Brave New Worlds

Let’s take a step backwards in time shall we, to this past July specifically when Bendis and artist Alex Maleev’s brand-new creator-owned series Scarlet debuted. I loved it, thought it was fresh and risk taking. Something I had never really experienced before in my comic-reading experience.

I recommended the new series to almost all of our regulars, many of whom bought it and started drinking from the same kool-aid as I. In fact, they even bought the t-shirts and ate the tangy Doritos they were so enamored by it.

However, as there always is, there was a small population of haters, although that really is too strong of a word. Nay, they were more like not impressed. And each one of them cited Bendis’ former Marvel Max series Alias as the main reason. They would say, “we have seen this story before from Bendis.”

Now far be it from me to tell people what they should like. As my compatriot Eric is often fond of pointing out here, “we have something for everyone.”

And it was hard to defend against the comparison since I had never read Alias, until today. That being said, dismiss Scarlet all you want but do it for a better and more entertaining reason than for one that does not even exist.

So, without further delay, Scarlet is in no way similar or the same to Alias. Not at all.

The only similarities is they are both from the mind of Bendis, the main characters are both female (Jessica Jones in Alias and Scarlet in Scarlet) and the art styles of Maleev and Michael Gaydos look alike.

However, that is where the similarities end. They are both unique stories that do not borrow from each other in any way. And I welcome the debate to prove that statement wrong.

Both used a different storytelling narrative to reach its audience – Alias employing the inner monologue and Scarlet breaking the fourth wall speaking (and looking) directly at the reader.

Granted, both characters are taking the audience along the ride with them, and it shows in how they talk or think about things. But they are not the same.

Anyway, I have said my peace. Both books are awesome and refreshing and you should do yourself a favor and pick them up and read if you have not done so as of yet.

Thank you for bearing with me while I set the record straight – in defense of Brian Michael Bendis.