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She-Hulk Reading Order, Jennifer Walters Sensational Guide

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Move over, Daredevil! There’s another famous lawyer in the Marvel Universe. A creation of Stan Lee and John Buscema, She-Hulk made her first appearance in The Savage She-Hulk #1 in 1980. She is Jennifer Walters, a talented lawyer and cousin of Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk.

Following an injury, she received an emergency blood transfusion from Bruce and acquired a milder version of his Hulk condition. She became She-Hulk: a large, powerful, green-hued version of herself who, unlike her cousin, largely retains her personality when transformed.

And so Jen Walters’ superheroine career began. Over the following decades, she fought for justice in court and on the streets, either alone or as part of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four or another team. Thanks to John Byrne, who made her break the fourth wall, her series has generally remained humorous, giving her a unique style compared to her more famous cousin. She has also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starring in her own television series, played by Tatiana Maslany.

When she is not pleading a case or saving the world, her life is filled with romance, friendship, and rivalry, all of which have been explored in solo comics, team-up books and Marvel crossover events. And you can discover all those stories with our Complete She-Hulk Reading order!

Where to Start Reading She-Hulk Comics?

If you’re looking to dive into Jennifer Walters’ adventures but don’t know where to begin, here are the absolute best jumping-on points depending on your comic book taste:

  • The Classic Run: Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne – Now a cult run, John Byrne’s humorous take featuring Jennifer breaking the Fourth Wall is not to the taste of everybody so it’s up to you to decide if it’s your cup of tea.
  • The Lawyer Comedy: She-Hulk by Dan Slott – Dan Slott’s run continues the characterization of Jennifer Walters as a fun and loving super-heroine, but with also more focus on her career as a lawyer and more embedded in continuity. It’s also the inspiration behind the TV show.
  • The Heroic Court: She-Hulk by Soule & Pulido – A short but well-loved run by Charles Soule following Jennifer as she opens a new practice while still confronting a mounting number of supervillains she’s racking up as personal enemies.
  • The RomCom: She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell – A back-to-basics run that balances courtroom drama with cozy slice-of-life romance. It’s the perfect jumping-on point if you want a modern, lighthearted, and character-driven take on Jennifer Walters.

Navigating our Sensational She-Hulk Guide:

You can explore the complete history of the Jade Giantess with our She-Hulk Comics Guide, taking you from her classic stories by John Byrne to the highs and lows of her legal career with Dan Slott, Peter David or Charles Soule, her many times with the Avengers, her adventures with the Hulk Family, and more – collected in Omnibuses, epic collections, and classic trade paperbacks.

She-Hulk Omnibus Collection

Smashing books for She-Hulk! Several important periods of Jennifer Walters’ publishing history have been collected in hardcover omnibuses:

She-Hulk Reading Order

She-Hulk: The Sensational Reading Order and Collecting Guide

I. Classic She-Hulk: The Savage & Sensational Days by John Byrne (1980–1994)

Before moving to California to develop Marvel’s TV and movie properties, Stan Lee co-created and introduced with John Buscema She-Hulk, the cousin of the Hulk — in The Savage She-Hulk #1 (1979). That was the only issue penned by the duo. They were succeeded by David Kraft and Mike Vosburg, who became the main creative team for She-Hulk first series.

Today, the best way to read and collect this comic should be The Savage She-Hulk Omnibus 🟢, if you can find it at a good price:

The run has also been collected in hardcover Masterworks, a collection that is now on hiatus (and also difficult to find at a decent price):

As well as in the older black and white Essential paperpack collection:

She-Hulk Guest appearances: Before becoming a member of the Avengers, She-Hulk appeared in Marvel Team-Up #107 (1981), where she met Spider-Man for the first time, and in Dazzler #14 (1982). More importantly, she first met the Thing in Marvel Two-in-One #88 (1982).

She Hulk, Team Player! After her brief solo career, She-Hulk joins the Avengers in issue #221 and a little bit later, she becomes a member of Fantastic Four.

Following the events of Fantastic Four #265 and Avengers #243, She-Hulk becomes a “detached” member of The Avengers and officially joins the Fantastic Four, taking Thing’s place after the Secret Wars event for the rest of John Byrne’s run on the title.

⚠️ This specific period has not yet been collected in Epic Collection. Right now, the best way to read and collect those issues in trade paperbacks is in the Marvel Visionaries Collection.

As this collection was released 20 years ago, it is – once again – not easily found at an affordable price these days. Published more recently and covering this era is the Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus, Vol. 2.

John Byrne left the Fantastic Four after #293, although the two next issues are based on his plot. After his departure, Roger Stern took over as the main writer for the Fantastic Four. Jen stays with the team until issue #300. She then rejoins the Avengers for a new stint (#278-297)

She-Hulk Guest appearances: During She-Hulk’s time as an FF member, the character made multiple appearances in other issues/titles, some more important than others. On that subject, you can read: Avengers Annual #13 (1984), Marvel Graphic Novel #17 – Revenge of the Living Monolith (1985), Longshot #4 (1985), and Incredible Hulk #316 (1986).

