Jessica Jones Makes an Unlikely Alliance in ‘Alias: Red Band’ #1 Preview

Back in 2001, Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos introduced Jessica Jones, a super hero private investigator, in the pages of ALIAS (2001). Now, ALIAS: RED BAND by Sam Humphries and Geraldo Borges celebrates the character’s 25th anniversary, embracing the book’s Red Band rating to delve even deeper into the grittier, noir corner of the Marvel Universe.

This new crime story follows Jessica Jones as she investigates a series of murders, all while navigating the public scrutiny that comes with being married to the Mayor of New York City, Luke Cage. But in order to crack this case, Jessica may just have to form an unlikely alliance with a former enemy. Enter the Kingpin’s right-hand woman, Typhoid Mary.

The mystery begins to unravel in next month's ALIAS: RED BAND #1. To mark the occasion, series writer Sam Humphries unseals the file on New York City's toughest private eye. Read on to find out what's in store for Jessica Jones and check out the cover for the series’ upcoming third issue.

Witness Jessica Jones’ return to Hell’s Kitchen in the preview below!

MARVEL.COM: ALIAS is an incredibly iconic series in Marvel Comics history. How does it feel to bring this title back for Jessica Jones’ 25th anniversary?

SAM HUMPHRIES: It's so exciting, I lost control and accidentally wrote a ton of blood and guts into the script. I called Marvel and said, surprise, it's ALIAS: RED BAND now. It's literally Red Band. No, I can't revise it, I sold the delete key off my keyboard for Geese tickets. It's Red Band now. Just a little peek into how the sausage is made at Marvel.

What a thrill it is to write Jessica Jones. The original Bendis and Gaydos run is legendary, the Kelly Thompson and Mattia de Iulis books are amazing, and Jessica is on TV again. It is the Year of Jessica Jones for the 25th year in a row, let's go. It's not often you get to witness the birth of an iconic character in your lifetime, and it's even rarer when you get to write them too. She's relentless, sharp, and sarcastic as hell, three things we all need in 2001 and 2026. All love to Bendis and Gaydos; they really snapped with Jessica Jones.

MARVEL.COM: Tell us a bit about Jessica’s relationship with Luke Cage at this moment in time. How has being mayor affected their relationship?

SAM HUMPHRIES: It's not looking good for New York City's first couple. Being a mayor sounds like a great idea, but the reality is tearing them apart. It's driving Jessica to do things she'd never thought she'd do, like hide things from Luke and lie about it. All of that is going to bite her in the ass, and if you're married to a politician, that's never good. I mean, she is semi-willingly spending time with Typhoid Mary. That's a huge relationship red flag.

MARVEL.COM: In ALIAS: RED BAND #1, Jessica Jones forms a dangerous alliance with Typhoid Mary. What sort of circumstances could possibly bring these two together?

SAM HUMPHRIES: Well, they didn't meet in a run club; they met in jail. That will set a tone for a relationship. They can't stand each other, kinda hate each other's guts, but there's a string of murders happening in Hell's Kitchen that's beyond anything either of them has ever seen. Jessica has investigated a lot of crimes, but she's never really had to do it with a partner. They're so oil and water, I knew it would be volatile, and they'd be at each other's throats. And I thought, yes, I will have fun writing this.

MARVEL.COM: What was it like working with artist Geraldo Borges on this series? How did you work together to take advantage of the book’s Red Band rating?

SAM HUMPHRIES: Geraldo Borges and Arthur Hesli are really killing it on the art and colors. Geraldo is incredible at drawing Jessica's expressions and making the dingy details of New York City come alive. Arthur has been making everything creepy, atmospheric, and bloody. It's a dark, moody book. The Red Band rating lets us get back to Jessica's gritty, MAX roots, but also to push her into new territory, into an investigation like she's never experienced.

ALIAS: RED BAND #1
Written by SAM HUMPHRIES
Art by GERALDO BORGES
On Sale 3/11

ALIAS: RED BAND #3 — THE POSTCARD KING

Jessica and Typhoid Mary finally get their hands on their prime suspect… THE POSTCARD KING, a deranged man who uses letters to influence his victims. But as they untangle his ramblings, a darker truth emerges — a secret network of murderers may be at play. But who is the puppet master pulling their strings?

ALIAS: RED BAND #3
Written by SAM HUMPHRIES 
Art by GERALDO BORGES 
Cover by DAVID MACK
On Sale 5/20

Stay tuned for more Jessica Jones news and pick up ALIAS: RED BAND #1 at your local comic book shop on March 11!

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