She-Hulk #10

Title: “Skeeter”

Writer: Dan Slott

Penciller: Paul Pelletier

Inker: Rick Magyar

Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp

Editor:  Tom Brevoort

Zoma the Watcher stands watching the outer rim territories. As he watches, he sees 12,688 light years away, a being that is feared through most of the galaxy aquiring an omega class warp suit. He watches the being entering the coordinates for where Zoma is and knows that he will be there in moments. The omega class warp suit appears. The man inside tells Zoma that he has need of him. Zoma says, “What of it?” He says that he knows who he is and what he cannot aid him in his petty wants and desires. The man says that his cause it just, and that it is Zoma’s cause as well. Zoma says that he thinks not. He says that as a Watcher that he has taken an oath of non-interference in all matters. The man says that is untrue. He says that though they abhor direct action that his kind has been known to offer up information on occasion. Zoma says that there have been special cases, but that he doesn’t see how his situation merits it. The man asks what if he told Zoma that he could use this information to destroy someone… someone he despises… the same being that struck his cousin Qyre mute and cast him out into the void. Zoma says, “She-Hulk? What do you need to know?” The man asks who, of all in the universe, hates She-Hulk the most. Zoma shows the man Manhattan, where the one he seeks is planning on striking down She-Hulk. The man says that she is stunning creature and asks what her name is. Zoma says, “Titania.” They watch as She-Hulk punches Titania and sends her flying. Zoma says that he doesn’t know how she could be of use to him and that she is no match for She-Hulk. Champion says that it isn’t her outer strength that matters. He says that it is her inner fury… her rage. He asks Zoma what her story is. 

Mary MacPherran is born prematurely outside the city of Denver. Her father is told that it will be best to keep her in the ICU for a while. Her father, most concerned with the cost, says that there are only so many double shifts he can take. Her mother asked if her Mary would stay that puny. The nurse told her that with proper care and nutrition that she should turn out just fine. But in the coming months and years that she failed to develop physically. She was soon lost amidst a sea of siblings, squalor, and everyday distractions. Her only refuge was in the realm of fantasy. She would sit in bed and read children’s stories where young girls were transported away to magic lands, a kiss could change a beast into a prince, and an ugly duckling could grow up to become a beautiful swan.

Over time the childhood fantasies would crumble under the simple truths that only cygnets grow up to be swans… ducklings grow up to be ducks… and both kept to their own species. She remained small and was chastised by the more developed girls. Vanessa Ashwood pushed Mary to the ground and told her, “How many times do I have to tell you, MacPherran? I’m sick of you buzzing around like some kind of pest! Get lost ‘Skeeter!” The girls walked off with Vanessa congratulating her on her naming Mary ‘Skeeeter’. Marsha, a heavier set girl, helped Mary to her feet and introduced herself.

One friend was enough for Mary. Outside of school and work there was time for little else. Though it didn’t stop her from wanting more… to be beautiful, popular, and well off. She envied one of them in particular. Mary was working the register at a convenience store as Vanessa Ashwood was shopping. Mary’s boss came to welcome Vanessa. He says that he heard Vanessa was offered an athletic scholarship to State U. Vanessa says that she did, but that her father would disown her if she didn’t go to Yale. She says that it is the burden of the Ashwood legacy. Almost all of Mary’s money went to helping her family, but she put aside a little of it to spend on a lottery game. She never won, even the smallest of prizes, but that for the briefest moments when winning seemed possible that it would allow her to dream about what it would be like to be rich and famous. As she dreamt her boss would yell at her that her break was over.

As Mary stocked the comic book rack in the store she found something, like her fairy tales and lottery dreams, that allowes her to believe that her life could be magically turned around. She read true-life accounts of people who were transformed by science into modern day gods. It seemed to happen with far greater frequency than winning the lottery. She wondered why it couldn’t happen to her, and dreamt of the things she could do with the power.

One day while she daydreamed, Skeeter found herself watching a superhuman battle between Spider-Woman and the Man-Bull. The Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman downed the Man-Bull. She was just pis-webbing him up when the Guardsmen arrived. One of them thanks Spider-Woman for the assist. He says that they had a breakout at the Vault, and that Mr. Taurens was the last escapee unaccounted for. He says that it was a lucky thing she happened by. Spider-Woman told the Guardsman that it wasn’t luck and that she had set up shop in this town. Mary watched in amazement. Mary dreamt all night of bounding over rooftops, spinning psi-webs, and hurling about people with spider-strength.

The next day, Marsha walked into the break room and asked Mary if she heard the news about Spider-Woman. She says that she is so gorgeous that she could die. Marsha says that Spider-Woman’s hair was the exact same color as Mary’s. Mary got a sly look on her face and asked Marsha if she could keep a secret. She tells Marsha that she is really Spider-Woman. Marsha asked how. Mary says that alien spider-people zapped her with arachno-rays. Marsha says that Spider-Woman is taller than Mary. Mary says that she has to change by wrapping herself in a cocoon.

Mary got an invitation to the Ashwood Family Ball. It was the year’s most important social event. She was sure that the invitation was, at best, a mistake, or, at worst, a cruel prank. Days later, Vanessa came to Mary and begged her to come.

