Dark Horse Comics 2016
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Moritat
Coloured by Rain Beredo
Lettered by Michael Heisler
The members of the group still on the planet prepared to make a final stand against either the Aliens or the Engineers, only to be discovered by the main marine force, which had followed them to the nightmare planet. The humans prepared to return to their orbiting marine ship, unaware that one of their number had been captured alive by the Aliens and taken to their nest . . .
This series just continues to surprise me. They just got off the planet and they know Chris was taken and well Rucker is still running around with Ahab so they’ve still got people on the ground and some have decided to go back. Yeah a rescue mission well I like the idea behind it and the loyalty being shown it’s a great human characteristic and something that really makes a statement.
So another group led by survivors of the first are going back down. This is a volunteer mission and one that wouldn’t be sanctioned. So that the Captain got her volunteers to go back was a nice touch and sets up the stage for the next round of body count. After all their primary target to retrieve is Chris, whom they are assuming has already been implanted with an egg. The possibilities are endless here for the different directions this could go. Even the clues that Dan does give us don’t say for sure which way this will go down instead he leaves it open ended enough so that we’re left wondering and eager to know.
I really like Moritat’s interiors here. That splash page where the Captain is talking to the assembled Marines yeah that was incredible to see. Most assuredly a wow moment. I like the way he uses the page layouts with angles, perspective and backgrounds to really get the mood, tone and feel across of where they are. His people are great they aren’t overdone they have everyman (or woman) feel to them. Overall he’s a great artist for this type of story oh and his Queen-MAGNIFICENT!
Jill loves her wife and is willing to do the unspeakable to keep her alive. Well it isn’t really that unspeakable but selling her body to the Wayland-Yutani Corporation so soon without knowing if she’s been implanted or not well dang that’s some dangerous stuff to do. Though I have admit that their obsession with these xenomorph’s fits right into this and plays into their hands.
The run Dan’s been on with this franchise has been phenomenal. He’s managed to incorporate everything we know, love and hate about the movies into this in ways that are so in sync it’s uncanny. He brings out the best and worst and still manages to keep the Predator in play as well so that nothing is forgotten. The level of characterisation and story development, plot advancement while keeping the thrills and chills of the ever rising body count never ceases to amaze me. This has been the next evolution in the franchise and it’s in damn good hands.