The Sensational She-Hulk #2 (June 1989)

Since March is Women's History Month, I wanted to look at a comic focused on a superheroine. Now there's no shortage of lady superheroes out there, so it was quite a decision. I've shouted out quite a few lady heroes on this blog before, but my love of the 1980s drove me to take another look at the Marvel Universe's resident glamorous green Amazon lawyer: Jennifer Walters, the original She-Hulk.

Ol' Jenny has been featured on this blog before. Both in solo adventures and as a member of the Avengers. In fact, back in June of 2022, I took a look at the first issue of her second solo series. I enjoyed the issue, so where did our heroine go from here? And what have the Headmen planned next for her? Let's find out in Sensational She-Hulk #2!

The cover is a John Byrne and Jack Kirby piece. Now there's a collaboration right there. Well, the Kirby co-credit is because Shulkie is shown enjoying a copy of Incredible Hulk #2 (July 1962), which Kirby drew the interior art and cover of. The cover really fits the tone Byrne is going for, She-Hulk enjoying a comic, while lightly poking a bit of fun at some of the earlier wackiness of the Marvel Universe...as a group of seemingly actual Toad Men get ready to fill her with hot lasers. It's a good cover. 

"Attack of the Terrible Toad Men (or Froggy Came Cavortin')"
Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: John Workman
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

The story begins with Jennifer being shown a nice new NYC apartment by her fellow femme fatale Avenger Janet Van Dyne, aka the Wasp. She's been spending more time in California with Hank Pym with the West Coast Avengers, and she's all too happy to let Jennifer have the place. However, as the tradition in a superhero comic book, there are some vile villains plotting against our lovely green heroine in the background.

"It's good to appear in a story."

Yes, the Headmen from the last issue. You may also remember Ruby Thursday from her cameo in my review of Deathlok #2 (August 1991) from a couple weeks earlier in honor of Black History Month. They've found someone new to test out Shulkie for an unknown purpose. But enough of that, back to the apartment! 

Jan shows Jen around. And when Jenny asks if the neighbors will complain to the landlord about a former Avenger being around (after all, there are plenty of villains who'd want a piece of Shulkie), Jan says not to worry. After all, she is the landlord. 

That night, Jenny decides to enjoy some popcorn and catch up on some TV. In the morning, she'll look for some work. Suddenly, the Plot Convenience News Network cuts in, announcing that flying saucers have appeared over Manhattan. Oh no, they're here to kidnap the yuppies! Not the yuppies!

Jennifer notes there is something familiar about these ships. One of the ships blasts at her, and some of a ship's occupants come down.

"I don't even get to fight good-looking evil aliens!"

Meet the Tribbitites, aka the Toad Men. They first debuted in Incredible Hulk #2 (July 1962), the comic She-Hulk was reading on the cover. Their names tend to be frog/toad-themed. Elsewhere, we're introduced to a lady who be one of She-Hulk's best friends during this run: a Louise "Weezy" Mason. She shows Jennifer's qualifications to Manhattan DA Blake Tower. And she is exactly what he's looking for... 

Meanwhile, Jennifer and the Toad Men are...

"Too bad it's 1989. A smartphone or Nintendo Switch would have been really handy right now."

Oh. They were waiting to be the focus again. Since we're back, they go back to fighting. She-Hulk notices that something is very odd about this invasion, and it's not just that the other heroes of New York are not springing into action. The ships seem to be just...floating around. No movement, no firing on people and/or buildings. The Toad Men Jennifer is fighting seem to be the only ground troopers. There should be tons of them in the city. During the battle, Jennifer's sweater gets shot to pieces, giving us a bit of fanservice. She angrily grabs one of the Toad Men's guns and crushes it, realizing that it's a regular assault rifle dolled up to look like a ray gun. Yeah, this invasion's a fake!

The Toad Men also are speaking English, making Jennifer realize they're just dwarves (very short people, not the fantasy creatures) in costumes. One of the men seemingly jumps to his death, but that's a trick, too. The backdrop is nothing more than a gigantic matte painting...hanging from a dirigible.

Selling their stuff in the multiverse has been a big boon for Acme.

