Early Years[]

Aided by their shape-shifting powers, the Skrulls departed their homeworld into space. When they encountered a new race, they simply transformed themselves to resemble that race. The empire that resulted from these contacts was based on free trade and mutual cooperation, the Skrullian Federation.^[23] They had discovered that in the Local Group of galaxies, there wasn't a single race that approached their level of technology or knowledge. In exchange for the world's loyalty and technology, they were offered knowledge and technology.^[24][23] Their scientists also formed the first Cosmic Cube that later became the Shaper of Worlds.^[24]

Kree/Skrull War[]

The Skrulls voyaged to the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud. In the latter cluster they discovered the Kree homeworld of Hala. The Kree were in the dawn of their culture; at this point they shared Hala with the plant race, the Cotati. The Skrulls decided to favor one of the races with their advanced technology and devised a test to determine which would be the favored race.

The Skrulls created the Blue Area of the Moon and transported bands of Kree and Cotati there. Both groups were left to accomplish what they could. The Skrulls judged the Cotati’s works to be superior. This angered the Kree and led to a vicious attack in which the Kree band slew the Skrull judges and the Cotati. The Kree stole the Skrull's star-ship and technology. Because of the immense distances involved, decades passed before the Skrulls learned of the Kree's activities. By this time it was too late. The Kree had become advanced and audacious enough to attack the Skrulls in their home galaxy. During the millennia that followed, the Skrulls developed the vicious streak needed to conduct intergalactic war. Their entire culture was remade in the warrior image for the war.^[8] The Skrulls fought the Kree on a million worlds, in a war in which there was never a clear victor or loser. Due to the war, both the Skrulls and Kree prospered and grew stronger.^[25]

Earth[]

Skrulls became aware of Earth when they discovered a space warp linking Earth and Throneworld. Later they discovered that the Earth possessed an equidistant link to Hala. They saw Earth as a world to conquer but they were content to hold off a full invasion, perhaps afraid the Kree would learn of the plot. Because of their caution, the Skrulls sent only a handful of scout warriors to infiltrate Earth.^{[citation needed]}

Fearing the Fantastic Four would stand in their way of an invasion of Earth, four Skrull agents came to Earth and posed as the team in order to ruin their reputation. The real Fantastic Four were able to expose the Skrull agents and clear their names. The Fantastic Four stole the Skrulls' rocket ship and found their mother-ship in Earth orbit. Posing as the Skrull agents, they tricked the captain into believing that Earth was too dangerous to invade. Reed Richards "volunteered" to stay behind and remove any trace of the Skrulls' presence on Earth. Falling for Richard's deception, the captain called off the invasion. Once back on Earth the Fantastic Four hid the remaining Skrull agents by convincing them to transform into cows. Reed hypnotized them into believing they were real cows. They were left in a field to graze for the rest of their lives.^[2]

Over the years, the Skrull empire sent many agents against Earth, including the Super-Skrull,^[26][27] Paibok the Power Skrull,^[13] Effigy,^[28] Ethan Edwards,^[29] and Skrull-X.^[30]

End of the Kree/Skrull War[]

During the Dark Phoenix crisis, Lilandra the Shi'ar Majestrix consulted both the Kree Supreme Intelligence and the Skrull Empress R'Klll regarding the current host of the Phoenix Force (Jean Grey). They agreed to let the X-Men fight the Shi'ar Imperial Guard in a honor duel to determine her fate. The Skrull warrior Raksor and the Kree warrior Bel-Dann were assigned to monitor the fight and assure that the X-Men lost. Soon they turned on each other.^[31]

For months they hunted and fought each other in the bowels of the Inhuman city of Attilan. Uatu the Watcher took notice and informed the rulers of the Skrull and Kree Empires. After much thought and discussion, the two empires came to the conclusion that because of the vast galactic distance between them the eons old war had been a vast drain on the two empires. They were too evenly matched for either to achieve a decisive victory over the other. Empress R'Klll and the Supreme Intelligence agreed to let the fight between their two greatest warriors (the Skrull Raksor and the Kree Bel-Dann) to determine the winner of the war. The fighting continued for additional months, undermining the foundations of Attilan. Upon being advised of what was happening by Uatu, the Fantastic Four and the Inhumans manipulated the two to join forces against them and made it so that the heroes "lost" the fight. Uatu the Watcher then interceded, declared Earth the loser, and the Skrull and Kree Empires both winners ending the war.^[15]

Fall of an Empire[]

