She-Hulk #13 // Review
Jen and Patsy are out for “Eat Cake in Fancy Dresses Wednesday.” Jen’s a little distracted, but it’s totally understandable. There’s a lot going on for her personally, professionally, and otherwise. She’s helping out a few friends on the side. The fact that they happen to be the Fantastic Four can only mean further complications as Jen tries to navigate through the complexities of She-Hulk #13. Writer Rainbow Rowell continues a remarkably well-framed look at the life of the jade giantess in an issue that is brought to page and panel by artist Andrés Genolet and colorist Rico Renzi.
Patsy asks Jen if she’s seeing someone. It’s a valid question. Shouldn’t be difficult to answer. She IS dating Jack, but he’s got kind of a lot going on too. He’s got his whole life to redefine. But is she seeing someone else? There’s a guy...a super-powerful thief who doesn’t seem to have much of any problem dealing with Jen. That’s a bit of a concern considering...y’know...she’s a hulk and everything. She shouldn’t be having anywhere near the kind of problem with him that she’s been having. So maybe things are a little more complicated for her than even she’s been acknowledging.
Rowell has found a really impressive rendering of all of the different angles on Jen’s life. This isn’t anything new. All of the best writers that have worked with Jen in the past have managed this, from David Anthony Kraft to John Byrne to Dan Slott. What defines Rowell’s relationship with Jen is a deeper emotional connection with the character in a way that allows for a very fluid understanding of how all of the different elements of her life come together. That understanding blends together beautifully in an issue that gets to the heart of many things for She-Hulk.
Genolet once again has a subtle and masterful understanding of Jen’s more vulnerable side. Given Jen’s stature and overall sense of power, it’s all too easy to keep Jen appearing overwhelmingly formidable throughout an issue. Genolet allows the inner psyche of the character to permeate every aspect of her...from professional matters to personal matters. She even manages to come across with a degree of vulnerability in the middle of combat, which is essentially She-Hulk’s natural habitat. Genolet’s art matches Rowell’s script brilliantly.
Rowell’s run continues to work through many of the issues that Jen’s been dealing with in one fashion or another for decades. It’s been a lot of fun in a way that’s come to define Jen’s presence ever since Byrne first started hanging out with her in the mid-1980s. The clever work around the margins of the Marvel Universe continues to be a sparkling gem in its own distinct corner of the comics rack. Judging from developments coming to the title in the next couple of months, Jen’s going to have her hands full through the summer...and Rowell’s going to be there for every turn.
