What If…? Jessica Jones #1 Review
Once again, today we delve deep into the infinite possibilities of What If…? This week, we’re taking a look at What If… Jessica Jones? #1, written by Justina Ireland, illustrated by David Messina, and colored by Brian Reber.
“What if…? [INSERT CHARACTER] had been bitten by the Radioactive Spider?” are fundamental to the What If…? publishing line, just as much as “What if…?” [INSERT CHARACTER] bonded to the Symbiote?” However, the Venom symbiote has been featured in stories bonded to characters outside the Spider-Man sphere, such as Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Punisher (twice!), whereas the Radioactive Spider has only bitten Betty Brant, Aunt May, Jonah Jameson, Flash Thompson (three times!), and YOU! (Check out issue 34 of the original What If…? comic book series for a few good laughs.) Until now, that is.
Yes, Jessica Jones’s origin, as told by her creator, Brian Michael Bendis, is indirectly connected to Spider-Man’s origin in Amazing Fantasy #15. I’ve read Alias; you don’t need to tell me. It’s probably one of my favorite Marvel books of all time. But beyond that? The character has always been much more connected to the world inhabited by Marvel’s other street heroes, like her husband, Luke Cage. He’s one of my favorite heroes in the Big Two, and it was Bendis’s portrayal of him in Alias and New Avengers that made me love Power Man. But I digress, don’t I?
To be honest, David Messina (known for his work on Hickman’s Ultimate Spider-Man, filling in for Marco Checchetto) perfectly imitates Michael Gaydos’s artwork from the 2000s, a fact that is enhanced by Brian Reber’s coloring. The homage to Alias is further demonstrated by the dichotomy of the artwork throughout the story. The flashbacks, representing more innocent times, contrast with Jessica’s present moodier, adult surroundings. A Ditko/Lee adolescence, a Bendis/Gaydos adulthood. After all, I think the best way to describe Jessica Jones is as a loss of innocence.
But that’s where I think the story is lacking. Now, this is by no means the writer’s fault entirely, but I feel like the book seeks to imitate the bitterness of the MAX imprint in which Alias was published, yet falls short because it’s a standard Marvel book. As if rating limitations crippled how deeply Ireland could delve into this story, as well as the page limit. Truthfully, the story kind of flies by. It might have just been me, but I couldn’t get fully absorbed.
Given the consequences of Jessica being Spider-Girl, you kind of expect there to be a “With great power comes great responsibility” moment for her. After all, the Green Goblin killed her parents in order to harden her, give her purpose, and drive her, as he himself says. But there isn’t any. Admittedly, we’re probably supposed to view these flashbacks as intentionally childish, rather than as a reflection of reality. There is a moment when Jessica’s childish perspective breaks after two women comment on her Spider-Girl costume. However, it feels like a missed opportunity for a harsher crash to reality, and adulthood.
Overall, I’m left with a story about Jessica being destined to be a hero regardless of her past, but I feel the premise never reached its full storytelling potential. It’s decent enough, but if you expect it to delve deeper and play harder with what it’s going for, you’ll be disappointed.
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