Alias

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS / MICHAEL GAYDOS /MARVEL: MAX

     Jessica Jones is a struggling, small time private investigator operating along the fringes of the Marvel Universe.   Although intelligent, capable, and attractive (not to mention super powered: strength and flight), she is a borderline drunk and a former costumed hero apparently fallen from grace.   As her tragic past drives her to both shy away from emotional intimacy and to seek redemption through her cases, Jessica Jones, as realized by master scribe Bendis, makes one of the most flawed, compelling, and heroic characters in comics.

     Alias is well served by the “Max” concept, but not just for the coarse language and sexual suggestion.  Jessica Jones often works within the seamy underbelly of the Marvel Universe, the sordid clubs and secret-laden, small towns far from the glitter and glamour of Avengers Mansion and the Baxter Building.  While superhero purists may be put off by Capt. America sneaking across rooftops in order to make a secret rendezvous with an apparent girlfriend, or Luke Cage, a close friend of Jessica, engaging in a one night stand with her, readers seeking stories that remind us there are regular people beneath the costumes will be riveted.  Bendis is too fine a writer to  throw in a provocative scene or plot device merely for the sake of titillation.  Each sequence of events reminds the reader of the demons Jessica wrestles with, and the insecurity and rage that is often a consequence of that battle.

     Two plot threads brilliantly exemplify this point.  Jessica’s apparently disgraceful expulsion from the ranks of costumed heroes is only hinted at (the heartbreaking, ugly truth of the matter is only now being brought to light), but it is a clearly brutal burden that impacts on her every move.  Bendis masterfully balances her obvious discomfort with her former costumed peers and their world with an aching longing and awe for its greater glories (as Mark Bagley illustrates in beautiful, slick flashback scenes, which are a jarring contrast to Michael Gaydos’s fantastically sordid, edgy pencils). 

     Indeed, the aforementioned awe is epitomized by Jessica’s secret passion for Matt Murdock, who employs her as a bodyguard (the reasons why Daredevil’s secret identity needs a bodyguard is explained in his own book, wherein Bendis is producing the finest storylines since Frank Miller’s legendary “Born Again”).  Although Jessica knows Matt is Daredevil, and despite the fact that he has never revealed his costumed identity to her, she faithfully executes her duties (even protecting Matt’s new girlfriend) and keeps her mouth shut, all the while carrying a torch for him.  From Jessica’s perspective, Matt’s poise and willpower exemplify the hero she has failed to be.  Yet, it is the fact that she continues to make the effort, despite her baggage, that makes her the most heroic Marvel character of all.

     Brian Michael Bendis is one of the key reasons comic readers can feel excited about Wednesdays again.  His prolific output of consistently outstanding stories (i.e. Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Powers) has energized the medium, and raised the creative bar for mainstream comics.  Alias is the definitive example of a master at the peak of his creative powers.

The complete series has been collected in 4 volumes.  The main character is now appearing in the book, “The Pulse,” which is also written by Bendis.