Customer Reviews

Just Who the Hell Is She, Anyway?

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Catwoman makes Batman beg for her attention. Wonder Woman lassos any criminal who smirks at her powers. And who can forget Supergirl, She-Ra or the Wonder Twins' better half? But with their X-ray vision, bullet-proof accessories and extra-fast cars, relating to female comic superheroes is rather difficult. That's where SHE comes in. The heroine of "Just Who The Hell Is SHE, Anyway?" is a suburban refugee fighting against things superheroes never have to deal with -- bad boyfriends, office boredom and frantic despair about the future. In January 1993, SHE became the first comic strip featured in the fashion magazine Mirabella. With a style that's a cross between the Hernandez brothers (Love and Rockets) and pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, the comic shows off a modern edge. SHE was created by Marisa Acocella, a senior vice president at Young and Rubicam, a prominent New York City advertising agency. Ironically enough, Acocella and SHE look a lot alike. Both women are blondes who wear black because it's chic, not goth. Both women slave away at New York ad agencies. And both women don't take "I guess so" for an answer. The comic begins from the heroine's conception, courtesy of her zoned-out father and her possessive (s)mother. Then readers zip through her hazardous home life, where SHE's family put the "fun" back in dysfunctional. We witness first-hand why SHE rejects Farrah Fawcett-style feathered hair in 1977. Later, SHE weaves in and out of faulty relationships, all the while attempting to remain creative in the masochistic career hell of advertising. And finally we're left with SHE hanging frantically from the ledge of despair -- or was it the verge of greatness? One of the best parts of this comic is the SHE role-model paper doll cut-out section. Anyone who doesn't mind destroying their book can dress SHE up as secret agent Emma Peel, glamorous Audrey Hepburn or "nothing's more important than your health" Hillary Rodham Clinton. "Just Who the Hell is SHE, Anyway?" should be the next guide for the single girl who wants more out of life than a Colgate smile and a dead-end career.

i am a big fan of many graphic artists and comic books, but i was disappointed by this one, and not surprised that it started in a no-longer-with-us fashion magazine. the work is very dated...focused on that corny 1980's to mid 1990's non-idea that "feminists can be sexy and feminine!" (duh - of course they can. they can be whatever they want to be!) the whole thing really just seems to moan about men and obsess about fashion...snarky, unpleasant, self obsessed, and very middle class, somewhat reminiscent of pulpy writers like tama janowitz. the drawings are perfunctory, not inspiring like "love and rockets" or julie doucet. but i suppose if you own all of "sex and the city" on dvd you might find it amusing.

Always thought Marisa was way beyond the sex and the city types...more personal honest funny spiritual and artistic...long may she rock

SHE is an inspiration. SHE is a child of suburbia; SHE is THE working woman; SHE is independant, smart and beautiful. Plus, SHE has impeccable taste in clothes. SHE is a role model for all feminine-feminists. A must read for anyone on the verge.

This is obviously a really zoned out book by a really zoned out chick. Since Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) retired, the world (as far as I can tell) has been sorely deprived of legitimate comic endeavor that is not afraid of the truth... however weird or kinky or freaky or psychotic that may be. This little jewel fills the gap rather nicely.

SHE is an inspiration to all woman. A definate must read for all feminine feminists.