Jarella
Encyclopedia
Jarella is a fictional character
from Marvel Comics
. Along with Betty Ross Banner
and Caiera
, she was one of the Hulk's
great loves. The character was introduced in The Incredible Hulk #140. Jarella was created by American science fiction
author Harlan Ellison
, who was the guest writer for that issue.
. Although outwardly primitive, her world had remnants of long-forgotten high technology and sorcery
. Its people were green-skinned and for the most part blonde haired, but otherwise humanoid.
Jarella's city was threatened by a number of menaces ranging from attacks by the gigantic warthos (warthog
-like beasts larger than elephants) to the armies of the Warlord
Visus. The Hulk appeared in K'ai during an attack of the warthos and drove the huge monsters away. When the people came out to greet him, the Hulk was startled, noticing that they were green-skinned like him and that they welcomed him rather than ran away.
The Hulk was especially taken with the lovely and gentle Empress Jarella. She led him into the city and called on her sorcerers to help the Hulk learn their language. The spell succeeded and also allows the human personality of Bruce Banner to emerge in the Hulk's body. The Hulk and Jarella fell in love and she proclaimed him her husband. After Visus attempted to assassinate Jarella she exiled him from the city, and the Hulk and Jarella seem destined to live happily ever after
. However destiny in the form of a supervillain
named Psyklop
interfered, and snatched the Hulk away from K'ai.
Jarella was soon transported to Earth by the Pantheon of Sorcerers (Torla, Holi, Moli; also known as the Sorcerer's Triad) to retrieve the Hulk. This act inadvertently caused solar storms; she battled Fialin and then returned to K'ai. After a while, she was revealed to have lost another war against Visi and been taken captive. The Hulk returned to K'ai, and Jarella and Hulk defeated Visis and the assassin Krylar.
Jarella was unique in the series in that she accepted the Hulk unconditionally. She came to know Bruce Banner's mind in the Hulk's body but was equally accepting of the Hulk personality, or Banner's body.
Alongside the Hulk, Jarella battled Psyklop once more. Hulk and Jarella were then returned to Earth by Doc Samson
. During a battle between the Hulk and Crypto-Man in an unnamed town in New Mexico, Jarella saved a child from being crushed to death from a collapsing wall, but was crushed to death herself. The Hulk took Jarella's body to the Gamma Base, but the doctors were unable to revive her. The Hulk rampaged in search for his friend, the magician Doctor Strange
, but the latter was also unable to restore her, and he finally accepted that Jarella was dead, while being comforted by the Valkyrie. Captain Mar-Vell
shrank the Hulk so that he could return Jarella's body to K'ai for a proper burial. After being put to rest, her spirit took farewell by creating a single green flower.
Many years afterwards, during a Fantastic Four
storyline featuring a delirious Hulk rampaging through Las Vegas
, the latter howled Jarella's name, as one of the 3 greatest tragedies that he considered to have befallen him, along with the poisoning of his wife Betty Ross, and the death of his friend Jim Wilson
due to AIDS.
Due to a bet made by the Grandmaster and the Collector
, the Hulk, Doctor Strange
, Namor, and Silver Surfer
unite from across time and space to confront the newly assembled team of the Offenders, led by the brutal Red Hulk
. The Grandmaster promises to restore Jarella if the Hulk agrees to battle. The Red Hulk was victorious, but his brutal and careless tactics led the Grandmaster to disqualify him. In a rage, the Red Hulk killed the Grandmaster, but was then defeated by the Hulk. The Collector, furious over his brother's death, gave the Hulk Jarella's dead body, stating that she was meant to be in that state.
During the Chaos War
, queen Jarella is revived to assist the Hulk in fighting Abomination
, a Zom
-possessed Doctor Strange, and the forces of Amatsu-Mikaboshi
. After the Hulk and allies were nearly defeated by his undead father, Brian Banner
, empowered into the Devil Hulk
through all the fear and rage that Hulk felt towards him over the years; she saves her husband and defeats Brian, empowered by all the love that Hulk had felt for her, encouraging him to let go of his fear for the monster. Bruce's similarly returned mother tells him that although she disliked his other wife Red She-Hulk, she definitely likes Jarella, but both soon will have to leave again.
