Given the comparative prominence and popularity of the character, She-Hulk’s arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe feels both overdue and extremely welcome. The character has been a staple of the Avengers almost since her first appearance, and remains one of the few faces that the MCU's version of the team seems to be missing. The new sizzle reel for the show from Disney+ Day confirms its tight connection with the rest of the MCU, as well as answering some questions about its chosen tone.
She-Hulk is primarily known as a bright and upbeat character, particularly during John Byrne’s famous run on The Sensational She-Hulk when she began breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the reader. But that doesn’t preclude darkness in her history either, particularly in certain latter-day stories. Given the direction of the MCU right now – as it establishes new heroes and a new identity for Phase 4 – the new show could be a comedy, a drama or something in between.
With the arrival of the sizzle reel as part of Disney+ Day, that question has been at least partially answered. Despite her connection to one of the biggest Avengers still standing, Jennifer Walters’ story looks to trend smaller, lighter and funnier than the more downbeat variations of the character. In that regard, it actually resembles the two Ant-Man movies more than anything else, with an emphasis on comedy over superhero gravitas.
It’s not as easy a choice as it may appear. While the Ant-Man movies have moments of danger, their energy is optimistic and bright. That, in turn, provides a number of benefits to the characters that a more serious-minded set of stories would prevent. Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne and their supporting cast were not well-known outside of comic-book circles. Making their films too dramatic or heavy could easily distance them from the audience they need to connect to. Lighter stories, with an emphasis on character interaction, allow new fans to get to know them better and make them far more endearing in the process.
Jennifer Walters falls along similar lines, a character largely limited to the comics with almost no previous incarnation until now. A larger, more dramatic story line could easily get in the way of helping viewers get to know her. The sizzle reel goes in a different direction, however: emphasizing how being an emerald-green behemoth could disrupt her otherwise happy life, and how learning to adjust to it might carry a few self-depreciating bumps. Most tellingly, the show appears to adapt Byrne’s technique of breaking the fourth wall, which always works well as a source of humor and insight.
That doesn’t preclude darker storylines, of course. Like her cousin, Jennifer would occasionally revert to a savage state, including a period as a Gray She-Hulk and the recent World War She-Hulk storyline that began in Avengers Vol. 8 #46. That arc saw her transformed into a brainwashed killer called the Winter Hulk. Given the presence of the Winter Soldier storyline in the MCU already, it or similar dramatic plot material could very well be a part of the series.
That said, the MCU clearly has an ambitious schedule for its Disney+ series, and can likely maintain them by letting each one keep to their thematic lane. It’s worked quite well so far for their first crop of shows. She-Hulk looks to keep things breezy rather than brooding, taking a huge dose of inspiration from the MCU’s reigning lightweight movies. It’s a promising sign, and if properly developed could help Walters find a new fan base very quickly.