Vanessa greeted Marsha and Mary as they arrived at the party. She says that she feels awful that she hadn’t had them over sooner. She says that they have to meet everyone. Mary found herself the center of attention… compliments, amorous advances, and invitations. Suddenly she heard someone quietly say, “Can you believe it? That’s her! Spider-Woman!” Mary went to yell at Marsha. She asks what she has done and that everyone knows. Marsha says that she only told one person. She asks Mary to forgive her. Mary said that it was actually kind of cool. Suddenly the ground started to rumble. The entire town was lifted off the face of the Earth, by an unseen cosmic hand and hurtled to the outer rim. The town was used as a part of a planet constructed to conduct a secret war at the edge of the universe. A conflict between Earth’s greatest heroes and their adversaries. Vanessa Ashwood begged someone to do something. Suddenly Spider-Woman appeared. She told everyone that until this dies down to stay outdoors in wide open spaces. She said that she would get to the bottom of this. As Spider-Woman swung away, Vanessa turned to Mary and said, “Spider-Woman, eh?”

The elite had been made to feel powerless, fearful, and foolish. They set out to find the fleeing Mary and Marsha. Vannesa told the others to wait until she got hold of Mary. One of the others finally realized the insanity of their situation. He said that they should be out gathering bottled water or something. Vanessa concedes the point, but says that this isn’t over. Marsha asked Mary what they were going to do. She said that they couldn’t stay there. She said that it was creepy and that it had started to rain. Suddenly, Dr. Doom appeared before them. He said that this was a familiar sight that put him in the mind of his youth. He says that he was chased out of town… hunted and hounded. He says that more than anything it made him hunger for power… power to strike back. To crush all who would oppose him. He told them that if they swore allegiance to him that he would grant them such power. Mary reached out for Doom’s hand. Doom channeled the raw powers of the storm. He threw a switch and Mary welcomed the power inside her despite the pain. Mary was transformed into Titania and Marsha into Volcana.

Titania charged into the world she had only fantasized. A place where she was victorious, where she was desired, and even loved.

The man standing with Zoma says that he cares not for her love. He says that he only wants to hear of her hate for the She-Hulk. Zoma says that he has never understood how one with his longevity could possess so little patience.

The secret wars were well underway when Titania and She-Hulk first clashed. She-Hulk had just taken out the Wrecking Crew. Titania asked She-Hulk now that she was done with the preliminaries if she was ready for the main event. At first the fighting went back and forth. Neither had a clear advantage… until Titania’s allies prepared to enter the fight. Absorbing Man and Doctor Octopus were about to join, but Titania told them to stay back. Creel says that he was sorry, but that he was in the mood to crack an Avenger’s head. Titania hit She-Hulk and told Creel that if he cut in that what they have got together was over. Octopus deferred to Creel’s judgement to hold off. Suddenly, She-Hulk gained the upper hand. She hit Titania in the face. She grabbed her hair and slammed her against the ground. She-Hulk told Titania that there was room for only one strongest woman, and that it wasn’t Titania. She-Hulk had Titania pinned when Titania called out for help. The Wrecking Crew, Doctor Octopus, and Absorbing Man overwhelm She-Hulk. It was her first true failure as She-Hulk. Tears welled in her eyes as she joined in on the beating.

After that she found defeat after defeat… even against those much weaker than her. Her confidence was shattered and dreams undone. Her side was losing the war. Her companions considered renewed attacks, but all she wanted was to go home. Molecule Man used his power to take back the villains and the piece of Denver back toward Earth. As they traveled back, Absorbing Man asked her if she was okay. He said she seemed tense. Titania said that it was nothing, but that she had to get out of there. Creel asked where she was going and said that they were floating in space. Titania walked out.

Titania stands on Vanessa Ashwood’s neck and said, “Beg. Come on, greenie. Like a dog. I want to hear it.” Vanessa asks what she is talking about with “greenie”. She shouts from the pain and says that whatever she wants. She says that she is sorry for everything she ever said or did to her. She begs Titania not to kill her. Suddenly Creel was behind her. He said, “That ain’t doin’ it for ya, is it?” Titania asked how he knew. Creel said that he had been there. He said that no matter how big you get, who you can push around, that there is always someone there that can make you feel like squat. Titania said that she thought that she got everything she ever wanted. She said that she thought that this would feel good, but that it doesn’t. Titania says that she is out there, and that when it came down to her that she couldn’t take her. Creel tells her not to worry about it. He says that they keep coming back, and that she will get another shot.

Zoma says that just as her companion predicted Titania had many opportunities to pit herself against She-Hulk, but that even when she found a way to cheat, or had the Avenger at a grave disadvantage that she always lost… time and again. In her last attempt, Titania trained like never before… trained to the exclusion of all else. She failed to notice the departure of Crusher Creel… her friend, lover, and husband. She convinced herself that it was all worth it. Through sheer force of will she increased her strength to new, greater levels… but as they have seen it availed her not. Zoma says that she still sits there at this very moment not knowing what to do. Zoma asks the man if he is sure this is the one he is looking for. The man says, “Yes!”

The man in the suit appears before Titania. Titania asks who he is and what he wants. The man says as his helmet reveals him, “I am the fallen one, he who once held the proiud title of… Champion of the Universe! I am Tryco Slatterus, and what I want… is to give you the gift… of infinite power!” Champion holds out the gem of power toward Titania as Titania reaches out for it.

Site for Sore Eyes rating: 8 out of 10

Review and picture by The Leader

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