Jessica Jones is one of Marvel’s most remarkable character progressions, with a shorter time from comic book creation (2001) to on screen MCU introduction (2015) than anyone else. She’s the star of one of Marvel’s best MAX books (Alias from 2001 to 2004), a role player in Marvel U linchpin New Avengers (2004 to 2013), and now the first female character to drive a Marvel TV / Movie property.
I’m a big fan of the Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos created character, and if you’ve been enjoying her story on Netflix, I now present to you the Jessica Jones reading order. The issue by issue guide below should give you the ideal approach for Marvel Unlimited reading, with caveats as applicable. Enjoy!
Jessica Jones Reading Order
Jessica Jones Origins
Issues: #1 to #28
It’s worth noting here that Alias is not available on Marvel Unlimited, to the chagrin of just about everyone who’s used the service. The word on the street is that Marvel MAX titles (Marvel’s 18+ content) are not allowed in Marvel Unlimited because it would restrict the app’s all ages availability.
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Long story short, if you want to read the most essential (and best) Jessica Jones comic, you have to buy it. Marvel recently republished all 28 issues (and the below What If…) in 4 trade collections. You can find the first Alias trade here.
Issues: Bendis & Maleev Run
There’s some slight creative overlap between Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s run on Daredevil and Alias. If you want the full explanation for Murdock and Nelson’s appearances in Alias, this is the run you’ll want to check out. You can get a full Daredevil reading order here – hardly required for Jessica Jones, but a recommended read for the Marvel Netflix fan!
What if Jessica Jones Had Joined The Avengers?
Issues: #1
For the record, this issue is available in Marvel Unlimited.
Jess Finds Work At The Daily Bugle
Issues: #1 to #5
Issues: #1 to #6
More tangential Jessica Jones, but she is reporting on the new team.
Issues: #1
Issues: #1 to #5
Provides the background for the next story arc in The Pulse. In the grand scheme of Marvel continuity, Secret War should be read between Avengers Disassembled and House of M.
Issues: #6 to #9
Secret War “tie-in”
Issues: #1 to #10
First two volumes of New Avengers, you get Luke Cage reacting to some of the developments in Alias. Not much (if any) Jessica Jones action here, but this will essentially become her primary series for most of the 2000’s.
Issues: #11 to #14
New Avengers Annual
Issues: #1
Jessica Jones and The New Avengers
Issues: #22
You can read all of New Avengers, and from the perspective of enjoying and following the Marvel Universe in the 2000s, I recommend that you do. That said, issue #22 is a Jessica Jones and Luke Cage Civil War Tie-In.
Collects: New Avengers (2005) 38, 47; New Avengers Annual (2006) 3; New Avengers (2010) 8, 31; What If Jessica Jones Had Joined The Avengers?; Custom Netflix Jessica Jones Nycc Comic; Material From Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 601, Marvel 75Th Anniversary Celebration 1
New Avengers
Issues: #28 to #37
Issues: #2
Issues: #38
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage deal with Secret Invasion. There are some definite ramifications for the duo during this event, so if you’re all in on Marvel backstory, you can find the Secret Invasion guide here.
New Avengers
Issues: #48 to #60
Takes you through Dark Reign and Siege. Various Jessica Jones throughout.
Issues: #601
There’s a brief back-up story in this issue about a conversation between Spider-Man and Jessica Jones. It can be read midway through the above New Avengers run, but mostly should be read before New Avengers Annual #3.
Issues: #3
From the solicit: A startling new chapter in the life of Jessica Jones. The New Avengers annuals continue to offer the most direct Jessica Jones stories.
Issues: #61 to #64
Siege tie-ins. I mean you made it this far.
Issues: #1 to #3
Issues: #1
The 2010’s Era Jessica Jones and New Avengers
Issues: #1 to #8
Pay particular attention to issue #8, which is a Luke Cage and Jessica Jones date issue that also involves Doctor Doom (literally the best kind of date).
Amazing Spider-Man
Issues: #652 to #654
Jess and the New Avengers help Spidey deal with the return of the Spider Slayer.
New Avengers (2010 to 2012)
Issues: #9 to #16
New Avengers Annual
Issues: #1
Luke and Jessica hire Squirrel Girl as a nanny. Read after New Avengers #16,
Spider-Island: Avengers
Issues: #1
Part of the larger Spider-Island
New Avengers (2010 to 2012)
Issues: #17 to #24
Leads right up into the Avengers vs. X-Men tie ins, and largely marks the the conclusion of Jessica Jones’ involvement with this Avengers squad. You can keep on reading through the Avengers vs. X-Men reading order if you’re so inclined.
Marvel Now Jessica Jones
Issues: #1 to #14
Jessica appears occasionally throughout Mighty Avengers, as Luke Cage starts another Avengers roster. Let me emphasize “occasionally.” Might Avengers begins as an Infinity tie-in, which requires quite a bit of Jonathan Hickman Avengers and New Avengers.
Marvel Legacy Jessica Jones Solo Series
Collects: Jessica Jones #1 to #6
Jessica Jones Vol. 2: The Secrets of Maria Hill
Collects: Jessica Jones #7 to #12
Defenders Vol. 1: Diamonds Are Forever
Collects: Defenders FCBD 2016, Defenders #1 to #5
Defenders Vol. 2: Kingpins of New York
Collects: Defenders #6 to #11
Collects: Hawkeye (2016) #1 to #6
Jessica Jones Vol. 3: Return of the Purple Man
Collects: Jessica Jones #13 to #18
The notorious BMB left Marvel in style with this excellent conclusion to the relaunched Jessica Jones.
Collects: Marvel digital original
Latest Additions:
Hunt for Wolverine: Adamantium Agenda
Collects: Hunt for Wolverine #1 to #4
Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter
Collects: Jessica Jones: Purple Daughter #1 to #3
Check out CBH’s full Devil’s Reign Reading Order!
The Variants by Gail Simone & Phil Noto
Collects: The Variants #1 to #5
View Comments (2)
She also makes appearances in the Avengers : children's crusade series. You will notice she's even on the cover to #6.
Hi, Dave.
The Young Avengers Special happens after Young Avengers #8, not #6 (the events from issues #7 and #8 are discussed). Moreover, Jessica Jones appears in both issues #7 and #8, so you should include them in the order before the Special.
Jessica also appears quite a bit in Young Avengers #12, so maybe you should include at least a reference to the #9-#12 arc (this way, readers will have a more complete Jessica Jones order AND will read the full Young Avengers series, which is one of your recommended series).
Greetings.