My favorite 4th wall break from this series is in issue #5, when She-Hulk escapes a dicey situation by ripping her panel and entering a (fake) ad page and then rips her way through the ad into a new setting.
He did eight issues and then quit over an editorial disagreement, and when he later returned to do more, he tried to play up the intervening (poor) issues as a bad dream she had lol. She Hulk was a terrific series whenever Byrne was on board.
When this was previewed in Marvel Age, I remember them citing the excellent "It's Garry Shandling's Show" as big influence of comedic breaking the fourth wall.
I am glad you brought up Moonlighting. I feel like I read in an interview or maybe a She-Hulk letters column that Byrne specifically mentioned Moonlighting being an influence on the style of storytelling on this comic.
I remember getting into She Hulk starting with this issue. I can't remember what I thought after issue 1 but after a few issues the main draw was the fact that She Hulk didn't really have a ton of angst and woe about "secret identity" - it was just a fun combo of superhero action + "what is normal life for a superhero".
Man, you guys are just great. I have a hard time watching a lot of comic analysts on RUclips but you are so informative and have so much charisma. I would love to meet you if you’re in Los Angeles sometime! Thanks for the content!
The story started out as a Fantastic Four story. The man with the mustache in the beginning was Wyatt Wingfoot. It was redrawn. I am not sure how much but I do know it started as an FF story.
I was almost 18 when this comic came out and was only familiar with John Byrne from Superman but I picked up the first issue and instantly fell in love with this interpretation of She-Hulk. Every issue was a joy to read, with the exception of the issues by Steve Gerber and the return of Byrne, I never could get back into this character with other writers.
The Headmen were created by the late Steve Gerber during his amazing Defenders run in the mid-70s. I read this initial Byrne run on and off on the shelves as they came out, but managed to get Byrne's initial She Hulk run. I did, however, pick up most of Byrne's second run on this series as it was coming out.
The Headmen were part of Steve Gerber’s run on the Defenders in the ‘70s, as I recall - a group of weird & ridiculous villains that Gerber played for laughs, kind of Grant Morrison-ish. (That Gerber Defenders stuff might be worth a look on your channel someday)
Well remembered Matt - I'm surprised the guys didn't pick up on that themselves. If memory serves weren't most of the members old Lee/Kirby "mad scientists" from shorts they had done in the old Tales to Astonish/of Suspense style books. I think one of them had a skin disease which is why that odd bit of inking they refer to at 16.20 is actually an accurate rendering of the character's wonky skin which isn't meant to be smooth but they are correct in what they say on other aspects of the inking - definitely off in some areas.
...anything Byrne drew I bought!!! I owe my hands to his hands, a good friend of mine and I were just floored when we examined Marrina's webbed hands in Alpha Flight, and from that artist's lesson I was hooked. She Hulk was an interesting take on silver age "kayfabe" in-comic lore; an examination on the unexplained quirks of the "whys" in story. PEACE Family, and God bless.
First time I set eyes on She-Hulk #1 was when a buddy and I saw it in a comic store in 1979. The lady at the cash register heard us laughing and belittling it, yet another misfire from Marvel's House of Ideas, etc. Convinced it would be huge she gave each of us a free copy. Never gave the green girl a second thought until I tuned in today.
I can spot a Wiacek inked Byrne comic from a mile away, even when he's doing his best he's still taking something away. I think you nailed it with no line weight observation, that especially shows in the hatching. I think you're right that there may be more than one inker on this, certain pages look way better than others, the Wiacek pages are pretty obvious. I wonder if for some reason Byrne had to ink a few pages himself.
I'm generally not much for superhero comics, but She-Hulk holds a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the character when I read the 2004 She-Hulk series (writer: Dan Slott, Penciler: Juan Bobillo, Inker: Marcelo Sosa, Colorist: Chris Chuckery, Letters: Dave Sharp, Editor: Tom Brevoot).
