Ever since Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury uttered the lines "I'm here to talk to you about the Avengers initiative," Marvel Studios has been slowly but steadily building itself a shared universe of characters and stories.

We're used to this now, so it would be utterly inconceivable that its newest offering, the Netflix series Jessica Jones, should be lacking in its share of juicy Easter eggs.

Which of course it isn't. Here are the characters, storylines and references that tie the first seven episodes of the show into Marvel's comics and the wider world of the MCU (spoilers abound, naturally):

The Avengers are out there

Netflix

There's no doubting the Avengers and other superbeings are a thing that exists in the public consciousness of the MCU. Jessica has certainly heard of "the green guy and the flag-waver".

And when she lifts the backwheels of a car off the ground, she's rewarded by the driver's cry of, "You're one of them. Holy mother of god." He knows.

Luke Cage, loverman

Marvel / Netflix

Famously, the Alias comic seemed to portray Jessica and Luke engaged in a sexual act that was illegal in 14 states until 2003.

We can't know for sure what exactly happened in their on-screen hook-up, but we'll just note that Luke was definitely behind her at one point.

As a bonus, keep an ear out for Luke's classic catchphrase, "Sweet Christmas".

Jessica's superhero costume

Marvel / Netflix

You saw the costume that Trish suggested for Jessica back in her budding superhero days? It's actually the one she wore in the comics under the codename Jewel (seriously).

Somehow, we can't see this version of Jessica ever deigning to wear it. Who could blame her?

Meet Daredevil (sort of)

Barry Wetcher Netflix

Sadly, the claims that Daredevil wouldn't be showing up in Jessica Jones turned out to be on the money. But we do get a healthy dose of his pal Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) later in the season, and she offers the first bridge to a potential team-up.

"I have a friend like you and Luke," she tells Jessica. "He makes life hard for bad guys." Stop being such a tease and just say the name, Claire!

Officer Stan Lee

Marvel / Netflix

This is a layover from Stan Lee's Daredevil cameo, which we have to confess we missed the first time around.

The Marvel legend isn't usually known for the subtlety of his guest appearances, but here his picture in the Hell's Kitchen police precinct is a literal 'blink and you'll miss it'. Officer Stan Lee can be spotted on the wall in both Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

Kilgrave, the purple man

Netflix Marvel Studios

Not entirely surprisingly, the showrunners decided not to go down the route where Kilgrave – who is known as the Purple Man in the comics – is literally purple himself.

That said, the lighting does turn a violet shade whenever his sinister influence is felt, and we see him looking a bit... let's say 'off-colour' in the final episode.

Trish and the evolution of Patsy Walker

Marvel / Netflix

Jessica's stepsister Trish is based on Patricia 'Patsy' Walker, who was introduced as a comedy teenager in a 1944 issue of Marvel's precursor, Timely Comics' Miss America Magazine, making her one of the oldest characters on Marvel's books.

And we can see Patsy's transformation into the superhero Hellcat mirrored in Trish's determination to toughen herself up and help in the fight with Kilgrave.

There's also repeated references to her having red hair in the comics, although no-one seemed to be missing her superhero costume.

The invasion of New York

The alien attack on New York in Avengers was a major driver for events in Daredevil (paving the way for the rise of Wilson Fisk), and the aftermath of "The Incident" is still being felt in Jessica Jones.

So Jessica had better watch out when she meets a woman who lost her parents in the fight and blames all and any "gifted" people who cross her path.

The Supersoldier Project continues

Marvel / Netflix

Ever since Captain America first hefted his shield in World War II, the Marvel Universe has been obsessed with making another supersoldier, and the mysterious organisation IGH seems to be taking up that mission (though as far as we and Trish currently know, IGH "stands for nothing").

Their former test subject Will Simpson is modelled on Frank Simpson, a deranged, pill-popping supersoldier that went by the totally-not-on-the-nose codename Nuke. But he was created by the Wolverine-centric Weapon Plus programme, the rights for which probably lie with Fox, so don't expect to see it here.

IGH also had something to do with how Jessica gained her powers and – though this is just a guess, mind – might know a thing or two about the chemicals that blinded Daredevil. Expect more answers further down the Marvel-Netflix line.

Momma in the making

Marvel / Netflix

"You love him, you want him back, you're gonna have his baby," Luke's elderly bartender jokes when Jessica comes with a message.

It serves as less of a joke and more a prophecy when you know that, in the comics, Jessica and Luke get it together big time and eventually have a daughter, Danielle.

Every good superhero needs a... secretary?

Marvel / Netflix

Jessica's neighbour Malcolm Ducasse also has an analogue in the comics world: Malcolm Powder, who basically shoulders his way into being her assistant.

In a subtle nod to that very storyline, the closing scene sees Malcolm answering her phone. Judging by Jessica's usual manner with clients, they'll probably be happier dealing with him.

Watch David Tennant talk to Digital Spy about working on Jessica Jones below:

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