Jessica Jones #17

   The Jessica Jones comic seems to be the most personal comic written by Brian Michael Bendis (aside from his creator-owned work).

   He's wrapping up his run on the series with the next issue, which is all about a hero who makes Spider-Man look like the luckiest guy in the world.

   The latest in the string of horrible personal events she faces involves the return of the Purple Man, who made her life a literal hell when he hijacked her mind and made her a puppet.

   His powers have grown, and she's faced with a painful choice and an impossible challenge - how to stop an opponent who can't be hurt?

   It's a new and interesting take on the challenge, and her solution is certainly different.

   As always, the art by Michael Gaydos with color art by Matt Hollingsworth is stunning, intense and evocative of the real world.

   Bendis and/or Gaydos work in a number of gags, with "Traitor Bendis" and "Bendis Saves the Earth" signs planted in the background.

   With his departure, which will end up being true? Time will tell!

Grade: A

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Jessica Jones #15

   The most terrifying foe for Jessica Jones is the Purple Man.

   It was true in the original Alias comic, it was true in the Netflix TV series, and it's true again in the latest storyline in this comic.

   He makes a great villain because his powers are almost unstoppable - he can control the will of anyone close enough to hear his voice.

   So when he forces a face-to-face meeting with Jessica, it brings with it a sense of terror - and to make matters worse, he has new powers to demonstrate.

   What follows is an intense discussion, with the life of Jessica's child hanging in the balance.

   It's a story loaded with surprises and tension.

    As always, we get amazing dialogue from Brian Michael Bendis and terrific, intense artwork by Michael Gaydos and striking colors by Matt Hollingsworth.

   The issue brings up another fear, as we worry about what will happen to this comic after the upcoming departure of Bendis? That's all we need - something else to be concerned about!

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #14

   There's not much to say about the latest issue of Jessica Jones that hasn't been said before.

   The story by Brian Michael Bendis is powerful, edgy and unsettling, and the art by Michael Gaydos is terrific - moody and striking. It's a terrific adults-only series and well worth your time - if you can handle the intense nature of the stories.

   But instead of the comic, I want to take a moment to talk about Bendis.

   It was announced this week that he's signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics, so after spending virtually his entire career working at Marvel, he's off to new lands.

   He's certainly had a profound effect on Marvel, from his work on the Ultimate Universe, crafting a new course for Spider-Man and creating Mile Morales, to creating new characters like Jessica Jones.

    He (almost) invented the event series, beginning with House of M, and following it up with several other universe-shaking events, including Secret Invasion. He deconstructed and reinvented the Avengers and created the New Avengers. He had memorable runs on Daredevil, the X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Iron Man.

   He killed characters off, including Ultimate (Peter Parker) Spider-Man, Hawkeye and Jack of Hearts. (So yes, he made mistakes.)

   In addition to the impressive number of great stories he's written, I think he deserves credit for pushing Marvel in the direction of focusing on the writing end of the equation. Art is very important, of course - the medium is a terrific merger of writing and art - but as the old theatre saying goes, "If it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage."

   Marvel became the top company in the business thanks largely to its focus on the writing, building great stories and characters. It helps to have writers like Bendis who focus on the visuals, but aren't afraid to devote lots of time to fleshing out the characters and making the reader care about them. And there are few writers who write better dialogue.

   Hopefully he'll be able to have a similar impact on DC's line - both companies are in need of focus, to bring their bloated continuities into line, and to focus on the terrific characters they have in their stables.

   It'll be interesting to see what books he tackles - one would expect Batman and Justice League, but Bendis rarely does the obvious, so we'll see.

   Hopefully Marvel can find some fresh talent to step in and carry on Bendis' traditions - and someone who can continue the edgy drama we've come to expect from Jessica Jones.

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #8

   Despite being set firmly in the Marvel universe, Jessica Jones manages to find the seamy underbelly that most series ignore.

   The latest mystery arrives at Jessica's office in the form of Maria Hill, the former head of SHIELD - and someone who's loaded with top-quality, grade "A" secrets and conspiracy theories.

   Someone wants Hill dead - and has nearly succeeded, as Hill tries to bind up her most recent wound in Jessica's office.

   But finding the answer to the mystery will put Jessica in the crosshairs as well - and can a "normal" detective deal with a national conspiracy against a woman who knows where all the bodies are buried?

   As always, the script by Brian Michael Bendis is tremendous, especially when two intelligent powerhouses like Jessica and Maria square off.

   Add in the tremendous art by Michael Gaydos and you have a powerful series for older readers (yep, this series is for adults only,  because of language and adult themes).

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #6

   And just like that, the first story arc of the new Jessica Jones series is wrapped up.

   As you'd expect, it's not quite a happy ending, as Jessica is caught in the middle of a plot to bring down members of the super-community - especially Captain Marvel.

   The art by Michael Gaydos is tremendous - earthy and powerful - and Brian Michael Bendis' scripts are as sharp and biting as ever.

    Reading this series is always an interesting experience. It's apparently "in continuity" - there are plenty of references to past and ongoing events in the Marvel universe - but the language are attitudes are not for young readers.

   Still, for those readers mature enough to tolerate the vulgarity, it's a powerful series and one that's loaded with unexpected twists.

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #5

   You'd expect that this "adult only" version of Jessica Jones would be grim, just like the TV series - but this one sets a new high mark. (Or should that be a low mark?)

   The story follows two seemingly-unrelated (but important) events in Jessica's life.

    One involves a client - a woman who hired Jessica to follow her husband. Before Jessica gets far into her investigation, the husband brutally murders his wife! The killer offers to confess his guilt, but he wants to talk to Jessica.

