In one universe, Skull was mortal, fully constrained to the limits of the human body (even if his cloud flames helped him heal quicker than normal). In that universe, a man in a checkered mask dooms him to a fate of never growing old inside the body of a child. In that universe, Skull is woefully unprepared and spends decades wallowing in his fate. In that universe, immortality seemed all the more appealing because Skull was mortal. This is not that universe. - The first time he "dies," it's from the plague. Boils on every part of his body, their purple and black hues even more pronounced due to his deathly pale skin tone. (Bright purple eyeshadow and a teardrop carefully painted on to his cheek. Purple lipstick applied with the utmost care. Dyed purple hair spiked with purpose. A bodysuit carefully added to with purple padding. An ode to his old life.)