Comic Review: Jessica Jones #3 & #4

Jessica Jones #3 & 4

Marvel Comics

Writer: Kelly Thompson

Artist: Mattia De Iulis

I am really enjoying this Jessica Jones series. We’re only four issues in (technically you could say two), but it’s been really good so far. There’s more detective work than I thought there’d be, which is a pleasant surprise. It’s also got a solid mystery at its center.

Jessica Jones was shot in the head and died. Then she came back to life. Then Elsa Bloodstone was shot in the head, and in Jessica Jones #3, she’s also back to life. Jessica accompanies her to kill sea monsters so she can question her about the dead client, Dia. Following more leads, Jessica finds an old address of Dia’s and an alive Dia. In Jessica Jones #4, we learn more about Dia and find and discover who’s been shooting and killing women, and why they’re coming back to life.

The art by Mattia De Iulis is great in these two issues. The color and lighting give everything a really dynamic kind of style. Panels blur a little to show an action, and I appreciate that more than a static image or motion lines. Not that those are bad, but it adds to the style and tone this series has. My minor gripe is still the faces. Because it’s going for a more realistic kind of art style, it feels a little uncanny valley to me. But even with that, I still really dig the art in these issues.

The story itself is still going strong in these issues. We learn more about the overall “mystery” that Jessica is investigating, but we’re left with new questions at the end. Besides a likable protagonist (which we clearly have), that’s what makes a good mystery story to me. Kelly Thompson does good dialogue, and here we see that as Jessica questions Elsa Bloodstone. It feels natural, and is entertaining, considering they’re fighting sea monsters while talking. The internal thoughts of Jessica also give us a nice view of her professional P.I. side.

Of the two issues, I think #3 is better. They’re both good, but you can’t top the sea monster fight. Issue #4 has its own twists and turns, but it feels like it goes by a little too quick. There’s a good amount of exposition, which isn’t bad, but it limits the events of what happens. We go from “A” to “B” and stop at “B”. There are still some good character interactions and a Spider-Man cameo, but overall I think #3 is a better standalone issue.

I may have my small, minor gripes, but these are two good issues, in a really good series. The story is interesting, and the dialogue is great. The art has really grown on me and is a pleasure to look at. With the end of this first story arc, now is a great time to investigate the latest Jessica Jones series.