Alias Omnibus by Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Gaydos
Published by Marvel
Published on: March 31, 2006
Genres: Graphic Novel
Pages: 720
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
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Once, Jessica Jones was a super hero. But not a very good one. Now a chain-smoking, self-destructive alcoholic, Jessica runs Alias Investigati ons - a one-woman private-investigative firm specializing in superhuman cases. But Jessica's life becomes expendable when she uncovers a famous hero's true identity. Thrust into the midst of a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels, has Jessica burned too many bridges to turn to old friends for help? Plus: Jessica investigates the disappearance of a teenage girl rumored to be a mutant in a prejudiced small town.
COLLECTING: ALIAS 1-28, WHAT IF JESSICA JONES HAD JOINED THE AVENGERS?
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I’ve not read a large amount of comic books or graphic novels. The ones that I have read were based on novels that I had already read (Mercy Thompson, Anita Blake, Women of the Otherworld, etc.). I have been a huge fan of comic book TV shows and movies for as long as I can remember. I remember when Batman came out starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson as the Joker. I loved it. I also watched a ton of the cartoons, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, X-men, He-man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more. Today, I love the Marvel movies and TV shows. I recently watched the Netflix original Jessica Jones and decided that I wanted to learn more about her. She was a character that I knew nothing about before the show. So, I grabbed Alias, an enormous, textbook sized book.
So, if you’re not familiar with Jessica Jones, (first, why not??, second, you should go and check out her show now on Netflix), Jessica is a former superhero and a PI. She is quite the anti-hero. She’s a bit of a drunk. She has a habit of sleeping around. She helps her clients, but she has this “I don’t really care” attitude. But then when your career is chasing down cheating spouses only to have the one who hired you get upset when you actually have the proof, (I guess they were hoping you wouldn’t find anything at all), I would be cranky too.
This omnibus actually has a five different story arcs, all of which I enjoyed immensely. In this, Marvel has made Jessica into a real person, someone you can relate to. Because, let’s face it, none of us can relate to Thor, Captain America or Black Widow, as much as we would like to. Jessica is a person who has so real problem in her life. She has bad run-ins with the cops. Cops, who don’t like the Avengers and other superheros wearing capes and masks. She has her own run-in with a superhero who is more powerful than her (see the Jessica Jones TV show for this plot, which is only a small part of this omnibus). I will say that I’m really glad that Marvel Studios didn’t make David Tennant wear purple makeup, as he is known as The Purple Man in this book and is purple.
I did love that we got to see characters from several other parts of the Marvel universe. Captain America, Madame Web, J. Jonah Jameson, Dr. Jean Gray, Ant Man, Attorney Matt Murdock and Luke Cage all have large parts in this book. There is also a character called Carol Danvers, who I didn’t know at all from any of my previous experience with Marvel. You also see some other characters show up, but they don’t have large parts, Thor, Spiderman, Dr. Octopus, Hulk, the Lizard, among others. I will say that it is Jessica Jones who really does steal the show. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I will caution you. This is a Marvel Max comic. I didn’t know what that meant at first. It is Marvel’s version of the “R” rated comics. If you’ve watched the show, this will not surprise you in the slightest. I don’t think any of the reader of this review (people who have followed my reviews in the past) will have issues with anything in this book, but I did want to call out, just in case. This isn’t a comic for kids. There is a lot of sex, a lot of drinking a lot of the “F” bomb.
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I just finished the second volume of Alias. I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve also started watching the Jessica Jones TV show.
Yay! I the TV show was taken from the fifth volume, at least for season one. I thought they did a pretty good job staying true to the comic. I’ve really enjoyed both mediums. I plan to read many more comics. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I actually really liked the tv series so I bet I would like this as well!
That was why I tried it. I really loved it. I wasn’t sure how I would like it. I’m so glad I gave it a try.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Melanie, what does it say about me that I’m *not* familiar with Jessica Jones?!? Well, I know the name but only because you mentioned it on my Marvel post! *haha* So, should I check out the graphic novel or the tv show first??
I wasn’t familiar with her either before the TV show. I think you could do them in either order. I watched the show first. Jennifer Estep started off reading the comic and then watched the show. I do highly recommend both. I just loved Jessica Jones. She is such a great anti-hero, whose also a great heroine at the same time.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Ok, I’m not familiar with graphic novels OR Jessica Jones. I do have a few graphics at home and I’ve tried to read them, but I find they really bother my eyes. Too distracting or too colorful or something. I adore the art in them though. I am hearing about Jessica Jones EVERYWHERE and I’m thinking she might have to be my next Netflix binge.
Graphic novels aren’t for everyone. I wasn’t sure how I would really like them. This is the first really long one I’ve read. I do highly recommend the show. I loved it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Even after watching the Jessica Jones on Netflix you now have me wanting to read the graphic novels! Great review!
Leona recently posted…Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep
I hope you get a chance to try it. The show was what made me want to try it. I wanted to know more about Jessica Jones. I hope you enjoy it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Hmm, dunno if it is for me
Graphic novels aren’t for everyone.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I’ve been curious about the nexflix show and now you have me curious about the graphic novel. You always get a bit more detail than shows provide. Hm… I wonder if my library could get these? 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren with Giveaway!
