Hiroim

Hiroim is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted usually as a supporting character in Hulk books.

Hiroim
Hiroim the Shamed. Art by Jim Cheung.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #92 (April 2006)
Created by	Greg Pak Carlo Pagulayan
In-story information
Alter ego	Hiroim the Oldstrong
Species	Sakaaran Shadow People
Place of origin	Sakaar
Team affiliations	Warbound Shadow Guard
Notable aliases	Hiroim the Shamed, Hiroim the Last Oldstrong
Abilities	Oldstrong power. Shadow Warrior martial techniques, and strategic skills.

Publication history

Hiroim first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #92 (April 2006), and was created by writer Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan.

Fictional character biography

Originally, Hiroim was a Shadow Priest, dedicated to the story of the Sakaarson — who would unite the people of Sakaar — and trained to join the other Shadows. However, for believing that he could be the Sakaarson, he was expelled from the order. He was chosen to be the personal guard of the Red King and uphold an alliance between the Shadows and the Empire.^[1] He broke this vow when the Emperor ordered Hiroim to kill his adolescent son, due to the belief that he would bring ruin and devastation to Sakaar.^[2] For breaking that oath, he ended up in the Empire's gladiator training school, the Maw, where he fought alongside such other warriors as Miek, No-Name the Brood, Korg, and the Hulk. After two victories in the arena, Hiroim formed a Warbound pact with them, vowing that they would always stand together. Having been freed from their obedience disks by the Silver Surfer, the Warbound went on to vanquish the Red King, Hiroim concluding that the Hulk was the true Sakaarson.^{[volume & issue needed]} Following Caiera's death, Hiroim inherits her ability to manipulate the Oldpower.^[3]

After the Hulk's shuttle explodes and destroys Sakaar, Hiroim absorbs the powers of the Sakaar Shadow Priests and accompanies the Hulk to Earth to wage war against the Illuminati, who sent him to Sakaar. During the subsequent conflict with Earth's heroes, Hiroim is defeated by Doctor Strange and loses his left arm.^[4][5]

Following the revelation that Miek had allowed the destruction of Sakaar, the remaining Warbound surrender to S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. They escape during tremors caused by Hulk devastating Manhattan. Channeling the rock-based powers of Korg and the Thing, Hiroim heals the damage before he and the others escape.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In World War Hulk Aftersmash: Warbound, Hiroim and the Warbound confront S.H.I.E.L.D. agents while guarding Elloe Kaifi. The Leader uses Hiroim's powers to create a gamma radiation dome before Hiroim sacrifices himself to stop him.^[2]

In Chaos War, Hiroim is temporarily resurrected and revealed to be in a relationship with Korg.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Power and abilities

Like all the Shadow People, Hiroim possesses enhanced physical abilities and a slowed aging process.^[13] As a Shadow Priest, he can transform into mystic rock using the Oldpower.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Hiroim appears in Marvel Zombies Return #4.^[14]

What If

Hiroim was featured in two "What If?" issues:

• In "What if the Hulk died and Caiera had lived?", Hiroim participates in conquering Earth with Caiera as queen.
• Hiroim was also featured in a What If? issue revolving around World War Hulk. In the first story, he is killed by Iron Man. In the second story, he and the Warbound leave Earth after Miek's treachery is exposed.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In other media

• Hiriom appears in Planet Hulk (2010), voiced by Liam O'Brien.^[15][16][17]
• Hiroim appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Planet Leader", voiced by Fred Tatasciore.^[17]

See also

• Planet Hulk