The Skrull throneworld was devoured by Galactus and the Imperial starfleet destroyed by Galactus's herald, Nova (Frankie Raye).^[32] With the destruction of a central government, rebellions and chaos spread throughout the Andromeda galaxy. All the Skrull planetary governors declared themselves emperor or empress, and rallied their own forces. Weaker planets fell to stronger ones, and alliances were forged and broken within hours. In the first few days, more Skrulls died at the hands of Skrulls in the civil war than died in the consumed Throneworld.^[33] Eventually, the Skrull warlord Gorth hired the space pirate Nebula who with a mercenary army (made up of outcasts of a thousand worlds, from multiple galaxies) invaded Skrull space and were unstoppable until meeting the Skrull general Zedrao who had stayed out of the Skrull civil war and repelled her forces. With the assistance of the Avengers, he put an end to the threat that she posed to the Skrull Empire.^[34]

The greatest blow to the Skrulls was the destruction of their shape-shifting powers for a time due to their Hyper-Wave Bomb which stabilized the deviant genetic code of all Skrulls everywhere that granted their abilities. This was accomplished by Reed Richards and yet another Governor-turned-Emperor.^[6] The Skrull warlord Kylor began a new intergalactic conflict with the Kree upon the visit of a Celestial to his world and learning that the Kree had discovered that the Skrulls had lost their shapeshifting abilities.^[35] The Skrull warlord S'Byll and the Super-Skrull manipulated the Silver Surfer into fighting on the side of the Skrulls against the Kree and their Badoon allies. Using Skrull science they transferred some of the Silver Surfer's Power Cosmic to S'Byll, mutating her and giving her the ability to restore the Skrulls' natural abilities via touch.^[36] Upon the conclusion of the war that ended in a truce, S'Byll who was now Empress moved the throneworld to her homeworld, Satriani.^[37]

Annihilation Wave and Secret Invasion[]

The Skrull Empire was the first of the major interstellar empires to face the devastating interdimensional invasion from the Negative Zone led by Annihilus, which cut across vast swaths of Skrull space. Though the Skrulls fought heroically, they were unable to halt its advance. Within less than six months, the Skrull Empire was devastated.^[38][39] The Annihilation Wave's super weapon, the Harvester of Sorrow, destroyed hundreds of Skrull planets.^[40] In the aftermath the Skrulls unsuccessfully attempted to convince Hulkling to become their new Emperor.^[41]

With their empire shattered, the Skrull under the leadership of the religious extremist Queen Veranke, infiltrated Earth to pave the way for a major invasion in an attempt to turn it into their new throneworld.^[42] Several heroes were replaced by Skrulls. Eventually, Reed Richards was able to pierce through the shape-shifting and all heroes and villains banded together to stop the Skrulls. Unfortunately, the Skrulls activated a fail-safe within the Wasp, turning her into a biological weapon. Thor had no choice but to "destroy" her. Angered, the humans attacked the Skrulls, killing Veranke and destroying their fleet in orbit in retaliation.^[43] All the missing heroes, villains and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were found alive and returned to Earth.^[43]

Infinity and the Empire Restored[]

The Super-Skrull became one of many Warlords seeking to re-unite the divided Skrull territories, eventually growing in power and influence until he became one of the six most powerful Warlords. During the devastating invasion of the various interstellar empires in the Local Group of galaxies by the mysterious Builders, the Skrull Warlords united against this common foe. When news of a War Council of various galactic powers reached the Skrulls, Kl'rt was chosen to represent the Skrulls. An alliance was created, with Kl'rt commanding the Skrulls and playing a key role in the council.^[44]

The war initially went poorly, but the alliance eventually managed to turn the tide and through a series of key battles, the Builders were defeated and the worlds occupied by them liberated.^[45] In order to repay the efforts of the Avengers in the war, and seeking glory and great battle, Kl'rt accompanied Alliance forces to Earth in order to free it from occupation by Thanos. They succeeded in liberating The Peak and killing one of Thanos' lieutenants, Black Dwarf.^[46] After his great victory in the war against the Builders, Kl'rt was crowned Emperor of a reborn Skrull Empire, as the alien race now settled on the planet Tarnax II.^[12] Within a few years, the Skrull Empire withdrew from the Pan-Worlds Jurisdiction Treaty, which meant that the Nova Corps were no longer permitted to operate in the Skrull-dominated Andromeda galaxy.^[47]

Empyre[]

Eventually as both the Kree and the Skrulls grew tired of their endless conflict, the Skrull Empire saw saw an opportunity to establish an alliance with the Kree Imperium, since they would be more powerful when allied and so the two empires merged into the Alliance.^[1]

Military[]

