Overall, the Alien/Predator franchise is one of my favorites. I haven’t read every comic or book but I generally enjoy diving into the world. Like the xenomorph themselves, the stories can take on so many different genres, from sci-fi to horror to straight up action to even westerns. Alien #1 kicks off a new chapter this time focusing on synths, something that feels rather fresh and new to me.
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Alien #1 delivers a basic premise that seems to be a running theme in the franchise, don’t trust corporations. Opening up with a disaster, the story eventually shifts to a group of synths who are being called into action. They’re needed for a dangerous mission where radiation and xenomorphs would kill anyone else. Should they take up the mission, synths would be granted citizenship if they choose. Now, do you trust the offer? The answer is obviously no if you’re familiar with the world but as usual, the smart decision wouldn’t make for an interesting read.
Alien #1 is interesting in that it’s giving us something a little different. As I said in the start, I haven’t read everything but beyond the films, synths aren’t something I remember reading a lot about. It’s a rather big unknown to me as a reader and that makes the series all the more exciting. Instead of expendable humans, we get beings who should give the xenomorphs a run for their money. Add on top that they should throw off their usual cycle of death and reproduction, it could come together for a familiar but new take.
The art by Julius Ohta is solid. With color by Yen Nitro and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic delivers a mix of horror and some superheroics. That latter aspect isn’t something I thought I’d see in the franchise but due to the abilities of the synth, there’s moves that are more superhero than soldier. Throw on some spandex or a cape and the movement and visuals are there. It’ll be interesting to see if the series as a whole moves into that genre a bit with this latest story arc.
Alien #1 is an intriguing start. It focuses on an aspect of the world that often feels like a story shoved to the side and dips its toes into a genre I haven’t see the world play in before. There’s a lot here that long time fans and new readers in what could be something really new for the franchise.
Story: Phillip Kennedy Johnson Art: Julius Ohta
Color: Yen Nitro Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
