She-Hulk, Vol. 3: Girl Can't Help It by Rainbow Rowell, et al

Krysta

Nov 29

She-Hulk Vol. 3 Cover showing She-Hulk in a fighting stance, fists up

Information

Goodreads: Girl Can't Help It
Series: She-Hulk #3
Age Category: Young Adult/Adult
Source: Library
Published: 2023

Summary

Jen is trying to keep her life together. She loves Jack, but he seems distant lately. And her boss is totally overworking her at the law firm. Then a charming villain appears--and he seems to have eyes only for She-Hulk. Can Jen balance it all?

Review

Rainbow Rowell has done it again! While volume two disappointed me, due to the sense that very little plot development had occurred, volume three brings back everything I love about Rowell's run: the emphasis on character development and a hint of romance. Rowell's She-Hulk is a cozy kind of superhero, one that celebrates kindness, friendship, and staying true to one's self. This is the just the kind of story I need when the world seems dark.

The delightful feeling of coziness is definitely back. Jen not only returns to keep Eat Cake in Fancy Dresses Wednesdays, but also expands membership of her Fight club (with an amusing debate over what kind of jackets to get). Her relationship with her boss is deepened as we discover what is driving the law firm to get so many (too many!) clients. The volume ends with a diverting account of Jen's book club. It's almost like a slice-of-life comic, except that periodically Jen still does have to smash things.

And, for me, the sense of some plot development, however slow, is still key. So it was fun to see Jen get entangled with a charming villain named Scoundrel. Why is he seeking her out? Is she falling for him even as Jack seems withdrawn? But fear not. Jack is doing some of his own character development, trying to figure out who he is and whether it is even possible to be in a relationship with Jen if he can't even touch him. Plenty of big feelings here!

Sometimes a cozy story is just what one needs. Seeing Jen commit to her friends, deepen her relationship with Jack, and continue to fight for her clients' legal rights quite simply made me smile. I hope we get more of this charming run!