After her death she was empowered by all the positive feelings that Hulk had felt towards her, and as her beloved draws his power from emotions, she apparently gained physical prowess even exceeding his own regular state.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Along with Betty Ross Banner
Betty Ross Banner
Betty Ross is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, and love interest of Bruce Banner...
and Caiera
Caiera
Caiera is a fictional character in the , introduced during the "Planet Hulk" storyline. She first appeared in Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #92 , and was created by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan.-Fictional character biography:...
, she was one of the Hulk's
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
great loves. The character was introduced in The Incredible Hulk #140. Jarella was created by American science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
author Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media...
, who was the guest writer for that issue.
Fictional character biography
Jarella was the princess of the sub-atomic world of K'aiK'ai
K'ai is a fictional location in the Marvel Universe. It first appeared in Incredible Hulk #140 and was created by Harlan Ellison, Roy Thomas, and Herb Trimpe.-Fictional history:...
. Although outwardly primitive, her world had remnants of long-forgotten high technology and sorcery
Magic (fantasy)
Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Such magic often serves as a plot device, the source of magical artifacts and their quests...
. Its people were green-skinned and for the most part blonde haired, but otherwise humanoid.
Jarella's city was threatened by a number of menaces ranging from attacks by the gigantic warthos (warthog
Warthog
The Warthog or Common Warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the past it was commonly treated as a subspecies of P...
-like beasts larger than elephants) to the armies of the Warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
Visus. The Hulk appeared in K'ai during an attack of the warthos and drove the huge monsters away. When the people came out to greet him, the Hulk was startled, noticing that they were green-skinned like him and that they welcomed him rather than ran away.
The Hulk was especially taken with the lovely and gentle Empress Jarella. She led him into the city and called on her sorcerers to help the Hulk learn their language. The spell succeeded and also allows the human personality of Bruce Banner to emerge in the Hulk's body. The Hulk and Jarella fell in love and she proclaimed him her husband. After Visus attempted to assassinate Jarella she exiled him from the city, and the Hulk and Jarella seem destined to live happily ever after
Happy ending
A happy ending is an ending of the plot of a work of fiction in which almost everything turns out for the best for the protagonists, their sidekicks, and almost everyone except the villains....
. However destiny in the form of a supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
named Psyklop
Psyklop
Psyklop is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the . Created in combination by Harlan Ellison, Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, the character first appears Avengers vol...
interfered, and snatched the Hulk away from K'ai.
Jarella was soon transported to Earth by the Pantheon of Sorcerers (Torla, Holi, Moli; also known as the Sorcerer's Triad) to retrieve the Hulk. This act inadvertently caused solar storms; she battled Fialin and then returned to K'ai. After a while, she was revealed to have lost another war against Visi and been taken captive. The Hulk returned to K'ai, and Jarella and Hulk defeated Visis and the assassin Krylar.
Jarella was unique in the series in that she accepted the Hulk unconditionally. She came to know Bruce Banner's mind in the Hulk's body but was equally accepting of the Hulk personality, or Banner's body.
Alongside the Hulk, Jarella battled Psyklop once more. Hulk and Jarella were then returned to Earth by Doc Samson
Doc Samson
Doc Samson is a fictional character, a superhero and psychiatrist in the Marvel Comics universe, known as a supporting character in stories featuring the Hulk.-Publication history:...
