Rainbow Rowell’s She-Hulk run has been one of the best comic books Marvel has been publishing since it started last year. Now taking an already amazing run Rowell and Marvel are relaunching the series as Sensational She-Hulk. Joining Rowell is artist Andres Genolet, who worked on the final five issues of the previous She-Hulk series. With their chemistry already established a lot of big things are expected from Rowell and Genolet. Let’s find out if
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Andres Genolet
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
SOLICITATION
“THE SENSATIONAL SHE-HULK IS BACK! Jen Walters is dusting off her adjective and kicking off a new era! The best hero slash lawyer in the Marvel Universe is going to remind you why she’s so SENSATIONAL, going up against her deadliest challenge yet! PLUS: MARVEL STUDIOS SHE-HULK series writer JESSICA GAO makes hers Marvel in a short story with the Jade Giant!” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Rainbow Rowell and Andres Genolet do not miss a beat with what has been established for a modern She-Hulk comic book. First and foremost, Sensation She-Hulk #1 is pure fun. While it is a relaunched comic book this is a continuation of what Rowell and Genolet have done before and that is for the best.
While this is a first issue Rowell and Genolet immediately show trust in each other and the reader by how they start Sensational She-Hulk #1. They are confident in what they’ve done with She-Hulk already that the reader will quickly catch on to the chemistry between She-Hulk and her supporting cast. Whether it’s interacting with her boyfriend, Jack Of Hearts, or The Thing you get where She-Hulk is with her relationship with all of them.
This in turn allows for Sensational She-Hulk #1 to have a natural pace to it. Every scene begins and ends in a way that momentum is never lost. It’s a credit to Rowell’s story structure that the dialogue keeps up the same tone throughout and there isn’t a drastic change just because She-Hulk interacts with a different character. This story structure allows Sensational She-Hulk #1 to get a sense of what Jennifer Walters’s days are like.
Best of all none of these interactions are out of place. Every character comes across as a natural part of this corner of the Marvel Universe. Things like Mallory Book flirting with the android paralegal Awesome Andy or She-Hulk having Deviants’ Karkas and Ransak The Reject as clients do not feel out of place. You are fully bought into the cases that She-Hulk takes as more than cases for her superhero friends. She is looking to help everyone. This is further emphasized when She-Hulk gets in the middle of a fight between the Thing and Titania.
This success is also thanks to Genolet’s artwork. Genolet provides Sensational She-Hulk #1 with a style that makes all the characters fit into this world. It feeds back into the pacing of the dialogue as characters’ expressions are done to enhance how every interaction is natural to She-Hulk’s world. This works into the transition from scene to scene flowing into one another. Everything that happens compliments one another to create investment in all that goes on.
The ending of Sensational She-Hulk #1 Hulk’s appearance was a great hook. We haven’t seen She-Hulk and Hulk interact very much with each other. Rowell and Genolet tap into this being a big deal with how the ending is framed. Hulk came to She-Hulk for a reason. What that reason is will be interesting to find out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Sensational She-Hulk #1 is an absolute joy to read from beginning to end. Rainbow Rowell and Andres Genolet are at the top of their game with how they present She-Hulk along with her supporting cast and world. The pacing is excellent, and it all leads to a strong hook ending with the appearance of the Hulk. It all comes together for a must-buy comic book.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10