The superstar creative team that brought you Secret Wars returns this week with Aliens vs. Avengers. Everyone was anticipating this series once Marvel acquired Fox and started printing Alien comics. How could you not pit the deadliest creature ever to grace the silver screen against the greatest avenging force?
Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is an extra-sized opening issue with an extra-sized cost of $7.99, but it feels worth it. Right off the bat, this series sets up a rather large story involving Shiar scientists who are meddling with a face hugger. Through their conversation, we learn they’ve been experimenting on different alien races, including the Kree, but hot on their tail are Wakandans who want to stop their horrific meddling.
They’re too late.
Fans of rules and hyper detail in plotting will appreciate Hickman’s setup of the attack on Earth. Multiple queens, multiple locations, and a resolute plan to take out entire planets are detailed. This isn’t just an attack from aliens, but a military strike. It further establishes this is way beyond a regular Alien story, as the attack is global and at such a volume even Earth’s greatest heroes can’t sustain the fight.
After a great space-focused opening, the issue opens up to a world where most of our heroes are quite old. Bruce and Carol detail the state of the world, and while there’s a lot of talking, Esad Ribic’s art is so painterly and beautiful that you’ll hardly notice.
Run!
Credit: Marvel
Admittedly, there are a lot of setups here, with the story not really opening up until Valeria pops up being chased by aliens and narrowly escaping death. Fortunately for this issue, the setup is all very enticing, right down to how the symbiote plays into things and a call to action on the last page that is most dire.
Ribic’s art is awe-inspiring, with highlights that include an awesome fight between Hulk and an Alien, all of the space scenes, and a cool attack from a Wakandan on multiple aliens. Establishing shots around the globe are masterfully rendered, capturing Paris, Moscow, and more. Ribic also does a good job capturing heroes who have aged, with Carol and Valeria particularly looking different but naturally older.
For Alien fans, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of Marvel touchstones, from the Shiar to the various remaining Avengers, but there’s also a moment with an android. You simply can’t have an Alien story without androids coughing up milky blood!
Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is awesome. It captures everything frightening from the Alien franchise while establishing a unique story using older Avengers and a cliffhanger that’s most dire. Aliens vs. Avengers is a tense, unforgettably framed epic.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login