The Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue its world devouring expansion tomorrow when its second Netflix series, "Jessica Jones," becomes available for streaming. Following in "Daredevil's" successful footsteps, Marvel is continuing to establish the gritty street-level superhero with "Jessica Jones." But this particular heroine, unlike Matt Murdock, has yet to receive an on-screen adaptation so it's understandable if casual fans hear the name and go, "Who?"
In order to prepare you for your binge session (you buy the pizza, we'll supply the background info), here's everything you need to know about "Jessica Jones."
1. Who is Jessica Jones?
This particular badass made her first appearance in Marvel's "Alias #1" back in 2001. She came onto the scene as a former superhero who has given up her cape and become the sole employee of Alias Private Investigations. She's a "hard-drinking, short-fuesed mess of a woman" according to showrunner Melissa Rosenberg.
The same applies to the Netflix series, which sees Jessica, played by Krysten Ritter ("Breaking Bad") suffering from severe PTSD from her superhero days. Now, she runs her business only so she can afford the booze that helps to numb her pain. She will try to rebuild her life in Hell's Kitchen, New York City, following a terrible end to her superhero career.
Jeph Loeb, head of Marvel's TV department, said "'Jessica Jones' is based on a much more adult comic. The source material came that way. She has real problems with a number of things that she abuses! And we're not going to shy away from that. There's no tidying her up."
The series will also star Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Rachel Taylor as Trish "Patsy" Walker and Carrie-Anne Moss as Jeri Hogarth.
2. What powers does she have?
As is the case with most comic book characters, Jessica's abilities have varied from time to time. Based on trailers for the series and comments from those involved, it sounds as if the Netflix version will have extreme strength, endurance, durability as well as borderline flight capabilities.
Sorry, Daredevil. Jessica Jones could whoop your butt.
3. Who is the villain?
A common perception of superhero projects is that they are only as good as their villains. Think Heath Ledger as The Joker in "The Dark Knight" or Tom Hiddleston as Loki in "The Avengers." While a good superhero adaptation can overcome a lackluster bad guy (see: "Iron Man," "Guardians of the Galaxy"), "Jessica Jones" won't even have to try.
David Tennant ("Doctor Who") will portray Kilgrave, otherwise known as The Purple Man. Loeb described him as "a terrible man who doesn't see himself as terrible," and compared him to Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk in "Daredevil," explaining:
"There are going to be times [watching Daredevil] when you're uncomfortable because you're not quite rooting for Matt, you're kind of rooting for Wilson, and it's the same kind of thing you're going to find in 'Jessica.' There's going to be moments where some of the things that she does is pretty questionable. And some of the things that, when you learn about Kilgrave's character and the way that David Tennant plays that character, it's really extraordinary."
So, what can Kilgrave do? He has the ability to manipulate people's minds so that they will do anything he tells them. In other words, he can control other people's free will. Sounds like a pretty good villain to us.
4. What is the tone?
Uh, dark. Really, really dark.
"Jessica Jones" is going to build on the more grounded and mature tone that "Daredevil" established. The series will explore issues such as depression, alcoholism, rape and other adult subjects you wouldn't normally associate with a comic book character. The show is going to embrace the very prevalent tragedies of real life and present them in a straightforward manner. Think of it as a dark action-noir story.
This is in stark contrast to the quip-filled, humorous feature films in the MCU in which the stakes never truly feel that high. Quicksilver's death in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" just isn't enough to establish some real tension.
This darker tone helps to separate Marvel's Netflix properties from their movies and allows series like "Daredevil" and "Jessica Jones" to stand apart.
5. Where does "Jessica Jones" fit in the MCU?
"Jessica Jones" takes place in the established MCU, so the character is well aware of the Avengers and all of that good stuff. Her show is the second in a series of Netflix shows (the first being "Daredevil," the others being "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist") that will culminate in a "Defenders" crossover miniseries.
The Defenders are a smaller scale version of the Avengers in that they are a superhero team that protects the streets of New York City.
