Alias Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Brian Michael Bendis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Alias | Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Meet Jessica Jones, one-time costumed heroine turned private investigator. After realizing that her powers were unremarkable compared to those of the icons in the Marvel Universe, Jones gave up being a super hero and eventually opened up a detective agency. While her intent to help others is intact, her personal behavior is anything but valiant: She is bitter, resentful and self-destructive. In lieu of professional help, Jessica battles her inferiority complex and depression with a chain-smoking habit and alcoholic tendencies. In spite of her self-imposed exile from the spandex crowd, Jessica's cases continually lead her back to her old circle of acquaintances, which only fuels her angst even more. Jessica is imperfect and human, and her textured personality is eloquently rendered by Bendis and Gaydos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Comics (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785111417
• ISBN-13: 978-0785111412
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painfully funny, smart, February 21, 2004

By 

"rumbleyoungmanrumble" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alias Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Alias follows the life of Jessica Jones, private investigator. Jessica Jones is a mutant, and is considered in some circles to be a super-hero, although that description doesn't fit her very well. This part of Alias doesn't clearly say what Jessica's powers are, in the beginning we learn that she has a mean left hook and later on she breaks a shotglass in her hand with no cuts after.
As the story progresses more of her history and her powers are revealed, and there are a lot of cameos from more famous Marvel heroes. The appearances of other heroes is pretty neat for readers who are familiar with the Marvel universe, but it doesn't prohibit people who haven't read from starting.
There's a little of everything in Alias, Jessica takes a normal case which leads her to a large governmental conspiracy which provides action and also shows Jessica at work as a detective. The major story arc aside, I found that the heart of Alias is Jessica's endearing personality, I think that people will see their own traits in her life. It's somewhat pricey compared to other graphic novels, but it's also pretty long by graphic novel standards, and I think that it's a smart buy.
Alias has the "MAX" rating which is comparable to a R rated movie. I didn't find it to be offensive, there's a lot of profanity though.
Not related to the television show "Alias".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My All-Time Favorite TPB Series, March 25, 2005

By 

C. Johnson (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alias Vol. 1 (Paperback)

***not related to the Jennifer Garner TV show***

This book is for a VERY specific demographic: people who grew up reading Marvel comics who are now adults rediscovering the world of comics. This is the Marvel Universe from an adult point of view. You've still got Captain America, the Avengers, Daredevil, your old Marvel favorites here, but they're filtered through an adult's eyes. The first word of the book is "F---!"

The protagonist, private investigator Jessica Jones, is complex, not totally likeable, like a real person. She has super powers but chooses not to use them (more is revealed about her background in the later books).

I'm not a "Bendis can do no wrong" kind of guy. A lot of his stuff is fluff written to please young fans and sell books. Not this time. This is a character piece, a huge risk in the comic biz. This might explain it's short run.

The artwork is dark and moody, a refreshing change from the typically glammed out super-hero books. The art fits the character perfectly.

All four Alias books are totally engaging from start to finish. If you only buy one graphic novel, GET THIS!

There are rumors that this series will come back. I hope so!

Jessica Jones is currently in "The Pulse," a comic where she works for the Daily Bugle. It's an "ensemble cast" kind of book so she's not really in it that much. If you really want more of her story, Pulse is worth picking up. But get the other three Alias books first!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, December 20, 2003

By 

N. Durham "Big Evil" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alias Vol. 1 (Paperback)

The great Brian Michael Bendis has done it again. With Marvel's first title to warrant the "MAX" title (intense violence and language), Alias shows Bendis at his best. His penchant for dialog and unconventional storytelling is so proudly displayed in this first collection of the series that it is easy to see why he is one of the most revered writers in comics. Alias tells the story of former Avenger Jessica Jones, who has since quit being a superhero and has opened her own private detective agency called Alias Investigations. Even though she still has superpowers and Alias takes place in the underbelly of the Marvel Universe, Bendis manages to make Jessica seem like a real life everyday person. She is obsessive, self destructive, and usually looking to do the right thing. In this first collected volume, she has a one night stand with Luke Cage, becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving Captain America's secret identity, and meets Matt Murdock. Michael Gaydos' art is a gritty almost Frank Miller-esque style that suits Alias well, even though it may take some getting used to. All in all, this is superb comics storytelling that one could only expect from Bendis.