. During a battle between the Hulk and Crypto-Man in an unnamed town in New Mexico, Jarella saved a child from being crushed to death from a collapsing wall, but was crushed to death herself. The Hulk took Jarella's body to the Gamma Base, but the doctors were unable to revive her. The Hulk rampaged in search for his friend, the magician Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, but the latter was also unable to restore her, and he finally accepted that Jarella was dead, while being comforted by the Valkyrie. Captain Mar-Vell
Mar-Vell
Captain Marvel is a fictional character owned by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and designed by artist Gene Colan and first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) is a fictional character owned by Marvel Comics. The character was created...
shrank the Hulk so that he could return Jarella's body to K'ai for a proper burial. After being put to rest, her spirit took farewell by creating a single green flower.
Many years afterwards, during a Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
storyline featuring a delirious Hulk rampaging through Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, the latter howled Jarella's name, as one of the 3 greatest tragedies that he considered to have befallen him, along with the poisoning of his wife Betty Ross, and the death of his friend Jim Wilson
Jim Wilson (comics)
Jim Wilson is a fictional comic book character. A supporting character appearing in Marvel Comics, Wilson was a longtime friend of Bruce Banner and Rick Jones. In Incredible Hulk #388 , it was revealed that Wilson was HIV-positive...
due to AIDS.
Due to a bet made by the Grandmaster and the Collector
Collector (comics)
The Collector is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Taneleer Tivan is one of the Elders of the Universe and is close to his fellow Elder En Dwi Gast . He apparently came to self-awareness billions of years ago, on the planet Cygnus X-1...
, the Hulk, Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, Namor, and Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
unite from across time and space to confront the newly assembled team of the Offenders, led by the brutal Red Hulk
Thunderbolt Ross
General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross is a fictional character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of the Hulk, sometimes as a supervillain. Ross is a United States military officer, the father of Betty Ross, ex-father in-law of Glenn Talbot and the father in-law...
. The Grandmaster promises to restore Jarella if the Hulk agrees to battle. The Red Hulk was victorious, but his brutal and careless tactics led the Grandmaster to disqualify him. In a rage, the Red Hulk killed the Grandmaster, but was then defeated by the Hulk. The Collector, furious over his brother's death, gave the Hulk Jarella's dead body, stating that she was meant to be in that state.
During the Chaos War
Chaos War (comics)
"Chaos War" is a Marvel Comics storyline that began publication in October 2010 across nine comic book series: the five-issue miniseries Chaos War, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, supplemented by seven branded miniseries or one-shot publications, and by three issues of Incredible Hulks, a...
, queen Jarella is revived to assist the Hulk in fighting Abomination
Abomination (comics)
The Abomination is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
, a Zom
Zom
Zom is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a gigantic semi-humanoid demon who has clashed with Doctor Strange.-Publication history:...
-possessed Doctor Strange, and the forces of Amatsu-Mikaboshi
Amatsu-Mikaboshi (comics)
Amatsu-Mikaboshi is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a supervillain and demonic god of evil who is best known as an enemy of Hercules...
. After the Hulk and allies were nearly defeated by his undead father, Brian Banner
Brian Banner
Brian Banner is a fictional villain from the Marvel Comics Universe created by Bill Mantlo and Mike Mignola and first appearing in print in late 1985...
, empowered into the Devil Hulk
Devil Hulk
-Publication history:The Devil Hulk was created by Paul Jenkins, Ron Garney, and Sal Buscema. He first appeared in The Incredible Hulk Vol.2 .-Fictional character history:...
through all the fear and rage that Hulk felt towards him over the years; she saves her husband and defeats Brian, empowered by all the love that Hulk had felt for her, encouraging him to let go of his fear for the monster. Bruce's similarly returned mother tells him that although she disliked his other wife Red She-Hulk, she definitely likes Jarella, but both soon will have to leave again.
Powers and abilities
Jarella was an athletic woman with the strength of a normal human but was a skilled swordswoman, strategist and equestrian. She would ride horse-like steeds and winged serpent-creatures indigenous to K'ai.After her death she was empowered by all the positive feelings that Hulk had felt towards her, and as her beloved draws his power from emotions, she apparently gained physical prowess even exceeding his own regular state.