Planet She-Hulk gave Jennifer Walters a direction she never thought she would take. That is one where she is having to fight for her life while navigating the political landscape of a gladiator planet. It has certainly challenged Jennifer’s knowledge as a lawyer as she can’t simply apply her background to the logic of those on the planet Hulk left her on. What will happen next in this series? Let’s find out with Planet She-Hulk #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Aaron Kuder
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Sonia Oback
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
PLANET SHE-HULK #2 SOLICITATION
“Jennifer Walters may be a trained lawyer and professional… but how much help is that going to be in a world governed by “Might Makes Right”? Fortunately, she’s also the gamma-fueled powerhouse known as the Sensational She-Hulk! Can she really smash the planet Sakaar into peace the way her cousin once did?” – Marvel Comics
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PLANET SHE-HULK #2
Writing Compliments Artwork
Planet She-Hulk #2 is a great example of how the writing can be done in a way that compliments the artwork. Stephanie Phillips does a great job at making sure the tone of the dialogue is there to enhance the artwork. This is particularly noticeable She-Hulk’s sparring match with Juno, Hiro-Kala’s first wife. Aaron Kuder does an impressive job at showing the different skill level between the two to go along with their raw power and speed. There are also a lot of moments where Kuder draws certain panels that draw you in by how characters are framed. This makes you pay attention to what the characters are saying.
She-Hulk Struggling Moral Compass
Being on Sakaar has been a real challenge for She-Hulk. It is not just that she is from another planet. She is coming in with her background as a lawyer that having to deal with the gladiator approach to politics goes against who She-Hulk is. How she manages that as Korven Blackjaw rises up creates so many gets you invested in what all her actions are. It makes it so all of Sakaar is really playing a supporting role in She-Hulk as it is an environment she has to continue to adjust to.
Korven Blackjaw a Strong Antagonist Ruler
Korven Blackjaw, the new ruler of Sakaar, is exactly what Planet She-Hulk needs. He is the asshole antagonist who is played well as She-Hulk’s opposite. Korven is the example of someone born and breed in the gladiator world that Sakaar raises most to be. He was waiting for the moment created by Imperial to gain the crown of Sakaar. Now he is going to make sure to not let go of that power no matter how forceful he has to be.
Complication of Gladiator Planet
How Korven’s rule is established does a lot to get into how even in Sakaar things are complicated politically. There is a deeper power struggle because for as strong as Korven is he is no Hulk or Hiro-Kala. Korven does not have the overwhelming power that all others have to sit back and take his rule. We see that there are others on the planet that know now is the time to challenge for the crown. That leads to an ending in Planet She-Hulk #2 that gets more into the story going on.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN PLANET SHE-HULK #2
More Action Needed
While the sparring match between She-Hulk and Juno was cool it does leave you wishing there was more fights in this comic book. Being set on Sakaar makes this be a comic, as a reader, looking to see power filled action sequences. We don’t get that in Planet She-Hulk #2. Hopefully that is something we see with how this issue ended.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Planet She-Hulk #2 follows up a Red Wedding-like moment at the end of the previous issue with a strong second chapter. How She-Hulk has to continue to deal with how things in Sakaar elevates the ongoing power struggle going on in the planet post-Imperial. The way every development in this issue builds on one another helps to create greater investment in everything that’s going on.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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