A major weakness of Marvel’s Skrulls totally changes their massive Secret Invasion attack. The Skrulls nearly conquered Earth during the Secret Invasion crossover event, and the heroes of the Marvel Universe only defeated them by the skin of their teeth. Yet in 1995’s Skrull Kill Krew #2, it is revealed that, for all their advanced technology and shape-shifting abilities, the Skrulls lack anything close to a human imagination.
First published in 2008, Secret Invasion saw a decades-long plan come to fruition, as the Skrulls attempted a takeover of Earth. The Skrulls, introduced in 1961’s Fantastic Four #2, are a race of shape-shifters hailing from the Andromeda Galaxy. The Skrulls have run afoul of Earth’s heroes on numerous occasions, but were defeated each time. During Secret Invasion, the Skrulls, using carefully placed sleeper agents, infiltrated government and superhero teams all over the world, including the Avengers. A riveting alien invasion story steeped in paranoia, Secret Invasion was a success with both fans and critics, and it will soon be coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet one secret about the Skrulls reveals that Secret Invasion should have never happened.
Skrulls Have No Imagination
In ‘Goin’ Crazy,’ written by Grant Morrison and Mark Millar and drawn by Steve Yeowell, appearing in Skrull Kill Krew #2, Ryder, a member of the Skrull Kill Krew, discusses the aliens with Riot, a new recruit. Ryder tells her that the Skrulls’ home world is called Skrullos. Ryder admits the name is stupid, and likens it to Earth calling itself “Peoplos.“ Ryder goes on to tell her that while the Skrulls are vicious, they effectively lack any imagination.
Skrulls Have a Major Limitation
The idea that Skrulls lack imagination is relatively consistent in Marvel lore, and it’s been suggested their culture dissuades artistic expression. In Captain Britain and MI-13, John the Skrull – an Earth-loyalist who patterns himself after The Beatles‘ John Lennon – is executed because the Skrulls have no place for “silliness,” and the Skrull art fans do see is typically a celebration of their military achievements. Skrulls are so lacking in imagination that they often become obsessed with other cultures – dissident Skrulls living on Kral IV even live their lives in an imitation of Earth’s Roaring ’20s. More sympathetic portrayals suggest that the Skrulls are capable of imagination, but that it’s culturally discouraged by the ruling class and major religion – perhaps because it enhances their ability to insinuate themselves on other worlds.
Skrulls’ Lack of Imagination Limits Their Powers
The Skrulls’ lack of imagination may be all that’s kept Earth safe from them in the past. The Skrulls possess incredible shape-shifting powers, but almost always use them in incredibly basic ways – e.g. adopting the form of a deadly predator to get an edge in combat. Even genetically-manipulated Super-Skrulls tend to just have a combination of Earth-heroes’ powers, rather than anything new or unexpected. Even the Skrulls’ game-changing new shape-shifting that kept them from being detected in Secret Invasion was devised by a clone of Mister Fantastic. When found out in Secret Invasion, the Skrulls’ endgame plan is a huge brawl in New York – one in which they’re overpowered by Earth’s protectors. It seems that the Skrull war machine fights purely through imitation, rather than exploring the boundless potential of their powers.
This of course casts Secret Invasion in a different light, suggesting the heroes’ narrow victory was only granted because of the Skrulls’ predictable tactics and one-track thinking. After all, they were already spread across government organizations and super teams, but only really caused problems opportunistically, using what was already there. While Ryder’s accusation is perhaps hyperbolic and one-sided, and this limitation may be down to the Skrull leadership rather than the larger species, it seems that the Skrulls‘ biggest enemy in Secret Invasion was their own inability to think outside of the box.
