In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, comparing heroes is like mixing apples and oranges—one is a cosmic fruit salad, and the other is a grounded slice of pie. Not convinced? Take Bruce Banner’s Hulk and Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk, for instance. Recently, Marvel fans have been chattering about She-Hulk’s attempts to tackle sexism in a way that some perceive as trivial compared to the Hulk’s far more harrowing experiences.
In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Maslany’s Jennifer Walters dives headlong into the quagmire of gender bias. However, this has made some fans shake their heads, thinking Hulk’s disturbing past—complete with near-suicide, military chases, and alien adventures—makes She-Hulk’s battles look like a walk in the park.
You might be well aware that Jennifer’s cousin, Hulk (Bruce Banner), has been grappling with epic-sized woes in the MCU. Despite the grumbling, though, there’s still a silver lining: both heroes bring their own flair to the MCU.
Hulk’s Rocky Road: From Suicide Attempts to Alien Planetary Pilgrimages
Bruce Banner’s saga is nothing short of a blockbuster epic—or perhaps a full-blown series. In the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, Edward Norton’s portrayal of Banner delves into the darkest nooks and crannies of his soul.
One deleted scene (see YouTube), never to hit the silver screen, showcased Banner so deep in his own emotional muck that he attempted suicide. When it comes to psychological turmoil, Banner was playing in the big leagues of despair.
That’s right—when it comes to emotional wreckage, Banner was playing in the major leagues. But hold onto your capes, because Hulk’s troubles didn’t end there. Can you picture an army nipping at your heels like a pack of relentless hounds? That’s the grim reality Banner faced, with his life constantly under siege.
As if being chased wasn’t enough to make you toss and turn at night, Banner had to take a detour to an alien planet. Yep, Hulk’s interstellar getaway was as much about fleeing his troubles as it was about exploring outer space. Although many of these scenes were ultimately left on the cutting room floor, they provide a deeper glimpse into Banner’s psychological turmoil and the dire circumstances he faced.
The army’s pursuit intensifies the narrative of Banner being constantly on the run, emphasizing his lack of safety and stability. Together, these deleted scenes paint a picture of Banner’s tragic heroism, a man who is not just wrestling with his Hulk character but also desperately seeking a sliver of peace amid the chaos.
She-Hulk’s Battle: Is Her Talk of Sexism a Step Back for Marvel Fans?
Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk has not only flexed her muscles on the Marvel stage but also grappled with a whole different kind of battle. In She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Jennifer Walters takes on sexism with all the gusto of a courtroom drama, tackling gender bias that could make any superhero roll their eyes and say, “Seriously?”
Unlike Hulk, who was busy fending off armies and hopping from alien worlds, She-Hulk’s battles are more about shattering glass ceilings than smashing them. Oh, and also proving her worth in a male-dominated arena. Some Marvel fans might think her gender-based struggles and trials might seem like small potatoes when compared to Hulk’s intergalactic escapades.
This portrayal of She-Hulk trying to “one-up” Hulk by tackling sexism might come off as petty to some Marvel fans. After all, the scene in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law where She-Hulk confronts sexism, while important, is often seen as less intense when stacked against Hulk’s far more serious issues.
Let’s check what fans are saying:
But before we toss She-Hulk’s crusade out with the bathwater, let’s not forget that battling sexism is no small feat. Sure, her struggles might not come with space battles and gamma rays, but they’re still as important as a superhero’s secret identity.
Hulk’s dramatic and cosmic struggles have certainly raised the stakes, but She-Hulk’s fight against sexism adds a different flavor to the Marvel stew. Just as Hulk’s escapades are out-of-this-world, She-Hulk’s challenges are down-to-earth.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is currently streaming on Disney+.
