Collected in trade paperback this week is The Variants, Gail Simone and Phil Noto’s five-issue multiverse story, grounded in a tale only Jessica Jones could lead. It’s a miniseries that explores threats unknown and known to Jessica. It also pushes her to lose trust in herself and put her family in danger. Basically, it’s the worst possible experience for Jessica – can she triumph and find confidence in herself?
This is a Marvel comic, folks, so the answer is yes, she can. It’s a surprise to see a multiverse story with a grounded character like Jessica Jones, but it’s a unique one, to say the least. The story opens with Jessica going about her business and passing out opportunistically. Something is going on in her head, and she thinks it’s Kilgrave. His inclusion gives this story arc a Netflix TV show vibe which makes this a great pick for fans of that show. We also get vital scenes with Luke Cage and a reminder Jessica is a mother and a lover. According to the type of Jessica Jones characters that live in the multiverse, she can be a lot more than that too.
What works well for this story is how great the character acting is by Phil Noto and the on-point dialogue. AIPT’s Colin Moon said it best when he said this creative team gets Jessica Jones right. She’s edgy, moody, and a well-rounded human being. She’s not in tights flying around with a grin but craving coffee after she kicked the habit. She’s relatable and interesting because of it. She’s also intelligent and quick with the retort.
The use of Kilgrave is also interesting, especially when the twist is revealed. I won’t spoil it here, but the idea that she should forgive him is posited. Simone clarifies what her answer is, and hell no to that. We also get some primo Daredevil moments, and the various Jessica Jones heroes that pop into the narrative are eclectic and vary, making them a kind of slice of Jessica’s personality in some respects.
She-Hulk is like a big sister to Jessica.
Credit: Marvel
Noto’s colors are exceptional as well. The blush of cheeks or the lighting in Luke Cage in a hallway make all the difference in adding realism and reliability. A scene where Jessica hugs one of her selves after finding out her universe didn’t have a Kilgrave is incredibly impactful. You can feel Jessica’s pure love and joy in knowing at least one Jessica Jones didn’t have to deal with him.
The last issue, however, gets into a full reveal of the villain, which is completely out of left field. It’s somewhat annoying that this character decided to hold off attacking when they clearly had a huge advantage. I guess they needed to let the third and fourth issues pan out. It’s also tiresome to see another story playing with the multiverse, but at least this take is more grounded and isolated to Jessica Jones.
The Variants is a good look at Jessica Jones and a great example of how a grounded superhero can be written extremely well. That’s the case, even though the outlandish multiverse plot is dragged in for the last few issues. If anything, this story arc is proof Gail Simone should be given carte blanche with any Marvel or DC character she so sees fit to write.
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