Summary
Like her title character,Sensational She-HulkwriterRainbow Rowell’s time at Marvel has been a smashing success, as her second series writing Jennifer Walters wraps up in August with its tenth issue. However, her time at Marvel has shown that YA authors bring something special to the comic book industry, and she isn’t the only one to do so. Fellow YA writers C.S. Pacat and Sam Maggs have both made waves in DC andStar Trekcomics, respectively, proving thatthere is success to be found in the combination of genres.
Previously known for the cult classic novelsFangirlandCarry On, Rowell joined the monthly comicShe-Hulkin 2022, giving Jennifer Walters a fresh start as thesuper-powered lawyer begins to rebuild her life.
Rowell’s firstShe-Hulkseries featured pencils by Roge Antonio, Luca Maresca, Takeshi Miyazawa, Andres Genolet and Joe Quinones. Her second series featured pencils by Andres Genolet, Ig Guara, Gavin Guidry, Emilio Laiso, David Cutler. Both series' covers were drawn by Jen Bartel.
Sam Maggs had a similar run with Carol Danvers inMarvel Action: Captain Marvelbefore moving on to write Jean-Luc Picard as he entered Starfleet Academy inStar Trek: Picard’s Academy. C.S. Pacat joined DC ahead of its “Lazarus Planet” 2023 event, withDark Knights of Steel #1: Tales From The Three Kingdomsin late 2022.
YA Writers Know How To Hit Home—Emotionally
While comics regularly serve meaningful moments among action-packed panels, Rainbow Rowell’s YA experience shone through inShe-Hulk#6. As her beau Jack of Hearts sacrificed himself,Jennifer Walters tore through the pages of the comicto confront her writers with an emotional monologue. While comic quotes often stem from times of strength, YA readers are well-adjusted to more impassioned quotes. By forcing the reader to accept what turning the page would mean, Rowell delivereda heart-wrenching climax to Jen’s arc in a way only a novelist could write:
You gave me something, and now you’re going to take it away. Because that’s what youdo. That’s all you ever do… Go on. Turn the page.
C. S. Pacat achieved the same result with “King’s Bane” fromDark Knights of Steel: Tales From The Three Kingdoms#1, a story that explained how the cold and impassive Prince Bruce Wayne became the strategic knight readers are familiar with inDark Knights of Steel.Through exploration of a young Bruce’s views on the Els following his parents’ deaths, Pacat wrote the final nail in the coffin that cements Bruce’s animosity against magical beings. It’s a solemn story with a chilling ending due to foreknowledge of the future.
Dark Knights of Steel: Tales From The Three Kingdoms#1 was drawn by Caspar Wijngaard.
Batman is Officially A Dragon-Rider in DC’s Dark Knights of Steel
After being betrayed in the most shocking way imaginable, Batman responds in the only way he can: bringing in a big dragon as his backup.
It’s unsurprising that YA writers would be able to find their footing in both genres, be it writing novels or comics.Whether it be DC or Marvel, the comics industry’s past is entrenched with coming of age stories that resonate with younger audiences. From DC’s Teen Titans to Marvel’s Young Avengers, to familiar teenage heroes like Peter Parker and Miles Morales, YA stories have always had a home in comics. It’s unsurprising that YA writers would be able to find their footing in both genres, be it writing novels or comics.
DC in particular has been putting a spotlight on YA stories and authorssince 2017: first with its DC Icons novel series, before shifting to graphic novels with its imprint lineDC Graphic Novels for Young Adults. The line reworked familiar origin stories, with the most recent beingTeen Titans: Starfire, written by Kami Garcia and artist Gabriel Picolo.Teen Titans: Starfiremarks the fifth book in DC’s YA Titans universe, followingTeen Titans: Raven,Teen Titans: Beast Boy,Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven, andTeen Titans: Robin.
While the categories have their differences, there are certain elements from the YA genre that play well in the stories the comics industry is devoted to telling. WithRainbow Rowell’sShe-Hulkrun culminating in three volumes and herSensational She-Hulkrun ending soon, Sam Magg’s take on a younger Jean Luc Picard, and C. S. Pacat’s many impactful DC stories, it’s clear that YA writers writing comics is a successful combination that can only make the comic industry stronger.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Cast
Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk in Marvel’s Disney+ TV seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.She-Hulkis a half-hour comedy series that follows the story of Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner/Hulk’s cousin. Jennifer is an attorney who must juggle her life alongside being a 6-foot-7-inch hulk. Unlike her cousin, Jennifer is capable of managing her transformation at will. With these newfound powers, Jennifer will head-up a new superhero division at an opposing law firm while trying to learn what it means to be a hero. Additional casting includes Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, with Tim Roth joining the cast as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, the villain who originally appeared inThe Incredible Hulkfilm.She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis a part of the MCU’s Phase 4 and originally aired in August 2022.
