Jennifer Walters has been through some changes over the past few years, but today she’s back to basics – a lawyer whose gamma-irradiated blood can take her from mouse to magnificent in seconds.
It’s not all sunshine. Constant time out for superhero shenanigans has stalled Jen’s legal career, meaning she’s back to Square One, about to start a decidedly unglamorous new job. On her way, though, she’s called out in the street by an old enemy who’s spoiling for a fight.
Jen doesn’t want a tussle, but given she has no choice…
The fight ends as surprisingly as it begins, leaving Jen free to greet her new boss.
Mallory Book, former legal rival, now Jen’s best hope for getting back on her feet.
This untitled tale is a tremendous debut for the new Shulkie core creative team of writer Rainbow Rowell and artist Rogê Antônio. This is the Jen I love, generally peaceable but not one to back away from a challenge, and back in the legal business. I really enjoy superhero law, and hope we see Jen tackle a few specialist cases in court.
I don’t know why former corporate whiz Mallory is striking out on her own, but likewise, I don’t know why she’s no longer a paraplegic… she probably did a deal with Mephisto off panel. Titania is always good value, but given she’s the villain who crippled Mallory, I’m surprised to see Jen quite so OK with her. Maybe she’ll join the firm as a troubleshooter, or something.
A couple of Jen’s Avengers pals show up, with one of them very much an unexpected arrival… I’m not sure they’ve been seen since Avengers Disassembled. Whatever the case, colour me intrigued.
Antonio’s art complements Rowell’s story, being unabashedly good natured. He draws a nice, ordinary Jen and a formidable She-Hulk, while Titania and Mallory are equally on model. The street fight with Titania is well done, showing that Marvel battles don’t have to be matters of cosmic import to be fun.
Antônio also gets to show off his comedy chops when Jen comes across a room she’d forgotten about…
Colour artist Rico Renzi opts for a bright palette for the action scene, contrasting with the everyday tones of the rest of the issue. It works. Letterer Joe Caramagna has fun with display lettering, while the main disallowed and narration is in that kiddie font that came in with Ultimate Marvel and, sadly, never really left.
Jen Bartel’s cover is lovely and cheery, with the classic Seventies logo an extra bonus; the violent yellow background is a bit much, mind.
She-Hulk #1 treats one of Marvel’s best characters with respect and affection, resulting in a wonderfully refreshing read. Don’t miss it.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
Not read this yet (the Skottie Young variant is winging its way to me as we speak), but I’m very excited to see Rainbow Rowell take the writing reins, especially after her amazing Runaways series.
And after Titania’s recent stint as a babyface in Immortal Hulk and Gamma Flight, I’d hate to see her do a heel turn now. Your suggestion of her becoming a troubleshooter for the law firm is great. I’d love to see her as the Kalinda to Jen’s Alicia Florrick.
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You know, I’ve not read the Rowell Runaways, but presumably it’s on Marvel Unlimited. I think you’ve just sorted my weekend!
Please let us know what you think when you get the comic.
Now, I need help, what’s a ‘babyface’?
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Babyface, or face, is a wrestling term (so I spose its more applicable to the original Titania), referring to the ‘hero’ characters in the ring. And I’m sucker for a villain turned hero.
I’m wondering if this Fight Club might grow in size over time. I doubt Gladiatrix is busy, and we haven’t seen Anaconda for a while. And if we’re raiding Shulkie’s back catalogue, Southpaw is due to make a comeback in time for the Reckoning War.
Read the book tonight, and loved it. Rowell has a great way of weaving character development and action together, and this didn’t let me down.
If you did manage to read Runaways, I’d love to hear what you thought.
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Thanks Brian, so that’s a Babyface! Wrestling is such a blank spot for me.
That weekend I was going to read Runaways wound up being madly busy, but I shall get there.
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This is wonderful, especially after too long of ‘Jen Smash’ in that awful Avengers book. Byrne did many things I hated but creating this version of She-Hulk was one of his best. Rowell is a natural at comics and the art is just so nice. I worried we’d get a downer series util the first Avengers guest star showed up and made everything right in the world. The second one is one of my least favorite Marvel characters that inexplicably shows up time and again but it’s Rowell so we’ll see.
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Im also pleased none of the grey She Hulk business came into it, or whatever happened in Immortal Hulk – just give me a good, clean, fun Shulkie tale. This looks to be if.
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he first arc of Grey Shulkie was awesome, one of the best PTSD stories I’ve ever read in comics. It just should have been a mini ending there. The rest of the series read like editor and writer had no clear idea of what to do next. Luckily the writer has been better elsewhere since.
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This was delightful!!
Rainbow Rowell writes good comics! Was super impressed with Runaways and this issue looks very much to be in the same vein. Heavy in character and heart.
The art was beautiful! I was worried because the main cover art was not really my cuppa but the interiors matched the characterization moment by moment.
Also… Janet! Please let her be a recurring character. Please please please
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Agree agree agree! Janet is the big sister of the superheroine set.
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