Graphic Novel Review - 'The Variants (A Jessica Jones Mystery)' by Gail Simone (Writer), Phil Noto (Artist), Cory Petit (Letterer)

I had to read 'The Variants' twice to fully "get it", as the case may be. I think one of its major flaws is it doesn't really work as a standalone comic - you have to have read some previous 'Jessica Jones' comics in order to understand most of what is going on, and why.

But I guess, for a mystery comic, reading it more than once is beneficial to understanding it better, and seeing the clues and traps laid out that you didn't notice the first time. Its subtitle is 'A Jessica Jones Mystery', after all. Even though, honestly, Jessica isn't much of a detective here - shit just finds her, and things have to be explained to her by others.

And for a Marvel multiverse story - with Jessica Jones suddenly meeting alternate universe versions of herself, her variants (nice meta, multilayered title, there) - it is a surprisingly quick and easy read. It is a short and fairly simple, self-contained multiverse comic book, not too convoluted and infodumpy, even if it doesn't make enough sense, especially by the end. But hey, I'll take what I can get with superhero media nowadays.

I wanted to read 'The Variants' because of Jessica Jones and Gail Simone. The female comics writing legend can pen entertaining superhero sequential art, while incorporating difficult and sensitive issues and subject matters.

And Jessica's still existent and happy family life, despite everything.

Life will never be quiet, uncomplicated, and painless for Jessica Jones, but her family - her husband, the sexy Luke Cage, and their three-year-old daughter Dani - are her rock. They will always be there, and will always love her.

In the multiversal 'The Variants' - one of Jessica Jones's most bizarre adventures - we have Jessica trying to be more feminine via lipstick shades (it makes sense in context, and is even quite touching and empowering), Jessica's coffee obsession and relapsing in full force, Jessica coming to terms with her trauma, her past, all over again, "mob bosses" who have nothing better to do than target a coffee shop, Matt Murdoch/Daredevil, Tigra (in a flashback, and I don't think I've seen her before, though she is mentioned in 'Alias, Vol. 1' , and she kisses Jessica on the lips), She-Hulk (who doesn't interact with Matt, a fellow lawyer and regular acquaintance, and she acts as a bodyguard, who is then forgotten about halfway through the comic), Misty Knight, Iron Fist (another mainstay in Jess and Luke's lives, like Misty, except he is family to Luke, and Dani's godfather), and Professor X in one of his best appearances. There is X-Men content, too.

Seeing Jessica Jones as various heroes, and as her past superhero identities, is fucking cool. 'The Variants''s selling point is charming, if too short and compact, and over too soon.

I swear, the more 'Jessica Jones' comics I read, the more convinced I am that the heroine is perhaps a better superhero than a PI, which she would never comfortably admit to. She's not that good, precise, and deductive a detective, as sharp as her instincts usually are, though they largely kick in whenever she is about to be physically attacked - for example, by intruders in her crappy, run-down Alias Investigations office. Trouble finds her more than she finds it, as an easy plot contrivance. She gets deceived - hoodwinked - far too often, and kidnapped far too often. She's great at punching people and escaping dangerous situations, though. She's not a big Marvel punching bag herself, and the focus remains on her as an abuse survivor, but she is close to it.

On that note, it is maddening how utterly unsympathetic Jessica is towards other survivors - in this, 'Purple Daughter', and other comics. She is chiefly motivated by anger, self-hatred and shame, and it hasn't changed since 'Alias, Vol. 1'; it continues to be a frustrating, glaring failing of hers. When will she finally get out of her own head and learn she is far from alone in her life-shattering, violating, painful experience, and take solace, community and strength from that? Strength from other victims?

But anyway, 'The Variants':

Regardless of its flaws - including the... somewhat eyebrow-raising twist villain reveal and ending, which needed further fleshing out - it is a refreshing and well written 'Jessica Jones' and superheroine trade comic book.

The art is brill and colourful. It isn't dark and noirish like many 'Jessica Jones' comics, and it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

I love the moment when Jessica says to Luke, "I married into magic". They are a wonderful couple. My ultimate power couple, as I said in my review of 'Blind Spot'.

Then there's the fact that 'The Variants' makes a point of saying abusers target people who are happy. They hate free and happy people, and they want to turn them into submissive, small, miserable victims - small, miserable and hateful like they are.

All abusers are cowards. Pathetic, childish, narcissistic, self-loathing, empty, little cowards. Who are only, temporarily satisfied when they hurt, dominate and control people.

It's okay to not forgive your abusers; another lesson from 'The Variants'. You can forgive yourself, but not the people who continuously hurt you without remorse.

Well fucking done, Gail Simone, and thank you.

That's it for my 'Jessica Jones' reviews for now.

What a dark, raw, emotional, psychological, yet thrilling and empowering journey it's been. These have been entertaining, female-centered mystery stories. Starring an extremely flawed and tragic, yet admirable and hopeful female protagonist.

The rest of the reviews:


'Jessica Jones: Alias, Vol. 1'

'Jessica Jones, Vol. 1: Uncaged!'

'Jessica Jones: Blind Spot'

'Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter'


As mature, heavy and harrowing as her content is, I'll keep coming back to Jessica Jones. Happy life and family to you, Jess. You have earned it. You deserve it.

Final Score: 3.5/5