Alien #1 - Marvel Comics

ALIEN No. 1, May 2021

It is arguably crystal clear from Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s narrative for Issue One of “Alien” that the Eisner-nominated writer is indeed “a huge fan” of the science fiction films and was “good to go” just as soon as “Marvel Worldwide” had acquired the franchise's licence. Indeed, there’s a definite ‘comic book adaption of a motion picture’ feel to the author’s storyline as the threat of the titular creatures is simply inferred to begin with, whilst the main body of the publication focuses upon the political aspirations of a gang of well meaning, yet savagely violent activists.

Enjoyably however, that doesn’t mean for a second that H. R. Giger’s co-creations aren’t given plenty of spotlight, with Gabriel Cruz suffering several scary flashbacks to a time when he was both attacked and seemingly ensnared by the formidable xenomorphs. These terrifying trips to the recently retired Weyland-Yutani defence agent’s past are especially disturbing once they firmly focus upon the fate of one of his comrades-in-arms, who having had his leave revoked at the last minute due to a colleague getting sick, starts hysterically screaming that he was never supposed to be on the ill-fated mission and has to “get back for Jamie’s trip” before she asks somebody else to go out with her.

Similarly as successful in creating a dramatically-charged atmosphere is Johnson’s central plot involving Cruz’s ungrateful adult son stealing his father’s security data and using it to help a band of unlikeable terrorists infiltrate Epsilon Station. Having gunned down the hapless security guards before they’ve even had a chance to surrender, and then subsequently shot the space base’s lead scientist, this motley band of desperados come to a somewhat satisfyingly sticky end when it quickly becomes apparent that the Server Farm they foolishly thought they’d expose to a mortified general public turns out to be a face hugger breeding facility.

Additionally adding plenty of trepidation and terror to this thirty-page periodical are Salvador Larroca’s excellent layouts. The Spanish artist does a stellar job of capturing the feel of James Cameron’s “Aliens”, most notably in Bishop’s likeness to actor Lance Henriksen, as well as projecting the sheer mercilessness of Gabriel’s son Danny by betraying his Dad's former workmates to a bunch of gung-ho killers; “He was reaching, baby” We didn’t have a choice.”

The regular cover art of "ALIEN" #1 by InHyuk Lee