Fans who were introduced to Jessica Jones when Krysten Ritter played her for Marvel’s Netflix series last year are going to have another chance to get to know her on the comic book page. Jessica Jones is returning to Marvel comics with a new series this year, and the whole original team is back together.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis, illustrated by Michael Gaydos, and with covers by David Mack, the new series will look and feel just like those originals. And if you’re a cynic who thinks that the series is only launching because Marvel saw such success with Krysten Ritter in the role, you’d be wrong. It’s been in the works for a long time, but Bendis, who spoke with IGN about the relaunch, explained that he wanted to “get the band back together.” He told the publication, “Between [Michael’s art] and David Mack, who is one of my closest friends who did all the covers, that is the signature in which people think of her, of those visuals. So having them all back together and having everyone be just a little bit better at their jobs — I think Michael is a better illustrator and David is a better painter — and I have to rise to the occasion and meet them.”
While fans of the Netflix series know Jessica as a victim or a abuse and a struggling detective, the comics have her a little further along in her life. She and Luke Cage (also the subject of a Netflix show starring Mike Colter later this year) have a daughter together, which will be a huge factor in her coming storyline. According to Bendis, “Having a child completely changes your perspective on everything, some in obvious ways and some in not-so-obvious ways. Some of them really sneak up on you. Like caring about somebody more than yourself, particularly when you’re very self-involved like Jessica would tend to be, is a big thing. Luke and Jessica have tried to raise a baby in a very dangerous environment. We talked about this during Avengers, you’re raising a baby in Avengers Mansion and somebody’s trying to knock that building over every four days. This is not the safest place for a baby.”
For those worried that a baby might make Jessica’s story difficult, Spider-woman has been managing to include her new baby in her latest run with plenty of success. Bendis will likely be able to do the same for Jessica Jones.
The character has also made a few appearances in other comics – recently in Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat, which might sound familiar to fans of the Netflix show – but she hasn’t had her own series since Bendis ended his run in 2004. While there’s no official release date for the comic, it’s set to launch this fall, complete with a parental advisory warning. The solicitation text from Marvel provides this summary:
“She is back after a decade! A lot has changed in the Marvel Universe and there are still many secrets hiding in the shadows. Secrets only a special woman like Jessica Jones can hope to uncover. Discover the haunting secrets from Jessica’s past in this blistering new series. Alias Investigations is open for business.”
