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The Savage She-Hulk #1–25
Essential Savage She-Hulk, Vol. 1
She's been an FF member, an Avenger and the sharpest attorney in the superhuman halls of justice. Now see She-Hulk's starting point in this complete compilation of her first series. Collects Savage She-Hulk #1-25.
552 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 1982
8 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,559 books2,334 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 19, 2018
This book collects Issues 1-25 of the Savage She-Hulk. It's argued that the book is truly not "essential." In one way, there's a good argument to be had because these stories aren't "essential" in the way that early Spider-man, Avengers, or Fantastic Four stories are. These are not necessary to understanding anything.
But there's also a case to be made on the other side. Issue 1 is written Stan Lee and She-Hulk was the last hero to be created by Stan Lee for Marvel back in 1979. In addition, during the 1980s, She-Hulk would replace Ben Grimm on the Fantastic Four and then join the Avengers, so her start is important.
I'd also disagree that this is typical comic book fare. Certainly, there's an element of that, but when I compare this to the Spider-woman book that a couple years before, this stands out as far different. For one thing, after Lee and John Bouscema created the original story, She-Hulk had one writer and one penciler for the remainder of the book which is rare. David Anthony Kraft took She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters on a journey as a character that was fascinating. At the beginning of the book, her life is actually pretty good, but then her cousin Bruce Banner gives her a transfusion of his gamma-irradiated blood and her professional and personal life go downhill forcing her to confront issues in her life. Instead, Jennifer submerges herself in the She-hulk identity. tt's a fascinating twenty-four issue character arc. At the same time, there's a very strong plot arc that runs through the last half of the book parallel to her character story with some plots (such as her Dad's scheming girlfriend) playing out over most of the book. It's impressive structure you don't see in most comics. Keeping all these character and plot threads working together is very hard but Kraft does a great job pulling it off and making this book seem unlike a collection of disjointed comics and more like a single saga.
Another thing that's striking about this book is how few guest appearances there are. Guest appearances by big players in the Marvel universe were a popular wait to boost numbers. Yet, this book features a scant few: Iron Man, Man-Thing, Man-Wolf, and Michael Morbious are the biggest names you'll find. You won't find a ton of citations to other books, unlike other series which seemed to be a dumping ground for cast-off heroes and villains. Kraft really seemed to want this book to be about She-Hulk and really focus on that character.
She-hulk faces her own villains, and her own demons too, wrapping up in a super double-sized Issue 25 that resolves both character and plot arcs.
Sometimes the book delves into melodrama and there are some cheesy moments, but this was a well-crafted unified series that makes for some wonderful reading as we get to see the woman who would become one of Marvel's most lasting 1980s innovations.
But there's also a case to be made on the other side. Issue 1 is written Stan Lee and She-Hulk was the last hero to be created by Stan Lee for Marvel back in 1979. In addition, during the 1980s, She-Hulk would replace Ben Grimm on the Fantastic Four and then join the Avengers, so her start is important.
I'd also disagree that this is typical comic book fare. Certainly, there's an element of that, but when I compare this to the Spider-woman book that a couple years before, this stands out as far different. For one thing, after Lee and John Bouscema created the original story, She-Hulk had one writer and one penciler for the remainder of the book which is rare. David Anthony Kraft took She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters on a journey as a character that was fascinating. At the beginning of the book, her life is actually pretty good, but then her cousin Bruce Banner gives her a transfusion of his gamma-irradiated blood and her professional and personal life go downhill forcing her to confront issues in her life. Instead, Jennifer submerges herself in the She-hulk identity. tt's a fascinating twenty-four issue character arc. At the same time, there's a very strong plot arc that runs through the last half of the book parallel to her character story with some plots (such as her Dad's scheming girlfriend) playing out over most of the book. It's impressive structure you don't see in most comics. Keeping all these character and plot threads working together is very hard but Kraft does a great job pulling it off and making this book seem unlike a collection of disjointed comics and more like a single saga.
Another thing that's striking about this book is how few guest appearances there are. Guest appearances by big players in the Marvel universe were a popular wait to boost numbers. Yet, this book features a scant few: Iron Man, Man-Thing, Man-Wolf, and Michael Morbious are the biggest names you'll find. You won't find a ton of citations to other books, unlike other series which seemed to be a dumping ground for cast-off heroes and villains. Kraft really seemed to want this book to be about She-Hulk and really focus on that character.
She-hulk faces her own villains, and her own demons too, wrapping up in a super double-sized Issue 25 that resolves both character and plot arcs.
Sometimes the book delves into melodrama and there are some cheesy moments, but this was a well-crafted unified series that makes for some wonderful reading as we get to see the woman who would become one of Marvel's most lasting 1980s innovations.
September 2, 2023
This was a great series for me. It made me understand the character a bit better and showed a more "savage" side to a character that I have largely seen from a comedic side. My intention is to go to her next series at some point and time.
I will also admit that at times this feels very corny and you can tell that the stories were from around the 70s to 80s era of comics because characters that are seen here do not seem like characters you would see in more modern superhero fare. It was cheesy, but also worth reading.
I will also admit that at times this feels very corny and you can tell that the stories were from around the 70s to 80s era of comics because characters that are seen here do not seem like characters you would see in more modern superhero fare. It was cheesy, but also worth reading.
December 1, 2021
I agree with the general consensus of the reviews I've read, which is this is better than you'd expect. While it has its silly moments of melodrama, overall this was a well done series. Other than the first issue which was written by Stan Lee, David Anthony Kraft wrote (I think) every issue. That did help keep the story steady. The art was also mostly by Mike Vosburg, although he did have a variety of inkers.
The ending was a little bit of a downer surprisingly so since it seemed out of place in a Marvel comic wrap up. But overall this was a good series that at least had a nice ending rather than just an abrupt one due to cancellation.
We also had Morbius the Living Vampire show up in several issues, although it was a more low key appearance than usual.
This series is proof that consistency can go a long way. Good series.
The ending was a little bit of a downer surprisingly so since it seemed out of place in a Marvel comic wrap up. But overall this was a good series that at least had a nice ending rather than just an abrupt one due to cancellation.
We also had Morbius the Living Vampire show up in several issues, although it was a more low key appearance than usual.
This series is proof that consistency can go a long way. Good series.
November 6, 2013
Once again the Marvel Essentials line has ventured rather astray of its entitled goal. The Savage She-Hulk was never an "essential" Marvel title, though the character and the stories in this book are fun.
One of the interesting things about this collection is that nearly the entire book is pencilled by artist Mike Vosburg, who did a lot of work for Warren and DC, as well as doing G.I. Joe and Sisterhood of Steel also at Marvel. The black-and-white format lets a reader see exactly how an inker can change the penciller's work, for good and bad, as a variety of inkers finish Vosburg's work on Savage She-Hulk.
Richard Rory and Man-Wolf/Stargod also make interesting guest stars in the series. It's a nice read for an afternoon, and probably costs just a little less than the original issues in the quarter bin, but it's not "Essential Marvel" by any stretch of the imagination.
One of the interesting things about this collection is that nearly the entire book is pencilled by artist Mike Vosburg, who did a lot of work for Warren and DC, as well as doing G.I. Joe and Sisterhood of Steel also at Marvel. The black-and-white format lets a reader see exactly how an inker can change the penciller's work, for good and bad, as a variety of inkers finish Vosburg's work on Savage She-Hulk.
Richard Rory and Man-Wolf/Stargod also make interesting guest stars in the series. It's a nice read for an afternoon, and probably costs just a little less than the original issues in the quarter bin, but it's not "Essential Marvel" by any stretch of the imagination.
June 28, 2013
Reprints Savage She-Hulk #1-25 (February 1980-February 1982). Jennifer Walters finds herself transforming into the savage She-Hulk after an emergency blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner...the incredible Hulk! While She-Hulk possesses more of her intelligence, Jennifer finds that the stressful life of a defense attorney is causing her problems and soon discovers that each transformation into She-Hulk could be pushing her closer to death.
Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, She-Hulk’s first series (often just referred to as She-Hulk (Volume 1), but technically titled Savage She Hulk) was written and illustrated primarily by David Anthony Kraft and Mike Vosburg. The series introduced the She-Hulk character and ran for twenty-five issues.
She-Hulk was one of my earliest comics that really got me reading. I had first seen the character in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and the Incredible Hulk cartoon and then learned she was a real character in Fantastic Four (1) #268 (July 1984) which provided an alternate origin issue. Learning this seemingly minor character actually had her own series, I bought the early issues at the comic book store.
It is too bad that She-Hulk didn’t have a better run. The first ten to twelve issues of this series are quite good and both Jennifer Walters and She-Hulk are developed as nice characters. The “teen” run of this book is pretty weak and has characters like Elephant Man and appearances by Hellcat and Man-Wolf (who do later play into the She-Hulk mythology in other titles). The last portion of the collection is a multi-part story and can be quite confusing at points...plus the series ends with some open threads that never were resolved (Buck’s remorse on causing Jill’s death and Beverly’s plans to ruin Sheriff Morris).
I like the She-Hulk character in general. The book however didn’t bring in great guest-stars. The biggest player in the twenty-five issue run is Iron Man in Savage She-Hulk #6 (July 1980), and Iron Man wasn’t very popular at that point. I am a fan of Man-Thing and Morbius who also appeared early, but they were also bit players at the time.
The art is so-so. Despite being primarily by Mike Vosburg, sometimes Vosburg’s art is very good and other times it is pretty weak. I don’t know if the book was rushed, but some issues are nicely blocked and designed while others seem confusing and blockly.
Essential Savage She-Hulk Volume 1 (which is a misnomer since there wasn’t more Savage She-Hulk to necessitate a Savage She-Hulk Volume 2) is a fun read to see the start of a character that evolved past her roots. She-Hulk left her own series to eventually join the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and later regained her own series in the Sensational She-Hulk...a comedy book which hopefully will someday be collected as well.
Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, She-Hulk’s first series (often just referred to as She-Hulk (Volume 1), but technically titled Savage She Hulk) was written and illustrated primarily by David Anthony Kraft and Mike Vosburg. The series introduced the She-Hulk character and ran for twenty-five issues.
She-Hulk was one of my earliest comics that really got me reading. I had first seen the character in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and the Incredible Hulk cartoon and then learned she was a real character in Fantastic Four (1) #268 (July 1984) which provided an alternate origin issue. Learning this seemingly minor character actually had her own series, I bought the early issues at the comic book store.
It is too bad that She-Hulk didn’t have a better run. The first ten to twelve issues of this series are quite good and both Jennifer Walters and She-Hulk are developed as nice characters. The “teen” run of this book is pretty weak and has characters like Elephant Man and appearances by Hellcat and Man-Wolf (who do later play into the She-Hulk mythology in other titles). The last portion of the collection is a multi-part story and can be quite confusing at points...plus the series ends with some open threads that never were resolved (Buck’s remorse on causing Jill’s death and Beverly’s plans to ruin Sheriff Morris).
I like the She-Hulk character in general. The book however didn’t bring in great guest-stars. The biggest player in the twenty-five issue run is Iron Man in Savage She-Hulk #6 (July 1980), and Iron Man wasn’t very popular at that point. I am a fan of Man-Thing and Morbius who also appeared early, but they were also bit players at the time.
The art is so-so. Despite being primarily by Mike Vosburg, sometimes Vosburg’s art is very good and other times it is pretty weak. I don’t know if the book was rushed, but some issues are nicely blocked and designed while others seem confusing and blockly.
Essential Savage She-Hulk Volume 1 (which is a misnomer since there wasn’t more Savage She-Hulk to necessitate a Savage She-Hulk Volume 2) is a fun read to see the start of a character that evolved past her roots. She-Hulk left her own series to eventually join the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and later regained her own series in the Sensational She-Hulk...a comedy book which hopefully will someday be collected as well.
August 16, 2022
First off, let me say that She-Hulk is one of my favourite Marvel characters. I love the Sensational She-Hulk series where John Byrne had her breaking the 4th wall long before Deadpool was a twinkling in Rob Liefeld's eye. Dan Slott's run further cemented the irreverent fun of the character and built upon her being a lawyer to explore what the law means in a World of superhuman, supernatural and other super-surreal shenanigans. Presently, Rainbow Rowell seems to have take the baton successfully from these two and their influence looks like it's all over the upcoming Disney show too. However, this is sadly not the case with her first outing as Savage She-Hulk where she struggles against gangsters who would cause the modern Shulkie to break a sweat, corny villains (Man-Elephant anyone?) which Byrne would later use in a tongue-in-cheek manner, and being torn between a two-time loser and a guy who she used to babysit when she was a kid! Really one for completists who want to know the full story of Jennifer Walters, but there is so much better material that came later and stood the test of time. unlike this, I'm sorry to say.
October 30, 2020
This really is an essential read for fans of She-Hulk. It covers the entire run of Savage She-Hulk, which is where it all began for the character. As with anything written in the 70s, a few things are a bit dated. And anyone who has read older comics knows that they can be pretty wordy (though that's often a good thing). But a lot of what's in these early issues still holds true for the current version of the character.
May 3, 2015
I enjoyed this way more than most Essentials. Probably because it's more contemporary then most of them so the writing was more even.
It was a good origin story. The supporting cast was good, but her foes (super powered or otherwise) were pretty forgettable.
It was a good origin story. The supporting cast was good, but her foes (super powered or otherwise) were pretty forgettable.
April 18, 2017
I was about 13 to 15 when SAVAGE SHE-HULK was coming out in the early 1980s. I bought this title and its kissing cousin DAZZLER along with all the usual suspects like Spidey and the FF. When I saw the entire 25-issue run in an Essential volume priced right at $7.99 in my local HPB, I bought it and looked forward to letting the nostalgia charm me.
And it did! Not that I enjoyed the series as much as I did as a teenager. Fifty-year-olds were never the target audience for this series, which I saw clearly now was a soap opera with a thin veneer of super-heroics. The first issue is an aberration--and nothing Stan Lee bragged about afterwards, I'm sure. For me, the series really starts and belongs wholly to David Anthony Kraft (whose run on THE DEFENDERS rivals Steve Gerber's) and Mike Vosburg, a winning team who worked together for 24 straight issues and brought the series a continuity lacking in many other titles.
I also saw in the rereading the many parallels to SPIDER-MAN, such as Sheriff Walters' irrational loathing of She-Hulk similar to J. Jonah Jameson's for Spider-Man. Zapper and Richard Rory were the male equivalents of Gwen and Mary Jane. There was even a Spider Slayer-type machine in one issue! Goofy characters like the Man-Elephant stirred up good memories of the Rhino. The soap opera got too sudsy in the Lee-Romita years, and it does here, too. Zapper whining about Jen not taking him seriously since she used to be his babysitter wore thin (and was a little creepy, to boot!). I also grew weary of Rory's self-flagellation about being a loser (and he was one after foolishly squandering a cool million!). Buck was a fun character and a formidable foil until he degenerated into a pathetic basket case after realizing his inadvertent role in Jen's friend's death. I was frustrated by his character being back benched and then all but forgotten in the finale.
Admittedly, reading one issue a night makes more evident the shortcomings than if I read an issue a month as originally published. But it also helped me keep track of the many subplots, like Sheriff Walters' gold-digging Jezebel of a fiancée.
My favorite story was the Man-Wolf saga, probably because it guest starred Hellcat and featured the Shadow Cloak that figured large in THE DEFENDERS. I also liked the Morbius story and how Jen ably defended him. It did get maudlin with the grief-crazed parents who tried to assassinate Morbius. My least favorite story was the "very special issue of She-Hulk" about microwave towers that just didn't fit. Biggest disappointment was Man-Thing appearance. I loved Gerber's run and even Claremont's admirable effort at a revival, and it's clear Kraft tried valiantly to capture the spirit of those Gerber issues, but it just fell flat. Cool cover on that issue, though!
On the artwork, I really like Mike Vosburg, and I liked his teaming up with DAZZLER artist Frank Springer for the bulk of the issues (even if the black-and-white reproduction made obvious all the short cuts they took). Yeah, She-Hulk's face changed a lot, even scene to scene in the same issue, but the series demonstrated how to draw comics the Marvel Way--dynamic and visually exciting, even when people are just standing around talking (like in the series' many courtroom scenes).
I knew I couldn't and wouldn't capture the fun of reading SHE-HULK first run, but I came as close as possible, especially as I would be reading and suddenly remember after 35 years what happened next. The series closed out on a high note as well. And for me, this is the only canonical She-Hulk. What John Byrne and others did to the character later on was a travesty. This original run is fun even if soapy stuff!
And it did! Not that I enjoyed the series as much as I did as a teenager. Fifty-year-olds were never the target audience for this series, which I saw clearly now was a soap opera with a thin veneer of super-heroics. The first issue is an aberration--and nothing Stan Lee bragged about afterwards, I'm sure. For me, the series really starts and belongs wholly to David Anthony Kraft (whose run on THE DEFENDERS rivals Steve Gerber's) and Mike Vosburg, a winning team who worked together for 24 straight issues and brought the series a continuity lacking in many other titles.
I also saw in the rereading the many parallels to SPIDER-MAN, such as Sheriff Walters' irrational loathing of She-Hulk similar to J. Jonah Jameson's for Spider-Man. Zapper and Richard Rory were the male equivalents of Gwen and Mary Jane. There was even a Spider Slayer-type machine in one issue! Goofy characters like the Man-Elephant stirred up good memories of the Rhino. The soap opera got too sudsy in the Lee-Romita years, and it does here, too. Zapper whining about Jen not taking him seriously since she used to be his babysitter wore thin (and was a little creepy, to boot!). I also grew weary of Rory's self-flagellation about being a loser (and he was one after foolishly squandering a cool million!). Buck was a fun character and a formidable foil until he degenerated into a pathetic basket case after realizing his inadvertent role in Jen's friend's death. I was frustrated by his character being back benched and then all but forgotten in the finale.
Admittedly, reading one issue a night makes more evident the shortcomings than if I read an issue a month as originally published. But it also helped me keep track of the many subplots, like Sheriff Walters' gold-digging Jezebel of a fiancée.
My favorite story was the Man-Wolf saga, probably because it guest starred Hellcat and featured the Shadow Cloak that figured large in THE DEFENDERS. I also liked the Morbius story and how Jen ably defended him. It did get maudlin with the grief-crazed parents who tried to assassinate Morbius. My least favorite story was the "very special issue of She-Hulk" about microwave towers that just didn't fit. Biggest disappointment was Man-Thing appearance. I loved Gerber's run and even Claremont's admirable effort at a revival, and it's clear Kraft tried valiantly to capture the spirit of those Gerber issues, but it just fell flat. Cool cover on that issue, though!
On the artwork, I really like Mike Vosburg, and I liked his teaming up with DAZZLER artist Frank Springer for the bulk of the issues (even if the black-and-white reproduction made obvious all the short cuts they took). Yeah, She-Hulk's face changed a lot, even scene to scene in the same issue, but the series demonstrated how to draw comics the Marvel Way--dynamic and visually exciting, even when people are just standing around talking (like in the series' many courtroom scenes).
I knew I couldn't and wouldn't capture the fun of reading SHE-HULK first run, but I came as close as possible, especially as I would be reading and suddenly remember after 35 years what happened next. The series closed out on a high note as well. And for me, this is the only canonical She-Hulk. What John Byrne and others did to the character later on was a travesty. This original run is fun even if soapy stuff!
March 1, 2024
While some of the writing and attitudes are a bit old fashioned and dated (as it was barely the start of the 1980's, and Women's Libbers were still considered kind of "out there"), She-Hulk herself remains true to her core principles- she doesn't put up with any nonsense, and she makes incredibly bad choices in men she dates. (Her two suitors in this run are Zapper, a younger man she used to babysit (!!) ostensibly a med student who never goes to class, and Rory, a spendthrift with absolutely terrible luck in everything.) The writing is much more soap-opera than I remember from my original reading as a 10-year-old, but it gives the stories some over-the-top Telenovela flair. Artwork is solid, with a few rare early Michael Golden contributions. Anyone currently complaining about how the Disney+ TV show "ruined" She-Hulk really needs to go back and check these original stories out! Shulkie has always been sassy, larger than life, and again, absolutely awful at dating.
October 2, 2022
I've gone back to the beginnings of quite a few characters since subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. And this really is ... not good. It's a good job I read this out of interest in the origins rather than expecting it to be great, but really, I mean it's *really* not good.
It tries ever so hard to be comically feminist in tone, attempting to come from the angle of mocking men's attitude to women, but consistently misses the mark. It has her trying either to please male characters throughout, or being justifiably really angry with them but then falling into their arms again.
There's also a *very* strange issue where she stands up for poor misunderstood Big Oil, and another where she buys into a microwave communications tower conspiracy theory.
It tries ever so hard to be comically feminist in tone, attempting to come from the angle of mocking men's attitude to women, but consistently misses the mark. It has her trying either to please male characters throughout, or being justifiably really angry with them but then falling into their arms again.
There's also a *very* strange issue where she stands up for poor misunderstood Big Oil, and another where she buys into a microwave communications tower conspiracy theory.
July 17, 2022
En general me gustó (es difícil no identificarte con ella 😆), aunque algunos de los personajes que la rodean son bastante insoportables.
Algunas historias son muy muy locas, pero es entretenido.
Algunas historias son muy muy locas, pero es entretenido.
August 14, 2022
Three stars is SUPER generous, but as a dyed in the wool She-Hulk superfan, it's interesting to see her beginnings and just how little of what is established here actually makes it through to the interesting version of the character.
August 22, 2022
I liked the second half much more than the first half. The first 10 or so issues within this volume I didn't particularly enjoy. But the end started getting better. The very last 2 panels/word blocks made me laugh out loud, but don't think they were necessarily meant to. But it was funny!
December 25, 2017
OK story but dragged it out you could rap the entire volume up in about one comic
May 13, 2022
Well, these are certainly comic books that were published.
June 7, 2022
Re-reading all the She-Hulk in anticipation for that train wreck of a show. I'M PUMPED
January 4, 2015
Jennifer (Jen) Walters is a successful attorney in the Los Angeles area, distinguished but not notorious until her cousin Dr. Bruce Banner arrives in town. When he gets there Jen is in the middle of a major case against a high-ranking crime figure (Trask) and he is out for revenge. Trask sends a hit team out and they shoot Jen in the back. With her life slipping away Bruce does the only thing he can, he breaks into the nearby home of a physician and gives her an emergency transfusion of his own blood. Since Dr. Banner is also the Incredible Hulk, the materials that turn him into the Hulk pass into Jen’s body and the Savage She-Hulk is born.
This book contains numbers one through 25 of the Savage She-Hulk comics and they are filled with emotional angst. Jen and her father in law enforcement are at odds, yet instead of trying to resolve it like adults each constantly complains about the other, generally to themselves. Two men in the life of Jen/She-Hulk are her childhood friend Zapper and a kind loser named Richard that wins millions only to lose it all. In an unusual love triangle, Jen and Richard are one couple while the She-Hulk and Zapper are another. This adds much more emotional turmoil to the stories as these relationships shift over time and whether it is Jen or the She-Hulk.
The stories are presented in black and white, which reduces the impact of the appearance of the She-Hulk. I consider her to be the sexiest female comic book character, with the scanty garments covering all but the most socially sensitive places having more effect when her skin is green. She is a powerful figure, one of the first wildly independent female super heroes to be created. Her demeanor is nothing like that of the early Sue Storm or Marvel Girl, she is defiant and independent, yet so vulnerable.
Even with the overdone emotional angst that reads like and moves at the pace of a soap opera, these stories are fun to read. They are a demonstration that the creative minds at Marvel were finally able to partially break out of the sexist limitations that they imposed on their characters. Furthermore, they avoided the nonsense expressed in the costume of the Black Canary, a crime fighter in fishnet stockings and heeled boots. Bare feet and nearly bare other parts are a more suitable costume for a female that battles super villains on a daily basis.
This review appears on Amazon
This book contains numbers one through 25 of the Savage She-Hulk comics and they are filled with emotional angst. Jen and her father in law enforcement are at odds, yet instead of trying to resolve it like adults each constantly complains about the other, generally to themselves. Two men in the life of Jen/She-Hulk are her childhood friend Zapper and a kind loser named Richard that wins millions only to lose it all. In an unusual love triangle, Jen and Richard are one couple while the She-Hulk and Zapper are another. This adds much more emotional turmoil to the stories as these relationships shift over time and whether it is Jen or the She-Hulk.
The stories are presented in black and white, which reduces the impact of the appearance of the She-Hulk. I consider her to be the sexiest female comic book character, with the scanty garments covering all but the most socially sensitive places having more effect when her skin is green. She is a powerful figure, one of the first wildly independent female super heroes to be created. Her demeanor is nothing like that of the early Sue Storm or Marvel Girl, she is defiant and independent, yet so vulnerable.
Even with the overdone emotional angst that reads like and moves at the pace of a soap opera, these stories are fun to read. They are a demonstration that the creative minds at Marvel were finally able to partially break out of the sexist limitations that they imposed on their characters. Furthermore, they avoided the nonsense expressed in the costume of the Black Canary, a crime fighter in fishnet stockings and heeled boots. Bare feet and nearly bare other parts are a more suitable costume for a female that battles super villains on a daily basis.
This review appears on Amazon
September 14, 2022
These early She-Hulks make for a fascinating read. Other than Hulk in the first issue plus an early appearance by Iron Man, these feel pretty separate from the mainstream continuity. Yes, we got some Morbius here and there, but it feels more like a drama about a lawyer who occasionally gets big and green.
The stories are fun and the books look great. I had a good time reading it, but it's a very different take than later iterations.
I spoke in depth to illustrator Mike Vosburg about his run on the character over on Howe's Things:
https://youtu.be/AQLkzzIxlnk
The stories are fun and the books look great. I had a good time reading it, but it's a very different take than later iterations.
I spoke in depth to illustrator Mike Vosburg about his run on the character over on Howe's Things:
https://youtu.be/AQLkzzIxlnk
February 27, 2016
At times, it's better than I gave it credit for. It starts to build in certain ways.
At other times, it appears to be lacking direction and just keeps adding boyfriend after boyfriend and uninteresting, one-off villain after villain.
This isn't the ultra-modern, wry commentary She-Hulk that became famous. It's really like a relaunch of the Hulk crossed with a more modern and relateable protagonist.
At other times, it appears to be lacking direction and just keeps adding boyfriend after boyfriend and uninteresting, one-off villain after villain.
This isn't the ultra-modern, wry commentary She-Hulk that became famous. It's really like a relaunch of the Hulk crossed with a more modern and relateable protagonist.
December 15, 2014
This collection covers issues 1 through 25 of The Savage She-Hulk: how Jen Walters becomes the She-Hulk, and how she comes to terms with her new identity. Along the way, she has to fight super villains, mobsters, and (unbeknownst to him) even her own father, the sheriff, when she gets framed for murder.
June 26, 2013
about as terrible as I expect comics to be from these years, but c'mon. She-Hulk! (Who, apparently, can only talk about herself in 3rd person.)
September 16, 2013
Purtroppo la prima serie dell'amabile pelleverde non era granché. Troppo anni '70, la parte peggiore degli anni '70. Mancava decisamente di mordente ed era kitsch oltre il dovuto.
November 16, 2015
By finished I mean I couldn't take it anymore and gave it to my niece to sue as a coloring book.
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