She-Hulk

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She-Hulk

She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) is a Marvel Comics superhero. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in Savage She-Hulk #1 (February 1980).

Jennifer Walters, a mousy lawyer, was a cousin of Bruce Banner, alter ego of the Hulk, and the daughter of a Los Angeles sheriff. In a move aimed at coercing her father, a mafia hitman shot and critically wounded Jennifer. Her situation was dire, and she was forced to accept a blood transfusion from her cousin. Bruce Banner's’s radioactive blood transformed Jennifer into the green-skinned, super-strong, seven foot tall She-Hulk.

Like her cousin, Walters was initially dominated by rage while in her She-Hulk form. However, she quickly infused the She-Hulk with her intelligence and original personality, and, in sharp contrast to Bruce Banner, Walters came to prefer her She-Hulk form to her ordinary one.

She-Hulk has been featured in several solo series over the years, the first being The Savage She-Hulk (1980-1982). The Sensational She-Hulk (1989-94) followed, displaying writer John Byrne’s humorous take on the character. This series focussed on her attempt to continue a legal practice despite being seven feet tall, green-skinned, and possessed of the ability to break the fourth wall. Writer Dan Slott took a similar approach with She-Hulk (2004-present). The Byrne/Slott version of the character has developed a cult following that has saved the current series from cancellation despite low sales.

She-Hulk has also been a member of the Avengers and Fantastic Four and has often been a legal counsel for various superheroes. She has of course acted as a supporting character of the Hulk and appeared in both the 1980s and 90s Hulk animated series.

Biography

Jennifer Walters, the meek and mousy lawyer cousin of Bruce Banner (The Incredible Hulk), was the daughter of Los Angeles County Sheriff Morris Walters. Agents of Nicholas Trask, a crime boss who had crossed paths with her father, shot and seriously wounded her on a day when Bruce Banner was in town for a visit. Banner gave her a blood transfusion, as no other donors of her blood type were available; the radioactive blood mutated Jennifer as it had her cousin, transforming her into the green-skinned She-Hulk. As the She-Hulk, she possessed powers similar to her cousin, though at a reduced level and with a less monstrous, more amazonian appearance. Jennifer's early adventures were chronicled in the 1980 Marvel Comics series The Savage She-Hulk, and were written by David Anthony Kraft after the first issue.

Although initially uncontrolled while in her form as She-Hulk, she eventually gained the same intelligence she had had as the normal Jennifer Walters. By the time the character's first anniversary arrived, she had made a guest appearance in Spidey Super Stories, and she was lucid enough as She-Hulk to encourage the Rhino to seek a fair trial for an alleged crime he had committed. Jennifer Walters quickly came to appreciate the confidence and assertiveness that had come with being She-Hulk. At this point in her character development, she felt more comfortable in her form as She-Hulk than in her "normal" form as Jennifer. After a brief solo career, she joined The Avengers and temporarily replaced the Thing in the Fantastic Four.

During her tenure with the Fantastic Four, the She-Hulk had to prevent a radiation leak in a downed S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. This radiation exposure apparently mutated Jennifer to the point that she could not transform back into her original form. But this was an agreeable turn of events for her, since she preferred her She-Hulk form anyway. It was revealed much later that the "genetic block" was in fact purely psychological, shortly before a similar block temporarily locked her in non-Hulk form.

After her Fantastic Four years, the She-Hulk rejoined the Avengers and joined the staff of District Attorney Blake Tower, where she met Louise "Weezi" Mason, formerly the Golden Age superheroine called the Blonde Phantom; during this period, she discovered that Mason had manipulated Towers into hiring She-Hulk so that Mason could again star in a comic book and thus avoid dying of old age. Mason's husband, also a former comic book character, had died three years ago, but other, more popular characters from the era, such as Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner, were still around and full of youthful vigor. Later, while doing legal work for Heroes for Hire, She-Hulk spent some time dating Luke Cage.

She-Hulk currently works as a lawyer for the Superhuman Law division of the New York law firm of Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway. Note that the law firm is partly named after founding fathers of Marvel Comics: publisher Martin Goodman; publisher, writer, and creator Stan Lee, whose original last name was Lieber; and artist Jack Kirby, whose original last name was Kurtzberg. While practicing at Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway, she gradually became comfortable as both She-Hulk and Jennifer Walters, realizing that she has much to offer the world in both her forms.

