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Post by spoon on Nov 27, 2015 19:09:01 GMT -5
I like the Rick Jones arc significantly more than the first arc. I can't wait until you get to the end of it. I do like the text pages that come from the Rick Jones memoir. I think the TV series has a sufficient amount of sleuthing (although I wouldn't mind a bit more either). However, I think the show overall has a more heroic and competent Jessica Jones.
Yes, I think the toilet scene was an homage. There are article that point out some shot-for-shot homages from the Alias. However, the toilet scene is shot from the opposite side (presumably Krysten Ritter looks better sitting on the toiler from the right side rather than left). It seems that the people beyond the show are familiar enough with specific scenes from the comic series that it would come about by coincidence.
The Jennifer Garner series did have an impact on the title of the Jessica Jones series. They were not going to title it as Alias, because that would cause confusion. But you may recall that the TV series was originally announced with the title A.K.A. Jessica Jones. Eventually, they decided to drop "A.K.A." from the series title, but it lives on at the beginning of the each episode title.
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Post by wildfire2099 on Nov 30, 2015 7:14:41 GMT -5
Just wondering, since you didn't mention it, is the wife looking for Rick Jones his actual wife? (Marlo, who married Rick in the pages of PADs Hulk run) or someone of Bendis' creation?
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Post by mrc1214 on Dec 1, 2015 15:21:15 GMT -5
Just wondering, since you didn't mention it, is the wife looking for Rick Jones his actual wife? (Marlo, who married Rick in the pages of PADs Hulk run) or someone of Bendis' creation? No it's not his actual wife. I re-read the series after watching the show and I have to say that this is a rare case where I think the show is better then the comic. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 5, 2015 15:31:23 GMT -5
Alias #1 (November, 2001) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michaely Gaydos  I haven't watched the Netflix series yet. Just haven't had time. Maybe when the elder child is home for X-mas. But I just finished The Boys so thought I'd try to play along. Just finished issue 1. Not sure there's a lot to add. This is a pretty nice noir/superhero mash-up. And nicely light on the super-hero, which I appreciate. It's a spice that adds nuance to the noir main dish rather than over-powering it at this point. I absolutely agree with you on the way the page where she meets her client is presented. It really conveys the care with which Jones is sizing her up. On the other hand, I'm not as in love with the scene where the client talks about her sister. I don't have a problem with the way the client is viewed, but the static, unmoving Jones is jarring. Unless she has an eidetic memory she should be taking notes. Even if she does the complete absence of any change in posture or expression is bothersome and seems more lazy than keyed to the story. But overall I liked it quite a bit. I've really never read much by Bendis. I think that Torso is the only thing of his I've read. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 5, 2015 15:39:42 GMT -5
Let me just say that I haven't read ahead in the reviews or read any spoilers...but I'm pretty sure that the Captain America in question is not the Steve Rogers we all know and love.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 5, 2015 16:07:27 GMT -5
Alias #2 (December, 2001) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos  Summary: Jessica agonizes over what to do about the tape of Captain America's identity, becoming increasingly paranoid about why she was hired for this job. She then learns the woman she had been hired to find, the one she saw with Cap, was killed. She ends up being arrested for questioning in connection to the murder. I agree with your grade as an indication that this issue wasn't quite as good as the first. I think that my problem here is that Jones just makes a lot of stupid choices and seems to have feet of clay. She stated at one point in issue 1 that it is as important to check into the client as much as the person that you're searching for. She clearly didn't do that here. I also have to wonder if she's been in the P.I. business very long. Because she should be better at dealing with the police than she's showing here. At this point she doesn't seem all that bright, she's incredibly indecisive and she's not remotely quick on her feet. Maybe it's good thing she got out of the superhero biz. I also thought the scene outside the Avengers mansion was...questionable. I haven't read Avengers since the mid-80s...but it seemed that her name should have gotten some response. A let-down after the first issue, but still not bad. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 5, 2015 17:06:59 GMT -5
Alias #3 (January, 2002) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos  Summary: Jessica Jones suffers a difficult interrogation about the murdered girl. Matt Murdock shows up to end it and get her released.. Jessica doesn't know him. He says he's a friend of Luke Cage. She tracks down Carol Danvers for help. Carol can't tell her where Captain America is, but can trace down a phone number for her. The trail leads to the presidential campaign of Steven Keaton. This one pulls off "talking heads" comics fairly well. But it's a bit frustrating. I definitely wanted to shake her and yell that you never ever talk to the police. Again...she's either a neophyte for just not very bright. Was nice to see Matt Murdock as the lawyer to the supes. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 5, 2015 18:18:46 GMT -5
