She-Hulk has starred in comic books since 1980, has been a regular character in animated television shows, and even headlined her own official (if little-known) prose novel, but she has never been seen in live action—but that’s about to change! Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) stars in Disney Plus' latest Marvel show: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
But what’s the story behind She-Hulk? What sets her apart from the classic Hulk, Bruce Banner? And how might she fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It’s time to meet the savage and sensational Shulkie before she smashes her way into the MCU.
Let's dive into her origin, story, and powers from the comics.
Who Is She-Hulk, And How Did She Get Her Powers?
Stan Lee and John Buscema created She-Hulk in 1980, although another writer would continue to tell the stories in her first solo comic book series, The Savage She-Hulk. Shy, mild-mannered lawyer Jennifer Walters is Bruce Banner’s cousin. After she was seriously injured by a crime boss, it took a transfusion of Bruce’s blood to save her life. Her newly gamma-irradiated blood combined with her anger, and Jennifer turned into She-Hulk! Her original incarnation was similar to the Hulk, with rage fueling her transformation and strength, but in a short time she would keep her wits and personality—with a boost of confidence—in her larger, green form.
She-Hulk has undergone some changes over the years in her solo titles, from savage and rage-filled, to fourth-wall breaking comedy, to focusing on her law career, to learning to cope with trauma and grief. In all of these iterations, however, She-Hulk finds strength she didn’t know she had, both in herself and through the friends and teammates that stick with her through it all. Her best friend Patsy Walker, better known as the hero Hellcat, sticks with her through thick and thin, and she’s a highly sought-after team player. She-Hulk has been a member of the Mighty Avengers, Fantastic Four, A-Force, Lady Liberators, and Future Foundation.
The Savage She-Hulk has also fought alongside Captain America and Iron Man (once again) in Jason Aaron’s Avengers run. Boosted by a mega dose of gamma energy, she came to look just as monstrously muscular as the classic Hulk rather than having her usual build... with the angry attitude to match.
She-Hulk has undergone some changes over the years, from savage and rage-filled, to fourth-wall breaking comedy, to focusing on her law career, to learning to cope with trauma and grief.
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The Difference Between She-Hulk and Hulk
Like Hulk, She-Hulk has staggering superhuman strength and is practically impervious to injury, pain, and disease.
But unlike Bruce, Jennifer is still Jennifer when she’s the jade giantess. She maintains control of her intellect and emotions, turning her into a powerhouse of both brains and brawn. She’s also a trained combatant thanks to the expert help of teachers like Captain America and Gamora, making her quite a formidable opponent to anyone who dares stand in her way.
During the iconic run of her 1989 solo title penned by John Byrne, She-Hulk became one of the few characters aware that she’s in a comic book and regularly broke the fourth wall by speaking to the reader. (Sorry, Deadpool, but Jen did it first.) She berated the book’s creative team, famously threatened to tear up the reader’s X-Men comics, and even tossed Byrne out a window. While she doesn’t Hulk-smash the fourth wall any longer, it was once considered one of her signature characteristics.
She-Hulk's Villains and Her Most Heroic Feats
As either She-Hulk or Jennifer Walters, she is a force to be reckoned when she fights for justice. Whether it’s knocking out villains as one of the Avengers ranks or speaking from the heart in the courtroom, Jennifer always stands up for the little guy, and she’ll take on some of the biggest guys in the Marvel universe to do so.
She-Hulk has battled some of the biggest and baddest titans around, including the Mad Titan himself, Thanos. She also went toe-to-toe with an enraged Hulk in World War Hulk, knocked out Abomination, and gracefully let Hercules win in an arm-wrestling challenge.
The ol’ fastball special with Wolverine? She-Hulk’s done that, too.
Jennifer has also taken on both Tony Stark and Matt Murdock in court (and won), represented heroes like Speedball and Spider-Man as legal counsel, and even defended the entire Marvel universe to the Living Tribunal. Readers got an all-too-brief look at her successfully making the case for not destroying the universe in She-Hulk #20 (2007), summed up by her most persuasive point of all, “We’re fun.”
Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk in the MCU
Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk/Jennifer Walters is a "lawyer who specializes in superhuman-oriented legal cases." While not much is known as to who she will represent, Mark Ruffalo will once again become The Hulk/Bruce Banner in the series alongside Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/Abomination. The series also features Jameela Jamil as Titania/Mary MacPherran, presumably Jen's nemesis in the series. And a fellow lawyer, Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock will also stop by now that Cox's character has officially joined the MCU.
She-Hulk is billed as a comedy that will "welcome a host of Marvel characters to the series." The show will be directed by executive producer Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, and executive producer Jessica Gao will serve as head writer.
Be sure to also check out our She-Hulk review.
August 17, 2022: This story has been updated with the latest information about the She-Hulk show. It was originally posted in August of 2019.
Kelly Knox is a freelance writer who also contributes to StarWars.com, Marvel.com, Nerdist, and more. Follow her on Twitter at @kelly_knox to talk Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, comics, and more.