Jennifer Walters became Sensational, thanks to writer/artist John Byrne, who created a straight-up humorous comic based on the fact that the character “knows she’s in a comic book.” She-Hulk would then break the fourth wall, talking directly to the readers, before Deadpool did the same. John Byrne’s time on She-Hulk came to a halt for the first time after 8 issues, following editorial interference. He will come back for #31-46 and #48-50, and his run – that can also be found in Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne Omnibus 🟢– is what is today mostly remembered from this era. The rest of the series was written and penciled by others, including a Steve Gerber’s run that lasted around 13 issues.

After Sensational She-Hulk #6, John Byrne took over as writer for the Avengers (starting with #305) and She-Hulk rejoined the team.

  • The Avengers Epic Collection: Acts of Vengeance
    Collects Avengers (1963) 305-318, Annual 18; West Coast Avengers (1985) #53-55.

    • She-Hulk appears in Avengers (1963) #305-310, and Annual #18
    • Annual 18 is part of Atlantis Attacks.
  • Avengers Epic Collection: The Crossing Line
    Collects Avengers (1963) #319-333, Avengers Annual (1967) #19; material from Captain America Annual (1971) #9, Iron Man Annual (1970) #11, Thor Annual (1966) #15, Avengers West Coast Annual (1989) #5.

    • She-Hulk appears in Annual #19 and Avengers (1963) #326-333
  • As an Avenger, She-Hulk appears generally as a supporting player in several Marvel events such as Infinity Gauntlet, Galactic Storm, The Infinity War, and The Infinity Crusade. None are essential reading for the character.
  • After the conclusion of her own series and her time with the Avengers, Jennifer Walters joined the short-lived Fantastic Force (1994) #12-18, which are uncollected.

II. Single Green Female Era: She-Hulk by Dan Slott and Peter David (1996–2009)

Following the events of Onslaught, New York suffered a power vacuum after the Fantastic Four and Avengers were presumed killed. To help, Jim Hammond (the Golden Age Human Torch), and Danny Rand (Iron Fist) decided to set up a new Heroes For Hire organization and recruited Luke Cage for this. Jennifer left the D.A.’s office to join the team and even date Luke Cage briefly

After the Avengers returned from Counter-Earth, Jennifer didn’t spend long periods away from the team. She joined them on several missions at Janet’s request despite not wanting to take on full-time duties that would jeopardise her legal career. ⚠️ This era of the Avengers is most easily collected in Omnibus format at the moment.

It’s time for a new, fresh legal start for Jennifer Walters under the creative team of Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo. You read that right: when Jennifer is not working with the Avengers, she is taking on some of the wildest legal cases in the Marvel Universe!

However, this was not enough to prevent low sales, which led to the series being cancelled while the Avengers were disbanded under the new leadership of Brian Michael Bendis. Marvel brought the series to a close with issue #12, opting to relaunch it eight months later with the same creative team — a timeframe acknowledged in the comics.

Following a massive tragedy, the U.S. Government proposed the Superhuman Registration Act, intending to register all super-powered beings as living weapons of mass destruction and requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the government and subject themselves to federally mandated standards.

This is Marvel’s Civil War, one of the most defining events of the 2000s. For Jen, the Civil War begins after She-Hulk #7, with issues #8-9 being official tie-ins to the event. Civil War continues during #10-13, but barely connects with the conclusion of issue #14, introducing a new situation for She-Hulk in the aftermath of the conflict.

🟢 Dan Slott’s run has been entirely collected in She-Hulk by Dan Slott Omnibus

Writer Peter David, who wrote a 12-year defining run on Hulk, took over from Dan Slott as the main writer of She-Hulk with issue #22. However, low sales led to the cancellation of the title less than a year and a half later. During that time, Jennifer Walters joined a new Defenders team and crossed over with X-Factor during the Secret Invasion.

🟢 Peter David’s run has been entirely collected in She-Hulk by Peter David Omnibus.

III. She-Hulk Teaming Up: Incredible Hulks, Marvel NOW! FF, & Charles Soule Era (2009–2015)

After a short new Savage She-Hulk limited series, She-Hulk joins the rest of the Hulk Family in Greg Pak’s celebrated run on Incredible Hulks. Bruce Banner, aka the Incredible Hulk, attempts to harness his Gamma-powered brood for good, in the company of his son Skaar, his cousin She-Hulk, ex-wife Red She-Hulk and more!

Spinning out of the recent events is She-Hulks by Shulkie scribe Peter David, a team-up between Jen and Lyra to bring the hurt down on the fugitive members of the Intelligencia. Then, Jen is part of two team-up books with no impact on continuity that you can read here if you want.

This period concludes with two events for Jennifer Walters:

  • The Serpent’s War happens in Fear Itself. She-Hulk does not appear in the main story, but is part of Howard the Duck’s Fearsome Four alongside Frankenstein’s Monster and Nighthawk to stop the Man-Thing, collected in Fear Itself: Deadpool/Fearsome Four.
  • Then the Avengers are fighting the X-Men in Avengers Vs. X-Men, an event that concludes this Marvel era. She-Hulk sides with the Avengers and appears in several tie-ins (such as X-Men: Legacy #266-267) and a few issues of the main event (#7, #9-12), but this is optional reading.

