Jessica Jones
(aka Alias)
by Phil Perich for the Nuff Said Universe
With Jessica Jones set to debut on Netflix in a few days, I thought this would be a good time to share her comic book origin so we can all have fun seeing what they do and don't use on the show. Jessica Jones (originally Jessica Campbell) first appeared in Alias #1 (November 2001).
Jessica Campbell was originally a student at Midtown High School at the same time Peter Parker was a student there. She was even present the day Peter was bitten by the radioactive spider that gave him his super powers. Jessica gains her own super powers after a traffic accident with a military transport carrying radioactive chemicals. Jessica’s parents and brother are killed and she is put into a coma for several months until she awakens during Galactus’s first trip to Earth. She is later adopted by the Jones family.
After she recovers, Jessica discovers that the radiation has given her super strength, limited invulnerability and flight (which she never completely mastered). After witnessing a battle between Spider-Man and Sandman, Jessica decides to use her powers for good and creates her own superhero identity, Jewel. Jessica has a mostly uneventful superhero career until one night when she encounters an old foe of Daredevil’s, Zebediah Killgrave, the Purple Man. Killgrave puts Jessica under his spell thanks to his mind control powers for eight months.
Later, during a moment of anger, Killgrave commands Jessica to kill Daredevil. Since no one knew Daredevil’s identity, Killgrave sent Jessica to Avengers Mansion. Whether it was Killgrave’s power wearing off or Jessica fighting it for eight months, Jessica attacks the first hero she sees wearing red (Daredevil’s color) at Avengers Mansion, the Scarlet Witch. Jessica is then injured by the Vision and Iron Man, only to be saved by Carol Danvers, Ms. Marvel at the time. The combination of eight months of mind control and injuries sustained from her fight with the Avengers put Jessica into another coma for months. During this time, Jessica receives psychic therapy from Jean Grey, to heal her mind and also help strengthen it against futuremind control attempts.
Once awake, Nick Fury and the Avengers offer Jessica a job as the Shiled liaison to the Avengers. Feeling depressed after her encounter with Killgrave, especially since no one came looking for her in the eight months she was missing, even her adopted family, Jessica refuses the offer and gives up her life as a costumed hero.
Jessica later goes on to become a private eye. She begins dating Scott Lang (Ant-Man) and Luke Cage. In the midst of one of her cases, Killgrave escapes from prison and attempts to break Jessica again. This time, thanks to the mental defenses provided by Jean Grey, Jessica defeats and recaptures Killgrave. The Alias series ends with Luke and Jessica in a committed relationship and Jessica pregnant with Luke’s child. Jessica then went on to work at the Daily Bugle as a superhero correspondent and consultant. She later quits when J Jonah Jameson smears the New Avengers team (which Luke was a member of) in the newspaper. After Jessica gives birth to a baby girl, they name her Danielle in honor of Luke’s best friend Danny Rand (Iron Fist). Luke then proposes to Jessica and she accepts. The wedding takes place in New Avengers Annual #1.
Jessica and Luke would work with the Avengers for awhile longer until Jessica convinces him to quit. Eventually Luke would return to the Avengers, much to Jessica’s annoyance.
The first season of the Jessica Jones series is coming to Netflix on November 20, 2015. The character will be portrayed by Krysten Ritter.
Jessica Jones and Krysten Ritter? I can’t wait! What about YOU? are you excited for this series? Share thoughts with me, especially after the series is released, in any of the following ways:
nightwingpdp@gmail.com or marvelroundup@gmail.com
@nightwingpdp or @marvel_roundup on Twitter.
All New Marvel Roundup on Facebook.
You can hear me and Charlie Esser (@CharlieEsser) discuss all things Marvel every week on our podcasts All New Marvel Roundup and Superconnectivity. I also write two other blogs, the BatFan Cave blog and the Flash/Arrow blog. All my podcasts, blogs, and those of others can be found at www.southgatemediagroup.com.
Well, that’s it for this week. Until next time, enjoy some Jessica Jones on Netflix. Nuff Said!