The final trade paperback of She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell is out this week, and it’s a crying shame. The series has been impeccable at showing heroes in a realistic light, yet also poking fun at the melodrama of it all. In Vol. 5, collecting Sensational She-Hulk #6-10, Jack of Hearts and She-Hulk go on a vacation, but Jack of Hearts’ ex disrupts that. Drama!
Rowell doesn’t miss a beat after the excellent volume 4 by amping up the melodrama and keeping all the subplots progressing nicely. At the center of it all is the romance between She-Hulk and Jack of Hearts, which continues to feel genuine with all its twists and turns. That includes encountering his ex, but also putting their relationship through the paces when She-Hulk joins the Avengers.
Midway through the first issue in this collection, we learn Jack of Hearts’ ex-flame is back, and she’s ready to get serious with him. Once thought of as a soulmate, Jack of Hearts turns to her, unsure of his next move. This, of course, breaks She-Hulk’s heart and sends their relationship into a tailspin.
Rowell continues to pluck at their unique dynamic throughout this collection. Given Jack of Hearts’ inability to be intimate and She-Hulk’s proclivity for fast and loose relationships, they both have a lot to learn. Throw in the fact that the last time Jack of Hearts encountered the Avengers, the mansion blew up, and he eventually died, and the word complicated comes to mind.
New costume, who dis?
Credit: Marvel
When Captain Marvel recruits She-Hulk to the Avengers, Rowell doesn’t forget the way things left off with numerous characters. At the core, She-Hulk points out she never felt like a main member, and they treat her as such. Once again, Rowell pulls out relatable elements at a superhero level.
Outside of the superhero stuff and romantic melodrama is a fun subplot involving two Deviants who have sought She-Hulk’s help. They’re homeless and generally rejected by society. Through this collection we get to see She-Hulk continue to support them, even with all their baggage. Ransak’s matter-of-fact and rather rude demeanor is good for plenty of laughs, while Karkas’s kindness and yet monstrous look add another layer to their weird comedy.
Ig Guara draws the first two issues with Andres Golet wrapping up the collection. Both are masters at character acting and I dare you not to shed a tear when Jack of Hearts and She-Hulk have serious heart-to-hearts. There’s always a sense of dynamic range with visuals that permeates the book.
It’s a crying shame Rowell’s run on She-Hulk ends with this final volume, but at least we have another excellent collection to enjoy. The level of seriousness taken with She-Hulk’s love life is unparalleled, making this one of the best runs on She-Hulk ever.
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