Comic Book Review - Aliens: Aftermath #1

Rob Reviews Aliens Aftermath #1...

Not to be confused with Marvel's other Xenomorph charting series - Alien. Aliens Aftermath deals with the...well aftermath of the carnage seen at Hadley's Hope. Yes, this comic follows on from the finale of James Cameron's Aliens film. But unlike the film - it's a comic full of mixed ideas and underdeveloped storyline.

Set 35-years after the events of Aliens, we're back on LV-426. Keen to keep the "incident" hidden Wayland-Yutani have scrubbed all records of both Hadley's Hope and the Sulaco from existence. However, the nephew of one PVT Jenette Vasquez knows WY are behind his aunts dissaperance all those years ago and decides to investigate. Back in the present Vasuquez Jr. and his team land on LV-426 and are met by the harsh nuclear winter that was caused by Ripley in the film. 

Deciding to try and figure out what caused the Atmospheric Processor to "go nuclear", the team heads inside only to discover the remnants of the Xenomorph Hive. Of course, its not long before ghosts of the past awaken, and as such a deadly game of hunter vs. prey begins.

Setting Aliens: Aftermath back on LV-426 is an excellent bit of fan service. The eerie rocky-wind swept landscape of the past has been erased and in its place is a hellish winter. In amongst this landscape is both the ruins of the colony and the aforementioned Atmos Processor. Naturally if you've seen the 1986 movie you know what transpired inside the processor, and it was great to see this new team essentially walk into a trap. 

The dark setting of the once Xenomorph Hive also opens up for Dave Wachter to bring some gorgeous H.R. Giger inspired art to this haunted-house escapade. Everything has a dark feel to it that intersected with the sleek black of the Xenomorph Hive and plenty of foreboding shadows. It's easy to get lost in the art work too as Wachter takes us to some familiar settings that have been changed by past events. Naturally it isn't long before the Xenomorph makes itself known - yet this time it's different. 

Much like Hadley's Hope the Xenomorph has also changed. Rather than keeping with tradition Alien: Aftermath introduces a subspecies and its one perfectly adapted to its harsh environment. Now sporting a ghostly white design this Xenomorph has traded its acidic blood for liquid nitrogen, and proceeds to butcher Vasquez' crew mates. It's always a risk when you introduce a new element to a tried and tested formula. But here it really works. The introduction to this new Xenomorph not only gives us something new to "play with", but as a story element it also gives Wayland-Yutani something else to drool over. 

Both Wachter and colourist, Christopher Sotomayor bring the classic design of the Xenomorph back, yet the duo add an almost unnatural luminous white to this design. While it works in creating a "ghost of Christmas past", it does mean that the creature stands out of the darkness like a sore thumb. However I'm fully expecting this story to head outside as it plays out. 

Whilst the artwork and colours are decent, the storyline is a mixed bag of pacing and underdeveloped ideas. The issues opening starts with the teams attack on a Wayland-Yutani fueling depot for reasons unknown. It soon transpires that the young Vasquez is a bit of a terrorist who films his escapades and uploads them to future YouTube. It isn't until we get into the - pardon the pun - "aftermath" that his reasons as to why comes to the surface. This exposition also adds a little to the crews dynamic, however its not given too much expansion before the Xenomorph starts picking them off. 

Another bugbear is the strips ending. I won't go into detail but it's an unnecessary addition that if anything feels like too much fan service. Naturally a comic thats a direct continuation of a beloved film is going to draw influences from its source, but with Aftermath it could branch out into its own without too much influence from James Cameron's forebearer. 

Even with its downsides Aliens: Aftermath is off to a fairly good start. The ingredients are here to make a really effective sci-fi horror that concludes the Hadley's Hope incident. Yet currently its not one that I can recommend for an Aliens fan to read and take seriously. The story is lacking any emotional and character depth and as of writing I really don't care for Vasquez or any of his ill-fated crew. 

Personally it needed a little more exposure and calm sailing for us to know these characters more, before introducing the dark foreboding horror. I am going to give writer Benjamin Percy time though and I'm looking forward to seeing how this one pans out. But for now it's best to come for the story, but stay for the artwork. 

Rating - 6/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev