Month: January 2021

Written by Mariko Tamaki

Art by Diego Olortegui; John Tyler Christopher; Federico Lee; & VC’s Travis Lanham

Cover Art by Rahzzah

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for May 2018, this untitled ‘Legacy-numbering’ issue concludes the Jen Walters Must Die storyline.  Having recruited best friend Patsy Walker as her fellow chaperone at a high school prom, Jennifer Walters quietly watches over a recent client’s daughter, Bethany Bellamy, who is the mutant now known as ‘Burn.’ 

Outside the elegant Hotel Harriet in Manhattan, bigoted protesters protest the growing presence of mutants in schools.  Bethany is spitefully targeted.  An infuriated She-Hulk and Hellcat take action outside the hotel.  Meanwhile, Jen realizes that the upscale law firm she has joined isn’t what she had hoped for.   

Note: Unlike several issues in this current storyline, Issue # 163 doesn’t have a variant cover.        

REVIEW:

Even if writer Mariko Tamaki’s script reiterates a-familiar Marvel sermon re: mutant acceptance vs. racial bigotry, the story is still very well-played. 

Smartly balancing Jen’s compassion for Bethany with Patsy’s friendly prodding over Jen’s own green-and-gray issues as a Hulk, Tamaki does some excellent work.  The extra sub-plot re: Jen’s latest law firm gig is predictable, but Jen’s upbeat decision is perfectly in tune with her well-established sense of ethics. 

Impressively, the art team’s high-caliber visuals (including the intriguing cover image) make She-Hulk # 163 a complete entertainment package.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

On the credits page, a recap of Jennifer’s recent stint as the ‘Gray She-Hulk,’ (i.e. coping with Bruce Banner’s murder and her own recovery from life-threatening injuries suffered against Thanos) is presented.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

Written by Harrison Wilcox

Art by Ryan Stiegman; Michael Babinski; Guru eFx; Ed Dukeshire; & Mayela Gutierrez

Cover Art by Ed McGuinness & Paul Mounts

SUMMARY:

Published for April 2011 by Marvel Comics, this mini-series finale is entitled “Man Hunt, Part 4.”  In the snowy Himalayas, the original She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) and her cheerful teenage cousin, Lyra (the daughter of Bruce Banner and Thundra from a distant alternate future), clobber Klaw and the sound-powered Byte android.  The two villains are bonus hauls, as their other catch-of-the-day is the Mad Thinker. 

Returning home to Manhattan, Jen sends Lyra reluctantly off to a high school formal dance to help her adjustment to contemporary society.  Elsewhere, the Incredible Hulk is unable to prevent the Wizard’s escape from Nevada’s Gamma Base, as he intends some vengeful payback on Jen.

At Midtown High’s gymnasium, Lyra is encouraged by her new friend, Amelia, to dance with hunky Jake.  Amidst the Wizard’s attack, Jake is critically wounded or even killed, attempting to protect Lyra.  As a teenage Hulk, a bloodied Lyra is no match for the Wizard’s formidable energy blasts.  Jen’s intervention may be Lyra’s only hope. 

REVIEW:

Writer Harrison Wilcox’s well-played script has a few holes (i.e. how exactly is Jen informed of the Wizard’s escape, let alone deduces he will go after Lyra?  What is Jake’s fate?).  Still, this finale’s poignancy and nicely-conveyed messages re: Lyra’s emotional growing pains compensate for these unanswered questions. 

Also, Jen’s contributions as Lyra’s surrogate ‘aunt/big sister’ add some wonderful character depth, in addition to the return of old flame Wyatt Wingfoot.  In terms of the visuals (including a high-caliber cover image), the art team is on its ‘A’ game without being flashy.  That said, the teen-friendly She-Hulks # 4 is an unexpected gem.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The first page is a colorful summary of this limited series-to-date.  Also, there are cover reveals for Incredible Hulks # 621; Hulk # 29; Incredible Hulks # 622; and Hulk # 30.  An interview with series writer Rick Remender is included in Marvel Senior Editor Stephen Wacker’s five-page look at a new Venom ongoing series.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8½ Stars

Written by Charles Soule

Art by Javier Pulido; Muntsa Vicente; & VC’s Gus Pillsbury

Cover Art by Kevin Wada

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for January 2015, it’s the conclusion of the two-parter: “Good Old Days.”  Representing elderly Steve Rogers/Captain America in Los Angeles in a wrongful death lawsuit, Jen “She-Hulk” Walters spars in the courtroom with Matt “Daredevil” Murdock. 