Alias #5 (March, 2002) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos  Summary: Jessica fights and defeats Man Mountain Marko, getting him to admit who he works for. The trail leads to a mobster named Zoumas. He explains the whole evil plan to her, that they just wanted her to make the tape public, either for money or to stay out of prison. It all traces back to political corruption, and donations from the mob to the current president, which were not appropriately paid back in favors. Clay Quartermain had bugged Jessica, heard the whole conversation, and sicced SHIELD on the gangsters. Steven Keaton drops out of the race, citing family reasons. Captain America visits Jessica at the end to thank her for her discretion in the matter. Thoughts: Storywise, it all wrapped up a bit too easy. As I said, I like when detective work is straightforward. But when a gangster just explains his whole evil plan without checking that the person he's talking to is bugged... that's just silly. This issue features the first real fight scene of the series. The narration over it explains that she doesn't really like fighting. But she's good enough at it to defeat Marko. Then we get two more extended conversation sequences, with Zoumas and then with Captain America.  The picture of her with the Avengers in the first issue gave the impression she used to be an Avenger. That was false. Captain America only vaguely remembers her and we learn she'd only visited the mansion a couple of times. (Maybe this retcon can fit into continuity... but I doubt it.) When Captain America says "I honestly can't think of three who would have done this for me", that seems absurd. He seems to be talking about not selling the tape. Even if he means investigating who was behind the tape, that still seems like something that superheroes do for each other all the time. He doesn't think most of the Avengers would have done the same? Beyond that, the conversation is a good one. About why Jessica isn't a superhero anymore. Apparently, not many people quit. She explains she just doesn't have that "thing", that thing that inspires that people like Captain America have. The final moment is a phone call to Carol, suggesting a healing friendship. Overall the biggest mixed bag of an issue. The art remains strong. Gaydos shows he can choreograph an action sequence as well as a conversation. And most artists can't do the conversation like he can. Some good character work, both during the action sequence and at the end. But the I felt plot-wise it was a weak ending to a strong plot. And Captain America's voice just wasn't right. That line in particular was off, but the whole thing was off. All that said, this issue wraps up the first story-arc of a great series. Smart idea, cleverly executed, a strong character, and a great new addition to the Marvel Universe, one of the few successful additions in the last 50 years. Successful enough to have an adaptation to your name while not being an old-school creation puts Jessica Jones in the same league as Wolverine, Punisher, and Elektra. (And Rocket Racoon, and Baymax... perhaps it's not the exclusive club it used to be.) None of the issues of the series yet have a title, and this first arc seems to have no title either. It's just the first arc. Comparisons with TV show: The TV show wasn't willing to spend the money to get Chris Evans to appear. So no cameos of Captain America like the comic gets. The show does take a moment from this comic. When Jessica confronts the mobsters, they point a gun at her and she claims to be bulletproof. A bluff. She tries the same bluff in the show, but in the show her bluff gets called. Grade: C+ I skipped over issue 4 because I didn't have much to add. I maybe liked it a bit less than you...because there just wasn't much going on in the issue. But I agree with this one. There was a lot wrong with this issue. Not much of it really rang true. The "confession" was hokey...particularly when you add in the bug that just appears deus ex machina-like. Captain America has a girlfriend who just happens to get killed...and I'm betting isn't ever mentioned anywhere else. This was a huge let-down as a "payoff" to the story. |
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 6, 2015 13:23:46 GMT -5
Alias #1 (November, 2001) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michaely Gaydos But overall I liked it quite a bit. I've really never read much by Bendis. I think that Torso is the only thing of his I've read. You seem like a guy who would like Goldfish. |
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 6, 2015 14:21:19 GMT -5
Addendum to my review of #7:
I reread the Steranko issues of Captain America, where Rick becomes Bucky. In the book as depicted in issue 7, Rick opines how weird it was the Cap had him dress like Bucky, comparing it to an ex-girlfriend syndrome. I still like that that's Rick's take on it. But Rick's memory seems a bit spotty. He put on that uniform all by himself and Captain America strongly objected. While he may not be wrong about what was going on in Cap's head, he leaves out his own culpability.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 6, 2015 14:29:07 GMT -5
Addendum to my review of #7: I reread the Steranko issues of Captain America, where Rick becomes Bucky. In the book as depicted in issue 7, Rick opines how weird it was the Cap had him dress like Bucky, comparing it to an ex-girlfriend syndrome. I still like that that's Rick's take on it. But Rick's memory seems a bit spotty. He put on that uniform all by himself and Captain America strongly objected. While he may not be wrong about what was going on in Cap's head, he leaves out his own culpability. Keep reading. The holes will make more sense. |