All of this points to one villain: the malevolent Mysterio. Which makes sense. This stuff is right up Quentin Beck's alley. The fake invasion, the use of matte paintings, people in costumes, special effects, this is all the kind of Hollywood movie magic that is his modus operandi. He uses his tech to try and disorient our heroine, but our dear Jenny got brains to match that green bod of hers. She knows his style, so she ignores the illusions, digs into the solid ground under her feet (Well, the floor of the dirigible under her feet at the very least), and uses it to flip Mysterio off his feet. 

She goes to send him to dreamland with a Mighty Punch, but he has one last trick up his sleeve, a bit of sleeping gas, and our heroine is down for the count.

Now that Shulkie is taking an unintentional nap, Mysterio takes her to the Headmen's hideout. Gorilla-Man offers Mysterio membership in the Headmen, but he's not interested. He just enjoyed the challenge of faking an alien invasion...and he wants the money. He gets his money and leaves.

Shrunken Bones remarks that ol' Quentin is not going to be a very happy supervillain when he realizes that the money is fake. But that's another matter. So, why are the Headmen after Shulkie? Well, it's because of one of their comrades.

Meet Chondu the Mystic. After the events of Defenders Annual #1 (1976), ol' Chondu's mind hasn't been, well, in the best of shape. The other Headmen figure that maybe putting him on top of a more humanoid body would help him get back to sanity. Now you may be thinking, "wait, why not put him on Hulk's body"? Well, I figured it like this. Yes, Jennifer is not as physically powerful as her cousin (especially since he has that whole 'angrier he gets, the stronger he gets' thing and our Green Gal Jenny generally doesn't), but she is hardly a 90-pound weakling by human standards. She is a powerhouse in her own right. Not to mention that her gamma mutation (remember, this is decades before The Immortal Hulk introduced the Green Door concept) tends to be more stable than Bruce's. She's essentially a compromise. 

The story ends with Gorilla-Man intending to make the cruelest cut. He starts bringing down a circular saw on our heroine's neck...

I admit, I enjoyed this issue. One thing I liked was showing that Shulkie was able to peg the "invasion" as being a fake pretty quickly. I also liked the usage of lesser-known characters like the Headmen. I know that Mysterio's plan does raise a lot of questions about its execution. How did Mysterio learn of the Toad Men? Where did he get the equipment and resources to pull this fake invasion off? Thing is, you're not supposed to think about that kind of stuff in a story like this, as this comic is playing it all for laughs. It's John Byrne using some of the wackier parts of Marvel's mythos to poke a bit of light-hearted fun at it. I got a good chuckle out of the panels of the complaints of the editors of the book at the time. 

If you want to read this story for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2011 trade paperback The Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne Vol. 1. It also can be found in the 2022 trade paperback She-Hulk Epic Collection Vol. 3: Breaking the Fourth Wall. Thanks for reading this blog entry! 

The Sensational She-Hulk #1 (May 1989)

In 1980, Stan Lee and John Buscema would debut a certain new addition to the Marvel Universe. Once upon a time, Jennifer Walters was an ordinary lawyer...with a bit of an extraordinary relation. She happened to be the cousin of one Robert Bruce Banner, aka the Green Goliath, the Smashing Machine, the Incredible Hulk. 

When an attempted mob hit resulted in her getting grievously injured, Bruce Banner was forced to perform an emergency blood transfusion on her to save her life. Banner's gamma radiation-infused blood would transform the mousy lawyer into a green-skinned green-haired powerhouse in her own right. She's been savage, she's been sensational, but through it all, she's been known as the She-Hulk. 

She-Hulk would be the last Stan Lee co-creation Marvel would debut for over a decade. The character was inspired by the success of the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk TV show, as well as the Bionic Woman TV series. Marvel was concerned that the TV show producers would try and create a female version of the Hulk, much like the producers did for the Six Million Dollar Man. That's right, Jen Walters literally came about for the sake of Marvel having the rights to a female version of the Hulk.

Despite that, the She-Hulk has gone on to be one of the Marvel Universe's most beloved heroines. She's served as an Avenger, a member of the Fantastic Four, a Defender, and a Heroine for Hire. And much like her cousin, her gamma-based mutation has taken her from being a green super-strong supermodel to a monster and back again. 

