REVIEW: ‘Alias: Red Band’ Issue 1

Alias Red Band Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics and written by Sam Humphries, with art by Geraldo Borges, colors by Arthur Hesli, and letters by Cory Petit.

Jessica Jones stumbled upon a grisly murder. But being the mayor’s wife stops her from investigating.

Sam Humphries enters the shadowy, investigative world of Jessica Jones and Alias Investigations. But there’s a problem: Alias is not allowed to exist. Jessica has given up her license because she is married to Luke Cage, the mayor of New York, and any negative press could damage his political career. There’s an immediate noir feel to Alias Red Band Issue 1, but it’s taken further by the rebellion of Jessica and how little support she has.

The pacing and atmosphere of the comic perfectly match those of the Jessica Jones show and the original Brian Michael Bendis series, with some added elevation to highlight a very different life. This version of Jessica is now a wife, a mother, and the First Lady of New York. It’s impossible to do what she used to do, and that friction is fantastic. The structure is brilliant at creating dread and crafting the story. The issue ends by showing the consequences of Jessica’s actions before we even know what she’s done.

Humphries explores a tense dynamic between Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, something that hasn’t been seen for a long time. Their argument is intense and relatable, even when held between two superheroes. The dialogue is sensationally written, naturalistic, and genuine. Hurtful things are said in the heat of the moment, largely because Jessica feels so hamstrung and sick.

Jessica can’t be an investigator, and she can’t be herself because of who she’s married to, and that’s generating resentment. She’s also stubborn and insubordinate. Telling her not to do something makes her angrier and more willing to do it. She’s about as alone as she’d ever been, not even able to lean on her husband for help.

The introduction of others in New York is neat, always with a purpose rather than just tacked on. Within Alias Red Band Issue 1, a murder-mystery thriller, Jessica’s narration as the investigation unfolds really isn’t supposed to be doing begins is brilliant. Luke Cage’s tenure as mayor has not been utilized much at all by Marvel, and this is a very intriguing way of exploring it. It cuts right to the raw, difficult matter of his private life through the gaze of someone struggling to see the upsides.

The artist captures the book’s gritty, unflattering aesthetic. Jessica is different from other heroines because her world is so dark and messy. She’s meant to be a normal woman. She looks tired, upset, and older. Alias Red Band Issue 1 delivers superb facial expressions that match the tone every time. The conversation between Luke and Jessica is one of the greatest illustrated dialogue scenes I’ve ever seen. The panel layout is perfect, building the argument’s intensity until it boils over with fury. It’s a real arguement between a couple, with the regretful, sympathetic comedown afterwards.

The other guest star of the issue is more chaotic in her design, but Borges manages to make her fit. She’s just odd enough to work within this grounded side of the Marvel streets.

This is also a Red Band issue, a new term used for extremely violent and more mature comics. The tone of Jessica Jones fits the concept, but there’s one major moment that fills the bloody and gruesome quota. It takes place at a crime scene, one that doesn’t spare any blushes or hide the details. It’s not just a crime scene; it’s an old one, where things have had time to fester and rot and get especially grizzly. To discover that, and when it’s someone Jess knows, is a particularly horrific discovery to make. It’s also worth noting that the incredible David Mack has returned, providing covers steeped in his iconic style.

The colors are pivotal to the storytelling. There are rich and even light colors, but they never brighten or lighten the scene. They illuminate the shadows even more. During the argument between Jessica and Luke, the peak is entirely red. This conveys the burst of rage and uncontrollable anger that highlights a marriage on the verge of breaking up. The lettering is very clear, which is important given the dialogue-heavy nature of the issue.

Alias Red Band Issue 1 is a reminder of Jessica Jones’ uniqueness. This issue is one of Sam Humphries’ best, because it demonstrates his range as a writer. It carries the spirit of the original series and the show, whilst also implementing new elements that represent just how much Jessica’s life has changed. The emotions are powerful and gritty, with no form of comfort for the protagonist, only resistance and irritating interference. This thriller genre feels so tailored for Jessica Jones that it’s like she’s carved out her own genre within the superhero world.

Alias: Red Band Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.