Alien #1

All in all, I was wildly impressed with this first issue, and while my heart was in my throat the whole time, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut introduction into the world of the Xenomorphs for Marvel. Johnson and his creative team have brought their A game and created a premier issue worthy of taking note of. Read Full Review

I can't speak for the Alien fans, but I suspect this series will satisfy them. Speaking as someone relatively green to the franchise, however, I can say that this is a damn good comic and it captures the essence of what I know of the setting, even as it offers us a new perspective on it. Alien sets a new standard for movie spin-off comics. Read Full Review

Don't let the combination of Alien and Disney sour your appetite just yet, this series is shaping up to be an absolutely dramatic and traumatic addition to the Alien franchise. From parasitic corporate politics to pseudo-sexual scenes of symbolism, the themes of the franchise are all on show in Marvel's Alien #1. Read Full Review

Alien #1 is a really good first issue into Marvel's Alien-verse. The script by Phillip Kennedy Johnson is not just interesting, it's also a little terrifying. You honestly won't find better art in a comic book this week than the duo of Salvador Larroca and GURU-eFX. it's absolutely stunning. Alien #1 is a book that will quench all your horror and sci-fi thirsts. Read Full Review

Larroca delivers on the action and thrills of the story with some stunning art. Not only do the Aliens look awesome, but there are beautiful, detailed panels throughout the issue. I was impressed with the look, feel and tone of the art in each page. Read Full Review

Fans should be prepared for a slower narrative with talking heads in Alien #1. It is doing the work to establish its main character and the stakes in play for them though and for that, it'll pay dividends in the long run. Hardcore Alien fans will need this, not just because it extends the mythos and builds on what we know, but because it firmly understands what made Alien so good. Read Full Review

To say that no one is safe by the end of Alien #1 is quite the understatement. This story so far should be a breath of fresh air for Alien fans who want to see that Marvel can keep up with the quality books we had gotten before they took the license. Read Full Review

Alien #1 is a solid start to Marvel's era with the franchise. It delivers a story that's familiar in ways but also charts a new course for the property. There's a willingness to add a little depth here and there without completely going in a different direction. The debut is perfect for long-time fans of the property as well as those new and want a good sci-fi action story with a bit of horror thrown in. Read Full Review

This is a claustrophobic book. Everything is tightly written and drawn with no breathing room. I love it. That is one of the feelings that I experienced while watching the original Alien movie. Nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. Hopefully, Marvel keeps the Alien series in a separate universe from the rest of their heroes. There's sooo much potential for the series that I cannot help but recommend this book to all mature readers. Read Full Review

The slow burn of the first issue may be off-putting to some fans, but it’s exactly what an Alien comic needs, time to establish the characters and setting before Xenomorphs start killing everyone left right and centre. There are enough hallmarks of the films to excite fans while also taking measures to stand on its own two feet. The few scenes with the Xenomorphs look fantastic, managing to capture the horror and claustrophobia of the films while never forgetting just how deadly the Aliens are. Full of promise for the rest of the series, Marvel look like they’re onto a winner. Read Full Review

This is not the Alien I was expecting from Marvel, I was prepared for something far mare subdued and diluted. This is a total surprise to me. Something akin to excitement is stirring deep inside my chest.at least I hope thats what it is! Read Full Review

A classic in the making? Not sure. But very good, and certainly recommended. Read Full Review

It takes a while to appreciate the artwork of Marvel's Alien, but it's a strong start for a new era for the franchise. I'm excited to see what's in store, and especially excited to explore the imposing new Xeno. Read Full Review

Johnson's script does a good job of digging into Cruz and his family issues but also the darker nature of his dreams and what they mean. Larroca's artwork is good " I enjoyed his time on Star Wars for a while for example " but with so little time with the xenomorphs here, it's mostly a family/character drama with some light science fiction elements to give it a bit more personality. Read Full Review

While the artwork is good and the colors complement it well, this story is a bit too focused on returning viewers to be easily accessible for new potential fans to Alien as a whole. Read Full Review

This is a middle of the road comic. Any atmosphere that the narrative tries to build is lost in the inhuman art work. When a franchise, like Alien, has so many hits under its belt, the bar is set high for all who follow and this new Marvel attempt has a long way to go. Read Full Review

SCORE: 3/5Marvel's Alien #1 Will have a whopping 7 Retailer Incentive Covers: Cover A, a Beautiful Inhyuk Lee cover; the Cover B, was done by Ron Lim; the Cover C, Peach Momoko; Cover D, drawn by Todd Nauck; Cover E, Patrick Gleason; Cover F, kinda cute Skottie Young; Cover G, the highly sought after Momoko Virgin Var (1:100); The very expensive Cover H, Inhyuk Lee Virgin Var (1:500); Steve McNiven (1:50); the Salvador Larroca (1:25); The David Finch Launch to close it out. Read Full Review