Who is Red She-Hulk? Announced in a shroud of mystery during the 2009 Comic Con, Red She-Hulk followed Red Hulk’s path as his real identity was hidden for some time (nearly two years). The character made her first appearance in Hulk (vol. 2) #15 and had her own comic series at the beginning of the Marvel Now era. Jen is present in a few issues collected in Red She-Hulk: Route 616.

New Teams! Matt Fraction sent the Fantastic Four on a journey through time and space. While they are away, a new team has been formed to protect the planet. This team includes Jen Walters, the original gamma-spawned She-Hulk, as well as Scott Lang, Medusa and Ms. Thing. They are the FF!

🟢 Matt Fraction’s run on Fantastic Four has been entirely collected in Fantastic Four by Matt Fraction Omnibus

On the legal front, Jennifer founds her law firm during Charles Soule’s run on She-Hulk and hires Patsy Walker (aka Hellcat). The two women first meet in Savage She-Hulk #14, and their friendship develops during this particular time. It’s a self-contained run that can be read in one go:

While the FF decided to step aside after the return of the original Fantastic Four, Jennifer Walters is invited by Luke Cage to join the Mighty Avengers as legal advisor and an occasional field member. An offer she accepts at the end of Mighty Avengers Vol 2 5.INH (part of Inhumanity but you can skip it).

Then, the Avengers, the X-Men, and a group of villains have to fight against Red Skull in the AXIS event. This is also what starts the new Captain America & The Mighty Avengers title, with She-Hulk once again part of the group, also she does not appear in all issues:

IV. Deconstructing She-Hulk: Mariko Tamaki’s Gray Hulk & Jason Aaron Avengers (2015–2022)

All-New, All-Different She-Hulk! Spinning out from the events of Secret Wars (and the A-Force miniseries), the A-Force team is led by none other than She-Hulk! Jen also appears as a supporting character in the Patsy Walker series, just as Hellcat did in Charles Soule’s series, as well as in Totally Awesome Hulk starring Amadeus Cho.

A second Civil War is shaking up the superhero community! This time, Iron Man and Captain Marvel are fighting each other, following the emergence of an Inhuman with the ability to profile the future. She-Hulk plays an important role at the beginning of this event, and the tie-ins reflect this situation. You need to read at least the first issue before anything else.

The Gray Era! Following recent events, Jennifer Walters returns to her career as a lawyer and tries to move forward. However, during Mariko Tamaki’s run on the character, the stress occasionally causes Jen to transform uncontrollably into a new Gray Hulk persona. This is all collected in:

Fresh Start! Jen is imbued with an additional dose of gamma radiation, increasing the power levels of her hulked-out self, at the start of Jason Aaron’s Avengers run who officially rejoins the team in issue #8. As part of the Avengers, She-Hulk appears in several events during this period.

Aaron’s portrayal of She-Hulk has been controversial among fans of the character, as he has reversed most of her past development in favour of a more out-of-control version that is closer to Bruce Banner’s original Hulk. He also attempted to develop a relationship between Jen and Thor, which received mixed reviews.

V. Sensational Again: She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell & Planet She-Hulk (2022–Present)

Once again, Jen quits the Avengers to focus on her professional career, joining Mallory Book at her new law firm, and rebuilding his personal life, during Rainbow Rowell’s fun She-Hulk run. Traditionally for She-Hulk, the title was cancelled after 15 issues, only to be relaunched under the title Sensational She-Hulk – still written by Rowell and drawn by Andres Genolet.

🟢 Rainbow Rowell’s run has been entirely collected in She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell Omnibus.

She-Hulk rejoined the Avengers as a reserve member at the end of Rainbow Rowell’s run, and later the Avengers Emergency Response Squad formed by Captain America in Avenger Assemble #1. Her stories as part of the team happen in digital:

  • Jen is part of the Avengers Unlimited Infinity Comic (2022) #3-6, #22-25, #29-32, #49-51.
  • She is also the star of Strange Tales: She-Hulk Infinity Comic #1 by Steve Foxe and Ramon Bachs.
  • She-Hulk: Law and Disorder Infinity Comic (2022) is a 12-issue digital vertical series that reprints Charles Soule’s 2014 comic run.
  • As a member of the Avengers Emergency Response Squad, she appears in Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #1-4, #13-23, #28-30.

Jennifer accompanied Bruce and Amadeus to the planet Sakaar in the story ‘Imperial’ by Jonathan Hickman, which introduces a significant change to the Hulk family. Ultimately, Jennifer stays behind at Bruce’s request and finds herself having to keep the peace on a war-torn planet in Planet She-Hulk by Stephanie Phillips and Aaron Kuder.

  • Imperial
    Collects Imperial (2025) #1-4, Imperial War: Nova – Centurion (2025) #1, Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk (2025) #1, Imperial War: Imperial Guardians (2025) #1, Imperial War: Exiles (2025) #1, Imperial War: Black Panther (2025) #1
  • Planet She-Hulk [2026]
    Collects Planet She-Hulk (2025) #1-6.

To be continued…

She-Hulk Reading Order

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