At stake are two versions explaining the tragic death of Steve’s childhood friend, Sam Fogler, in late 1940.  Seemingly maneuvering himself to lose, Steve reveals how, as teens, he and Sam went cross-country to find Sam’s wayward older brother, Harry, now a Nazi recruit.  Sam’s subsequent murder sets up this courtroom battle decades later.  Even when Patsy “Hellcat” Walker delivers ssome vital new evidence, Jen senses Steve’s mixed motives.  Assuming this matter gets resolved, a surprising new client awaits Jen.

REVIEW:

Kudos to writer Charles Soule for deftly mixing courtroom drama, a poignant flashback, and a few flashes of humor into a top-notch read.  The chemistry he establishes between Jen Walters and Steve Rogers is inspired writing, as are the closing arguments Jen and Matt Murdock impart the jury.  Steve’s simplistic dialogue throughout this tale is terrific.  Though the heart-breaking flashback is this issue’s highlight, the post-trial chemistry amongst Jen, Steve, and Matt is a true gem. 

Soule’s well-played story, however, is handicapped by the art team’s amateurish-looking visuals (yes, it’s a deliberate artistic style but it’s underwhelming).  Comparatively, the cover image surpasses the interior artwork.  The rudimentary visuals, for whatever reason, considerably improve during the black-gray-and-white flashback.  Oddly, its first panel makes Steve & Sam look like twelve-year olds before smartly correcting their appearance to their mid-teens. 

If the weak present-day sequences had been upgraded into remotely impressive visuals, then the appealing She-Hulk # 10 likely would have been a ten-star read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The first page nicely summarizes Jennifer “She-Hulk” Walters and this current storyline.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Paul Pelletier; Rick Magyar; Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp; & Virtual Calligraphy’s Crave Sharpeopoulos

Cover Art by Mike Mayhew

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for February 2005, it’s entitled “Skeeter.”  At the edge of the universe, Zuma the Watcher confers with an armored conspirator to destroy She-Hulk.  Observing She-Hulk defeat Titania once more, the armored rogue is told by Zuma of Titania’s past. 

Via flashback, young Mary MacPherran is a lonely and bullied blue-collar teenager who is derisively nicknamed “Skeeter” by would-be high school friends.  Observing Julia Carpenter’s Spider-Woman in action, an embittered Mary (along with her friend, Marsha), become villains Titania and Volcana upon gaining super-powers from Doctor Doom during the first Secret Wars.  Titania’s obsession to defeat rival powerhouse Jennifer “She-Hulk Walters begins there.  Announcing his true identity, the armored being seeks Titania’s help.                 

REVIEW:

Bolstered by some excellent artwork (including recreations from the first Secret Wars), writer Dan Slott’s script is a well-played origin tale for Titania.  Utilizing She-Hulk’s high-profile presence (and to a lesser degree, Julia Carpenter’s Spider-Woman) to explain the psychology powering Titania’s intense jealousy, Slott’s storytelling reassembles a few bits and pieces from She-Hulk’s past for what should make an intriguing showdown. 

Including a terrific cover image, She-Hulk # 10 is a worthwhile read for fans of the prolonged She-Hulk vs. Titania feud, as it offers Marvel’s grudge match equivalent of Wonder Woman vs. Giganta.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7½ Stars

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Juan Bobillo; Marcelo Sosa; Chris Chuckry & VC’s Dave Sharpe

Cover Art by Adi Granov

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for July 2004, the issue’s title is “Dead Certain.”  After aircraft engineer Bailey Briggs is horrifically murdered, Jennifer Walters’ law firm (Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg, & Holliway) takes the defendant’s case.  With snooty Mallory Book choosing Jen as her co-counsel, they seemingly have an unbeatable defense witness: the victim’s own ghost. 

Meanwhile, Jen’s new workplace friend, Pug, offers to help finish her move from Avengers Mansion into the firm-owned Excelsior apartment building.  Doctor Strange, Benjamin “The Thing” Grimm, and the Avengers’ butler Jarvis make guest appearances, as Jen and frenemy Mallory investigate a Matlock-like murder mystery.      

REVIEW:

For the most part, writer Dan Slott delivers an entertaining mystery reminiscent of TV programs like Law & Order and Matlock.  The idea of a victim’s ghost testifying at a murder trial certainly deserves credit for originality.  While Slott’s script incorporates some well-played humor, what is sorely missing is a plausible motive — i.e. why would the culprit ominously resort to using a wind tunnel fan for a gruesome homicide? 

Further, why would this grisly method then be attempted a second time?  Then again, why wouldn’t top-tier attorneys like Jen and Mallory have inspected or even visit the crime scene long before the trial is already well under way?  Their visit to Briggs’ workplace late in the game to search for clues, as a result, comes off as a convenient plot cliché.

Quite frankly, Slott should have tried a little harder on basic logic to deliver a more satisfying solution.  In that sense, the murder mystery fizzles out after an intriguing set-up for Jennifer’s new case.  Still, the last few pages play out a poetic sense of ironic justice. 

