Jessica Jones, the P.I. with super strength and breakout Netflix star, is returning to comics in a new Marvel series from original creators Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, IGN reports.
Jessica Jones was seen most recently in her Netflix original series last November, which we loved. Rather than release the new comic series in November to debut along with the Netflix show, however, Bendis wanted to wait until he could get the entire original team back together, including cover artist David Mack. Bendis told IGN:
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 [Jessica Jones’] 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.
This version of Jessica will pick up where her comic, Alias, left off. Unlike her Netflix translation, this Jessica and long-time romantic partner Luke Cage have been raising their daughter, Danielle. Bendis expanded on the character’s trajectory, which ran through 28 (excellent) issues in Alias and proceeded in its spiritual comic sequel, The Pulse, and Bendis’ run on New Avengers, saying:
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 … So your perspective changes, and as an investigator and a detective her perspective will change because she’s a mother. I know some people are worried about that baby being dragged like a sack of potatoes that holds down the story or something, but I can think of many ways to tell the story celebrate this part of her life and at the same time complicates it to a degree that a lot of people can relate to. I think a lot of people can relate to trying to ‘do it all.’
In the Netflix corner of Marvel’s universe, Jessica is eventually slated to bandy up with Luke Cage, who’s already debuted in the first season of Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Daredevil to form The Defenders. When asked about the possibility of a Defenders team in the comics, Bendis said, “That may find its way to the planet Earth for realsies eventually. Stay tuned.”
Check out the cover for Issue #1, debuting in Fall, below.
Jessica Jones #1 Cover Art by David Mack