Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #4 just paid homage to one of the most tragic and heartbreaking moments of the Jade Giant’s life.
The far-flung future of Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker has introduced some of the most horrifying villains the titular behemoth has ever faced. Worst still, Bruce Banner has closed himself off from the rest of his world rather than join the battle. At least, that was the case until the specter of the Hulk’s greatest loss reminded him exactly what it is he would be fighting for, and how far the love of his life would have gone to save it.
While the villainous Grand Priestess Venkiera plots her next attack on what little remains of the planet Sakaar, Bruce wishes that someone could swoop in to save the world. At one point in time, that would have been him, but because of his grief, he can merely wish that it would be one of the other heroes. As seen in the pages of Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #4 (by Greg Pak, Manuel Garcia, Cam Smith, Chris Sotomayor, and VC’s Joe Caramagna), it is Caiera who Bruce mourns, just as it is she who believes she should be the one to stave off Sakaar’s impending fate. Of course, Caiera’s time has long since come and gone, and he might be the only one left who remembers.
Caiera the Oldstrong was the Hulk’s Greatest Love
First seen in 2006’s Incredible Hulk #92 (by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan), Caiera the Oldstrong was one of Sakaar’s Shadow People who lived in the outstretches of its vast desert landscape. Imbued with the Old Power which connected her to the world itself, Caiera was raised to be an unstoppable warrior, though she could not save her village from being razed to the ground in her youth. Following this tragic event, Caiera made her way through the ranks of the villainous Red King’s army, eventually being the one to enslave the Hulk in his name.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the Hulk helped her see that she had been on the wrong side of the fight, and with her help, the Red King’s reign was brought to an end. From there, the Hulk and the Caiera worked to bring peace to Sakaar not just as rulers, but as husband and wife. Unfortunately, their matrimony would be cut short by an explosion that killed millions. In her last moments, Caiera used her powers to shield as many as she could from a fiery demise, including their son, Skaar.
What Caiera’s Legacy Means for Marvel’s New Planet Hulk
That Caiera spent every moment she could fighting for the people and the world she loved was no surprise, nor was her love for the Hulk after everything they went through together. Still, Bruce can’t help but recognize the inherent dichotomy of their relationship. At almost each and every turn, Caiera dedicated herself to preserving life and building something remarkable for the next generation. Bruce, on the other hand, has long been synonymous with destruction, most of all as the Worldbreaker. This makes his memory of Caiera all the more painful, although it is that very same pain that finally drives Bruce to bring the Worldbreaker back in a bid to stop Venkiera.
Bruce may be right in his assessment of himself as a destroyer when stacking his own history up against Caiera’s, however, that doesn’t mean he can’t make up for it. No matter how different they seemed on the surface, Caiera and the Worldbreaker both only ever did as much as they could with the gifts they were given. Now, it is time for the Hulk to try and live up to Caiera’s legacy the best he can.