Since she's getting her own mini-series on Disney+ (marking her debut in the mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe), I thought it would be fun to take a look at a comic starring the Gamma-Green Glamazon. This comic is actually the first issue of her second solo series. Her first one, Savage She-Hulk, went from 1980-82, lasting 25 issues. From there, Jennifer would go on to be a part of the cast of the Avengers, and after the events of the first Secret Wars, would join the Fantastic Four as their resident powerhouse for a while. In 1985, she would be a central character of one of Marvel Graphic Novel #18: The Sensational She-Hulk. John Byrne wrote and drew the graphic novel, which alongside her appearance in Avengers #233 (July 1983), helped begin Byrne's long association with the character. The graphic novel's title would be reused for her second series, which lasted 60 issues. At the time, it was the longest-running Marvel comic book centered on a female hero. 

In the years since, She-Hulk has gone on to appear in numerous other media outside of comics, like cartoons and video games. And so, with that out of the way, let's look at Sensational She-Hulk #1!

The cover is a John Byrne piece. It's a simple cover, but it's become one of Marvel's more iconic comic covers, having been homaged in other comics. it does help set the tone of the series, having Jennifer break the fourth wall.

"Second Chance"
Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: John Workman
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

The story begins with our heroine, Ms. Jennifer Walters, working out at a circus. 

"488...489...490...500!"

You see, due to our heroine being...a bit more physically powerful than the average person, she has special needs when it comes to working out. And using elephants on an improvised barbell is perfect for that.

Despite this, Jen points out that she's not even close to the physical feats her cousin Bruce could pull off as the Hulk. We get a flashback to the Incredible Hulk posing as a robot called Mechano all the way back in Avengers #1 (September 1963). However, our heroine falls into a bit of a trap. You see, this circus is not an ordinary circus. It's the Circus of Crime, and it's led by a Maynard Tiboldt, aka the Ringmaster.

"I think I'll make you do the Dance of Joy!"

Using the hypnotic disk in his top hat, the Ringmaster has got Shulkie under his spell. One of the Circus members points out that the group owes three million dollars to an unknown party. Elsewhere, a group is observing the Circus. One of the group members has reservations about this plan, but another tells him not to worry. It'll be fine. 

While under the spell of the Ringmaster, She-Hulk tells the Circus of Crime of the origins of the Incredible Hulk. This leads to telling them of how she became the She-Hulk, thanks to a blood transfusion from Bruce to save her life. Since then, Jen's served as a member of the Avengers and then the Fantastic Four. During her time with the FF, she got an extra dose of gamma radiation, which caused her to lose her power to shift between her She-Hulk and human forms. She's now stuck in the form of the She-Hulk. 

There's a lot of money for the Circus of Crime involved in this. They were hired to "test" She-Hulk for unknown reasons. Around a cool three million, according to Eliot Franklin, aka the Clown.

Tiboldt figures that there's a way to make a little extra off her in the process. All Jen needs is a new look.

"Just to let you know Maynard, my usual fee will be doubled for this job. LOT of makeup."

Behold, the Circus of Crime's newest performer: Glamazonia! And that night, the Circus shows off their newest exhibit.

"Please keep your hands and feet in the stands, folks."

Using her strength (and a little help from the Ringmaster's hypnotic hat), the hypnotized She-Hulk shakes the loot out of the circus-goers' pockets. After the show, the Circus is counting up their ill-gained money, when a wild circus wagon careens towards them. However, it's easily handled by Jennifer. The Ringmaster believes that the newly-returned Princess Python caused it, as she was none-too-happy with them bringing She-Hulk in. Bruto, the Circus's resident strongman, notices that a gorilla has escaped. The Ringmaster sends Jennifer to recapture it...only for Bruto to remember the Circus has no gorillas.

The gorilla is able to get past the disguised She-Hulk, and get the Ringmaster's hypnotic hat. It's revealed that this gorilla can also talk. He uses the hat to free the heroine from Ringmaster's control. She then realizes who the Circus of Crime are and easily traps them for the arriving police.

