Marvel; $4.99  

Jessica Jones is not having a good day. First, she’s being harassed by the paparazzi because she’s the wife of Mayor Luke Cage and they seem more than happy to make her look bad. Second, she went back to her Alias Investigations office and discovered that murders occurred down the hall. While she wants to investigate the crime, her husband begs her to leave it for the police. That’s when another monkey wrench is thrown into her day. 

Alias: Red Band #1 starts with a great cover by David Mack. The complexity of the character is established with two striking views of Jessica Jones encapsulated by layers of symbols, shapes, and text.  

Writer Sam Humphries doesn’t waste a page in this opener, quickly setting up what’s been happening in Jessica’s life and exactly how frustrated she feels about it. Conversations in the dialogue-heavy issue read organically with Jessica and others succinctly expressing themselves. Emotion in the back and forth exchanges is captured nicely by artist Geraldo Borges and colorist Arthur Hesli with multiple panels showing the characters speaking instead of one or two with long word balloons.  

The case itself is immediately intriguing for many reasons (no spoilers!) and could make for an interesting investigation. Full disclosure, this book is considered to be a mature read with adult content.  

–Amanda Sheriff