Project: She-Hulk (A Fan Proposal)

MAJOR UPDATE: I've fully revised the first portion of this journal with an update that expresses my feelings in a far less anger-driven method. You can find the link below. Also, I've posted high-res copies of the Project: She-Hulk artwork for those interested.

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I'm not really happy with Marvel Comics these days. If you need a reason why, head on over to a site called Bleeding Cool. They've been staying on top of the company's many questionable business practices from Marvel's owner, the countless bone-headed decisions they've made, Marvel-employed editors and creators acting like dicks or blaming everyone else for their failures, and the public backlash that has readers, comic book stores, and creators fed up with their nonsense.

Apologies for the multiple links. There is so much stupidity going on within that company, it's hard to keep up.

Perhaps the biggest insult they've committed, at least in my opinion, is the current state of She-Hulk. For a much more focused/current explanation behind all of this, head to this link below.


With the assistance of the ever talented Jebriodo , I've been working on my definitive take on She-Hulk. Below is the fruits of our labor along with a short bio on Ms. Walters and her gamma green alter ego to bring newcomers up to speed.


If I had to do an elevator pitch for this project, it would be "Boston Legal (or a better version of Ally McBeal, your pick) crossed with One Punch Man (or My Hero Academia. Again, pick your poison)". A longer summation would be this...

"Jennifer Walters aka the sensational She-Hulk is going through one of the most trying moments of her dual careers. Not only is her new legal office taking in cases to protect the rights of the innocent (regardless of their gender, color, or genetic make-up), but she's also being challenged by a new wave of villains. From the dark corners of the criminal underworld to the cut-throat world of high-ranking law firms to every super-powered yahoo in the Marvel Universe with more muscles than brains: everyone wants a piece of the jade giantess. Can She-Hulk overcome these insurmountable odds? Can one lawyer stand up against those who abuse the legal system? Can Jennifer Walters have one moment where she doesn't have to ruin a perfectly good business suit due to super-villain shenanigans?"

Basically, this would be a celebration of all the things that makes She-Hulk great and a step forward to making her a breakout character in the Marvel Universe. As for what will happen within this proposal, let's cover some basic points.

1) This takes place after the events of the Charles Soule run. Jennifer still has her law office and the majority of that cast from that series (Angie Huang, Hei Hei, and Sharon King to name a few) along with some new cast members and guest appearances from the Marvel Universe.

2) A number of bad decisions would be retconned out of existence and/or undone completely. Too many to list right now, but lets focus the big three of One More Day, Civil War II, and Secret Empire. If I had it my way, the creators and editors behind these rancid events would be shown the exit leading out of the comic book industry.


3) We will be bringing back elements or plot threads from previous She-Hulk series that have either been pushed to the wayside or have not been explored to their full potential. One such factor, as mentioned in her bio, will be Shulkie's ability to increase her power exponentially by strength training as Jennifer Walters. For some reason, that trait was never brought up again after the Dan Slott run. Another dangling thread from the Slott run that was never resolved was the Reckoning War: a future battle where the universe, along with the ranks of the Watchers, are devastated by the unintentional actions of She-Hulk herself. These are a few of the deep wells of ideas that are begging to be tapped.

BTW, we're also bringing back She-Hulk's 1959 lime green Dodge Convertible from the John Byrne era. Because a flying vintage car modified by an alien who speaks in CB lingo is awesome in a weird way that only comic books can deliver.

4) This proposed series will be the same funny, action-packed romp you'd expect from a She-Hulk series but will explore stories based on current events. While the book will address certain political issues (the destruction of human rights by our current administration, the sexist mistreatment of women in the modern world, etc.), they will NOT be the main focus of this series. Main reason is that, while I know what is going on within the world, my viewpoint is that of a white, late 30's male. Hot topic subjects like gender inequality and sexism requires tons of research from activist groups and academic scholars who are more versed on these matters than my pudgy ass. Hell, I'm more than willing to have a female co-writer help with this or hand the treatment to a trusted female writer.

Hhhmmm... Think Gail Simone would be a good fit? Discuss in the comments on who you'd pick.

IMO, I feel this is one of many problems hurting Marvel Comics these days; making the message more important than the characters and the story. Not only that, but most of the "diverse" books being published today are being handled by white male writers. Which feels hypocritical when you've got a character like Miles Morales Spider-Man being written by Brian Michael Bendis aka a man so white, he makes a bleached polar bear eating rice during a blizzard look monochromatic. Books like the current Captain America titles and The Champions (originally written by Nick Spencer and Mark Waid, at the time this journal was originally posted) come off as tone-deaf stories with a 3rd grader's understanding of the world via Tumblr. Comics that focus on women and/or minorities might fair better when written by actual, talented women and/or ethnic creators (see Ms. Marvel). At least, that's my personal feelings about the matter.

And, to sum up this topic, it's OK to tell a story with a message. You cannot avoid politics in art of any media. Just remember to be subtle about the subject matter, be respectful towards the people you are trying to reach, and make sure the stories and characters are not just used as one's personal soap box. For a bad example of that, see Frank Miller's Holy Terror. Great fiction have told tales that spoke of certain topics in a manner where you didn't notice its message until you put down the book or when the movie ended. We care about heroes like Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel not because of her race or gender or religion, but who she is as a person. She's a superhero-lovin' uber geek who writes fan-fiction and loves her home town of New Jersey. She just happens to be Muslim American. Sure, characters like Captain America cannot help but be political (look at what he's wearing). However, we enjoy that character because of who he is as a person. The costume and shield do not define him. When you make the political statement the only subject you're addressing in a comic book, especially one that is very insulting to readers and the character, you end up coming off as an insufferable ass-clown like Nick Spencer.

5) This one is a major issue regarding She-Hulk. For being around nearly 40 years (please don't mention the big 4-0 to Ms. Walters), her rogues gallery has been very lackluster. With superheros like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and Captain America sporting a collection of various villains, heroes like Shulkie have gotten the short end of the stick. Hopefully, this proposed series will remedy that by bringing in new and original villains as well as long established villains that would fit the world this book takes place in. That said, one villain will not be part of this - Titania.

As much as I love the character, she's been the default baddie for Shulkie far too often. While I appreciate the backstory Dan Slott gave her, she lacks the personal qualities and connections that I would consider "arch enemy material". Titania is mostly a brute who has to cheat in order to match or beat She-Hulk's power level. The only reason she's been associated with She-Hulk is mostly due to her first victory against She-Hulk during the first Secret Wars. So, for the time being, she's gonna have to sit this one out.

I'm looking for villains that will challenge She-Hulk and not just in the strength department. There will be villains who will test Jennifer's dedication to the law itself. Villains who will use their wits to defeat the big green mamma jamma. And villains who will strike at the loved ones in Shulkie's life.

As for who these villains will be, that will be revealed at a later date.

6) And, in case you were wondering, there will be a crossover with Deadpool. Mostly because we need to set the record straight on which solo Marvel series broke the 4th wall first. The merc with the mouth Vs. the emerald amazon. Who will come out on top? How much property damage will come out of this? How many chimichangas does it take to fill the Grand Canyon?!

So what do you think? Is this a book you would like to read? Is there something or someone you would like to see pop up in this book? Let me know in the comments below.