As you maybe know, I’ve been a comic book fan since more than 30 years. I even more or less got the time to manage an Avengers website, which I shamefully admit to have neglected to take care of this sweet blog. All this to inform you that, from time to time, I’ll highlight a comic book heroine deserving Cult Siren status. Of course, I’ll start with one of my favorites, the Sensational (or is it Savage?) She-Hulk.

Let’s go back to the late seventies. Marvel Comics guru Stan Lee came up with a female version of one his most popular creations, the Incredible Hulk. In Savage She-Hulk #1, with a cover date of February 1980, we learned that attorney Jennifer Walters was Bruce Banner’s cousin (Bruce being of course, the Hulk). After becoming victim of a mob hit, Jennifer benefited from a blood transfusion from her cousin, which eventually led her to transform under stress in a tall, strong and angry green woman. This series lasted until #25, and even with this intriguing lead heroine, was a bit on the lackluster side, remaining more or less a pale imitation of the original. But Marvel didn’t gave up on her: she soon became a member of the Avengers (where she briefly began to wear hideous aerobic costumes) and eventually replaced the Thing in the Fantastic Four, where her personality softened a bit, becoming more sympathetic. Her great intelligence and inner warmth also shone through.

As written by John Byrne in her second solo series (Sensational She-Hulk, starting in 1989), She-Hulk frequently broke the fourth wall, meaning that she directly addressed the reader, commenting on the absurdity of her adventures and the characters she encountered. This second try lasted 60 issues. At the height of her popularity in the late 80s, a live-action movie was considered, with Brigitte Nielsen in the imposing role. The actress even posed in full costume for a concept that was never produced (for which many of us remain thankful).

The Jade Giantess, as she was frequently called, could next be seen again in the pages of the Avengers and diverse guest-spots in other Marvel publications. Not as destructive as Cousin Hulk, She-Hulk still was prone to sometimes hitting first and ask questions later, more often than not with humorous results. At 6′7″ and 650 lbs at full fighting mode, you better have a sense of humor yourself when facing her! She had relationships of various lengths with many men, including Starfox, Wyatt Wingfoot, Hercules, John Jameson, Clay Quartermain, Tony Stark… and maybe the Juggernaut! Her main pain in the ass as an adversary remains the treacherous Titania, bride of the Absorbing Man.

In 2004, a third series scripted by Dan Slott was launched, lasting 12 issues. After some months, a fourth series is still going strong, with great critical success. She-Hulk has been a member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Fantastic Force, Heroes for Hire and S.H.I.E.L.D. She’s currently working as a bounty hunter, as of this month She-Hulk #22, now written by Peter David.

Quite a colorful character, She-Hulk has now become one of the most recognizable and well-loved female creations coming from Marvel Comics.