such power as the Hulk, millions die. When Axeman Bone is lugged into the camp following his battle with Skaar, the old man hopes that this will be the end of Axeman Bone, but warns Hiro-Kala that if they are lucky, the Son of Hulk will be dead as well.

Recurring Characters

Hiro-Kala, Skaar, Hiro-Amin, Axeman Bone, Hulk (flashback)