Jennifer Walters, also known as the Savage She-Hulk, gained her incredible powers after an encounter with her cousin’s irradiated blood in 1980. Unlike her cousin Bruce, she possesses remarkable control over her own body, making her a fascinating anti-Hulk. Throughout her thrilling journey, she has joined forces with esteemed superhero teams such as the Avengers, Defenders, Fantastic Four, Heroes for Hire, and S.H.I.E.L.D., embarking on jaw-dropping exploits.
With She-Hulk’s extensive history, there exists a treasure trove of comic books, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, captivating story arcs, and one-shot books dedicated to her extraordinary exploits. Selecting the absolute best among these astonishing adventures can prove to be quite a challenge. However, fear not! This list sets out to narrow down the top 20 She-Hulk stories that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Explore the enthralling tales below, and if one catches your eye, be sure to show it some love. Stay tuned to discover which of these marvelous comics will be crowned the greatest She-Hulk story ever told!
1. Second Chance
Story Found In: The Sensational She-Hulk #1
Jen has transformed from Savage to Sensational in her exciting new series, The Sensational She-Hulk! This comic takes She-Hulk on a wild journey, breaking the fourth wall with John Byrne’s hilarious interpretation of the character. And let me tell you, the stories in the first eight issues are some of the absolute best in She-Hulk’s collection!
The main focus of this book was to bring She-Hulk back into the spotlight with her very own series. The marketing for it was spot on, making it clear why it’s a must-read. Just take a look at the cover – it perfectly captures the essence of why you need to get your hands on this comic. Trust me, nobody wants She-Hulk barging into their home and wreaking havoc on their precious X-Men collection!
2. Can You Believe This..??
Story Found In: The Sensational She-Hulk #40
In the story titled “Can You Believe This,” Jen confronts an enemy she couldn’t defeat through physical force: sexism! It’s not surprising considering how female superheroes are often portrayed – in revealing, tight outfits and with unrealistically exaggerated curves.
This book playfully teased the readers, as the previous nine issues had prominently featured Jen’s nearly naked body. In this installment, she engages in a naked jump rope routine, only to reveal that she had been wearing underwear the whole time. It’s a lighthearted way to engage with the readers while addressing the more obvious issue of sexism and body-shaming towards women.
3. Web of Lies
Story Found In: She-Hulk #4
J. Jonah Jameson has been using his loud and outspoken platform for years to spread hatred and distrust towards our beloved Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. After enduring years of undeserved mistreatment, Spidey has had enough. That’s why he sought the help of none other than Jen Walters to file a libel suit against the media mogul!
This story is not only a thrilling Spider-Man adventure, but also a captivating She-Hulk tale. It delves into the battles superheroes face using their intellect and the very system they have sworn to defend in order to right a wrong. And to top it off, it’s incredibly humorous. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Web-Head or the mighty She-Hulk, this one is definitely worth a read!
4. The Sensational She-Hulk
In the 18th Marvel Graphic Novel, called ‘The Sensational She-Hulk,’ Jen joins S.H.I.E.L.D. because they’re worried she might pose the same unstable threat as her cousin has in the past.
Of course, as expected, the group that takes her in gets attacked by these hideous insect creatures. It’s up to Jen to fight them off and save the very people who wrongly imprisoned her. The book also establishes that she can no longer change back into her human form, which becomes a significant part of her character for a long time.
This story explores the fears that many characters in the Marvel Universe have towards the green-skinned relatives of the Hulk. Although it doesn’t strictly follow Jen’s usual storyline, it’s definitely worth a read.
5. He’s Dead?!
Story Found In: The Sensational She-Hulk #50
John Byrne had been associated with She-Hulk for quite some time, making it difficult to imagine anyone else taking over his role. However, in issue #50, he decided to step down, leaving the publisher and the character in a predicament. The question arose: who could possibly replace Byrne on the book?
To tackle this challenge, the story sees Jen embarking on a quest to find a new creator for her book. She meets with an editor to review samples from various illustrators, and the selection is truly impressive! The anniversary issue receives contributions from renowned artists such as Terry Austin, Adam Hughes, Howard Chaykin, Walt Simonson, Dave Gibbons, Wendy Pini, and Frank Miller, all lending their talent to help with the task at hand.
6. Time of Her Life
In She-Hulk #3 (100), the question arises: is She-Hulk a lawyer or a superhero? Well, why can’t she be both? This milestone issue delves into Jen’s impressive legal skills while showcasing her superheroic abilities.
This particular story has become a fan favorite, with readers repeatedly going back to it. And it’s not hard to see why – the writing is exceptional. The plot revolves around Jen’s court battle to defend her right to be both a practicing attorney and a superhero. It’s a captivating read, making it one of the most well-crafted She-Hulk stories ever published.
7. Engagement Ring
Story Found In: She-Hulk #8
In this amazing story, She-Hulk steps into the boxing ring to face off against the Champion. Surprisingly, even the mightiest heroes of the Marvel Universe, like Beta Ray Bill, Drax the Destroyer, and the Silver Surfer, couldn’t defeat him.
But then, something dawned on She-Hulk that gave her hope: the stronger Jen becomes, the stronger She-Hulk becomes. Armed with this newfound knowledge, she sets out on a journey to train and enhance her abilities, determined to become a more formidable hero capable of taking on the Challenger.
8. Disorderly Conduct
Story Found In: She-Hulk #7-12
When Jen’s friend and coworker needs a helping hand, She-Hulk joins forces with Hank Pym and Hellcat to lend their support. But, as expected, no superhero team-up can be completely transparent from the start, and it appears that Pym has some secrets up his sleeve…
Thanks to the brilliant storytelling by Charles Soule and the stunning artwork by Javier Pulido, this incredible adventure within the pages of She-Hulk #7-12 offers one of the most enjoyable and thrilling experiences that Jen has encountered in the recent era of her comic series!
9. The She-Hulk Lives
She-Hulk made her debut in The Savage She-Hulk #1, where her origin story was also revealed. This issue held significance as it marked Stan Lee’s final major contribution to Marvel in terms of writing. The origin story revolved around a last-minute blood transfusion from Bruce Banner, which had some unexpected consequences.
Fans always seek to add this collectible book to their collections, but luckily it can also be found in Marvel Masterworks compendiums and other trade paperbacks. Since this list focuses on the greatest She-Hulk stories ever told, it is only fitting that her introduction to the Marvel Universe be included.
10. The Doctor Is In
In The Sensational She-Hulk #5, She-Hulk encounters some truly peculiar adversaries. It’s safe to say that even the most devoted fans might struggle to remember them all. However, one particular group that she finds herself facing off against and joining forces with stands out as truly bizarre. This unforgettable story, titled “The Doctor Is In,” introduces a variety of beloved Saturday morning cartoon characters.
Just by looking at the cover, it becomes clear that She-Hulk is about to embark on an extraordinary adventure. The Flintstones grace the front page, but this whimsical tale by John Byrne offers much more than meets the eye.
11. The Naked Truth
The story I’m talking about can be found in Fantastic Four #275. After the Secret Wars crossover event, the Thing decided to stick around on Battleworld for a while. Since the team needed another tank, they reached out to She-Hulk. Surprisingly, Jen fit right in and quickly became like a new member of the family.
Jen’s time with the team lasted for several issues, but she would come and go over the years. In one particularly entertaining story, the tabloids managed to snap some photos of Jen sunbathing in the nude, in both her Jen and She-Hulk forms. It was definitely an embarrassing situation for a superhero, but that’s just how things go for Jen. She did her best to prevent the pictures from getting out, but a mistake in the inking process made them nearly unrecognizable.