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P. ISADORA

Real Name: P. Isadora

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation:Actress

Group Membership: Movie Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Thor), Movie X-Men (Colossus, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine)

Affiliations: Sam Gladhand, Pee Wee Herman, She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters), Devane Waters, other unnamed cast members

Enemies: None, though she probably wasn't a fan of Krang and Orka.

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "The living legend"

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
     formerly Major Motion Pictures Studios, Los Angeles, California

First Appearance: Sensational She-Hulk I#12 (February, 1990)

Powers/Abilities: P. Isadora possessed no known superhuman abilities. A moderately gifted actress, Isadora was well versed in the ways of Hollywood and show business and had no qualms about doing her own stunts or wearing green body make up.

Height: 5' (by approximation)
Weight: 100 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Unrevealed

History:
(Sensational She-Hulk I#12 (fb) - BTS) - Strapped for cash following Atlantis' recent, failed attempt at conquering the surface world, warlord Krang came upon a lucrative scheme. Inspired by an old plan of Namor's, he started Major Motion Pictures Studios and announced the production of a movie about She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters). Krang discreetly raised a hundred million dollars from various backers, planning to spend only a fraction on the actual film and pocket the remaining money when the movie tanked. To make sure the movie would flop, he hired P. Isadora to star as She-Hulk.

(Sensational She-Hulk I#12) - P. Isadora was ready on set in her She-Hulk outfit on the first day of shooting when she encountered Jennifer Walters who had come to the studios to see if she could stop the movie. Jennifer Walters was stunned to see the frail, diminutive living legend was cast, pointing out that any actress playing her should at least be a bodybuilder. Isadora calmly knocked over a fake wall with her hand, proving her point that everything was possible in Hollywood.

(Sensational She-Hulk I#12 - BTS) - Obviously unconcerned with proper casting, She Hulk movie director Devane Waters hired several actors as Marvel heroes who barely resembled their real life counterparts, including the X-Men and superheroes like Captain America, Spider-Man and Thor. They were immediately rushed to the set where Waters and Isadora were ready to start shooting.

(Sensational She-Huk I#12) - Waters directed P. Isadora along with actors playing the X-Men in a fight scene against a giant robot. She-Hulk looked on in astonishment and even tried to point out the factual inaccuracy of the scene: she'd never even joined the X-Men. Isadora rallied the team, but the scene was cut short when Wolverine damaged his claws on the robot Waters stopped filming to have the props fixed, during which Isadora told She-Hulk about the special effects that would be added in later. She also revealed that Pee Wee Herman had been cast to play She-Hulk's love interest Wyatt Wingfoot in the movie, causing Shulkie to completely lose her cool. Isadora watched from a distance as She-Hulk lashed out at the giant robot, thinking it was just a giant prop.

(Sensational She-Hulk I#12 - BTS) - In reality, it was Orka the Killer Whale in disguise sent by Krang to attack and kill the heroine to generate even more bad publicity. In the ensuing brawl, She-Hulk and Orka tore through many sets.

(Sensational She-Hulk I#12) - While Orka and She-Hulk fought, Waters and Isadora moved on to the next scene. Just as Isadora and the Avengers were assembled on the mansion set, She-Hulk hurled her opponent through the cardboard edifice.

(Sensational She-Hulk I#12 - BTS) - She-Hulk eventually faced down Krang who gleefully told her all about his scam. However, because of ironclad contracts there was no way for Jennifer Walters to legally shut down production. Filming on She-Hulk: The Movie continued without further interference. However, much to everyone's surprise the expected flop turned out to be a record breaking hit, topping the box office for at least ten straight weeks.

Comments: Created by Peter David (writer), Steve Leialoha & Trina Robbins (pencils), Jim Novak (inks)

P. Isadora is, of course, a thinly veiled homage (for legal reasons) of singer Pia Zadora (May 4th, 1953). Known for her 1984 hit song When the rain begins to fall, Zadora unsuccessfully tried to launch a movie career in the 80s with parts in flicks like Voyage of the rock aliens, The lonely lady and Troop Beverly Hills.She won three Golden Raspberry Awards for her attempts at acting, which explains why Peter David picked Pia to star in the designed-to-fail She-Hulk movie.

On the strength of this fill in issue alone, it seems obvious in retrospect that Peter David would have been a far better fit than Steve Gerber to write Sensational She-Hulk following John Byrne's departure. It's a great, self aware story with tons of tiny (in)jokes that still hold up.

Profile by Norvo.

CLARIFICATIONS:
P. Isadora should not be confused with:


images: (without ads)
Sensational She-Hulk I#12, p12, pan1 (main image)
Sensational She-Hulk I#12, p13, pan2 (leading the X-Men)
Sensational She-Hulk I#12, p12, pan3 (Hollywood Illusion land)


Appearances:
Sensational She-Hulk I#12 (February, 1990) - Peter David (writer), Steve Leialoha & Trina Robbins (pencils), Jim Novak (inks), Bobbie Chase (editor)


First Posted: 06/28/2019
Last Updated: 06/28/2019

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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