The Pulse Vol. 1: Thin Air [Paperback]

Brian Michael Bendis (Author), Mark Bagley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Pulse | Publication Date: November 24, 2004

It's an inside look at the Marvel Universe's most notorious newspaper, the Daily Bugle! Former super hero and current private investigator Jessica Jones has just been offered a new job: a position with the Bugle's new super-hero section, The Pulse! Jessica's first assignment: to uncover the true identity of a former Bugle reporter's super-powered murderer! How is millionaire industrialist Norman Osborn involved in the case? And how ill Jessica's shocking discovery affect the entire Marvel Universe? Collecting THE PULSE #1-5.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Comics; Direct Ed edition (November 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785113320
• ISBN-13: 978-0785113324
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good but..., November 22, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: The Pulse Vol. 1: Thin Air (Paperback)

...am I the only one who thinks it isn't Jessica Jones if she isn't cussing up a storm? Swears are not a necessity for me-- I think most things are better off without them-- but Jessica was the quintessential Marvel Max character and she feels white-washed now that she's in a mainstream, kid-friendly title.

For those who do not know Jessica Jones, she is a former Avenger who quit the team to become a private investigator; her firm and her comic book were named Alias, and this book lasted through four awesome TPBs, all for mature audiences. The last one, book 4, is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. I read it over and over the day I bought it, savoring every word. Jessica is such real character with down-to-earth problems despite her super powers, and Bendis has a lovely way of making everything resonate emotionally. The way she was drawn was also compelling; Michael Gaydos' subtlety of expression was beautiful. The look on her face when Luke Cage tells her he likes her... perfect.

Don't get me wrong, this book is still pretty good. Many minor characters are awesome. For example, J. Jonah Jameson is humanized for the first time that I have ever read and that was great. And the moment between Peter Parker/Spiderman and Ben Urich is priceless-- the whole book is worth it just for that. Welcome to the Bendisverse, by the way, where all Bendis comics intersect; oddly, it helps to have read Daredevil/Out and Daredevil/Widow, both great books but neither of them Spiderman books, to appreciate this important Spiderman scene that also does not take place in a Spiderman book...

But while minor characters become beautiful, Jessica loses her shine. I found her relationship with Luke Cage a little too happy to be interesting -- where is the conflict that arises when two people are suddenly stuck together forever by a pregnancy? And without Gaydos' unique style, she seems a lot less special.

I am still going to buy the next book, but it has a lot to live up to and I think it could be better.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, So-So Artwork, April 3, 2005

By 

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

I really enjoyed this book. A lot of people have panned it, expecting another "Alias," Bendis' earlier series about private investigator Jessica Jones. That book was more suited for adults, but this is book is set up for mass consumption. It's still really good. Yes, all the cursing is gone, but it still works.

There's a lot less of Jessica in this than one might expect. The book is about a group of reporters at the Daily Bugle that specialize in super-hero stories. So Jessica is just a part of the ensemble. You do get more info about her relationship with Luke Cage, something "Alias" fans have been waiting for.

I love the whole "investigative reporter" idea of this book. While mysteries unravel, the reader gets hooked.

I'd give this 5 stars if it weren't for the poor artwork. It looks like a cartoon-y rush job. I've heard that the comic series is getting a better artist, so hopefully the next TPB will reflect that change. Bendis' writing saves the book.

No matter how much the fans want it, this will never be another "Alias." If you can accept this, pick up "The Pulse."

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining read; could've been better., March 10, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: The Pulse Vol. 1: Thin Air (Paperback)

I bought this trade because I loved Alias. Alias was fantastic. Bendis characterized Jessica perfectly; she was very flawed and self-destructive, but I couldn't help falling in love with the character. Michael Gaydos' artwork was also perfect; it was subtle and rough, and the palette chosen by the colorist was very approriate.

The Pulse is Bendis' mainstream Marvel comeback, and it really isn't the same. I'm really not a fan of Mark Bagley, the book's artist, and his Jessica Jones is very poor, although his Ben Urich is perfect. Jessica Jones herself is relegated to a minor role, and seems completely different from how she was in Alias. Even the way she dresses isn't the same. Some of this can be blamed on her pregnancy, but not enough.

However, this book does have its strengths. J. Jonah Jameson and especially Ben Urich are perfect. As a Ben Urich book, this would be a more interesting book.

Further, important things are happening here, which is refreshing. Important happenings involving Ben Urich, Spiderman and Norman Osborn will have significant consequences.

All in all, the story is interesting, but Jessica Jones really shouldn't be starring in a book that isn't MAX. Even if she doesn't drink anymore, or have sex to punish herself, this is still to bright and airy for her.