WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Immortal Hulk #32 by Al Ewing, Joe Bennett, Ruy José, Belardino Brabo, Paul Mounts, Javier Rodríguez, Álvaro López and VC's Cory Petit, on sale now.
Perhaps the most dangerous weapon yet released by Dario Agger, Xemnu has made it his purpose to alter the memories of humanity and make himself into a popular hero that can in turn transform people into beings like him. But while even the assorted heroes are affected, one regular human might just be the key to defeating it. The Immortal Hulk supporting character Dr. Charlene McGowan just came out as trans -- which gives her a slight immunity to mind-wiping, potentially setting her up to be a crucial figure in stopping Xemnu and the false memories he's forced onto humanity.
Since Xemnu's arrival, the world has believed a false history wherein the giant white creature is the only major hero worthy of note. But Dr. Charlene McGowan, one of the scientists who has been working with the Hulk and his allies, seems to be the only person who knows Xemnu wasn't always in the world and that this history is incorrect. Some people feel like there is something wrong with their memories, but no one seems to have completely broken through the influence aside from McGowan.
She noticed a potential loophole in the memory-wipe: video footage of herself speaking with Betty and Rick. In it, she mentions her history with Daredevil - which her memories have changed to be about Xemnu. When Doc Samson confirms that's what she said in the video, this suggests to McGowan that her memories have been impacted. Following that, she can hypothesize that the entire world is going through the Mandela Effect -- when false memories make their way into the public consciousness. Her ability to see through the lies comes from her personal experiences.
In Immortal Hulk #32, McGowan comes out as trans to Doc Samson -- something Samson suspected, but didn't feel right commenting on. McGowan explains that she first realized she was trans in her youth, and she slowly decided to live her truth, regardless of the stories the world made up about her. Because she's spent so much of her life being told by others that she's someone other than herself, she's developed a natural eye for when people are trying to force their perspectives on her.
Coupled with her personal encounters with superheroes, McGowan turns out to be the perfect person to find the hole inside Roxxon's plans with Xemnu. Having seemingly convinced Samson that there's something wrong with their memories, she could end up approaching the rest of the heroes inside the Shadow-Base with this information and start tearing down the brainwashing that's affected the entire world.
While the pressing matter of Robert Banner catches Samson's attention, McGowan might prove to be the key to figuring out how to get around this mindwipe and give the Hulk and his allies the chance to save the world from Xemnu's influence. McGowan isn't a major character in the Marvel Universe, but her coming out as trans is still important. McGowan and her arc to becoming an ally of the Hulk's has been one of the many compelling story beats in the series. Allowing her to be candid about her identity and experience is a good step forward.