Powers and abilities

In her She-Hulk form, Jennifer possesses vast superhuman strength. When she transforms back and forth, she gains/loses considerable mass (much of it muscle) by an unknown means.

As She-Hulk, she is proportionally stronger than her Jennifer Walters form. This means that any extra strength gained as Jennifer Walters through intense physical training will be amplified, making her She-Hulk form that much stronger. This was shown when she single-handedly lifted the Thing's heaviest training weight (somewhere in the region of 100 tons) and successfully arm wrestled the demigod Hercules. (It should be noted that Hercules still does not have his full "godly" powers since it was removed by his father Zeus of Olympus.) She used this exponential strength and training to her advantage when she fought the Champion of the Universe on an alien world where court cases are decided in boxing arenas.

On first becoming She-Hulk, she had the ability to lift 50 tons under optimal conditions. Since then, she has increased her strength-level through training to the point where she can lift at least 100 tons. The She-Hulk's specific workout routine was described in Marvel Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue #1 (1991). At the time she appeared in that magazine, she used 30-ton weights for warmups, and she could lift a maximum of 75 tons just one, single time during the course of a workout, before fatigue set in. Assuming that She-Hulk's muscle-growth patterns are similar to those of normal humans, she can perform her maximum exertion only a few times per day, at most, without potentially hurting herself, but if she rests a day or two between routine workouts (which include brief periods of maximum exertion), her muscles gradually grow stronger during that rest time. The Marvel Illustrated article subtly implies that this is the case.

Thanks to training by the Ovoid alien race, She-Hulk can exchange her physical characteristics and powers with the physical characteristics and powers of another being by simply focusing on a mental image of the person and willing the transfer to take place. The actual intent of the Ovoid skill is to exchange the minds of the user and another being, but it was theorized by the Ovoid who trained the She-Hulk that some factor of her gamma-mutated physiology causes her use of this talent to manifest in a different way. It should be noted that she rarely uses this power; unless she initiates this exchange with another superhuman being, she will become basically human in ability, but still green-skinned and generally recognizable as the She-Hulk, and thus vulnerable to attack (a fact that the super-villainess Titania took advantage of the one time the She-Hulk did use this ability).

She-Hulk temporarily was granted a protective ability of sorts by her Avengers teammate, the Scarlet Witch, when She-Hulk's newest job required her to report to work as Jennifer Walters. The Scarlet Witch cast a spell with the intent that no one who had harmful intent towards the She-Hulk would be able to recognize her as Jennifer Walters, despite the fact that her identity as She-Hulk was largely public knowledge. However, the spell manifested itself a bit more extremely, actually rendering Jennifer Walters completely undetectable (invisible, inaudible, etc.) to the senses of anyone who wished to harm the She-Hulk. That had its advantages, certainly, but also had the downside that Jennifer was completely unable to communicate with anyone who harbored ill will towards the She-Hulk, even if she had information that might have been helpful or even life-saving to the individual. It would have been interesting to see whether the "harmful intent" provision applied only to those seeking to harm the She-Hulk and not to people intending to harm Jennifer Walters for reasons completely unconnected to her She-Hulk persona (such as criminals whom she successfully prosecuted and incarcerated). But the spell was eventually removed by Dr. Stephen Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe.

Skills

The She-Hulk is a good hand-to-hand combatant, having been trained by Captain America and Gamora in the past. Even in her smaller Jennifer Walters form, she has enough skill in the martial arts to dispatch such common nuisances as street muggers.

She-Hulk is also an extremely intelligent and highly skilled attorney. It should be noted, in terms of professional accomplishments, that the She-Hulk is one of few superheroines with a doctoral degree. She attended UCLA School of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif, a national merit society for top legal scholars. (Some issues of Savage She-Hulk also show that she attended Harvard's law school too. Perhaps she has a master of laws, or LL.M., degree from Harvard to go with her juris doctor, or J.D., from UCLA.) She has shown great versatility in her legal practice, representing criminal defendants, corporations and even domestic violence victims. Thus, in spite of her party-girl image, She-Hulk is a bona fide intellectual. She is also a pilot, as has been shown in multiple issues of Avengers and Fantastic Four.

