Alias

1 Alias (1-9). [From Marvel Comics: Meet Jessica Jones, one-time costumed heroine turned private investigator. After realizing that her powers were unremarkable compared to those of the icons in the Marvel Universe, Jones gave up being a super hero and eventually opened up a detective agency. While her intent to help others is intact, her personal behavior is anything but valiant: She is bitter, resentful and self-destructive. In lieu of professional help, Jessica battles her inferiority complex and depression with a chain-smoking habit and alcoholic tendencies. In spite of her self-imposed exile from the spandex crowd, Jessica's cases continually lead her back to her old circle of acquaintances, which only fuels her angst even more. Jessica is imperfect and human, and her textured personality is eloquently rendered by Bendis and Gaydos.] Old Book of the Week 1/5/05: [Alias Volume 1 has a different kind of modern heroine—Jessica Jones is strong (super-powered, in fact), but she's also neurotic, thoroughly messed-up, and although she's one of the most likeable characters in comics, sometimes ya just wanna slap her. The first volume of Alias was a revelation; I'd never seen anything like Michael Gaydos's art, nor for that matter like Brian Bendis's writing. And if you can track down the super-sized hardcover, it will be even more of a treat.]

2 Come Home (11-15). [From Marvel Comics: The adventures of superhero-turned private eye Jessica Jones continue with two new cases. In "Rebecca, Come Home," Jessica travels to upstate New York to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl rumored to be a mutant in a prejudiced small town. And in "Raining Men," the hard-luck PI goes on a date with... the Astonishing Ant-Man?!]

3 The Underneath (10, 16-21). [Issue 10, a standalone story, features J. Jonah Jameson and serves as a prologue to the events in "The Underneath"; therefore, it was held back for this collection, where it fits in better than it would have in Volumes 1 or 2. From Marvel Comics: As a costumed adventurer, Jessica Jones was plagued by a lack of self-esteem and an inability to master her superhuman powers. She hung up her cape and tights when she realized she would forever be considered a second-rate superhero. Now a tough-as-nails private investigator, Jessica returns home to find a mysterious girl in a costume hiding in her apartment, but she flies away before Jessica can find out who she is. Through sources, Jessica discovers that her intruder is Mattie Franklin, a.k.a. Spider-Woman, a teenage superhero with a personal connection to Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. With Mattie in danger, Jessica Jones must seek help from an unlikely source–Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman–to bring her home alive.]

4 The Secret Origin of Jessica Jones (22-28; a Michael Gaydos, Mark Bagley). [From Marvel Comics: Once hard-nosed private eye Jessica Jones stood with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Avengers, as a costumed super hero. Now, for the first time, learn all of Jessica’s hidden secrets — how she got her superpowers, joined the Avengers and the dark, unspoken of chapter in Marvel Universe history that changed her life forever. And find out who the Hannibal Lecter of the Marvel Universe is? Guest-starring Peter Parker and the Avengers!]

Volume 1 was released first as a Supersize HC, then as a TP; subsequent volumes have been TP only.

Alias ended with issue 28; it has been replaced by a new series, The Pulse.

Alias Omnibus (1-28, What If Jessica Jones Had Joined the Avengers?; a Michael Gaydos, Mark Bagley). [From Marvel Comics: Meet Jessica Jones. Once upon a time, she was a costumed super hero. But not a very good one. Now a chain-smoking, self-destructive alcoholic, Jessica is the owner and sole employee of Alias Investigations — a small, private-investigative firm specializing in superhuman cases. This deluxe hardcover collects all 28 issues of super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis’ ALIAS — plus all-new, behind-the-scenes bonus material compiled in conjunction with the writer himself! In her inaugural arc, Jessica’s life immediately becomes expendable when she uncovers the potentially explosive secret of one hero’s true identity. But her wit, charm and intelligence just may help her survive through another day. 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 travels to upstate New York to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl rumored to be a mutant in a prejudiced small town; goes on a date with the Astonishing Ant-Man; teams up with Jessica Drew, the original Spider-Woman; and confronts the demons of her past!] Book of the Week 3/29/06: This is one of the first series I picked up when I returned to comics, and it remains one of the all-time great runs of anything. I am surprised and delighted that Marvel is giving it the deluxe treatment. Alias features the adventures of Jessica Jones, a former super-hero (she wasn't very good at it) turned private eye. She is possibly the most likable deeply-flawed character in the history of the medium, and while the series faltered badly when it became The Pulse (which only regained some of the old Alias mojo near the end), the Alias run is a monumental achievement, featuring writing by Bendis and art by Gaydos so naturalist and real that for a moment, I literally forgot that Rick Jones is a fictional character (in the middle of the Rick Jones story, I wondered how Marvel got his permission to do such a negative portrayal, if only for an instant). This monster book contains all 28 issues of the series. And while it may be expensive, for almost exactly the price of the four trades you get hardcovers and over-sized printing, plus the Jessica Jones What If issue.

1 Thin Air (1-5; a Mark Bagley). [From Marvel Comics: 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 will Jessica's shocking discovery affect the entire Marvel Universe?]

2 Secret War (6-9; a Brent Anderson, Michael Lark). [From Marvel Comics: Jessica Jones and Luke Cage's lives have been destroyed by the events of the Secret War, so what is Jessica going to do about it? Fans of SECRET WAR B feel THE PULSE as it pounds out more gritty intrigue even as it welcomes a new artist: award-winning comics superstar Brent (RISING STARS, ASTRO CITY) Anderson! Guest-starring: Captain America, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Nick Fury and more!]

House of M: World of M (10). [For full contents, see under House of M.]

3 Fear (11-14, New Avengers Annual 1; a Michael Gaydos, Olvier Coipel). [From Marvel Comics: Fans of Jessica Jones have waited two years for two things: the return of award-winning artist Michael Gaydos to the pages of the book he was born to draw, and the birth of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage’s baby. And guess what? They’re both here! Plus: wedding of Luke and Jessica! Guest-starring the Fantastic Four, Carol Danvers and the New Avengers.]