She-Hulk #10 (Marvel)

via Marvel

writer: Charles Soule

artist: Javier Pulido

In my continuing efforts to make peace with Charles Soule's approaching exclusive contract with Marvel, I've been trying to find something he's done for Marvel, on a regular basis, that's been anywhere near as interesting to me as what I've read from him at DC.

Well, turns out that might have been She-Hulk.  Which of course has been cancelled.  Apparently Soule used to be a lawyer, which made this court-based series a hugely appropriate venue for his talents (experts, meanwhile are still analyzing what exactly explains Stephan Pastis doing Pearls Before Swine despite a similar background...), even though readers such as myself still find it hard to reconcile a Hulk-related character working as a lawyer.

She-Hulk has always been kind of...green-skinned?  A somewhat flimsy addition to a franchise?  One that's not even particularly relevant to the franchise?

Anyway, this was an excellent issue to sample, since it's the conclusion of a Steve Rogers trial.  Steve Rogers, A.K.A. Captain America, A.K.A. Old Man Rogers, given recent developments reflected in the story.  Soule is not exactly disinclined to make Steve much more nuanced than elsewhere, but it's still a fine issue.  Opposing council is Matt Murdock, A.K.A. Daredevil (by the end, Steve explains why these two particular lawyers were chosen, which harks this geek's mind back to the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Measure of a Man" in some respects).

Hey, Marvel, if you aren't planning to secretly relaunch the series, why not allow Soule to write Daredevil directly?  I mean, is Mark Waid's material really that interesting?  Or maybe even an Old Man Rogers series?  Because there's a great scene at the end ripe with possibilities.  That's a Steve Rogers I'd read on a regular basis...