As for the visuals, the terrific cover image clearly surpasses the merely okay interior artwork.  Though the art team offers some good-looking panels, the end result, however, just isn’t anything remarkable.  She-Hulk # 3 is a relatively solid read, though it could have been one of She-Hulk’s better adventures.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The credits page includes a seven-paragraph summary of Jennifer’s recent travails.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

Note: The blue signature on the comic below is Dan Slott’s autograph from a comic convention.

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Juan Bobillo; Marcelo Sosa; Chris Chuckry; & VC’s Dave Sharpe

Cover Art by Adi Granov

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for June 2004, this self-contained, 32-page issue is entitled “Class Action Heroes!”  Newly evicted from Avengers Mansion, Jennifer “Jen” Walters becomes a superhuman law specialist for the upscale firm of Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg, & Holliway. 

After viewing samples of her firm’s odd clientele, Jen meets her first client: the atomically-powered ‘Danger Man,’ who wishes to sue for negligence re: his own origin.  Observing some parallels in her own life, Jen comes to appreciate a supposedly lame case she has been assigned to.           

Note: Scarlet Witch, ‘Awesome’ Andy, Doctor Strange, & the Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) appear in cameos. 

REVIEW:

Semi-parodying lawyers, writer Dan Slott smartly devises wonky humor and terrific in-jokes (i.e. the law firm’s basement archives), which rivals John Byrne’s take on She-Hulk.  More significantly, the right elements of everyday human poignancy and self-reflection are well-played.  For instance, seeing Jen ruminate over a comic book depicting her own origin as She-Hulk is a terrific depth-building sequence. 

The same applies to blue-collar dad Danger Man’s homelife being painfully jeopardized by his unwanted predicament.  Impressively, Slott offers a plausible means for a compassionate Jen to realize her She-Hulk persona isn’t necessarily her greatest strength.  His thoughtful scripting meshes well with the art squad’s low-key style, though the flashy cover image is the visual highlight.  All elements considered, She-Hulk # 2 is an underrated Marvel gem.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Dan Slott

Art by Juan Bobillo; Marcel Sosa; Avalon’s Dave Kemp; & Dave Sharpe

Cover Art by Greg Horn

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Many Happy Returns,” this 32-page comic was released by Marvel Comics for December 2005.  After a short break from her short-lived 2004-05 series, Jen Walters is resuming her private practice as an attorney in a prestigious New York firm’s superhuman law division.  During her pre-work jog, Spider-Woman & Captain America observe Jen efficiently foil a mugging without transforming into She-Hulk. 

Jen faces numerous surprises at the office later that morning.  In addition to accepting an infamous time-traveling client accused of murder, Jen meets her mysterious new boss: Mr. Zix.  As She-Hulk, she intervenes in a conference room scuffle between the Young Avengers’ indignant Stature and Vision vs. Boomerang and the Enforcers’ Ox.  Worse yet for Jen is that their attorney is her snotty and now wheelchair-bound colleague/arch-rival, Mallory Book.

In therapy with Doc Samson, Jen remorsefully reflects upon a year’s worth of personal troubles, including the Avengers Disassembled deaths of Ant-Man, the Vision, and Hawkeye. 

To make another bizarre day-in-the-life complete, Jen and her law partner/neighbor/boyfriend, Pug, discover that a previously-deceased Avenger (in civilian attire) has been called upon for … jury duty.  Jen tells Pug that she is going to risk her law license to save an old friend.   

REVIEW:

As a direct sequel to She-Hulk’s previous solo series from a year before, writer Dan Slott makes it a relatively good read.  A re-energized Jen’s jogging routine is probably the highlight, as is her possible New Avengers recruitment scene.  Slott’s legalese spoof delivers some quirky chuckles, including how Jen & Pug’s case research supposedly relies upon the firm’s collection of comic book back issues. 

For that matter, Jen’s willingness to help a mugging victim sue the New Avengers for mental distress, or that her firm now gladly defends super-villains indicates that Slott’s storytelling enjoys a welcome element of unpredictability.  A well-played gag re: trade paperbacks even has a terrific punchline served up to help out an innocent victim of Boomerang’s razor-sharp weapons. 

Despite Greg Horn’s glamorous cover image, the art team’s visuals are disappointingly weak.  While the interior artwork adequately supports Slott’s script, the effort put into this imagery certainly could have been better.  In terms of this issue as another She-Hulk # 1, Slott’s tongue-in-cheek Ally McBeal-style approach remains surprisingly fresh.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Marvel Assistant Editor Aubrey Sitterson dedicates a full page explaining an upcoming letters-and-answers column, as well as promoting She-Hulk’s imminent 100^th issue for the character’s 25^th anniversary.  This page also sports a cover reveal for Issue # 2, which guest-stars Hawkeye.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     7 Stars