The Skrull empire has a vast war machine. It is one that consists of an imperial starfleet with 1000s of warships and the ground forces.^{[48][35][36][49]} Possessing warships as large as small moons.^[50] Warships with the firepower to devastate worlds.^[51] Skrull ground forces possess vehicles with energy weapons powerful enough to kill Terran gods.^[52] Skrullian military forces possess weapons that shatter planets or blow up stars.^[53][54][55] They have the ability to wipe out whole species, weapons so terrifying the Skrulls refuse to use them. Which are kept as last resort doomsday weapons.^[56]

Skrull forces are organized into various types of units including fleets, legions, and squadrons.^{[57][58][59][32][60]} Within they have branches that are specialized, including the "Sci-Ops Division", the "Engineering Corps", and the "Observation Corps".^[61][62][28] They also have super-soldiers, the Super-Skrulls which is a force of thousands which has its own training facilities.^[63][64]

The supreme commander of the Skrull military is the emperor (or empress). Within the Skrull armed forces are many ranks which include General,^[34] Chief Scientist,^[65] Grand Commander,^[57] Major,^[59], Adjutant,^[59] Captain,^[13] Lieutenant,^[66] Sergeant,^[61] Private,^[67] and Ensign.^[68]

All Skrulls join the military when they are of age.^[69] Training for the warriors is brutal in the Skrullian armed forces, in which the weak perish and only the strong graduate.^[70] Nobody is allowed to go AWOL, and those that do are pursued.^[69] Deserters get a date with the executioner.^[71] The Skrullian way of war is to show no mercy, shooting to kill.^[72] Honor is measured by their victories and they are willing to kill civilians.^[73]

Skrull warriors are ruthless but they are not unnecessarily cruel. To them obliterating a population for obliteration's sake is both distasteful and pointless.^[74] To avoid capture, Skrull warriors (especially operatives) may detonate themselves by use of an internal device that disintegrates the Skrull, turning the individual into ash.^[75][76][77] Skrulls are known for being fanatical and fighting to the last warrior.^[78] They will even commit mass suicide, destroying a fleet.^[79]

The Skrull military uses war chants in their programmed music (e.g. within ships) that are hours long and are used to stir their troops into a frenzy.^[80] Dark Throne Military Installations are where the Skrull develop their most secretive weapons. Which are populated by the Skrull Empire's coldest scientists and their most hardened soldiers. Top secret installations that most Skrull military personnel are unaware of, lacking the necessary clearance.^[56]

Skrull warriors also have a warrior code, though not all Skrull soldiers follow the code of honor. In one incident, Captain Britain and his MI-13 though surrounded by hundreds of Skrulls faced only an equal number of warriors.^[81][82] They respect and honor enemies who have shown great courage and skill in battle, such as the great Kree warrior Mar-Vell.^[83][84] Skrulls will also repay their debts, as Emperor Dorrek offered the Fantastic Four any boon they requested from him for saving his daughter.^[85]

The Skrull Empire possesses various technologies, including:

• Galactic Cloaking / Energy Dampening Field: For 1000s of years it hid the worlds of the Andromeda Galaxy from Galactus, till the escape of Nova from Tarnax IV and her guiding Galactus to the throneworld afterwards.^[32][86]
• Intergalactic Sensors / Radar: Able to identify a Kree starship landing on Earth from the Andromeda galaxy and transmit those images near-instantaneously to the Skrull throneworld.^[83][87]
• Planetary Force Field: Created around celestial bodies by the use of a network of satellites.^[88]
• Cloning: Able to produce a fully sentient adult clone in 24 hours, complete with the knowledge of the original via the Genetic Matrix.^[89]
• Super-Skrulls: Via a combination of technology and science, Skrulls are given the powers of one or more super humans and their memories (Skrull Infiltration Ritual).
• Cloaking Technology: Installed on Skrull warships, making them invisible to both radar and vision.^[56][90][91]
• Anti-Cloaking Scanners^[19]
• Miniaturization Technology: Shrinks & restores equipment, for easy transport / concealment by shapeshifting Skrulls.^[92]
• Shapechanging Technology: Handheld device, which distorts the shape of item or vehicle.^[92]
• Brain-Wave Tracking System: From orbit able to locate & track a target on the planet's surface.^[93]
• Cosmic Generator: Which provided all of Tarnax IV with energy, which was over 3 stories high and several feet wide, weighing over 100 tons.^[26]
• Bio-Beam: Identifies non-Skrulls hidden among the Skrull population.^[35]
• Cybernetics^{[citation needed]}
• Force Fields^[94][57]
• Hypno-Glow: Penetrates the mind of prisoners, making them obey commands.^[95]
• Skrull Handcuffs: Malleable/amorphous, which instantly adapt to any form or shape a Skrull prisoner takes, and will also adapt to the struggles of a non-Skrull prisoner.^[96]
• Nerve Beam: Used to keep prisoners in check, such as the Thing.^[97]
• Fusion Battery: A bit longer than a D cell battery.^[98]
• Holographic Technology^[57]
• Sub-Photonic Spectrum Analyzer: Hand-held device that locates organic targets by their energy configurations.^[99]
• Neural Disruptors: Use to control the minds of targets hit by guided slave darts (e.g multi-story creatures of Monster Isle).^[99]
• Encephalo-Link: Tablet sized, used to download all the data the Skrulls have on a planet to the mind of a Skrull agent.^[100]
• Hyperspace Radio' Which can be as small as a credit card (length) and receives intergalactic radio transmissions.^[69]
• Anti-Matter Ectoplasm^[101]
• Transcendental Generators^[101]
• Anti-Magic Baffles^[52]
• Zero-Point Shields^[52]
• Converter^[52]