I got my copy from the library. The book itself was expensive. You could always try to request it if they don’t have it. They might buy it for you. I can’t recommend the show enough. I loved it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I liked comics and TV show comics as a kid, but for some reason I just haven’t gotten into it much as an adult. I do read the ones attached to favorite series.
But, I think at some point I can get bitten by the superhero comic/tv show bug. It is nice that she is relate-able. And the private investigating reminds me of the hard-boiled detectives I like from the old days.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews #Review
I’ve always been a fan of the superhero shows. I like the PI aspects of this one too. It brings the best of both worlds for me. I know that superheroes aren’t for everyone though.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I went through a period where I read lots of manga’s, but besides that I never read many graphic novels. I do like them though, there’s something fun about getting the story and pictures.
I am not familiar with Jessica Jones though or the Avengers or any Marvel comics actually. But your review does make me curious and the artwork looks great, which is always a good thing in comics and graphic novels. The art is almost just as important as the story and can enhance the story.
This sounds like a great editions with the five different story arc’s. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Review: The Daydreamer Detective by SJ Pajonas
I do agree that the artwork is very important. Marvel usually has great illustrators, at least for everything I’ve seen. They did the Anita Blake comics too.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I haven’t gotten around to watching Jessica Jones yet, but I love the sounds of her character. (I’m tempted to search this collection out just because you mentioned Carol Danvers makes an appearance. I love Carol! Especially Kelley Sue DeConnick’s run with the character in her Captain Marvel comics.) I agree, it’s good that they drew the line at Tennant not wearing purple make-up. From what I can tell, I don’t think that would’ve fit the tone of the show.
Samantha recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven’t Talked About Enough
I was not familiar with Carol before this book. She was pretty much the only character in the book that I didn’t know at least a little bit before it. I still enjoyed her. I hope you get around to spending time with Jessica either with the comics or on the small screen. She is a great character.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
This is our current Netflix watch. We watch one or two episodes a week.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong
I really enjoyed the show. I hope they renew it for a second season. I haven’t heard if they have or not. As many people who I’ve heard that love it, I would think that they would, but who knows.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Interesting… I still haven’t delved into the graphic books genre I don’t know why because heck I like pictures. I really think this sounds fun. I will have to put it on my list to check out.
It took me a while too. I’m not sure why either, because I loved the cartoons as a kid. I don’t know. I will keep up with them for a while now.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I actually don’t know Jessica Jones, Melanie, but she sounds pretty great! I enjoy an anti-hero, and I have a particular soft spot for drunken PIs, don’t ask me why!
I’m glad you enjoyed this, with the different story arcs and all 🙂
The Jessica Jones TV show is a Netflix original. I don’t know if it is available outside of the US. I would assume so, since Netflix owns the rights to it. I highly recommend watching it, if you can. If not, the book is great too.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I binge watched Jessica Jones and loved it. I don’t think I would be a comic fan or graphic novel. Just not my thing. But I am glad you found some you would love 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Abandon the Night by Joss Ware (@Mollykatie112, @colleengleason, @avonbooks)
Yeah, I know graphic novels aren’t for everyone. It took me a bit to figure out how to read them. When to go left to right and when to go top to bottom. Overall, I still really loved it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I haven’t read a graphic novel/comic before. I’ve always loved Marvel characters through. I should give it a try!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday # 185 – Brave Enough / The Beast
This is a fun one, but it is a big one. It was like a college text book. I hope you have a chance to give it a try. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I haven’t tried reading a Graphic Novel yet. But this one sounds like fun. A lot of people really like them, I’m just on the fence at this point.
It took me a long time to try them. I’ve loved comic book movies for many, many years. I feel like I’ve really been missing out by not reading the books. I know they aren’t for everyone though.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Why have I not been following this series from Netflix? Jessica Jones sounds like a hoot!
I don’t know, but you should be. I think she is my favorite Marvel character. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it. You’ll have to let me know after you watch it. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
Oooooohhh! I need to check this out. The show is on my list, but I recently have developed quite the obsession with graphic novels/comics, so I need to see if the library has this. Great review!
I loved this so much. I hope you library has it. If not, try asking them to buy it. Many libraries will purchase based on requests. I hope you try out the TV show too. I don’t think it matter the order in which you tackle either.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
They didnt’ ahve it! 🙁 However I’ve had excellent success at suggesting purchases to my library, but I think I’ll wait until after June 30th, their fiscal yr end, to suggest it. That way they’ll be flush with cash again. LOL
A Voracious Reader recently posted…Kindle Review
That is not a bad idea. This was an expensive book. When I looked at it, it was like $80+. Good luck.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)
I adored the Jessica Jones Netflix series so naturally, it made me want to know more about her. I’ve been wanting to read more comics/graphic novels for a while now (I used to read tons when I was a kid) and this seems like a perfect way to do it! Glad you enjoyed this one so much Melanie^^ we’ll have to compare notes when I read it 😀
Micheline recently posted…Review: The Mark of Athena
I hope you find a copy of it and enjoy it as much as I did. I also just recently heard that they are going to be writing more soon, which I’m really excited about.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Taming the Fire by Sydney Croft (@mlsimmons, @LarissaIone, @StephanieTyler)