ALIAS: RED BAND #4 – Far Beyond What We Know

Creative Team – Sam Humphries, Geraldo Borges, Arthur Hesli, Cory Petit, David Mack

Catch up with Alias: Red Band #3!

The Story

This joint review is written by the amazing Edalyn and yours truly, Megan!

Edalyn – I’m sure I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: Sam Humphries is at the top of his game on this series. While this issue answers some questions, it brings up even more. Like, who’s the man with the boundless smile? With every layer that gets peeled back, I become even more tense and on the edge of my seat, not knowing what’s coming next.

To top it off, I love that we got to see this flip side of Luke and Jessica’s relationship from what we saw in previous issues. These two very clearly still love and care for each other despite everything, and that’s so amazing to see. Not only that, but Jessica’s motherhood shines in this amazingly powerful way. Humphries clearly knows what makes these characters tick, and he shows it with raw fire.

Megan – Alias: Red Band #4 continues the thrilling and dark story of Jessica Jones fighting an endless crime with Typhoid Mary by her side. Since the first issue, there has been noticeable tension between the two women, mostly from Jessica’s side. However, in this issue, we see them truly become partners in this investigation, with both of them having the knowledge that they can’t do this without the other. What we also see is exactly how Jessica ended up in police custody, resulting in her trial with Matt Murdock by her side as her lawyer.

Between the trial and where Jessica started, just wanting to find out what happened to her neighbor, so much has happened. It’s hard to believe it’s only been four issues, especially with the stakes being higher than ever. In Alias: Red Band #4, Jessica and Mary find out that this investigation is bigger than either of them could’ve imagined. What they thought was a simple postcard killer is turning out to be something so much bigger and so much darker, coming straight from the depths of hell.

The Art

Edalyn – The artwork and colors of Geraldo Borges and Arthur Hesli both continue to be true standouts from anything else out right now. The panel work is highly creative, keeping the action fluid while further creating tension that matches the writing. The art is bloody and punk-like, capturing the horror and emotion of what our characters are experiencing, while the color helps us feel that too. A true masterpiece.

Megan – What I really love about the artwork is that it really does capture the essence of a gritty investigation story and makes it feel so authentic to Jessica Jones herself. In this issue, there’s that classic darkness, but there’s something so much more added to it. Juxtaposing the street-level energy, there’s a dark and mystical energy that somehow meshes so perfectly well with the artwork that’s so vastly different. I really love how the artists were able to incorporate the larger-than-life factors into the story, making it all work together effortlessly. Issue after issue, the artists put their talents on full display, but I have to say that I think issue four is where their talents truly excelled.

Final Thoughts

Edalyn – 10/10. Humphries, Borges, and Hesli continue to be an undefeated team. Everything here screams “read me,” and I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t get nominated for anything next year. A true work of art.

Megan – 10/10. Alias: Red Band gets more and more exciting with every issue! The artists are cooking with this story, and issue four is no exception.

Overall Grade – 10/10

Let us know in the comments what you thought of the comic!