Alien #9 - Marvel Comics

ALIEN No. 9, April 2022

Undeniably living up to its ‘solicit synopsis’ that “carnage consumes the settlement”, Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s script for Issue Nine of “Alien” must have had the majority of its audience wondering just how many of this comic’s considerably-sized cast were even going to make it to the book’s conclusion – let alone actually “survive the night” by evacuating the somewhat self-contained Garden. Indeed, the invading xenomorphs appear to have so thoroughly penetrated the inner buildings of Euridice’s backwater community, thanks in part to the despicable treachery of Ambrose, that with almost every turn of a page another colonist is depicted being horribly eviscerated by the razor-sharp teeth, claws or blade-like tail of an alien.

Intriguingly however, one of the ways the Eisner-nominated writer still manages to keep his readers guessing as to who will remain alive, is by penning the seemingly impregnated Jane as being able to withstand the ‘tender touch’ of a face-hugger due to her being terminally ill. The parasitic life-form appears to be about to bring a terrifying end to the community leader’s existence at the start of this publication, but then suddenly releases the woman from its deadly embrace having presumably realised that its host’s body wasn’t suitable to nurture a successful embryo; “I “cough” – I don’t know. It just... Let me go.”

Equally as enthralling is the utter insanity gripping the religious zealot Gertrude, and her disconcerting ability to convince almost a dozen of her fellow pilgrims that they’ll be safe from the murderous xenomorphs if they simply sit on their church’s floor holding hands and singing hymns. This scene is truly disturbing, especially once the aliens unsurprisingly begin slicing their way through the hapless congregation, and the remaining members stay seated with their heads bowed in prayer despite knowing of the horrendous physical mutilation about to befall them.

Top marks must also arguably be given to Salvador Larroca for some great layouts, such as the sheer stark fear in Jane’s lone eye as Ambrose helps the face-hugger clamber onto her face and force its proboscis down her throat. Likewise, the holier-than-thou certainty on Gertrude’s haughty features when she essentially persuades a number of settlers to commit suicide-by-xenomorph with her is hauntingly pencilled, especially when the puritanical woman’s serenity greatly contrasts with that of the hysterical Madeline by her side.

The regular cover art to "ALIEN" #9 by Marc Aspinall