We like her when she's angry.
By Libe Goad

We’re as excited as anyone about The Hulk, Ang Lee's film in theaters since June 20. In fact, we’ve already purchased our Hulk Hands and have proceeded to “Hulk Smash!” everything that stands in our way.

Beyond the madness, however, it’s easy to forget an integral part of the Hulk legend--Jennifer Walters, better known as She-Hulk.

For the most part, the jade giantess has joined the ranks of Supergirl and Spidergirl as heroines of the T&A set. Aside from a few comic book series and Saturday Morning cartoon appearances; these comic stars have become fodder for artists who festishize female superheroes.

Stan Lee purportedly created “Shulkie” to cash in on The Hulk’s raging success in the late ‘70s. Enter Bruce Banner’s cousin, Jennifer Walters. The attractive, yet mousy, lawyer was living a less-than-spectacular life until she crossed paths with various unsavory characters. After a mob boss tries to take her out with a hail of bullets, cousin Brucie arrives to give her a blood transfusion—and his Hulk superpowers. Thus, She-Hulk was born.

In the first comic book series, Jen the lawyer reacts to anger just like her cousin—primal instincts take over as her bulging form rips through her form-fitting suit. Jenn eventually gives up lawyering to be a full-time superhero. In the second series, Jen’s human-to-monster transformation halts permanently, and she wanders the earth as an attractive, green-hued strongwoman, with the ability to gain strength and other powers when her Shulk rage is set in motion.

She-Hulk--who could arguably be another Rosie the Riveter for working women in the ‘80s--fared respectably in the comic book world. The green giantess had two series to her name, The Savage She-Hulk and The Sensational She-Hulk, but mostly lent her hulking image to other comics, most notably as a replacement for The Thing in the Fantastic Four series.

She-Hulk never caught on in the mainstream media. Aside from her occasional Hulk comic book appearances and second billing in the Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk cartoon in the '90s, rumors of a movie have circulated with no outcome. Until then, we’ll have to make due with fan fiction and hopes she’ll make it into the Hulk sequel, Hulk 2: Electric Boogaloo*.