   That conversation is one of the most bleak, grim and dispiriting I've ever seen in a comic book - and it's something of a slam (perhaps unintentional) of recent "Event' comics that have shaken up the Marvel Universe.

   The other story ties into the separation between Jessica and her husband, Luke Cage (who gets some wise advice from an old friend).

   Jessica's trying to infiltrate a secret organization that's working against Earth's heroes - but at what cost to her loved ones?

   This series continues to be powerful and sharply written and drawn - but it's not for everyone and it's certainly not for young readers. Mature readers who can handle the bleakness, however, will love it.

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #4

   One of the things that stands out about Jessica Jones is that it is (now) set firmly in the Marvel Universe - but it doesn't really feel like it.

   It's almost like an Earth-2 version of Marvel. (Arguably, the original Alias series was set in a slightly different, "R" rated version of the MU.)

   That's because it's much more gritty, more street-level, than any other series. A lot of the credit goes to the art by Michael Gaydos, whose unique style evokes the real world without being photo-realistic. Stunning work!

   The story by Brian Michael Bendis has Jessica involved in a mystery. As this storyline started, she was being released from prison (we don't know why). Her child with Luke Cage is in hiding, and Luke wants answers but isn't getting any (we don't know why). Jessica is kidnapped by a mystery woman and offered a chance to betray her former friends in the Avengers.

   And there, at least, we finally get some answers, as Ms. Marvel Captain Marvel puts in an appearance and we learn the reasons behind Jessica's problems - and why she's being so secretive.

   But the story isn't over, and there's much more to be revealed and uncovered.

   It's a strong return for the series and it fits well with the TV version, too. It's for adult readers - and highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #3

   If you have any doubts about how tough Jessica Jones is, this issue has you covered.

   She's been captured by a super-powered villain, and wakes to find herself in a confrontation with a mystery woman.

   And that's what this issue is (mostly) about - a quiet but intense discussion between two women.

   But since it's written by Brian Michael Bendis, you know it's a riveting exchange - and it actually has ties back to the events in Civil War II (but in this case, it's not a bad thing).

   The art by Michael Gaydos is raw, real and evocative. It's not the usual slick, over-muscled superhero standard - but it's perfect in its evocation of the real world setting.

   If you're a fan of the mini-series - or the original Alias comic series - you're bound to like this.

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #2

   Let me start by saying how happy I am to see a genuine Parent's Advisory on the finished cover to Jessica Jones #2.

   This is a comic that is violent and often vulgar (which is fine in a comic for adults), but instead of the usual microscopic notice, this has, in large letters: "Parental Advisory! Not for kids!" Good on ya, Marvel.

   The story inside gives us some more details on the former superhero turned Private Investigator (and Mom).

   She's confronted by an angry Luke Cage, who has a simple question: "Where's my daughter?"

   Luke and Jessica have a baby girl, but she is hidden away for reasons unknown. Jessica refuses to say where, and we only get some brief hints about why

   Luke, never known for having much patience, doesn't take the news well.

   At the same time, an event shakes up Jessica's latest case - and a strange villain appears (sort of).

   So there's a lot going on here, and writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos keep the story ripping along at top speed, serving up action one moment and heartbreak the next, keeping you riveted to the spot.

   It's truly sad to see Jessica and Luke struggling with their relationship - they have been one of (if not the only) "real" relationships in comics, funny and loving and sexy and spirited, and it would be a shame to lose that.

   While we wait to see the outcome, there's a cracking good story unfolding - we just hope it doesn't end by breaking our hearts.

Grade: A-

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Jessica Jones #1

   Given the success of the NetFlix mini-series, it's surprising that Marvel is only now getting around to reviving the series starring former superhero-turned-private-detective Jessica Jones.

   The last time we saw her, Jessica was in a good place - married to Luke Cage, they had a baby and were active members of the New Avengers.

   But Jessica isn't the kind of character who manages "being happy" well - so as this series begins, she's in all kinds of trouble (though it's not clear exactly what is going on).

   The first issue reunites the original creative team - writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos - and they pick up right where they left off, serving up an adult, street-level, grime-and-all portrait of a woman struggling to survive despite (possibly) sinister forces gathered against her.

   Oh, and she also gets hired for some detective work - and runs into some old friends.

   It's a great start for the new series, and it really feels like old times. The original series was dark and edgy (like the TV show), and it's right back there again.

Grade: A

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Jessica Jones - TV Review

   Running a bit late but I finally got a chance to see the first episode in Marvel's NetFlix series, Jessica Jones, which is based on the character in the Alias comic book by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos.

   It's been getting some well-deserved rave reviews, and it's easy to see why - it's a raw, rough-and-tumble look at the "adults only" underbelly of the Marvel universe (which is to say, this isn't a show for kids).

   The focus is on the title character, a smart private investigator who works a dirty job to make a living - and is obviously much more than she seems to be. Through clever editing and a fast-paced, multi-leveled story, we see glimpses of her powers - and flashes of the dark figure in her past who nearly destroyed her life.

   The show is as much about horror as a detective story. You get the sense of a net drawing around Jessica, as she's forced to confront a monster from her past, and struggles with demons and her own nightmares.

   Jessica is brought to life in brilliant fashion by Krysten Ritter,  who exudes the character's dark, sexy and intelligent side, all while reflecting a tragic, traumatic past.

   There are lots of Easter eggs for longtime fans, from casual mentions of other heroes to the inclusion of Luke Cage (who'll have his own series soon) and "Trish" Walker (I prefer the name Patsy).

   While there's definitely a hopeful, heroic side to the story (and a bit of humor), be warned that this is not the usual upbeat kind of story we've come to expect from Marvel. Instead, the focus is on the street-level character and the deadly world she lives in.

   It's a powerful, compelling story - highly recommended!

Grade: A

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