Dark Horse Comics 2017
by James Stokoe
With one last gambit aboard the space station, Wascylewski finds himself ambushed by two more deadly xenomorphs that will stop at nothing until he’s dead.
I can honestly say that this is among my favourite stories in the franchise. Yes James has his own illustrative style that leans towards manga in many ways and that’s okay but really it’s the setting that grabbed my attention. It’s different enough from what we’re used to that it stands out incredibly well which is a huge draw for me. Also the way James wrote the story here starting at the end and recanting what happened was a nice touch.
The way the story is structured so it features that ebb & flow that we don’t even notice because we’re too wrapped up in the story yeah that’s how well I think it’s done. I’ve really enjoyed how James is able to weave through past and present, story advancement and the characterisation which sometimes is essential in advancing the story. The feeling of hope, desolation and especially fear that he gets to radiate through the characters in their cries, actions and body language is something that needs to seen to really appreciate.
I’ve always said that I am a huge fan of someone who can do an entire book by themselves and to see and read this is an example why. Everything that we are meant to see is exactly what is on the page. Pure and simple it’s the only way that a writer/artist can do this is on their own and there is something to be said for that kind of talent and skill. This might be why we’ve waited an unusually long time for this last issue. Also I will tack onto that that I think it was worth the wait. I picked this up and it was like no time had passed and I remembered every aspect of what had come before.
I am big fan of the way page layouts are utilised here, panels no panels or a panel inside an open part of the page I mean it’s creative, interesting and for it’s kind of original to see. Then the use of angles, perspective and the utilisation of backgrounds just complete everything. From the strategic use of darkness and light sources and some wonderful colouring with nice gradation it’s packs a punch. Okay so James style means that some faces are funky looking but ya know what who cares that’s his style and you’ll get over it. While not terrifying, not sure if that’s the art or cultural at this point, the Xenomorphs do look freaking amazing!
At some point we’ve gone past the way the xenomorph kills people to how a person can survive the madness. While I am all for that I would like to be scared again and honestly I’m not sure that’s capable any longer. Still we see how James brings us one man will the will, determination and desire to stay alive. He is able to think on his feet, use his training, know how and gumption that the others don’t possess. Seriously if I were any of his station mates I’d have been following his lead and not leaving his side. Otherwise you are likely to find yourself on the wrong side of on these suckers!
This is what I want to see more of from the franchise, stories that don’t revolve around the space marines, the planet that fascinates so many, bring us something new different and exciting so we can experience something we haven’t before. That is exactly what James has done here and ya know what I’d be happy to see more like this from him or anyone.
Dark Horse really has one of the most diverse and interesting, possibility wise, franchise around and they aren’t afraid to let others play in it!