Acknowledging She-Hulk's intellect does not mean that She-Hulk is above using her looks and sex appeal to tactical advantage in a fight. She did so against a then-single Hawkeye during a conflict in their early appearances together in Avengers. She-Hulk 100 (February 2006) also notes that she once distracted and destroyed some alien villains by having an accidental wardrobe malfunction, which revealed what official court testimony said was the largest bosom of any Marvel Universe heroine.

A major weakness for the She-Hulk is a habit of being late for appointments -- such as on the splash page of Avengers Unplugged #4 (April 1996). Because of habitual lateness, she once missed an opportunity to appear with other Avengers on a segment of the David Letterman talk show (Avengers 239).

Breaking the fourth wall

One interesting quirk of the She-Hulk is that she apparently has some form of "cross-dimensional" awareness, as Jennifer is capable of breaking through the so-called fourth wall. Some stories have revealed that she knows that she is a comic book character, a situation now virtually unique among mainstream Marvel superheroes. That awareness has allowed her to perform such oddities as tearing through the page and running over a page of advertisements in order to reach the otherwise-inaccessible control center of an enemy. On numerous instances, she even ended up arguing with the author of her comic, John Byrne, or appealed to the comic's editor at the time, Renée Witterstaetter, when Byrne appeared to be out of control.

It's worth noting that this awareness is dependent on circumstances beyond the fictional events in the Marvel Universe, and comes and goes on the whim of writers and editors. As a rule of thumb, it can be assumed that in any story that does not specifically mention or feature said ability, she is not aware of being a comic book character. Other characters write her off as delusional on this point.

Another strange form of penetrating the fourth wall appears in the latest She-Hulk series written by Dan Slott, where she is a lawyer specializing in superhuman law. Here, as has been previously established at various points in the Marvel Universe's past, Marvel Comics actually exist as licensed publications chronicling the real adventures of the world's superheroes. Since they bear the seal of The Comics Code Authority of America - a federal agency in the Marvel Universe, but only quasigovernmental in the real world - they are considered legal documents, which the characters are able to cite for legal cases (excepting comics published after Marvel ceased submitting their material to the CCA in 2001 and established an in-house rating system for their publications - a fact noted in Slott's stories). Here, comics readers inhabit the same basic universe as She-Hulk and her law firm, because readers have access to the same comics that she does. In one issue, while doing research for a case against the Roxxon corporation, Jennifer Walters discovers her origin issue, Savage She-Hulk #1. This conceit proved handy when the law office was destroyed and she needed to find information on Infinity Gems, so she visited a comic-book store. Additionally, previous writer John Byrne makes a brief cameo appearance in the main story of issue #3, volume 2 (or issue 100 following the original series' numbering), complaining about the continuity.

The same issue features a coda page after its reprint of the first John Byrne issue. In that segment, one of the characters asks Jennifer if she really can talk to the readers. Jennifer Walters coyly replies "No" while looking straight into the camera with a look that makes it clear she probably is aware of readers (or not, depending on each reader's personal interpretation).

However, she had multiple reasons not to acknowledge her awareness at the time. First, as a lawyer, Jennifer's law license -- and livelihood -- might be at stake if judicial authorities thought she was delusional. Second, she might scare away clients. Third, she was not testifying under oath in a judicial proceeding, and therefore she probably felt it was not worth discussing the matter outside such an official setting, where expert witnesses could vouch for her sanity. She-Hulk obviously is a sane, intelligent lawyer and under no obligation to volunteer potentially self-incriminating information.

It should be noted that many characters are aware of their likenesses being made into comic books, particularly members of public teams like the Fantastic Four and Avengers -- both of which have included She-Hulk as a member —- as they actually sign off on the comics. As another example, Steve Rogers (Captain America) was once the writer and artist of his own comic book. Conversely, comics based on "outlaw" characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men do exist, but are not accurate to the characters within the fictional universe, as information about their secret identities and other aspects of their lives are not public knowledge.

Other Marvel characters possessing the knowledge that they are characters in comic books include She-Hulk's friend Louise Mason, the Blonde Phantom, Loki, (sometimes) Rick Jones, Squirrel Girl, and Deadpool.

