- Written by: Sam Humphries
- Art by: Geraldo Borges
- Colors by: Arthur Hesli
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: David Mack (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: March 11, 2026
Alias: Red Band #1 (Marvel, 3/11/26): Writer Sam Humphries and artist Geraldo Borges deconstruct Jessica Jones as she navigates a grisly Hell’s Kitchen murder mystery while balancing her high-profile role as the Mayor’s wife. This visceral noir revival is sharply executed and unapologetically brutal. Verdict: A must-read for Jessica Jones fans.
First Impressions
Walking back into the world of Jessica Jones feels like putting on a worn leather jacket that still smells of stale cigarettes and cheap bourbon. Sam Humphries captures that signature weary energy perfectly right from the jump. The transition from the gritty P.I. life to the polished expectations of being New York’s First Lady creates a friction that fuels the character drama. It is clear that this series aims to honor the original Bendis run while carving out a much darker path through the Red Band label.
The visual presentation immediately sets a heavy, oppressive mood that feels right at home in Hell’s Kitchen. Geraldo Borges uses shadows with a surgical precision that makes the mundane feel threatening. There is a palpable sense of dread as Jessica explores her old stomping grounds, and the discovery of blood in a neighbor’s home feels like a slap in the face to her attempt at a normal life. This issue does not just ask if Jessica still has her edge; it proves she never lost it in the first place.
Recap
It has been twenty-five years since Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos introduced Jessica Jones to the world in the original Alias series. That groundbreaking run redefined street-level storytelling in the Marvel Universe by focusing on trauma, failure, and the messy reality of being a former superhero. Since then, Jessica has married Luke Cage and helped him rise to the position of Mayor of New York City. This new series finds her at a crossroads where her public responsibilities clash with her inherent drive to solve the mysteries that the system chooses to ignore.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS)
Jessica Jones stands outside her old Alias Investigations office and laments the fact that she had to surrender her private investigator license. The office is officially closed until further notice because she is now the First Lady of New York. Her husband, Mayor Luke Cage, wants her to focus on her public role, but she finds it impossible to ignore the instincts that defined her for years. A local photographer named Brewer spots her and tries to snap a photo, reminding her that she is always under the microscope.
Her nostalgia takes a dark turn when she visits the apartment of her former neighbors, Mrs. Hopkins and her daughter Lucy. She finds the door slightly ajar and a fridge left wide open, which immediately triggers her detective senses. Upon entering, she discovers signs of a violent struggle and a significant amount of blood on the floor. The grisly discovery marks the beginning of a much larger mystery involving a string of murders that have been plaguing the streets of Hell’s Kitchen.
As Jessica delves deeper into the investigation, she realizes that these killings are far more sinister than typical street crime. She begrudgingly forms an alliance with Typhoid Mary, who has her own reasons for wanting to track down the culprit. Mary Walker is the wife of the former Mayor Wilson Fisk, making their partnership a strange mirror of their husbands’ political rivalry. They must navigate their mutual distrust to stop a killer who seems to be targeting the most vulnerable people in the neighborhood.
The investigation eventually leads them to an interrogation of a low-level suspect who reveals the existence of a hidden third party pulling the strings. This mysterious culprit is operating from the shadows and appears to be playing a much more complex game than Jessica or Mary initially suspected. The stakes are raised as the two women realize they have become targets themselves. Jessica must now decide how much of her new life she is willing to risk to bring this hidden threat into the light.
Writing
Sam Humphries demonstrates a masterful grasp of Jessica’s internal monologue by making it feel both cynical and deeply human. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the mystery to breathe before hitting the reader with the shock of the crime scene. He handles the transition between the character’s past and her present life with a grace that makes the world feel lived-in and authentic. The dialogue between Jessica and the supporting cast is sharp and carries a weight that suggests years of unspoken history.
The structure of the issue effectively balances the five basics of a strong story by establishing a clear focal character with a compelling goal. Jessica’s journey is hindered by both legal obstacles and her own public profile, which adds a unique layer of tension to the traditional detective narrative. The stakes are personal and immediate, grounded in the safety of her former neighbors rather than some abstract cosmic threat. This focus on street-level consequences makes the story feel intimate and urgent throughout its entire page count.
Art
Geraldo Borges delivers a visual masterclass in noir storytelling with layouts that prioritize atmosphere and narrative flow. His character acting is exceptional, capturing the subtle exhaustion in Jessica’s eyes and the frantic energy of the crime scene. The composition of the panels often uses narrow perspectives to reflect the feeling of being trapped by public scrutiny or the shadows of the city. Every line feels intentional, contributing to a gritty aesthetic that honors the legacy of the original series while adding a modern sharpness.
The color work by Arthur Hesli is a vital component of the book’s success because it dictates the emotional temperature of every scene. He uses a muted palette that emphasizes the coldness of the city, punctuated by the shocking, vibrant red of the blood found in the apartment. This contrast is essential for the Red Band format, ensuring that the violence carries a significant visceral impact. The synergy between the inks and the colors creates a deep, textural world that pulls the reader into the dark heart of Hell’s Kitchen.
Character Development
Jessica Jones remains one of the most relatable characters in the Marvel stable because her struggles are rooted in universal themes of identity and responsibility. Her motivation to investigate the murders is not born out of a desire for heroism, but rather a stubborn refusal to let an injustice go unanswered. The consistency of her voice is impressive, as she still carries the same jagged edges and biting wit that made her a breakout star two decades ago. Her new status as First Lady adds a fascinating layer of conflict that forces her to reconsider how she defines herself outside of her trauma.
To a lesser degree, one of the glaring flaws of the issue is how Luke Cage is presented as a man more concerned with politics/optics, while being cowed by his wife’s temper. Marvel has developed a bit of a reputation for showing strong black men as anything but, and this issue sadly reinforces that reputation.
Originality & Concept Execution
While the return to a noir detective format might seem like a safe move, the inclusion of the Red Band label allows the creative team to push the boundaries of the genre. The alliance with Typhoid Mary is a fresh concept that provides a compelling dynamic for Jessica to navigate. The execution of the mystery is top-tier, successfully planting enough clues to hook the reader without revealing too much too soon. It is a bold reimagining that proves there is still plenty of life in the Alias concept when handled with this much care and precision.
Pros and Cons
What We Loved
- Humphries captures Jessica’s weary, cynical voice with perfect pitch and dark humor.
- The oppressive use of shadows in the art creates a genuine sense of noir dread.
- The Red Band violence is handled with visceral impact that enhances the investigative stakes.
Room for Improvement
- Some panel transitions feel slightly abrupt during the initial exploration of the office.
- The photographer sub-plot feels a bit tropery compared to the strength of the main mystery.
- A few backgrounds lack the detail found in the exceptional character acting.
- Luke Cage’s depiction as a politician overly concerned with optics who gets brow-beaten by his wife is disapopointing.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
The Scorecard:
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2
Final Verdict
Alias: Red Band #1 is a strong return for a character who has always thrived in the dark corners of the Marvel Universe. It delivers a punchy, atmospheric story that respects the history of the character while providing a necessary evolution for her current status. The creative team has crafted a mystery that feels dangerous and essential, making this a enticing addition to any reading list. Sadly, Luke Cage fans will likely take issue with his characterization, creating a glaring smudge on an otherwise pristine fist issue..
8.5/10
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