ALIENS – Issue #1 | Dark Horse Comics www.darkhorse.com | Written by John Arcudi | Art by Zach Howard
It’s a bug hunt, and we don’t have Hudson to save us. As one of the few sequels in cinema history to challenge its predecessor for equality, ALIENS still became a favorite amongst fans that love a good horror flick... science fiction drama...and balls to wall action. Not to mention catapulting the female lead into great heights for the genre, Sigourney Weaver’s “Ripley” character also became a symbol of strength for women and men when the odds were very much against the human race. Acid for blood, armored shell-like skin, fast as hell, and two mouths to feed... those were just the Warrior Aliens. The Queen was indeed a bitch as she would rightfully kill you for looking at her wrong. Just ask Bishop. These bugs aren’t messing around.
James Cameron created a template that would be copied many times over in Hollywood, but none would come close to replicating his “lightning in a bottle” formula. If you ask me though, I think the secret in the success is pretty easy to see: Characters. How? Ask this one simple question to anyone who’s seen it: “How many characters can you name in the movie ALIENS?” And then set your alarm clock because it might be awhile. But to be able to retain all the information about so many characters in a film, well, that’s the very definition of having a big-ass light bulb turn on over your head. Characters, and good ones I should add, are what people will remember. Add some sugar to the formula (dark scary alien monsters), and it’s pretty hard to forget. Me? I’m still pissed-off Frost didn’t get more screen time with his harsh language banter.
That’s big shoes to fill for a comic book writer. To capture that magic of what I feel being manipulated characterization, in the same universe no-less, has to be next to putting your nuts in a vice grip and praying you don’t twist too far. I say “manipulated” because how do we remember Frost? The guy was only in it for probably 15 minutes, but the reason why he’s memorable is because of WHAT he said. He sparked our imagination with the notion that not only is there other alien lifeforms out there, but that humans interact with them. (“It doesn't matter when it's Arcturian, baby!” – Also a STAR TREK nod I hear.) He’s also a comedian, but he’s not trying hard at it. And the dude is cool. But what little Frost does in the film, he makes the most of it. And that can be said for Drake, Vasquez, Gorman, Burke and especially, Ferro. (“We’re in the pipe. Five by Five”) Not so sure about Wierzbowski though. But for a film to have so many memorable characters, you have to admire the work done by the writer in making them all hit their mark in the movie and making them stick to long term memory.
So before I write a book about James Cameron’s ALIENS, I’ll get back to this review. For those that want a certain feel from the second film, Dark Horse Comics has brought it back in this restart of one of their first franchise comics. The dark atmosphere, the spaceships, and the team of humans destined to run into the alien monsters, only to be baby-makers for smaller little monsters. There’s even a scene that replicates the second film where the team drops onto a planet from a smaller ship, but before they do, it’s wise-cracking time before the drop, though not as funny as Hudson’s “ultimate badass” safety flight instructions. Writer John Arcudi nods to ALIENS there, and while most times, I can’t stand it when a writer does this, the nod here isn’t too severe. I think that’s because there’s also a feeling of PITCH BLACK going on in the scenery, with that’s film’s dense orange glare and a spaceship not unlike the one Riddick is tied up in. Whether or not that’s on purpose from artist Zach Howard, I don’t know, but it’s a good argument for sure. But just when things were settling in as borrowed parts from ALIENS and PITCH BLACK, somebody goes and shoots a gun unexpectedly. And the aftermath grabbed my immediate attention. Writer John Arcudi shows a vicious streak with such a familiar build-up only to completely annihilate it moments later in the issue. I was shocked, but then I was satisfied. Mainly because it was now new again in a familiar world. A world where the monsters will almost certainly win. That, and I didn’t really care for any of the characters to begin with. BING! With Zach Howard’s stylishly familiar visuals and John Arcudi’s “death’s door” writing style, Dark Horse’s ALIENS might just be back on top the science fiction-action-horror genre. But it’s only the first issue, so let’s put the seatbelt on and see where this ride takes us, and hopefully... on another exciting bug hunt with some very likeable characters.
GRADE: 
CONTINUE READING? You betcha. This might be something many ALIENS fans like myself have been looking for after swearing up a storm leaving the theater from the last two AVP movies.
-
|2009-08-11 19:13:52 John C - Mike, did you read #1?
Mike, I came across this review and I think you actually used panels from comic #2. The scene with the soldier is solidly from the #2 comic. I'm afraid I'm a bit late to the game, though, since this review was posted a couple months ago.
As for the review, I'll stick with the comic itself. I felt that it's more of a two-skull affair, or even one. As a pathetic soul, I read most of the Aliens-themed novels after the movies petered out. There was usually some pseudo-religious tie-in, or some mad scientist used as a plot device. Without giving anything away, I felt the protagonist(s) in the first comic were in the same vein. The overall story feels uninspired, even by book #2, and I fear this will be a series that doesn't stand up well over time.
The artist is fairly good, and has a good grasp of the human form. Unfortunately, I think the colorist and shader misses the boat, making most scenes too colorful, bright, and illuminated. Aliens is a dark series that benefits from ...
-
|2009-06-18 00:37:50 Mike Fish
And by the way, anyone that's starts a sentence with "Ummmmm...", not going to be taken too seriously in my book. Sorry. Kudos for correctly using the ampersand though!
-
|2009-06-18 00:33:49 Mike FishThanks Chuck! 4th Grade book report? While I enjoy honest feedback, this was a little exaggerated. Yes, I went off on a very long tangent as my love for ALIENS will do that, but I don't feel the review came across as a child writing a recap of events. I try to entertain the reader while giving a review of the book rather than ruin plotlines as I read all too often on the internet. All I want you to do is warn you if the book is bad, or encourage you to read it if it's good. Hopefully, future reviews will move me up to the 6th grade at least. That's where I met that redhead Nikki Bird and felt those nasty butterflies in my stomach for the very first time.
-
|2009-06-17 05:53:54 robert
i dont like the look of the aliens in this story but iam a 1979 alien die-hard fan and dont think any of the aliens from the other movies after the frist movie look right
-
|2009-06-17 02:09:32 Chuck
Ummmm...instead of just recapping your love of ALIENS, how about giving us a basic rundown of what the story is and who the main characters are? Reviews usually do that. This felt more like a 4th grade book report. "I liked this book. It was good. You should read it. kthxbye."
.png "=)")
:blush...