Relationships

In some respects, the She-Hulk's relationships with men have been defined by her dueling desires for independence and acceptance. Those desires preceded the She-Hulk's origin, and were evident in her often tempestuous relationship with her father, Los Angeles County Sheriff Morris Walters. Sheriff Walters, a widower whose wife was killed by mobsters, was overprotective of young Jennifer Walters in a way that often made him controlling and judgmental. Thus, Jennifer quickly developed a desire for independence from her father's control at the same time that she also desired his acceptance.

Sheriff Walters felt that the best way for Jennifer to live was for her to follow his values exactly. However, Jennifer grew up perceiving the gray areas of law enforcement, including the events leading up to riots which occurred in L.A. during her childhood. Jennifer decided to become a criminal-defense attorney, which she saw as a homage to her father, since he trained her to value justice so highly. Unfortunately, Sheriff Walters interpreted Jennifer's choice to defend criminals in court as a rejection of his values, and a danger to her well-being.

Jennifer Walters did make some dangerous personal and professional choices early in her career, with one such choice resulting in her being shot by gangsters. (This serious injury led to the fateful blood transfusion from Bruce Banner which transformed her into the She-Hulk). For a long time Jennifer saw her transformation as empowering, believing that whatever Jennifer Walters could not do, the She-Hulk could. Though she fiercely valued her independence, Jennifer also nurtured supportive relationships with her father and a childhood friend, Zapper, with whom she became romantically involved.

Being She-Hulk allowed Jennifer to express emotions which she was not otherwise comfortable revealing. For example, although her Jennifer Walters persona was restrained from dating a younger man, the She-Hulk personality freely expressed her affection for Zapper. During that same time, Jennifer pursued a problematic relationship with an affable ne'er-do-well named Richard Rory, whom the Jennifer personality seemed to prefer to Zapper, who actually valued her for who she really was.

Ultimately, She-Hulk's relationship with Zapper fell apart, primarily due to her insistence on remaining in her She-Hulk form on a continuous basis, eschewing the Jennifer Walters persona that Zapper had grown up with. Zapper believed that the choice to retain her form as the She-Hulk represented a rejection of much of Jennifer Walters' true self. Although in actuality the She-Hulk liberated much of Jennifer Walters' repressed personality, the She-Hulk persona also repressed certain aspects of Jennifer Walters' personality which She-Hulk found distasteful.

She later engaged in casual relationships with several characters, including an Avenger, Starfox (Avengers #234, August 1983). However, the story of She-Hulk's encounter with Starfox was retold in a flashback in She-Hulk volume 2 #7 (June 2006). In that storyline Starfox was on trial after being charged with sexually assaulting a married woman. After hearing testimony provided by a woman who — while allegedly under the influence Starfox's euphoria power — was as sexually forward as She-Hulk was during her encounter with Starfox, Jen started to doubt whether her own past encounter with Starfox had in fact been consensual. The extent to which Starfox exerted this power to facilitate his sexual encounter with She-Hulk was left unresolved.

She-Hulk had a flirtatious relationship with Hawkeye during her first tour of duty with the Avengers, which was while he was still a single man. She also flirted with Luke Cage when they were both members of Heroes for Hire; in Brian Michael Bendis's Alias (aimed at a mature audience) it was revealed that She-Hulk had slept with Cage in the past. She has also had a passionate one-night stand with the Juggernaut (which She-Hulk later claimed never happened).

In regards to longer-term relationships, the She-Hulk was briefly engaged to the younger Wyatt Wingfoot, whom she first met 12 days into her tenure with the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #269 (August 1984). She immediately seemed interested in Wyatt, but he initially referred to her as "this large lady," and seemed a bit bemused when they first shook hands. However, their relationship soon became a passionate one.

She-Hulk allowed herself to become open with Wyatt in a way that was previously unprecedented for her, letting down her guard and expressing her vulnerabilities as Wyatt supported her during a series of traumatic events. (A paparazzi took photos of her sunbathing topless in Fantastic Four 275, and some agents of S.H.I.E.L.D sexually harrassed her in Marvel Graphic Novel 18.) Although She-Hulk put forward a brave exterior during those incidents, she appreciated Wyatt's support.