Alien #1 is a slow, disappointing start. Philip Kennedy Johnson and Salvador Larroca try to set up the atmosphere more than the characters and story, and it falls flat because of it. I hope it gets better, but such a dull start doesn't make me want or need this book on my pull list yet. Read Full Review

Maybe what I want out of this is too much or maybe the Alien comics just arent for me. That said, this is a $4.99 comic book and I dont feel like the cost is worth it. Alien #1 is a fairly average story with average art. The world wont end if you dont get it. Read Full Review

Overall, the look and feel of Johnson and Larrocas Alien is too middling to really invest in at this point. Even if I'm not so hot on this debut, I am very interested to see Marvel's further plans for their newest license, which includes more stories set in this universe. There's also a brand-new Predator #1 from Marvel on the horizon, and a return to the Alien vs. Predator franchise is inevitable. What I wanna know, however, is when we're going to see Alien vs. Venomnow that it's a possibility… Read Full Review

It's hard not to think that Philip Kennedy Johnson and Salvador Larroca are just moving through the steps of this comic. They know the beats and the marks that they need to hit but there's no joy or delight in moving through them. Read Full Review

This first Marvel foray into the Xenoverse is underwhelming, to say the least. The script isn't terribly original, and the art is very strange. Trying to find something redeemable about this book, and so far I'm not finding much. Read Full Review

Alien #1 is a serviceable introduction to a new era of Alien comics; setting itself clearly within the timeline of the early (and most popular) films, and providing readers with a new lead character and problem to address. Read Full Review

I had hoped this would finally be my way into the Alien franchise, but for all its promise, this is a bland entry that follows the same basic formula as all the stories that came before it. It doesn't help that the artwork is either flat and boring or downright stolen. Read Full Review

Mighty Morphin Comic Rater

Mar 25, 2021

I think the mediocre reviews complaining about how slow this issue is are missing the subtle difference between action and suspense in storytelling. This issue, much like the original film, was about a slow buildup- initially establishing the baseline characters at their most human, with an undercurrent feeling that something just isn't right. The film did this by starting out with average Joes griping about what average Joes gripe about- their jobs, their pay, etc. The comic does this by showing the protagonist's slow reintegration back into society as he has a retirement ceremony, tries to reconnect with his son, and goes to therapy for PTSD. Like the movie, the vapid introduction builds tension because we the audience know that the banal ity will come crashing down, that the stale will soon become the horrible. It's the staleness that makes the the terror relatable- we can initially see ourselves in the protagonist's shoes, as they complain about and go through the same things we do. The dread comes in when that familiar staleness transforms into horror, seemingly instantaneously. [SPOILERS FOLLOW] For example, in a flashback Gabriel remembers his comrade complaining about how he should've been on vacation moments away from his terrifying death at the hands of the xenomorphs. The book's closing showing subsequent panels highlighting Danny's look of horror, followed by the facehugger jumping out of the page, followed by darkness, shows how this horror simmers, abruptly peaks, and leaves us wondering what is going to happen next. The book also does a fantastic job of highlighting the hypocrisy of pseudo-moralistic activists that burn the world down while claiming they are trying to save it, as Danny's band of do-gooders unhesitatingly kill everyone that gets in the way of their trying to expose how evil Weyland-Yutani corporation is. As often happens in real life, these activists end up making things much worse as they unleash hell on the world, but in this story they receive some comeuppance as they are the first to go through the hell they've brought upon everyone else. In this respect, Danny is initially portrayed as very unlikable, but a person who is seemingly manipulated by his activist girlfriend and has the potential for growth as a character as the story continues. more

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• Miracleman92
• Rhinoeat

Weird Science Jim - Mar 27, 2021

The problem for me is that the movies can do this with added elements... music and film technique that comics can't. I would have liked more actual character work, but it looks like Cruz was infected with an Alien and I think he is actually a clone. The mysterious parts do seem to point to being takes from all of the Alien movies and I hope that PKJ develops them and not just mimics them.

Boudi - Apr 1, 2021

The movies work because they have good characters that we care about, the characters in this comic are all bland

Miracleman92

Mar 30, 2021

This is a pretty good start to Marvel's new Alien series. An interesting mystery is set up and I like the tease of future Giger creatures being thrown into the mix. I also appreciate this comic acknowledges the prequel films. I'm definitely on board and am excited for the next issue!

