Customer Reviews

Alias Omnibus (Marvel Comics)

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It's strange how such an important comic can be so relatively obscure. This is the book responsible for launching Marvel's MAX imprint, which is pretty much their answer to DC's wonderful Vertigo line. Not only is Alias responsible for MAX, but it introduces us to Jessica Jones and is a very intriguinjg read as well.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, the 28 issues of Alias tell the story of Jessica Jones, a former superhero who hung up her cape after deciding that she didn't have what it takes to be a hero. Her powers, which include superstrenght and flight, are good, but nothing special. Furthermore, she is too self-destructive; she doesn't believe in herself and she has tons of personal issues, going all the way back to her high school days. Even her "origin story" gives her reason to doubt herself. Now she runs Alias Investigations, a private detective agency. Her cases take her to the darker side of the Marvel universe that don't usually get shown in the mainstream books live The Avengers or The Fantastic Four. The first case we see her on shows her finding a missing woman... who just so happens to be sleeping with none other than Captain America! Another case has her tracking down a missing girl who is rumored to be a mutant. However, she learns that there may be more to the story when she discovers that the town the girl went missing in is full of racists who hate everyone from Jews to mutants.
Along the way, we are given hints of Jessica's past. Her relationship with best friend Carol Danvers (whoose aliases include Ms. Marvel) is dysfunctional at best, she has angry sex with Luke Cage, and begins dating Scott Lang/Ant-Man, another hero with a questionable past, and the relationship is a rollercoaster for both. Occasionally, she acts as bodyguard for Matt Murdock, who had just been outed in the press as Daredevil.
Eventually, Jessica confesses the story of her origin to Cage, and the tale of how she got her powers is heartbreaking. Furthermore, she describes her early adventures as the superhero Jewel, and how an encounter with the mind-controlling Purple Man had lasting consequences on her mental state and which nearly led to a crisis with the Avengers.
Bendis' stories are very well-written and engaging. Jessica's cases are interesting, but it's her personality that is truly captivating. She smokes and drinks heavily for someone who once made it her job to protect people, and her relationships with others are very unhealthy. The fact that the book is published under the R-rated MAX imprint allows people to fully "express" their feelings through the ability to use hard-core swearing (and Bendis doens't hold back on the cussing). It turns out that the superheroes of the Marvel universe can have some pretty dirty mouths. As for the art, it takes some getting used to. I admit that it fits the dark and gritty tone of the story, but there were times when I wasn't sure what was going on.
This HUGE omnibus collects all 28 issues of the series in addition to the What If...? issue detailing what would have happened if Jones had joined the Avengers. While I really enjoyed the 28 issues of Alias, the What If...? issue was only OK, and (SPOILER!!) I find it very hard to believe that Jessica could have single-handedly prevented the events of Avengers: Disassembled. Still, it's enjoyable enough to see Jessica happy in a completely different environment.
This book is expensive, but it's pretty worth it. In addition to 29 issues presented in oversized format, we are treated to sketches, an interview with Bendis, Bendis' pitch for the series, and an introduction from Allen Heinberg, writer for The OC and creator/writer of Young Avengers.

Forget House of M, forget his monumental run on Daredevil, and forget his long run on Ultimate Spider-Man; Brian Michael Bendis was at his best with Alias. No, it has nothing to do with the show of the same name; Alias was the first title under Marvel's mature themed MAX line, and it shows the gifted writer at his very best. The series introduces us to Jessica Jones, a former Avenger turned private investigator who has her share of problems. Her personal life is in shambles because of her mysterious past and job. She's a so-so alcoholic and chain smoker. She has one night stands with Luke Cage. She goes on a date with Scott "Ant-Man" Lang. Needless to say she's not the typical Marvel heroine, and that's why Alias worked. It shows us the grittier underbelly of the Marvel universe in this collection. From Jessica stumbling upon a murder and a plot involving the secret identity of Captain America, to her traveling upstate to find a missing mutant girl; this all leads up to the excellent conclusion where Jessica's past is revealed, and she comes face to face with the once laughable Purple Man: a master of mind control who in Bendis' hands becomes one of the most fearsome villains in recent memory. There's nothing to not like about Alias if you're a Marvel fan, and Michael Gaydos' artwork is as gritty and Bendis' storytelling. This massive collection collects all 28 issues of Alias, as well as Bendis and Gaydos' new age What If? one-shot in which Jessica Jones remains an Avenger, and her life takes a very different turn, and there's some nice extras here as well. Alias also re-vitalized former Hero for Hire Luke Cage, as well as current Spider-Woman Jessica Drew; both of which have become favorite characters of Bendis. All in all, if you are a die hard fan of the series and either missed some issues or don't own the TPB's, this is definitely worth the price tag.

Worth the $, lives up to the hype. If you need a comic in which a supervillian gets fubared every other page, this isn't for you. If you like excellent character development, excellent plot, excellent dialogue, great art, pick this up. One of the best books I've read from Marvel, also one of Bendis' best work. Again, not the normal formulaic stuff, this is really good.

One of BMB's strengths is the ability to make old characters who have previously been put out to pasture cool again. He did it with Luke Cage, 70's street-cred Hero for Hire. He did it with Jessica Drew, the first Spider-Woman (and to some small extent, Maddie Franklin, a newer incarnation of Spider-Woman). He even did it with Speedball, a wacky Steve Ditko creation. Hell, he even made Alan Quartermain cool! You'll find all these comeback characters in the pages of "Alias", detailing the adventures of Jessica Jones, an ex-superhero with origins firmly rooted in Silver Age storytelling. Along with the above-mentioned characters, you're treated to her friendship with Carol Danvers and her dating struggles with Scott Lang.

This oversized, hardcovered volume collects the entire "Alias" series, including the "What If...?" issue that compliments the series. Take the time to savor this collection, as it's a rare treat in comic book literature that you're unlikely to see again anytime soon. This is Bendis at his best, writing what he loves. The stunning Gaydos art sets the tone for the series, and only improves with each issue.

Though the series only lasts 28 issues, Jessica's story continues in "The Pulse". It's my hope that Marvel collects those issues and relevant tie-ins in a handsome Omnibus volume.

some of bendis' better writing, it captures the essential noir experience with a superhero spin. This volume is certainly the best way to collect the series, as its cheaper than buying the trades individually.

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