One of my favorite series ever. The 4th wall breaking stuff really started to HIT when Byrne came back to the book. Like he really started leaning in to it. I feel like marvel expected to write the book off, Byrne made it popular then left and it fell and they got him back and was like DO ALL THE STUFF and it was great. He started using duotone or whatever that was that was new as well. I think It would be interesting to read a Byrne book from later in the series (issues 36-50) and see his differences compared to the earlier run
I think you’re really kind not to point out that the only things that make Byrne’s She-Hulk look powerful is her shoulders and hair. She has lithe, Black Widow/gymnast arms and runners’ legs. I know her femininity is part of the character’s story, but Byrne’s only nods to her Hulkiness are her hair & her color.
Big fan of Byrne's art, and a long time fan of She-Hulk (since issue #1, but a major fan since her Contest of Champions appearance). But I dizliked this series purely because of the campy/comedy aspects. Its one thing for me if its Silver Age light-heartedness, unintentional humor or even out and out comedy ( Archie being my favorite), but when it's a serious-up-till-then hero it just feels too much to me like mocking the character.
My favorite 4th wall break from this series is in issue #5, when She-Hulk escapes a dicey situation by ripping her panel and entering a (fake) ad page and then rips her way through the ad into a new setting.
Was that the one where she goes through the Mile High comics type catalog? It’s just a list of titles and prices. It’s got comments too - funny ones
I paid $98 for my high school graduation suit in 1991. Shoulda skipped that crap and bought a Giant Size X-Men instead lol.
He did eight issues and then quit over an editorial disagreement, and when he later returned to do more, he tried to play up the intervening (poor) issues as a bad dream she had lol. She Hulk was a terrific series whenever Byrne was on board.
Brynes She Hulk is the GREATEST shehulk of all time. I love her so much, no run since has captured her lively feminimity or been as fun
When this was previewed in Marvel Age, I remember them citing the excellent "It's Garry Shandling's Show" as big influence of comedic breaking the fourth wall.
Thank you. That's exactly the context I was searching for. - JR
I had a Mario game and watch around 1988 or 89 I loved it.
"John! Let's do that shoot interview!"
The issues with the "fourth wall" breaking schtick really gets going in the later issues -- 31 onward. The swimsuit issues, jumping rope, etc.
I am glad you brought up Moonlighting. I feel like I read in an interview or maybe a She-Hulk letters column that Byrne specifically mentioned Moonlighting being an influence on the style of storytelling on this comic.
You guys should check out issue 50 of Byrne's run it has pages by Simonson, Miller, Gibbons, Chaykin, Wendy Pini and Adam Hughes.
I remember getting into She Hulk starting with this issue. I can't remember what I thought after issue 1 but after a few issues the main draw was the fact that She Hulk didn't really have a ton of angst and woe about "secret identity" - it was just a fun combo of superhero action + "what is normal life for a superhero".
Man, you guys are just great. I have a hard time watching a lot of comic analysts on RUclips but you are so informative and have so much charisma. I would love to meet you if you’re in Los Angeles sometime! Thanks for the content!
The story started out as a Fantastic Four story. The man with the mustache in the beginning was Wyatt Wingfoot. It was redrawn. I am not sure how much but I do know it started as an FF story.
I was almost 18 when this comic came out and was only familiar with John Byrne from Superman but I picked up the first issue and instantly fell in love with this interpretation of She-Hulk.
Every issue was a joy to read, with the exception of the issues by Steve Gerber and the return of Byrne, I never could get back into this character with other writers.
The Headmen were created by the late Steve Gerber during his amazing Defenders run in the mid-70s.
I read this initial Byrne run on and off on the shelves as they came out, but managed to get Byrne's initial She Hulk run. I did, however, pick up most of Byrne's second run on this series as it was coming out.