the_comic_book_club

Mar 25, 2021

Alien Issue: 1 Publisher: Marvel @marvel Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson @phillip_kennedy_johnson Artist: Salvador Larroca @salvadorlarroca Colors: Guru-eFX Letters: Clayton Cowles Cover: David Finch @dfinchartist Plagued by nightmares and visions of his soldiers falling victim to a horde of Xenomorphs and an apparent Queen, Gabriel Cruz returns to Earth after stepping down from his role as security chief of the Weyland-Yutani Epsilon Space Station. What he hopes will be a joyful reunion with his son, Daniel, proves to be a disappointment. As Gabriel shares the darkness which haunts his mind with his Bishop android psychiatrist, he remains unaware of the true nature of his visit with his son. After stealing vital data, Daniel an d his girlfriend embark on a violent mission to expose the truth of Weyland-Yutani’s activities but are unprepared for the horrors within as the scientists aboard Epsilon refuse to allow the company's secrets to be revealed. Confused and in shock, Daniel and those around him suddenly fall victim to a group of Facehuggers. For the most part I have always loved the Alien franchise. Alien and Aliens to this day are among my top ten movies of all time. To say that I was excited for this series is an understatement. So far I enjoy what I see except for one aspect. I truly hope this apparent Xenomorph Queen is just a figment of Gabriel’s imagination and fears. That is too Star Trek Borg Queen for me. To me the Xenomorphs are better as a wild untamed and directionless killing beast of the universe. But I will face this with an open mind. Salvador Larroca is a great fit for this book, his Xenomorphs are perfect and he does a great job capturing their terror. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5) Reviewed by: @meanadam of The Comic Book Club of Instagram Follow: @the_comic_book_club on Instagram for more reviews! more

dynamitegunstar

Mar 26, 2021

Solid story. I appreciate that it isn't just aping off the second film again like so many Aliens stories do. Art is rough though unfortunately. I'm interested enough to keep going, but Larroca's best work seems to be behind him at this point.

Gizmo

Apr 01, 2021

Captures the predatory corporate dynamite from the first Alien film and injects some radicals that are at least more believable than previous cultists often featured in Alien comics, but there still isn't a whole lot in the way of original ideas to report yet.

Chal-Chenet

May 19, 2021

The inauguration of the cycle was good for Marvel. The first part of the story arc encourages you to follow this story further. It is an interesting mix of psychological horror and a story about the breakdown of family relationships. Aliens will come, but so far the comic book is surprisingly intimate. For me, it's a big advantage.

Hed-Veta

May 26, 2021

So, the first issue of "Alien" under the roof of a new publishing house authored by Philip Johnson and Salvador Larroca. Philip gets off to a pretty good start with the story of Gabriel Cruz, a new character, a former Colonial Marine and a security agent for the new Weyland-Yutani space station called Epsilon. Regarding the script, the comic, in my opinion, is very good. He does not throw us in the face of an obscenely huge amount of exposure, but glues the access of new information with a little intrigue, regarding the events that occurred earlier, through which Cruz passed, as well as reveals the main character through well-written interactions with other characters. Among other things, in one issue, the screenwriter manages to tell us a little about the current political situation in the Alien world - in particular, that Weyland-Yutani, who are trying to present themselves as the future saviors of the world from all kinds of crises, have quite certain groups of people who oppose the corporate giant. A member of such a group becomes the son of the main character (who gets into trouble trying to get into the aforementioned station), which promises us a rather interesting interpersonal conflict between the father, who worked for years for the "corporate fascists", and the son, who is trying to fight it. From the point of view of the disclosure of the characters, the quality of the dialogues and the artistic content of the comic (in the matter of building a panel grid and a conditional comic "montage"), the comic is read and perceived quite pleasantly and easily, while not losing the reader's interest. But all this is drawn by Salvador Larroca. The eye here and there comes across photoshopped backgrounds, glued faces of characters and problems with perspective. And if technical shoals in art can be forgiven, then tracing is simply beyond good and evil as a phenomenon. In general, my personal rating of the comic is a solid 7 out of 10, where I take away three points for art. For the rest , I fully recommend reading it and look forward to the next issues. more

Psycamorean

Mar 29, 2021

Oh man, the art really isn't good. Everyone looks stiff and inhuman. The only thing that Salvador Larroca can draw well is the aliens.. For the most part. The story is a lot of build up and it mostly works. With a better artist, this would be a good first issue. But I cannot stress how much the art brings down what's actually a pretty good script.

Spacey Medicine

Jul 10, 2021

Oh wow yeah this art sure is. huh. it sure is.

C.V.R. The Bard

Mar 28, 2021

Boring from the jump : wow , this is just like every Alien movie ! The thing about the boredom (the people around this book would probably call this "suspense") is when the killing starts, it's a surprise. Even more surprising was that the humans did the killing before the Aliens ! Wish there was more melanin in this. I was spoiled by the original screenplay Dark Horse released, but those characters were far more entertaining than this lot. That's the problem with an iconic franchise, always in comparison with it's past. Will this series overcome ? Well with the critique on transhumanism as a running theme in this book, I will be sticking around to see. - Audiomack.com/cvrthebard

Boudi

Mar 29, 2021

I really wanted to like this. Bishop androids being back is cool and a nice conexion with Aliens. However none of the character is interesting in the slightest, I wish them all to have a slow and painful death. The artist knows how to draw Xenomprphs, sadly that's not the case with humans. It reminds me of Szymon Kudranski's art in Fallen Angels.