Alien [2023] #4 - Marvel Comics

ALIEN No. 4, April 2024

Having inadvertently awakened “the huge, deadly Winterbeast” following the U.S.C.S.S. Boreas’ wreckage smashing back into Cocito’s frozen surface, many a bibliophile probably thought Issue Four of “Alien” was going to focus upon a titanic clash between the titular characters and the gigantic new alien Kaiju. Indeed, this twenty-page periodical’s solicitation synopsis does nothing but harp on about this native “evolutionary twist” purportedly threatening to bring about the final, fatal end of H.R. Giger’s deadly co-creation on the deserted ice moon LV-695; “Things are in motion, and there’s no stopping them.”

Somewhat disconcertingly however, much of Declan Shalvey’s storyline for this comic actually rests upon the decidedly tense stand-off between synthetic 227-N and the heir to the Yutani throne inside the remains of the Keg research base, rather than the supposed demise of the “apex predators”, and resultantly greatly reduces the savage battle for survival taking place outside in the freezing snow. Indeed, the dialogue-driven forty-year-old feud is easily this book’s biggest highlight, as the two sparring sides repeatedly chide one another for the devastation caused at the mining colony on Cloughleigh in 2168 A.D., and the super-rich youngster’s failed plan of “returning my cousins’ ship them [and] getting in their good graces.”

Disappointingly though, even this titanic tussle of wits ends with a debatable let down, as Zasha’s “Dad” launches a nuke from orbit to destroy himself, his foe and also his adopted daughter. This suicidal strike certainly wraps up the Irishman’s narrative rather neatly with everyone apart from the real Jun being either battered to death or blown to pieces. Yet Cole’s shocking decision to decline the chance to fly her way to safety in a spaceship and instead race back to meet her doom with Dayton, arguably makes little sense considering just how strong the female character’s instinct for survival has always been.

Quite possibly also adding to this aura of bemusement are some of Andrea Broccardo’s layouts, especially those which show the Winterbeast apparently racing straight towards Zahn’s location as if the creature knows it needs to stop 227-N before he destroys the planet. Just why the monstrosity does this, or why an alien chest-burster suddenly stops it dead in its tracks is never explained within this comic, and leaves a number of burning questions as to the entire point of the giant’s appearance in the first place.

The regular cover art to "ALIEN" #4 by Javi Fernandez & Matthew Wilson