She-Hulk #3 // Review
Jen is trying to get back on her feet. She used to be an Avenger. She used to be a Fantastic Fourth. Now she wants to be a lawyer again. It’s not going to be too easy for her. Her boss doesn’t want her to accept any superhuman clients. She’s also dealing with the sudden appearance of a hero of great power in She-Hulk #3. Writer Rainbow Rowell pushes Jen through a few phone calls and a heart-to-heart with Jack of Hearts over pizza. Putting it all in panels are artist Rogê Antônio and colorist Rico Renzi.
Things aren’t all bad for Jen at the office. She may not have a hell of a lot of luck drumming up business, but at least she’s got her old office pal Andy to work with. A rough day of taking calls from the types of clients she CAN’T help ends with pizza and a conversation with the Jack of Hearts--a being of immense power who is crashing on her couch. He’s reluctant to eat, but Jen’s favorite Sicilian serves as a suitable opening to a conversation about just how little Jack actually knows about his own past. Uncertain of what to do, Jen decides to get some advice from her BFF&E “Hellcat” Patsy Walker.
Jen spends a hell of a lot of time on the phone this installment. When she’s not on the phone, she’s talking to the Jack of Hearts. There is no earthly reason why this should be even remotely entertaining...but Rainbow Rowell makes it tremendous fun. Rowell has such a deft understanding of the intricate complexities of the Marvel Universe, which matches with a sparkling wit that drives a casual day in the life of a rather sensational person with fabulous hair. It shouldn’t work, but it does.
A lot of time on the phone really doesn’t seem like it would work all that well in a series of panels, but Antônio is able to bring it together with great style. There’s vivid empathy in the variety of emotions that he’s able to render on Jen’s face. Antônio shines a truly endearing personality into a nine-panel page in Jen’s cramped office over the phone. Any artist would be tempted to try to shoot for exotic angles and artsy framing to punch up a whole lot of conversation. Still, Antônio wisely allows nuance to bring across the drama and comedy that Rowell is delivering.
The series is already three issues in..., but Rowell and company really feel like they’re settling into something much longer than a five-issue series. It’s uncomfortable to watch Jen just beginning to connect up with a whole new life, knowing that there will only be a couple more issues in the whole series. Rowell spends a hell of a lot of time exploring the personality of the Jack of Hearts for a chapter that really should be a lot more about Jen if it’s going to be satisfying by the end of the fifth issue.
