Marvel made its name developing flawed superheroes, but Jessica Jones took it one step further.
Tragedy nearly always informs a superheros choice to walk the path of heroism.
The loss often hardens them and inspires them to do what others cannot or will not do.
This is the standard for most heroes who decide to put on a cape or cowl.
They hide behind their costumes and arent allowed to breathe into the moments that altered their lives forever.
Jessica Jonestrades all that in for a pair of combat boots and a drinking problem.
It comes from seeing the world and being broken by it.
Jessica is coping throughout the series.
In short, she is the kind of superhero we see in our daily lives.
Before her experiences with Kilgrave she wanted to help people.
She is aware of consequences and how the best of intentions can be shifted and coerced to darkness.
She is unsure of herself and the consequences of her actions.
Like the modern pantheon of angst-ridden heroes, Jessicas choices arent always those of a hero.
She makes the tough call when others cant.
She puts the right thing over the need to get to Kilgrave.
Sometimes, shes even more selfish than that.
Instead, she lies about killing Luke Cages wife.
She lies even while entering into a physical relationship with him.
Instead of glossing over this, they show that it is part of her PTSD.
Jessica is allowed to be both heroicanda survivor.
She is allowed to be a drunkandsomeone who manages to talk her neighbor out of killing himself via drugs.
She is allowed to make mistakesandstill win in the end.
She has a support system, whether she takes advantage of it or not.
Jessica struggles with fear.
She is scared of Kilgrave and afraid of what hell do if he ever gets her back.