She-Hulk deeply values forging close emotional ties with family, friends and lovers, but some storylines show that she seldom admits the depth of her need for these attachments. Years after her mother died, Jennifer Walters could not leave the family home that she grew up in at 1201 Valencia in Los Angeles. Even when her father moved out, Jennifer could not leave her family memories behind. The Avengers and Fantastic Four later become surrogate families for She-Hulk, and she forged strong bonds with them. Although, during her first tour of duty with the Avengers, She-Hulk complained that she needed her own place, separate from Avengers Mansion, she continued living there off and on until she had to be thrown out.

She-Hulk is currently in a relationship with John Jameson, the former Man-Wolf, whom she first met in a Microverse adventure in Savage She-Hulk. She shares an apartment with her colleague, Augustus "Pug" Pugliese, who holds an unspoken but obvious crush on her. The Marvel Westerns: Two-Gun Kid one-shot has Two-Gun Kid referring to her as Jennifer Walters-Jameson.

The Savage She-Hulk series established that the 6-foot, 7-inch, green She-Hulk can be in love with one person at the same time that the 5-foot, 10-inch, white Jennifer Walters is apparently in love with someone else. This may be partly due to biochemical, emotional and personality differences between the "two" women, despite the fact they share the same basic intellect. Real-world incidents of so-called 'roid rage are evidence that drastic changes in a person's biochemistry might affect personality, and it has long been established (if only on the TV version of The Incredible Hulk) that the process of "hulking out" can include huge surges of adrenaline, testosterone and epinephrine in varying degrees. (Epinephrine, the body's natural "pleasure drug," has been scientifically connected with romantic feelings.)

Publication history

At the one-year anniversary of the character, She-Hulk made a guest appearance in Spidey Super Stories # 50 (January 1981). Spidey Super Stories was a Spider-Man title marketed to children just learning to read. It was not part of the main marvel universe (for people too young to remember, Spidey Super Stories were sponsored by The Electric Company, a PBS show that featured a young Morgan Freeman and the first, ongoing live-action Spider-Man stories.) She-Hulk later met Spider-Man for the first time in the regular marvel universe in a Marvel Team-Up #107 (July 1981) in a story that seems to fit between issues #16 and 17 of the Savage She-Hulk series (published in May and June of 1981). That chronology is suggested by the behavior of Jennifer Walters' nemesis Assistant District Attorney Buck Bukowski, in spite of the fact the Savage She-Hulk issues in question were published right before the Marvel Team-Up issue.

The Savage She-Hulk series lasted until 1982 where it ended with #25 (March 1982). A few months later, the She-Hulk appeared in Marvel Two-in-One #88 (June 1982), in which she tried to seduce the Thing and helped him stop a supervillain who attacked a power plant. She also appeared in a three-issue limited series, Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions (June to August 1982), in which numerous superheroes were kidnapped from Earth to fight in space. That miniseries was sort of a low-rent predecessor of the more expansive, 12-issue Secret Wars miniseries a few years later. She-Hulk's main participation in Contest of Champions was a fight in issue #2 (July 1982).

Shortly after her post- Savage She-Hulk guest appearances, the She-Hulk became a member of the Avengers, in Avengers #221 (July 1982). Although Contest of Champions continued until August of that year, it was obvious that She-Hulk was not yet an Avenger during that miniseries' storyline.

She-Hulk joined the Avengers at the same time that Hawkeye rejoined. She also made occasional guest appearances in The Incredible Hulk, such as Incredible Hulk #282 (April 1983). Then, at the conclusion of the first Secret Wars miniseries, she joined the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #265 (April 1984). Avengers #243 (May 1984) also records the She-Hulk's return to Earth as a member of the Fantastic Four at the conclusion of the Secret Wars.

During She-Hulk's tenure with the Fantastic Four, she appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #18 in November 1985.

She regained a solo series in 1989, The Sensational She-Hulk. In 1990 she appeared in the two-issue She-Hulk: Ceremony. The Sensational She-Hulk lasted until issue #60 in February 1994, making it the longest-running She-Hulk series so far, and in fact the longest-running solo title of any female Marvel character up to that point, which lasted until Spider-Girl #61 in 2003. The She-Hulk retained her membership with the Avengers throughout the run of Sensational She-Hulk,

After the cancellation of her second solo series, the She-Hulk continued making backup and one-shot appearances -- such as in Marvel Fanfare (December 1989) and Avengers Unplugged #4 (April 1996) -- and made appearances in The Incredible Hulk (including December 1993) and The Avengers, plus a guest-starring role in a 1996 miniseries, Doc Samson. Her next major appearance was in May 2002, a one-shot called Thing and She-Hulk: The Long Night.

