The adventures of She-Hulk continue in paperback this week with Vol. 2, titled “Jen of Hearts.” The story is largely about She-Hulk’s budding romance with Jack of Hearts. It’s complicated, and that doesn’t even account for Jack being dead, losing his powers, and living with She-Hulk on the regular. In this newest volume, writer Rainbow Rowell further explores love, work, and the complications of being a superhero.
This volume is very much a romantic soap opera, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to Rowell fans. Primarily dialogue driven, we see She-Hulk try to manage a job that refuses to allow superheroes or villains in her law practice. That’s not She-Hulk’s decision, but her boss’s. Her boss is also dating a robot man who has a block for a head, so there’s that. Sometimes quirky, always emotionally charged, this story arc hammers home the nuance of being She-Hulk.
The story starts with She-Hulk wearing a fancy dress and getting cake with Hellcat. They’re close friends, and Hellcat is doing her a favor. This is a good lead for who She-Hulk is helping, but also her whole deal. Hellcat asks who her nemesis is, and judging by the way this series plays out here, it’s likely no one villain.
Jack of Hearts is at the center, partly because he and She-Hulk take things to another level in this batch of issues. Collecting She-Hulk #6-10, Rowell and artists Luca Maresca and Takeshi Miyazawa capture a day in the life of She-Hulk, right down to cake Wednesdays with Hellcat, and the complicated nature of defending a Doombot.
Poor Hellcat.
Credit: Marvel
Maresca draws the first two issues perfectly. The facial expressions, acting, and framing are all on point. One thing I love about Maresca’s art is he captures how big She-Hulk is and how she fills space. Her body is a big part of who she is when she’s not Jen, and it factors into the relationship with Jack of Hearts, too. Miyazawa draws the last three issues of the arc, doing a fabulous job capturing She-Hulk’s hurt and dismay with Jack’s absence. Together they make this soap opera feel realistic and genuine.
If you’re looking for superhero action, the middle portion of this trade paperback is what you seek. Two scientists are hellbent on getting superpowers, but things go very wrong for them. We get an entire issue devoted to their antics, which leads to a major fourth-wall-breaking moment that should send cheers into readers’ hearts. The scientist’s story is romantic, which ties into She-Hulk’s dilemma with Jack of Hearts.
At its core, She-Hulk is a charming take on the character. It’s all about her trying to get by and being accepted for who she is while dealing with breakups and the complications of being a hero. Rowell nails that, and while this volume is lighter on the action and direct conflict, it’s the conflict she’s juggling in her personal life that’ll capture your interest the most.
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