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Rating: Summary: Painfully funny, smart Review: 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".
Rating: Summary: Diehard comic fans & those outside the genre will love this Review: Bendis' Powers originally introduced me to the world of comics and graphic novels. But his Alias, starting with this book, truly showed me what the genre could be.For a newcomer, there's no twisted mythology necessary. Even without any basic knowledge of the Marvel universe or superhero comics in general, Alias is a great read. Most of a classic detective story than a superhero story, at least in the early arcs, the dialogue and situations ring true. And for those with extensive knowledge of Marvel, Jessica (the protagonist), is a former member of the Avengers and has semi-regular run-ins with those inhabiting her world. While you can understand the stories on their own, a friend of mine who loves comics was constantly point out who people were or what a certain situation was a parady of, which only added to my enjoyment of the graphic novel. The comic itself is coming to an end, though Jessica will be continuing in a new comic. But if you enjoy this, definately continue on with the following graphic novels as it only gets better and better.
Rating: Summary: Exceptional Review: I have never read any Marvel comics, but I got straight into 'Alias' by Brian Michael Bendis. It should appeal to fans of alternative comics and comics of the thoughtful European kind. The book matches the realistic characterization of Daniel ('Ghost World') Clowes or Adrian ('Optic Nerve') Tomine. The main character Jessica Jones is screwed up and her own worst enemy (despite some fierce competition), but she's depicted with so much sympathy and compassion that one can't help but love her. I don't even know what to compare the dialog to. Simultaneously stylized and naturalistic, witty and poignant, it's so far ahead of any other title that comparisons would be meaningless. The genre is a sort of Chandleresque private eye thing (the closest parallel might be Sarah Paretsky's V.I. Warshawski), but the mystery is strictly secondary here. The story is about the people, not the plot. The art is great. It might not be to everyone's taste, with muted colors and large black fields, but it's perfectly suited to the writing. Buy this book. The only problem is that once you have read 'Alias' you'll be desperately looking for other current comics this good, and there just aren't any. Oh, and despite the name and a similar logo, it has nothing to do with the TV show starring Jennifer Garner.
Rating: Summary: Private Dick Grittiness in a Super-Hero Setting Review: If you have ANY kind of knowledge of the Marvel Comics stable, you will enjoy this seedy view of the Marvel Universe as seen through the eyes of Jessica Jones, former super-hero, former member of the world-famous AVENGERS, now turned private investigator. She's a functioning alcoholic trying to eke out a living by performing skip-traces, spouse-spying, and missing person investigations. As she exists in the world of Spider-Man, The Hulk, and company, her investigations and associations lead her to cross paths with the occasional hero or villian when they're not tending to the usual spate of bank-robbing, world-conquering, or world-saving. She has a one-night-stand with Luke Cage, Power-Man, Hero-For-Hire and she becomes a dupe in an espionage-sting involving Captain America's secret identity. She's a new character but she's been retroactively inserted into Marvel history so most of the super-hero community is aware of her existence. I thought that she was actually a thinly-disguised version of Jessica Drew who has also become a private investigator since she lost her powers as the original SPIDER-W0MAN. But THIS Jessica seems to have retained a semblance of her powers which she occasionally uses in the course of her work. Even if you're not into comics and super-heroes, this work stands up on its own with realistic street dialogue that rings true to the ear, thanks to the very-talented Brian Michael Bendis. It definitely raises the bar for the entire spandex-genre, proving that there can be more to a super-hero tale than the monthly slugfest...
Rating: Summary: Another Incredible Bendis Book Review: Jessica Jones, a has-been superhero, is now the sole operator of Alias Private Eye; but when she happens upon an explosive secret, she is faced with a difficult dilemma while, at the same time, a series of unfortunate events make her become aware that she is being set up. Then, later, several of Jessica's smaller cases help us learn more about her character. Brian Michael Bendis has created another winner here. His (yet again) fantastic dialogue and unconventional storytelling make for another fantastic read. His superb mix of charaterization, dialogue, action, suspense, and humor make this book a must read. Michael Gaydos' artwork really adds to the street level grittiness of the story, and the muted colors also intensify the dark tone of the stories. "Alias" comes highly recommended for fans of Bendis' early comic noir books, "Powers" readers, and "Daredevil" readers looking for an even more gritty and adult take on superheros. NOTE: "Alias" is a Marvel MAX book and is suggested for older readers due to strong language and violence (a comic book equivalent to an R-rated movie).
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Very impressive Review: This is an incredibly well-crafted story arc. Jessica Jones is characterized amazingly well. She's intensely flawed, self-destructive, and has very low self-esteem; but she's also a very endearing character, and the story is great. Bendis' greatest strength is, and has always been, in charaterization and dialogue. You fall in love with Jessica Jones, even as you watch her have sex with a stranger, and then curse herself for it.
The artwork is also fatastic. Michael Gaydos' gritty style works very well for the stories, but it goes beyond that. Even the panels are skillfully placed. Really fantastic stuff, all around.
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