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 6, 2015 14:33:45 GMT -5
Alias #8 (June, 2002) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos With Bill Sienkiewicz  Summary: Rick is paranoid that aliens are after him. Jessica calms him down and explains that his wife is looking for him. Jessica suggests Captain America could help, but Rick explains Cap is angry at him. They attempt to get help from the Fantastic Four, but don't get past the receptionist. As they exit, Rick runs off.  Thoughts: The idea of Rick as a paranoid delusional works. The excerpts from Sidekicks and art by Bill S. remain nice touches. Bendis has the "decompressed storytelling" down to a tee. This issue is pretty light on the number of things that happen, but without particularly strong character touches, dialogue, or artistic framing to make up for it. I like the teasing of the idea that Rick and Jessica are related, only to knock it down. Seems a nice play on the idea that some writers make connections between characters at the slightest hint (Bishop and Gateway are both black X-Men--- must be related!) Grade: C+ |
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 6, 2015 15:03:09 GMT -5
Alias #9 (July, 2002) by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos  Summary: Jessica attempts to call the Avengers hotline to get help for Rick and leaves a message. Back at the office, she (posing as a gay male) sets up a date with the in-the-closet cheating husband she has been paid to expose. Her phone rings and her annoying fan, Malcom, answers, and does a poor job as a receptionist. Jarvis informs Jessica that the man she has met is not Rick Jones. The real Rick Jones is safely in Los Angeles. "Rick's" wife finds him and the two are happily reunited. Jessica doesn't expose him. At a Starbucks, she asks the doctor sitting next to her to explain the psychology of how so many people were so easily fooled by the fake Rick Jones. She then suggests to the doctor that he go home and tell his wife the truth. Thoughts: I think this is a great comic. The opening with her getting the Avengers answering machine is becoming a bit of a worn theme, as it's similar to her visit to Avengers Mansion and her visit to the Baxter Building. That said, they build off each other and emphasize that she is a bit of an outsider to the superhero world. Jarvis' brief role in the comic is charming and right in character. Malcom is kind of funny, if kind of annoying. The moment of decision you can see in Jessica's face (even through shades) as she sizes up this fake Rick and decides what to do (nothing) works well. But the issue's true strength is the finale. As I've said before, I think a comic can hold the reader's interest for a 6-page conversation if the conversation is interesting enough. Issue 7 failed at the page-length/interesting ratio. But this one does not. "The peasants want the kings to come down and play." It's a good discussion of why people pretend to be celebrities and why people believe them. But it gets capped with some excellent moments. As we could have predicted from the sweater and his looking at his watch, the psychotherapist she talked to was in fact the closeted gay man she was here to meet. She makes the right call, having sympathy for the guy, to give him advice to go home and be honest. Well executed.  And then the flashback. I like how Gaydos depicts it, with Jessica thinking in the foreground, and the memory in the background. It's a scene we didn't see. Her and Rick having coffee, and she's excited to meet him. She repeats the line, "The peasants want the kings to come down and play." Hammering home what we saw when she repeatedly failed to get ahold of the Avengers or the FF. She's not part of their world, not like Rick is. I also like the simplicity of the ending. Nothing contrived, like in the first arc. She's not a genius. Nobody just reveals the plot unnaturally. Jarvis already knew about the guy. The end. Like the first arc, the Rick Jones arc does not seem to have a title. Nor do any of the individual issues. Comparisons with the TV show: We learn her annoying fan who keeps walking in is named Malcolm, likely the inspiration for her neighbor Malcolm on the TV show. Malcolm on the show also occasionally stepped into her office to answer her phone. Beyond that, the two have very little in common, except the name. It's not clear if the kid from the comic is her neighbor or just comes by a lot.   Grade: A- |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Dec 6, 2015 16:36:05 GMT -5
I really liked the ending to this one. Unlike the first arc. It worked very well.
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Post by spoon on Dec 6, 2015 19:21:41 GMT -5
I really like the ending of the Rick Jones arc as well. I think it's the best of the series up to this point. The reveal about the fake Rick Jones is something that one should have seen coming, but totally took me by surprise. It's something one should see coming, because that paranoid figure is not who we know Rick Jones to be. He also seems to avoid getting direct help from heroes, which makes sense once it's revealed he's not Rick. But it's able to take a reader by surprise, because we don't expect a protagonist in a Marvel title to be fooled so badly by a paranoid figure. I think Alias is intended to be a character study more than an adventure saga. So while the result doesn't impress us with Jessica's skills, it makes sense given Jessica's own issues with being a former superhero.
That being said, I'm glad the story gives Jessica the little of getting the job done in the cheating psychotherapist case. And I'm glad that the television series gives us someone who does have successes, while still being flawed and relatable.
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