In 2004 She-Hulk was given a new title and launched in a wave of six new Marvel books. Despite favorable critical notices the new series could not escape the low sales numbers that both it and other titles received from their initial cluster-style launch. Marvel decided to give the book a second chance to find an audience. With a relaunch planned 8 months later, Marvel brought the series to a close with #12 and promised a relaunch of the title (as a "second season") eight months later. The eight month gap was alluded to in the body of the story itself.

Eight months later, like clockwork, the book returned as promised in October 2005, with the original creative team (Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo) from the previous series. The third issue was billed as the 100th issue of a She-Hulk comic book, and it had story art by numerous artists who sported their own interpretations of the character's looks. Among them was seminal She-Hulk artist, Mike Vosburg (who drew "Savage She-Hulk" #2 through #25). There was no new artwork by '80s and '90s She-Hulk legend John Byrne, but he was represented by featuring a complete reprint of his first solo issue of "Sensational She-Hulk." A reprint of "Savage She-Hulk" #1 was also included, featuring the story by Stan Lee and art of John Buscema.

Personality and costumes

Throughout the years, the She-Hulk has had numerous different appearances and costumes. One reason for her various outfits is because of her affiliations with different supergroups. The She-Hulk's personality has gone through significant changes as well; from aggressive and short-tempered, to free-spirited and vivacious. Due to the various outfit changes, no one costume can be considered iconic (compared to, for example, Superman's blue and red 'tights', or Spider-Man's red and blue costume and mask). Most fans recognize She-Hulk due to her green skin and long green hair.

In her first appearance, the She-Hulk was a massive, towering amazon, with wild, untamed, nearly waist-length hair. She wore a ragged white dress (the dress ripping and tearing as Walters turns into her giant alter-ego), and always went barefoot. By some miracle, that white garment, which was often only a blouse that Walters was wearing before her transformation, always stretched to hide all her unmentionables, in the same way that the Incredible Hulk's pants always survived to hide his private areas after a transformation. (Whether that's what really happens in the Marvel Universe, or is just the view of things redacted by government censors is a matter of debate. In an early issue of her second series, she is asked about this; she responds by showing that her clothes carry the label of the Comics Code. ) Her personality was quick-tempered, uninhibited, and at times fierce and ferocious -- especially when provoked. That look epitomized her 'savage' nature at that time.

When She-Hulk visited a high-priced dress shop during one of her "savage" appearances, and shredded a small outfit to make it fit her large frame, she was credited with starting the "ripped look," in which fashionistas later went crazy over ripped shirts, jackets and jeans.

After her 'Savage era', the She-Hulk joined the Avengers and began dressing in a one-piece aerobics suit, with leg warmers and sneakers. This look was most likely inspired by fashion trends of the 1980s. Another costume consisted of a purple, one-piece bathing suit type outfit, with a white belt and black boots worn during the Avengers era.

After the first Secret Wars, the She-Hulk took the place of The Thing to become a full fledged member of the Fantastic Four; her costume with the FF kept the sleeveless/legless "bathing suit" design, but incorporated the colors and style of the FF costumes of the time, with white gloves and boots. After leaving the Fantastic Four, she rejoined the Avengers, donning a white one-piece costume with the Avengers insignia emblazoned in blue.

More recently, the She-Hulk has worn a purple and white one-piece outfit similar to a swimsuit, with fingerless gloves and boots/sneakers. Her hair is often long and straight, as opposed to the long, thick, curly tresses she had in the past.

Her personality also went through changes over the years, from being ill-tempered and violent to being a fun-loving gentle soul who uses her humor when fighting. She even stated in one issue (The Sensational She-Hulk Vol. 2, #27, May 1991) after defeating a gigantic gargoyle, that she doesn't kill foes, especially beaten ones.

Ultimate She-Hulk

She-Hulk has yet to make an appearance in the Ultimate Marvel Universe although it is rumored that her ultimate incarnation will be introduced during or after the events occurring in Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk. The first issue of Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk features a scientist named Jennifer Walters, and in an earlier issue of The Ultimates 2 Bruce Banner's self-written eulogy at his funeral makes mention of a female cousin who is likely the same Jennifer Walters.