The Headmen were part of Steve Gerber’s run on the Defenders in the ‘70s, as I recall - a group of weird & ridiculous villains that Gerber played for laughs, kind of Grant Morrison-ish. (That Gerber Defenders stuff might be worth a look on your channel someday)
Well remembered Matt - I'm surprised the guys didn't pick up on that themselves. If memory serves weren't most of the members old Lee/Kirby "mad scientists" from shorts they had done in the old Tales to Astonish/of Suspense style books. I think one of them had a skin disease which is why that odd bit of inking they refer to at 16.20 is actually an accurate rendering of the character's wonky skin which isn't meant to be smooth but they are correct in what they say on other aspects of the inking - definitely off in some areas.
I couldn’t believe our Kayfabers didn’t know Gerber’s Headmen!
...anything Byrne drew I bought!!! I owe my hands to his hands, a good friend of mine and I were just floored when we examined Marrina's webbed hands in Alpha Flight, and from that artist's lesson I was hooked. She Hulk was an interesting take on silver age "kayfabe" in-comic lore; an examination on the unexplained quirks of the "whys" in story. PEACE Family, and God bless.
I just love the sound of disbelief in Jim’s voice when he says, are you gonna produce one? Of course Ed has a Game + Watch…
I was surprised to see a New England Comics ad in this book at 21:25. This was my lcs during this era and they created the Tick!
First time I set eyes on She-Hulk #1 was when a buddy and I saw it in a comic store in 1979. The lady at the cash register heard us laughing and belittling it, yet another misfire from Marvel's House of Ideas, etc. Convinced it would be huge she gave each of us a free copy. Never gave the green girl a second thought until I tuned in today.
I can spot a Wiacek inked Byrne comic from a mile away, even when he's doing his best he's still taking something away. I think you nailed it with no line weight observation, that especially shows in the hatching. I think you're right that there may be more than one inker on this, certain pages look way better than others, the Wiacek pages are pretty obvious. I wonder if for some reason Byrne had to ink a few pages himself.
The Head Men were from early 70's issues of Ghost Rider.
byrne, one of my fav artists......was a big transformers fan, but he made me love shehulk.....
The "prelude" for this in MCP 18 is pretty fun.
i've been waiting for this one 💪💪💪
I'm generally not much for superhero comics, but She-Hulk holds a special place in my heart. I fell in love with the character when I read the 2004 She-Hulk series (writer: Dan Slott, Penciler: Juan Bobillo, Inker: Marcelo Sosa, Colorist: Chris Chuckery, Letters: Dave Sharp, Editor: Tom Brevoot).
One of my favorite series ever. The 4th wall breaking stuff really started to HIT when Byrne came back to the book. Like he really started leaning in to it. I feel like marvel expected to write the book off, Byrne made it popular then left and it fell and they got him back and was like DO ALL THE STUFF and it was great. He started using duotone or whatever that was that was new as well. I think It would be interesting to read a Byrne book from later in the series (issues 36-50) and see his differences compared to the earlier run
I got the sensational she-hulk #1.😀👍
I loved She Hulk! Byrne is so underrated.
Love your videos, guys. Thanks for your work! Also, I enjoyed the hell out of Hulk: Grand Design!
Got this when it came out. Dug it out this past winter because of Byrne (not because of the show haha)
Awesome comic series, pity the TV show its 'based' on is nothing like it.
I think you’re really kind not to point out that the only things that make Byrne’s She-Hulk look powerful is her shoulders and hair. She has lithe, Black Widow/gymnast arms and runners’ legs. I know her femininity is part of the character’s story, but Byrne’s only nods to her Hulkiness are her hair & her color.
Green cindy Crawford, yes please!!
Big fan of Byrne's art, and a long time fan of She-Hulk (since issue #1, but a major fan since her Contest of Champions appearance). But I dizliked this series purely because of the campy/comedy aspects. Its one thing for me if its Silver Age light-heartedness, unintentional humor or even out and out comedy ( Archie being my favorite), but when it's a serious-up-till-then hero it just feels too much to me like mocking the character.