ADVANCED REVIEW! She-Hulk #1: I’m Looking at the She-Hulk in the Mirror (Spoiler-Free)

She’s back, and she’s SENSATIONAL! Our lovable Shulkie is back, and she’s back in a big way. After years stuck as an Abomination (my puns are groan-worthy, so deal), Rainbow Rowell and Rogê Antônio have brought Jen back to New York, and she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her life. She’s very down on her luck here, and we haven’t seen a Jen like this for awhile. It’s been a pretty tumultuous few years since she rejoined the Avengers, and it really shows. She’s stressed, she’s broke, and unsure of what to do next. Now, I know I said that she’s carefree, and everything I just described isn’t, but it’s there. 

It’s slobbering time!

She-Hulk is one of those characters that just needs a break. Given time, with the correct creative team, she could be one of Marvel’s leading ladies. She’s always been a character I’ve had a real connection with. I know. You’re probably thinking “Be, there’s not a female character created that you aren’t drawn to,” but Shulkie’s a special case! Like Jennifer, I have my own persona that I use online and in social settings that just exudes charisma. Also, like her, I too break the fourth wall (that’s basically me writing this review and act like I’m talking directly to the throngs of fans who can’t help but devour my reviews—also I’m totally humble lol). Anyway, back to my review, Shulk’s just one of those fun characters in which you can put her into almost any absolutely absurd situation possible, and then have her do some straight up, by the numbers superhero storyline, and it just works. She was doing things Deadpool was doing while his star was on the rise years before he was even created. 

Rowell quickly sets up Jen’s new status quo (particularly her long-standing feud with Titania), and delivers us with some continuity tidbits from the Byrne & Slott runs, which I just love. I’m a huge continuity buff, so whenever any writer gives us some deep cuts, the little hairs on the back of my neck start tingling. I call them Gruenwaldbumps. 

You better pick this book up, or else she’s going to come over to your house and rip up all of your X-Men books!

As amazing as Rainbow was with hitting all of the character beats and knocking it out with characterization, her partner in crime, Rôge Antônio nailed it on art duties. Everything’s beautifully rendered here. From the main characters, to the new, or recently returned, supporting cast, to the locations, it all just works. Antônio’s line work is great, and I’m so glad Marvel brought them on a project like this. They’re another one of those under the radar artists, like Dike Ruan, who is churning out some stellar work, and if able to cultivate their craft, could be one of the future Young Guns, or Stormbreakers.