Skrullian armed forces are equipped with advanced technology, including:

• Star-Killer Weapons: Remotely detonated via hand-held device, causing star to explode or launched from a warship that detonates the star, burning every world in the solar system.^[55][47]
• Intergalactic Planet Smasher: The Skrull Sonic Disruptor which attacks via subspace & nearly instantaneously destroys targets up to the size of a planet.
• Thermonutron Planet-Killer Missiles: Fired from Skrull Battleships, which can end all life within minutes on a world and cause a chain reaction that shatters a gas giant in a few hours.^[53][54]
• Doomsday Biological Weapons: Agents which can be programmed to target the DNA of specific species, that are extremely contagious, resulting in that species having no immunity to the agent, and having no cure.^[56]
• Warp-Capable Warships: Various shapes (Bird of Prey, saucers, boxy, ovoid, etc), classes (battleships, motherships, cruisers, etc), and sizes (two to three story house-sized, mile long, city-sized, and planetoid)(e.g. Skrull Tribunal Ship, Stealth-Hawk, Skrull War World, Skrull Saucers, Skrull Battleship Ryb'ik, and Skrull Deathship).
• Fighters: Ranging in size from automobile-sized to heavy jet fighter-sized.^{[21][102][94]}
• Mecha: Bipedal humanoid robots and multi-legged walkers.^[103][71]
• Hover Combat Vehicles^[72]
• Robots: From shape shifting robots (Skrull-X) to nearly indestructible robots (Inorganic Technotroid).
• Tracked Armored Vehicles^[104]
• Wheeled Armored Vehicles^[52]
• Ground-to-Space Pulse Cannons^[105]
• Beam-Cannon Emplacements^[106]
• Anti-Aircraft Artillery^[21]
• Photon Torpedoes^[107]
• Ion Torpedoes^[108]
• Tactical Missiles^[85]
• Particle Cannons^[74]
• Neutrino Beam Weapons^[109]
• Photon Blasters^[48]
• Railguns^[74]
• Maser Guns^[83]
• Disintegration Heat Rays^[110]
• Sub-Harmonic Quantum Weapons: Use would make a planet uninhabitable.^[102]
• Aging Ray: Kills an adult human within 3 days by accelerating their age.^[111]
• Immobilizer Ray^[85]
• Freeze Ray: Shuts down the Human Torch.^[85]
• Power Gauntlet: Enhances the user's strength and speed a hundredfold, and fires energy blasts.^[15]

• Intergalactic Warp-Capable Starships: Able to travel from the Andromeda Galaxy to the Milky Way within seconds or minutes, near instantaneously via sub-space.^[93]
• Self-Repairing Spacecraft: Which are able to repair themselves with magno-force technology as soon as the damage occurs (e.g. hull breach).^[112]
• Intergalactic Sub-Space Communications: Nearly instantaneous.^[88]
• Intergalactic Power Transmitting Satellite: Asteroid satellite the size of Manhattan around the Skrull throneworld, transmits power from the Andromeda galaxy to Earth, distance of at least 2.5 million light years with pinpoint accuracy.^{[113][27][86]}
• Intergalactic Transportation Beam: Capable of sending an individual or device (e.g. bomb) to Earth from the Skrull throneworld or vice versa, with pinpoint accuracy.^[27]
• Teleportation: From orbit to planetary surface and vice versa.^[114]

• Among the other races contained within the Skrull Empire were the Druff, Guna, Kallusians, Morani, Pheragots, Queega, Tekton, and Yirbek.^[11]