Alias: Red Band #2 is One Killer Mystery (Review)

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Looking for a good mystery? Marvel is bringing back the comic book series Alias, starring Jessica Jones. The original series ended a while ago, but with Jessica Jones appearing in the new season of Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel is re-releasing Alias as part of its ‘Red Band’ line for mature readers. This new version, Alias: Red Band, features writer Sam Humphries (known for Harley Quinn and Uncanny X-Force) and artist Geraldo Borges (Storm, Thunderbolts), and promises Jessica’s most challenging case yet.

Now that her husband is the mayor of New York, Jessica has given up her job as a private investigator and closed her agency, Alias Investigations. However, a shocking discovery – the brutal murder of her neighbors – pulls her back in. Though her friend Luke urges her to stay out of it, Jessica soon realizes there’s more than one killer at work when she crosses paths with Typhoid Mary. They decide to join forces and uncover the truth, but as viewers already know, this investigation will lead Jessica down a dangerous path.

Rating: 4 out of 5

PROS CONS
Builds on previous issue well Flashforward scene feels out-of-place
Jessica and Mary’s dynamic is solid Middle kind of drags

Alias: Red Band #2 Builds Tension Amazingly Well

In Alias: Red Band #2, Jessica and Mary are still investigating the murders and trying to identify the Postcard King, the person believed to be behind them. They question Randall, a man who killed his family but claims he doesn’t understand why. While Mary doubts his story, Jessica suspects a connection between Randall’s actions and a peculiar symbol carved into his hand – a symbol also found on a postcard he had. However, the interrogation ultimately doesn’t provide any helpful information.

Jessica and Mary’s only clue is a symbol found on a postcard typed on an old typewriter. They start searching for places that sell vintage typewriters, which leads them to an antique store on the Upper West Side. The store owner isn’t helpful, but Jessica and Mary connect, and Jessica remembers a customer who’s a typewriter enthusiast. The owner shares the customer’s contact information, and the two women travel to Hell’s Kitchen to meet Tyson Kelso.

Jessica and Mary questioned Tyson about the symbol on a postcard. While Mary led the conversation, Jessica examined Tyson’s apartment and noticed something strange in his files, which clearly startled him. He began frantically writing as Jessica found a hidden collection of postcards. Suddenly, Tyson showed Mary what he’d written, and she immediately attacked Jessica, seemingly influenced by some kind of dark magic.

Alias is Building a Gripping and Powerful Mystery

I really enjoyed the first issue of this series. Like many stories that start strong, the first chapter made me eager to find out what happens next. Luckily, Humphries does a fantastic job of building suspense and leaving you wanting more. I especially appreciated how the story acknowledges its genre, particularly when Jessica analyzes the potential motives behind the postcard murders. I’m not entirely sure Mary adds much to the story, but I’m definitely drawn to the dynamic between the two cops – one by the book, the other a bit wild.

I have to say, Borges really knocked it out of the park with this issue. Jessica and Mary’s investigation is gripping, and the scenes are just powerfully intense. The back-and-forth with Randall was great, and the Tyson reveal? Totally unexpected! It all just flows so well. And honestly, Arthur Hesli’s coloring is a huge part of what makes this issue work. He really knows how to use color to build tension and make those key moments hit even harder. It adds so much to the overall mood.

This issue is a clear improvement over the first one, building on its strengths while making the mystery even more engaging. The central questions – about the postcards, Tyson’s involvement, and his motivations – remain unanswered, but the story is developing into exactly the kind of dark and intense mystery Jessica Jones is known for. If you enjoy compelling and unique mystery stories, this issue (and the first one) is well worth reading.

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2026-04-15 16:40