Chick lit isn’t usually my thing. I don’t know, something about relatively affluent twenty-somethings or thirty-somethings whose biggest problems are their sex lives just doesn’t cut it for me.
But chick-lit with hulk-smashing? I can give that a try.
The She-Hulk Diaries is a chick-lit style novel adaptation of the Marvel universe focusing on the life of Jennifer Walters, who is quite a bit better known as She-Hulk. Jen is a lawyer with a stunning CV in superhuman law – except her “rage issues” have managed to get her fired from most of the firms she’s worked for. (Apparently, even in the Marvel universe, law firms don’t like hiring associates who flip tables in court. Go figure.) Waking up New Year’s Day hungover, jobless, and well on her way to being homeless, Jen decides to set goals for herself to make friends, find a great job, and meet a nice guy without Shulky’s help.
This was a really fun book to read. I found Jen and her best friend very funny, and the antics She-Hulk got up to when she was in control were really funny as well. The “evil villain” plot was really secondary to Jen’s development, and I also appreciated the number of “false starts” in the superhero part of the plot.
On the other hand, some of the language used kind of got on my nerves, namely the frequency with which the incredibly intelligent and successful lawyer protagonist used the term “OMG.” When talking.
Yes. I’m serious.
It was probably the most irritating and annoying part of the reading experience simply because it reduced my respect of Jen as a character. I know she’s supposed to be young and “hip,” but that doesn’t mean she has to talk like a seventh grader.
Stupidly awkward dialogue choices aside, I found The She-Hulk Diaries an overall good reading experience, at least from an entertainment standpoint. I laughed, I yelled at stupid decision-making, I was politely interested in her love life. It’s a great introduction to Jennifer Walters for a female reader of a certain age, especially ones who love a good hulk-smashing story.
4 out of 5 stars (minus one for over-use of OMG.)
Have you read Dan Slott’s She-Hulk? It’s an awesome story filled with the absolute best cameos and references, an absolutely adorable and lovable cast, and overall great story. I fell in love with Jen after reading that.
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I haven’t checked out any She-Hulk comics yet – though I’ll probably check out that run now that I’ve been introduced to the character. I really do like Jen, and I actually like her as a character more than She-Hulk.
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