REVIEW: ‘Imperial War: Planet She-Hulk’ Issue 1

Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Stephanie Phillips and Jonathan Hickman, art by Emilio Laiso, colors by Matt Milla, and letters by Joe Caramagna.

This is part of the Imperial event. She-Hulk had been left in charge of Sakaar while Hulk fights a war. However, her knowledge of the law may not be of much help on a lawless planet.

Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1 sees a real culture shock for She-Hulk as a fascinating genre begins. Left in charge by the Hulk, Jennifer Walters is both a fighter and a lawyer, so when a body is found, a murder mystery begins. It’s brilliant chaos and funny, as She-Hulk tries to figure out the politics of this feudal planet. There are many suspects as the investigation begins, but it becomes difficult when the citizens have no concept of law and order. On Sakaar, the arena is all that serves as justice.

There’s some terrific action and causes for Jen to Hulk out, alongside just being a ruler. However, by the end of Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1, it can feel like none of it matters. The finale is funny, but it’s a prime example of why a murder mystery is often limited to Earthly ideas. But that’s the point by Phillips and Hickman. Sakaar is meant to be maddening for She-Hulk.

She-Hulk has a unique perspective on managing an entire planet. In Planet Hulk, her cousin’s personality was ideally suited to the planet. Hulk is savage and ferocious, utilizing his immense strength and unparalleled power to establish a following and assert dominance. He muscled his way to the throne. She-Hulk can do that too, physically, but she doesn’t want to. She’s more rational and reasonable, but I don’t even think those are words in Sakaaran.

The narration and the dialogue are hilarious in Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1. She-Hulk can venture off from talking about her backstory to pretty much anything. She’s a character famous for breaking the fourth wall, and she can go on a mental diatribe about pretty much anything. The other characters are so unserious, with no respect for what She-Hulk is trying to do. This just adds to the difficulty she had in maintaining any peace and order.

The art also recognizes the amount of fun that can be had in Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1. Sakaar can be as alien and as ridiculous as you like. It’s a hodgepodge of different species and races, battling it out in a medieval world with barbarian weapons. And yet there is a cleanliness and clarity to the line art. She-Hulk has been spectacularly redesigned to fit in visually. She looks huge and magnificent, but wearing an outfit that would make Xena raise her eyebrows.

Laiso leans into the sheer size of She-Hulk, showing off her immense muscles and mass. It is that which creates respect from others, not her brains or legal acumen. The fights are gloriously destructive and sometimes bloody, with a cartoony approach instead of a gory one.

The colors help She-Hulk stand out among everyone else in Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1. Sakaar can look beige and brown, with natural materials used to make the buildings. So the bright green of She-Hulk’s skin stands out and forces everyone to pay attention. The only place where there is more vibrancy is where the multiple queens reside, with some more regal tones such as red and purple. The lettering is very clear and easy to read.

Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1 is an episode of Sakaaran Law and Order. It’s a bundle of fun to read, with a silly energy. The attempt to create a comprehensive crime-solving narrative in a region without law enforcement, a judicial system, or courts is absurd. It can make the story pointless, but that’s done on purpose. Because all of that is She-Hulk trying to adapt to Sakaar, or at least adapt Sakaar to her. It makes trying to keep control more palatable. But instead, it may be much more complicated than she thought, and Hulk may be gone for longer than expected.

Imperial War Planet She-Hulk Issue 1 is available now wherever comics are sold.