The Variants (2022) #1

The Variants #1

by Gail Simone, Phil Noto (Artist)

What would it really be like to meet an alternate version of yourself, another you who had made different choices and lived a completely different life as a result? That's the question facing Jessica Jones, as what seemed like a routine investigation instead has her encountering other incarnations of herself from across the Multiverse. Can Jessica get along with herself? Will she want to kill her other selves? And will seeing the lives she could have led drive her into a self-destructive spiral? This is what happens when you meet…the Variants!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Fiction, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2022

About the author

Gail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".

Reviews

[Scratch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a Jessica Jones story. I will read just about anything Jessica Jones, even if I sometimes shake my head at her and question her life choices.

[Myles Likes Tacos and Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Simone made me buy the issue at page 1 "Lingering because I didn't know how to be alone and I couldn't stand to actually be around anyone... unless I was in a particularly black mood or horny... which I was"

The rest of the comic (Noto on a JJ mystery!!!) made me add to my pull and preorder the trade

Don't let the silly premise or multiverse fatigue deter you from this. Its just a great 1st issue

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Most of the comic follows Jessica on some day to day stuff. It’s the last few pages that gets interesting and sets up what this is going to be about. Pretty solid and Phil Noto’s art is sharp.

[Ronald · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to everyone who recommended this comic to me, not just here but recommendations from twitter itself. I have heard nothing but good things. I was told to expect lots of different Variant from the multiverse of Jessica Jones. It was going to be clever and unique and all things Gail.
I also do not normally write reviews on Goodreads about 22 page single issue comic books. But after all the noise I have to say and have read issue #1 and #2...

Spoilers:
No really - Spoilers:

This is not the advertised fun multiverse spanning comic. This is actually the story of a Traumatized PTSD suffering Jessica Jones who it seems has still not received counseling or any kind of support from her "friends & family" for the damage done to her by the Purple Man. In fact she is being brought in as an "expert" in the trial of another of the Purple Man's victims that the Purple Man can control people and conveniently no one in this story believes in telepaths or mind control - this results in the judge mocking Jessica Jones for he suffering.

Jessica Jones basically stands in one place for most of the comic in a paralysis induced panic. I mean most of the pages are just her suffering in mental pain that no one believes is real. As someone that has a bit of trauma in my life that I am still dealing with due to many things including bullying and harassment. The kind of thing when I told others looking for help I was told I must be imaging or lying because there was no way anyone or that clique would even be mean to anyone. So this comic was a huge horrifying flashback trigger. ugh - thanks for that added emotional baggage like the last two years was not more stress to process.

Oh and since this might just all be in her head... no one sees the other Jessica Jones that are in the last bit of the comic or they don't see them as Jessica sees them. It also happens in front of her 3 year old child. Can we possibly stop being shitty to our female Super Heroes and families? We don't need darker grittier after the last darker grittier story. Bad enough Marvel stripped America Chavez of most of her powers and changed her backstory.

I'm so disappointed Gail.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not read anything Jessica Jones yet but I really enjoyed this and I'm keen to dive more into her world!

I like that she's sassy and smart-mouthed, and this had a good balance of action and story. I do wish I knew more of her past but there'll be time for that later I'm sure!

Great intro to this short story and keen to read issue 2.

[Kay ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me. I didn't really care for it to be honest. The artwork was mediocre as well. I just dig Jessica Jones.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun first issue of this series! Great art and fun writing from Gail Simone!

[Jess Hennessey · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have a series written by Gail with the incredible art of Phil Noto.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a buy from the start. I mean, it's Gail Simone writing Jessica Jones, right? Not to mention Phil Noto's art...

This is a fun story from the start. Jessica Jones dealing with variants from the multiverse? Who wouldn't want to see what terrible choices she could make across the board, right? Added to my pull-list immediately.

[David L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping mystery

This is exactly what I was looking for. The suspense, the stakes, the mystery are all pushed to the highest level and had me burning through this page after page and panel after panel to the end and through the next installments. The art is perfect and the pace of the story is relentless enthralling. Looking forward to the rest.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisis. I'm having a crisis. Swell.

I miss Jessica Jones and her snark! Although I never knew she was addicted to coffee rather than alcohol. Maybe that was what she used to wean herself off...

[John M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Simone is THE best...

Writer of comics books there is... ever. This latest story is for a character I've heard of but never read. Fortunately, Gail is there to guild me.
The set up in this first chapter is interesting. Time to move on to issue #2 (of 5).

[i · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT WAS ONLY 23 PAGES??? anyways this is the most fun ive had reading in forever

[claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was my first ever JJ comic and i’m already in love!! the art style is nice and it sets up a pretty interesting premise for future issues so i’m excited for what’s next!

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. She gets Jessica's voice perfectly. The spectre of Killgrave's influence is very creepy. The final reveal is wonderfully weird. The art is top notch. I can't wait for more.

[valplanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

no lo entenderían, pero im a sucker for jessica jones

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mc life story

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i missed jessica there for a while.. really glad she’s back, i just think that this series should be longer, like the alias one

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a simple man- you tell me Gail Simone, I’m in. Multiverse shenanigans is just icing on top of the cake for me

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

5
That was excellent.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never give up coffee. Bad things will happen.

[ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is off to a good start

[Burton Olivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid start.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the attitude she carries. Not the typical run of the mill hero. She is gritty and back in the full swing of things.