Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Gaydos
Publisher: Marvel MAX
Plot:
Continuing her fledgling relationship with Scott Lang (aka Ant-man), Jessica Jones continues to examine superhero events from a more grounded perspective, including guest appearances from J. Jonah Jameson, Madame Web and Spider-woman. (Also included is issue #10, omitted from the previous trades).
Comments:
Having been following Alias' continuing exploration of the cracks of the Marvel Universe casually in trades, rather than as a monthly title, it has been a while since my last fix of Jessica Jones. It is refreshing to find therefore, that little has changed - Jessica's flawed but human character is still as sympathetic as ever, her love life is still in turmoil, and her past as a superhero is still destined to return to haunt her current career as a private investigator at every turn.. These themes are dealt with from the adult perspective that one would expect from a MAX title, and it is pleasing to see that the series has moved beyond the more gratuitous use of sex and language that was to be found in some of its earlier issues. Whilst the storyline is perhaps less gripping than those of the previous collections, some fun writing and Jessica's intriguing character keep it readable.
Gaydos' art, whilst at first glance slightly flat and unspectacular provides on closer inspection levels of shade (both literal and figurative) and proves a good match to Alias' more adult, gritty tone. Small character moments and emotional pointers may be handled more effectively than the slightly static action scenes, but the art is not without flair - witness in this collection the fun "make-up" montage showing Jessica preparing herself to go clubbing, and Jessica Drew's electrifying entrance as examples of the more adventurous side to the normally sedate renderings.
As a story in it's own right, "The Underneath" is imaginative and interesting enough (especially for readers of Daredevil, who will find frequent tie-ins with work Bendis has done in that title) but somehow less compelling than previous Alias tales. Characterisation and a wry sense of humour are the stronger selling points of this particular collection which will appeal more to a fan of the series than a newcomer to the title. For the longtime reader, there is the continuing tale of Jessica's complicated life as well as little titbits dropped about her "secret past", an element of the book which is due to be explored in the next collected arc. Without this incentive, and the promise of some closure to the title, it is debatable whether Alias could continue to maintain interest, becoming slightly repetitive with its ticks of a faux-noir style and repeated reference to third-tier superheroes (Speedball? Dazzler?) - but Bendis makes it work, just about, despite any lack of familiarity with these characters.
Final Word:
This is another solid Alias arc, which fans of the series (and Bendis in general) will want to get hold of for a more adult read, and which holds together better in a collected format than I imagine individual issues would. However, by the end of this book, one has the definite sense that the most interesting arc, the final of the series and one which will explain Jessica's 'secret history', is yet to come.
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