Alias Vol. 4: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones [Paperback]

Brian Michael Bendis (Author), Michael Gaydos (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Marvel (June 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785111670
• ISBN-13: 978-0785111672
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best., February 26, 2005

By 

Bingo Pajama (Miami, FL; USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alias Vol. 4: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones (Paperback)

What is there to say here that hasn't already been said about volumes one, two and three? Bendis' characterization, dialogue and storytelling are amazing, Michael Gaydos' pencils and inks are perfect, and the colors are great, as well.

But there is something else, because this is the bes volume of the series. This volume contains some great (heartrending, maybe, but great) flashbacks, and some of the best dialogue yet. It's impossible not to fall in love with Jessica Jones, despite her demeanor and her self-loathing.

Bendis, in an unusual move, introduced an all-new character to the Marvel Universe, fitting her into much of Marvel's history--this, before Marvel started on popping out a new character every month, as they are now; this was during the decade during which Marvel continually rehashed the same characters--and it worked so well.

This volume has the best story, the best characterizaton, the best dialogue, yet. The artwork is beautiful, as always, and the subtle (as well as the obvious) changes in artwork and style used to differ between different times are a nice touch, as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great anti-heroine, September 28, 2004

By 

jancola (Encino, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alias Vol. 4: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones (Paperback)

I started reading this book because Matt Hollingsworth gave it to me, and it has since become one of my favorites. I love reading it in public, just so I can tell people about it and say, no, it is not the TV series!

Despite having some impressive powers, Jessica Jones has never been your typical heroine. She's a trash-talking, normal-looking chick who has trouble making sense of life. In this final book, though, we get to make sense of hers. We finally learn how she became a hero, and the awful reason why she stopped being one.

Bendis is not big on action. He is not big on fantasy. What makes him one of the great writers today is that he is big on dialogue, and character. Jessica is a beautiful creation. Her insecurites make her stronger.

Bendis is also great at pulling obscure MU mythology out of the woodwork and making it interesting. Carol Danvers, the uber-heroine best known for being the lady Rogue stole her powers from, is the perfectly perfect foil for the troubled Jessica. The Purple Man, meanwhile, is pulled out from the archives to tear her down. Jean Grey, Luke Cage, Scarlet Witch, Nick Fury and the Ant Man also fill the pages. Great stuff.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ending for an underate series, April 16, 2004

By 

Ben Toon (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alias Vol. 4: The Secret Origins of Jessica Jones (Paperback)

I think this series reads much better in the trade format. If you liked (or loved) Bendis's take on Daredevil, you'll really get a kick out of this series because it covers much of the "underbelly" of the regular MU.

In this, the last TPB, we finally get a peek at how Jessica got her powers and why she gave up being a superhero, forever living in the shadows of "greater" heroes like the Avengers. Wonderful flashback scenes drawn by Mark Bagley, Bendis' artist on Ultimate Spider-Man. Great unexpected twists and turns starring the 3rd-rate MU villian, the Purple Man. You'll never look at him again the same after this.

The story also ties up Jessica's relationship with Luke Cage and sets the groundwork for the new series, The Pulse.

FYI: for the 16-and-older crowd as it is a MAX title, having plenty of cussing and sexual situations.