At the police station, Jennifer is able to get cleaned up and some proper clothes. She goes to see the Circus of Crime members in the holding cells. Remember that three million dollars that the Clown mentioned earlier? Well, that was going to be their payment for testing She-Hulk's powers. They have no idea who hired them, as the deal was done through intermediaries. Jennifer grumbles that it'll take another two issues for her to learn who hired them...but we get to learn on the very next page. 

Back at the unknown location, it was revealed that one of the figures watching Shulkie was the one who alerted the police. Her capturing the Circus allowed the gorilla to escape unnoticed. The gorilla then removes his head, revealing it was a mask. And the villains stand revealed, just like Jennifer promised.

Ruby Thursday! Shrunken Bones! Gorilla-Man! Chondu the Mystic! They are...the Headmen! A group of minor villains, the Headmen first appeared in Defenders #21 (September 1974).

I enjoyed this comic. This comic basically sets the tone for Byrne's run on the book. It's not quite got the comedic tones yet, but it does have a couple of things that are associated with this era: The usage of obscure Silver Age-era (and the more...wackier) villains, and She-Hulk breaking the fourth wall. Yeah, Deadpool is more known for doing that these days, but She-Hulk did it first. In fact, she points it out in one of her win quotes (against Deadpool, naturally) in Marvel vs. Capcom 3. 

If you want to read this for yourself, I highly recommend tracking down the 2011 trade paperback The Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne Vol. 1. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves, and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get your vaccine/boosters! See you next time!

She-Hulk Trailer, My Thoughts

The Mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe marches on! As part of its fourth phase, the MCU has had sic-episode TV miniseries focusing on various characters. They've had the purpose of giving some spotlight to characters that didn't get to appear much in the films or introduce new characters that will be appearing in the MCU in the future. So far, there have been six: WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the first season of Loki, What If...?, Hawkeye, and Moon Knight. And now, this seventh mini-series is going to be focused on a character that has been a beloved part of the Marvel Universe over nearly fifty years: The Sensational She-Hulk!

First appearing in The Savage She-Hulk #1 (February 1980), Jennifer Walters was once an ordinary lawyer until she was wounded by cronies of a crime boss and needed a blood transfusion. Having no one else compatible around, Bruce Banner was formed to transfuse some of his own blood into her. His gamma-mutated blood gave Jennifer the power to transform into a gamma-green powerhouse like her cousin. 

The She-Hulk has been hanging around the MU ever since then, and has even gone on to appear in cartoons and video games. But now, she's coming to the MCU, with Tatiana Maslany portraying her. Let's look at the trailer for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law!

 Ahhh, looks like it'll be a beautiful night in the city. Nothing crazy could possibly happen...

...I spoke too soon.

"We need to get She-Hulk drunk! Nothing bad could come of this!"

Ah, I see they're going to be drawing from Dan Slott's She-Hulk run. I oughta read that sometime. Heard it was really good.

Hey, Tim Roth! I love that's just sitting there like, "Hey, how you doing?" I wonder if his jailers know that he's also been fighting in that club in Macau.

She ain't wrong. 

Run, Bruce! Ruuuuuuun!

You know, considering we've seen Bruce in both his human and Hulk forms post-Endgame, I can't help but wonder if he can change forms at will now.

Fun fact: She-Hulk has served in both the Avengers and in the Fantastic Four.

Most families bond by road trips. Hulk families bond by leaping great lengths. And smashing things.

Frog-Man! I love Frog-Man! And he's got a neat Power Ranger-like costume! I dig it!

I friggin' love Frog-Man. If I ever get to write for Marvel, I am so making him an Avenger. Because Frog-Man is awesome. 

I personally would write Titania as talking like a Scott Steiner promo. "YOU KNOW THEY SAY ALL WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL! BUT YOU LOOK AT ME AND YOU LOOK AT SHE-HULK AND YOU SEE THAT STATEMENT IS JUST NOT TRUE!" 

"SHE-HULK WANT SNU SNU!" 

Well, I have to admit, I want to give this a watch. I've heard people complain about the CGI, but I'm not too worried about it. They're likely still working on it until the show is released. I think this will be a fun show!

Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get your vaccination and booster! See you next time!