She-Hulk, whose real name is Jennifer Susan Walters, first appeared in The Savage She-Hulk #1 (cover-dated February 1980, though published in November 1979), created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema. She was introduced as a lawyer and the cousin of Bruce Banner (the Hulk), who receives a blood transfusion from him after being critically injured by mobsters, granting her gamma-enhanced powers. Unlike Banner's uncontrollable rage, Walters initially transforms into a savage version but soon gains control, retaining her intelligence and personality in her green-skinned, super-strong form. The character was conceived partly to secure Marvel's rights to a female Hulk counterpart amid the success of the 1970s Incredible Hulk television series.
In the 1980s, She-Hulk joined the Avengers and later the Fantastic Four, often substituting for the Thing. Her most iconic run began with The Sensational She-Hulk (1989-1994) by John Byrne, where she famously broke the fourth wall, acknowledging her comic book existence in a humorous, meta style that satirized superhero tropes. This period solidified her as a confident, fun-loving hero who embraced her She-Hulk form, preferring it for its strength and liberation from inhibitions. Subsequent series explored her dual life as a lawyer, including work for superhuman law firms, and she faced challenges like temporary power losses or psychological blocks preventing transformation.
More recent developments include Dan Slott's She-Hulk volumes (2004-2009), portraying her legal adventures and battles with personal trauma, followed by Charles Soule's run addressing PTSD from events like Civil War II. In Jason Aaron's Avengers and later stories, she has dealt with radiation poisoning and identity crises, often balancing heroism with her career. The 2022 Disney+ series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law further popularized her fourth-wall-breaking traits, while comics continue to depict her as an empowering figure combining wit, strength, and resilience across teams like the Avengers and A-Force.