Despite what the fiercely private fictional character might want, more people than ever know Jessica Jones' name. Thanks to a new Marvel television series, now streaming on Netflix, a beloved character previously only known to dedicated Marvel Comics readers has become a headline-grabbing hero; everyone knows Jessica Jones' name and, considering binge-watch habits, odds are a lot of people are already captivated by the version portrayed by Krysten Ritter in the show.
6 Ways "Jessica Jones" Changed the Marvel Universe
But despite being a relatively recent addition to the Marvel Universe, Jessica Jones' ties go way back. When you take into account "Jessica Jones'" supporting players, the roots of the second Marvel/Netflix collaboration stretch back over seventy years. Pretty impressive for a cast featuring largely unknown heroes and villains, right? To guide both the diehard and the newcomers through the comic book history that inspired "Jessica Jones," we've placed key issues in the fictional lives of four characters in a timeline: Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Trish Walker (AKA Hellcat) and the Purple Man.
Read on, and get caught up on the long and winding road that led to "Jessica Jones."
November 1944: Patsy Walker (not pictured) debuts in the pages of "Miss America Magzine"
1945: Patsy Walker gets her own teen romance series.
September 1963: Jessica Jones (not pictured) appears in the background of "Amazing Spider-Man" #4 courtesy of a later retcon.
October 1964: The Purple Man debuts.
November 1965: Patsy Walker joins the Marvel superhero universe thanks to a cameo in this "Fantastic Four" annual.
February 1967: Patsy Walker's last ongoing all-ages series ends.
June 1972: Luke Cage debuts.
June 1973: The Purple Man returns.
February 1974: Luke Cage first uses the name "Power Man."
November 1974: Luke Cage joins the Defenders.
February 1976: Patsy Walker debuts as the superhero Hellcat.
March 1976: Luke Cage briefly replaces the Thing on the Fantastic Four.
March 1977: Hellcat joins the Defenders.
December 1977: Luke Cage first teams up with Iron Fist.
December 1978: Luke Cage and Iron Fist form the Heroes for Hire.
1981: Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Daredevil join with other heroes to fight Purple Man
November 1983: Hellcat (not pictured) marries Daimon Hellstrom and leaves the Defenders.
September 1988: Purple Man menaces Alpha Flight.
April 1992: Luke Cage's second solo series, "Cage," debuts.
May 1994: Hellcat (not pictured) is driven to suicide by Hellstrom's demonic side.
March 1998: Purple Man sets his sights on X-Man.
December 1998: Hellcat joins an undead version of the Avengers.
February 2000: Hellcat fully returns from the dead.
September 2000: Hellcat stars in her first solo series as a superhero.
November 2001: Hellcat returns to the Defenders.
November 2001: Jessica Jones officially debuts in the mature readers series "Alias." The series pairs her and Luke Cage together.
March 2002: Luke Cage also gets a mature readers' series.
January 2003: Jessica Jones (not pictured) appears in the main Marvel Universe in "Daredevil."
August 2003: Jessica's superhero history as Jewel is explored.
September 2003: Jessica's history with the Purple Man (not pictured) is revealed in "Alias'" final arc.
January 2005: Luke Cage joins the New Avengers.
February 2005: Jessica Jones get an alternate universe "What If...?" story devoted to her.
May 2005: Jones gets tangled up in Hydra's web as part of "Secret War."
September 2005: Purple Man poses a major threat to the New Thunderbolts.
November 2005: Pregnant with Luke's child, Jessica consults other superheroes for parenting advice.
March 2006: Jessica Jones gives birth to Danielle Cage.
May 2006: "The Pulse," Jessica's second ongoing series, comes to an end.
June 2006: Jessica Jones and Luke Cage get married.
May 2007: Luke Cage becomes leader of the New Avengers.
April 2008: Jess and Luke temporarily separate during the Skrull invasion.
September 2008: Hellcat receives her second miniseries, "Patsy Walker: Hellcat."
February 2010: Jessica Jones leads a team to rescue Hawkeye from Norman Osborn.
June 2010: Luke Cage gets another miniseries.
July 2010: Luke Cage splits his time between leading the Avengers and a new squad of Thunderbolts.
March 2011: Jessica returns to active duty with the Avengers.
March 2011: Jess contemplates using the code name Power Woman.
March 2012: Jessica Jones fights the Dark Avengers alongside the Avengers.
November 2013: Luke Cage and Jessica Jones (not pictured) head up a new team of Mighty Avengers.
October 2014: Hellcat works as She-Hulk's private investigator.
November 2014: The Purple Man's (not pictured) gang of illegitimate children gang up on him in San Francisco.
August 2015: "Secret Wars" temporarily blows up the Marvel Universe.
November 2015: "Jessica Jones" brings Hellcat, the Purple Man, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones to life.
Catch up on all of CBR's "Jessica Jones" coverage today.