Appearances in other media

She-Hulk first appeared in television in the 1982 animated The Incredible Hulk series broadcast on NBC, where she was voiced by Victoria Carroll. This occurred in the eleventh episode entitled, "Enter: She-Hulk." This episode briefly dealt with She-Hulk's origin (an emergency blood transfusion), while had Bruce Banner seeking She-Hulk's help in retaining his mind when he transforms into the Hulk.

She-Hulk appeared in 1996 The Incredible Hulk animated series. She was voiced by Lisa Zane in season one and Cree Summer in season two. The series followed the comic book origins closely, having Jennifer Walters be Bruce Banner's cousin who receives a blood transfusion in a life and death situation. This caused her to become She-Hulk who pretty much becomes the Hulk's constant companion. She only appeared in two episodes in season one, but practically pushed Hulk aside for center stage in season two, going from a fun and interesting character to an over the top yet comical femme fatale in season two.

A live action motion picture was planned in the late 1980s. Marvel Comics had been interested in producing the film for several years due to the prior success of the Hulk television series. At the time Marvel Comics did not yet have the self-sustaining finances they have today to generate big budget films for their characters. Thus, they often sought out outside financial backers for various projects. The now bankrupt New World Pictures was one of the main studios used. Knowing that female characters were a harder sell on the big screen, Marvel Comics hired statuesque actress Brigitte Nielsen to pose for photos dressed in She-Hulk garb in order to give potential investors a visual idea of what can be done with the character. Brigitte had previously filmed a movie for Marvel Comics in 1985 (Red Sonja) and they felt she was the best candidate for the role. Not finding success with U.S. investors, Marvel took the photos to pitch the idea overseas to find little interest there as well. Alas the only real interest found were in comic book readers who discovered the photos printed in various magazines at the time.

The British comedy The Benny Hill Show once featured a character similar to She-Hulk in a brief sketch. A young woman sexually harassed at a bus stop gets angrier and angrier until she transforms into a savage creature that exacts revenge on her harassers.

Actress Jenny McCarthy provided a similar skit for her cancelled television series The Jenny McCarthy Show, in which she increasingly becomes angry in a restaurant until she becomes a blonde She-Hulk.

Bibliography

The Savage She-Hulk #1-25 (February, 1980 — February 1982)
Spidey Super Stories #50 (January 1981)
''Marvel Team-Up #107 (July 1981)
Marvel Two-in-One #88 (June 1982)
''Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions #1-3 (June to August 1982)
''Fantastic Four #265 and many subsequent issues, first as a regular, then sporadically (1984- )
Marvel Graphic Novel #18 (November 1985
Avengers #221 and numerous issues afterward, until Avengers Disassembled (July 1982 - 2004)
The Sensational She-Hulk #1-60 (May 1989 — February 1994)
Marvel Fanfare (December 1989)
She-Hulk: Ceremony #1-2 (1990)
''Marvel Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue #1 (1991)
''Doc Samson #1 and subsequent issues (1996)
Thing and She-Hulk: The Long Night oneshot (May, 2002)
She-Hulk #1-12 (May, 2004 — April, 2005)
She-Hulk, season 2, #1-8 - (fourth solo title, with the third issue dual numbered as #100 to signify the 100th issue of a She-Hulk comic book, October 2005 - )

Collected editions

The Sensational She-Hulk (ISBN 0871358921)
Avengers: The Search for She-Hulk (ISBN 0785112022)
- 2004; reprints Avengers (vol.3) #71-76
She-Hulk v1: Single Green Female trade paperback (ISBN 0785114432)
- 2005; reprints She-Hulk (2004 series) #1-6
She-Hulk v2: Superhuman Law trade paperback (ISBN 0785115706)
- 2005; reprints She-Hulk (2004 series) #7-12
She-Hulk v3: Time Trials trade paperback (ISBN 0785117954)
- 2006; reprints She-Hulk (2005 series) #1-5
Essential The Savage She-Hulk (ISBN 0785123350)
- 2006; reprints The Savage She-Hulk #1-25

External links

She-Hulk - Marvel Database Project
Marvel.com She-Hulk entry
She-Hulk entry at Don Markstein's Toonopedia
She-Hulk's Profile at Women of Marvel Comics
Comprehensive history of She-Hulk

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