green-gamma-girl:

Here are four key events that occur in She-Hulk storylines.Yes, they
each have a little rhyme to go along with them. There is no real reason
for this other than the fact I was feeling creative.

1. She-Hulk witnesses her best friend’s death. And is then blamed for it.

My white dress torn, to match me inside,
Two personalities about to collide.
As my skin turns green, my eyes see red,
I see my best friend lying there dead.

Why is it important?
This
is one of the earliest tragedies we see in the She-Hulk comics, and is
definitely the one most ignored, even though it has a significant result
on She-hulk. It starts the trend of She-Hulk falsely being victimised as
a villain, solidifying the separation she has with society with them
believing she’s a monster. It also appears to have an impact on She-Hulk
herself as she blames herself for the death which could be said to be one of the influencing factors that drove her to the superhero life. To make sure she doesn’t fail others like she failed her friend.

Issue number:
Savage She-Hulk Vol 1 #2 (March 1980)

If you would like to read a review I wrote on this issue then click here.

2. She-Hulk breaks the fourth wall, becoming one of the first to do so in the Marvel Universe on a regular basis.

I know they’re looking at me. No, not at me, at my drawing.
So quick to decide whether I am funny or boring.
I don’t always like it, but it doesn’t matter how I feel,
Because, lets be honest, without them, I’m not even real.

Why is it important?
Many Marvel fans nowadays are fascinated with Deadpool because of the fact he knows he is in a comic book, but not a lot of those fans know that it was actually She-Hulk who did it first. The genius idea of having Shulkie break the fourth wall was that of artist/writer John Byrne. This was a simple idea that paved the way for similar storylines in other comics, as well as add a new interest factor to the character resulting in Sensational She-Hulk being She-Hulk’s longest running series with 60 issues.

Issue number:
Sensational She-Hulk #1 (May 1989) – She-Hulk breaks the fourth wall for the first time

3. An out of control She-Hulk reverts back to her more savage self and destroys the entire town of Bone.

The buildings in ruin, the people even worse.
The aftermath of the horrid green-skinned curse.
What once was the glorious town of Bone,
Is now a pile of ashes and a single gravestone.

Why is it important?
This story in the Avengers comics reminds us that She-Hulk is still a hulk, and although she has moved away from her savage past, there is still a different side of her. An angry, aggressive, monster waiting to be released. It’s interesting to see the She-Hulk in the Hulk’s shoes – or lack of – for a change. The plot gets even more interesting when we see She-Hulk’s guilt of the situation as she spends a whole summer trying to rebuild the town. During which time she discovers she may have been responsible for a man’s death, something that is deeply traumatic for Shulkie having never taken a life before. The events of this storyline have a deep impact on the character of She-Hulk, showing her what her cousin faces on a regular basis as well as implementing fear of herself due to what she could do if she lost control.

Issue numbers:
Avengers Vol 3 #72 – #75 (Nov 2003 – Feb 2004) – Attack on Bone
She-Hulk Vol 2 #4 (March 2006) – Returning to Bone to help rebuild the town

Image from She-Hulk Vol 2 #4.

4. She-Hulk discovers that the superhero Starfox may have raped her, as well as many other women he has slept with.

What she thought was a night of passion, as two bodies connect,
Might not be so innocent, might not be correct.
Was sleeping with Starfox really the girl’s wishes?
She-Hulk wonders if he’d like to sleep with the fishes!

Why is it important?
I covered this briefly in this post but I want to emphasise that this storyline is very, very important. Not only does it cover the issue of rape and it’s consequences, but also demonstrates how superheroes aren’t always, well, heroes. Starfox is a respected member of the Avengers but through this story we see him in a different light, see him as the villain and not because he tries to take over the world or destroy a city, but because he uses his powers for evil means and did something despicable. It makes you wonder if the heroes we put all our faith in are actually worthy. Lucky for Starfox he is proved innocent, but the result could have been very very different.

Issue numbers:
She-Hulk Vol 2 #6 & #7 (May & June 2006) – The initial court case and She-Hulk’s discovery.
She-Hulk Vol 2 #12 & #13 (Nov & Dec 2006) – Starfox’s hearing on Titan and the true facts are revealed.