Alias is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics under its MAX imprint, created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Gaydos. It ran for 28 issues from 2001 to 2004. The series introduced Jessica Jones, a former superhero who becomes a private investigator after a traumatic experience. Unlike traditional superhero comics, Alias was aimed at mature readers and dealt with dark themes, psychological trauma, and gritty crime noir. The character of Jessica Jones was later retroactively tied to earlier Marvel continuity, with a cameo as an unnamed classmate of Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man #4 (1963).
The series was critically acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of a damaged hero and its unflinching look at the Marvel Universe's underbelly. Jessica Jones is a complex protagonist: a former costumed hero called Jewel who now runs Alias Investigations, taking on cases that often intersect with the superpowered community. Her powers include superhuman strength and flight, but she struggles with PTSD and alcoholism. The comic explores her relationships with other Marvel characters, notably Luke Cage, whom she later marries.
Alias won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2002 and is considered a landmark in mature superhero storytelling. The character's popularity led to further appearances in The Pulse and her own self-titled series in 2016, as well as the acclaimed Netflix television adaptation.