Jarella

Jarella
Jarella by Sandy Plunkett, from her Book of the Dead entry in Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #18.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #140 (June 1971)
Created by	Harlan Ellison Roy Thomas Herb Trimpe
In-story information
Place of origin	K'ai
Supporting character of	Hulk
Abilities	Skilled swordswoman, strategist and equestrian Superhuman physical prowess Rides horse-like steeds and winged serpent-creatures

Jarella is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by 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 vol. 2 #140. Jarella was created by American science fiction author Harlan Ellison, who was the guest writer for that issue. The character was ranked 68th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.

Jarella first appeared in The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #140 (June 1971) as a one-off character in a plot by guest writer Harlan Ellison. She was brought back in issue #148, another tale by a guest plotter, in this case Chris Claremont in his first published story. Though Jarella's actual appearances would continue to be sporadic, she became a major driving force in the plot and characterizations of the Hulk for several years.

Jarella is killed in The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #205 (November 1976). Though it sparked an outpouring of protest from readers who shared the Hulk's grief, writer Len Wein has said that he never intended Jarella's death to be permanent: "[It] was my intention that Jarella was not really dead. Being an alien species, what appeared to be death to us was in fact a step in what was to be her metamorphosis into a higher power. I never got a chance to bring her back before I left the title, and thus she’s remained dead."

Jarella was the princess of the sub-atomic world of K'ai. Although outwardly primitive, her world has remnants of long-forgotten high technology and sorcery. Its people are green-skinned and for the most part blonde haired, but otherwise humanoid.