Aliens (comic book)
Encyclopedia
The Aliens comic books were first published by Dark Horse Comics
in 1988 and set in the Alien
fictional universe
.
Some stories often feature the company Weyland-Yutani and the United States Colonial Marines. Originally intended as a sequel to James Cameron's Aliens
, the first mini-series features the characters of Rebecca 'Newt' Jorden and Corporal Dwayne Hicks. Later series also included the further adventures of Ellen Ripley
. Other stories are completely unique to the Alien universe, and are often used to explore other aspects of the species, such as their sociology and biology.
Note: The first three stories formed a continuation of the two Alien films that had been released when they were published. However, they are no longer considered canonical after the Alien 3 film featured the deaths of Newt and Corporal Hicks. In order to keep the stories relevant to the Alien films, Dark Horse Comics
changed the names of the characters for future printings of the stories. Newt became Billie while Hicks was now known as Wilks. The only other major difference between the original publications is that as well as being renamed the trade paperbacks were also recoloured.
and Alien 3, and 190 years before Alien Resurrection. Both Wilks and Billie have been struggling with the aftermath of their encounter with the Xenomorphs. Billie is in a mental institution, and, after nothing seems to help her, the doctors decide to wipe her memory. Wilks has never gotten over the Aliens and the decimation of his squad, so he agrees to go on a mission to the alien
homeworld to recover some eggs and to destroy one of the hives (the hive-destroying serves no purpose other than to satisfy Wilks's hatred). Wilks goes to visit Billie before he goes, only to find out that her memory is about to be wiped. Wilks believes Billie to be the only thing that marks his existence and the only thing that marks his squad's sacrifice, so he rescues her and takes her to the homeworld. Their spaceship is followed by another, though...
Meanwhile, strange things are happening on Earth
. A scientific corporation has acquired an alien Queen, and begins harvesting eggs. A weird cult that believes the Aliens to be God's spiritual rebirth breaks in and they all give themselves up for facehugging. Earth is overrun.
On the homeworld, the team lands (Billie has fallen in love with a soldier named Bueller), and are attacked by a band of soldiers, who want the eggs for themselves, after tracking them to the planet. They give up their weapons and stand down, but the attackers are forced into the hive by the various other hostile species on the planet. The team gathers weapons, and foolishly go into the hive to rescue their attackers. They rescue a few, and most of them get out, but not before the reason they so stupidly went in is revealed: they are all synthetic humans.
Billie is distraught; Bueller makes it back, but is ripped in half (revealing he is actually a synthetic), and Wilks almost kills them all by waiting until he has set the charges to take off, but they make it and go back to Earth. As soon as they get there, they have to leave, and are told by a general that they are following a standard military procedure against the Aliens: they are retreating. There is a mass exodus from Earth, most of the survivors being military. Bueller, Wilks, and Billie get on a ship and flee Earth.
Spears, who is breeding and attempting to train aliens to fight against their own kind on Earth. He is depicted as ruthless, and is called insane by several characters. Throughout the story it is revealed that Spears is extremely paranoid about his own safety and the safety of his aliens, and is willing to sacrifice his own troops without hesitation. As the story progresses, the aliens inevitably escape captivity and begin taking over the military base. Wilks and Billie manage to hide on the same ship General Spears uses to escape. Once aboard the ship Wilks and Billie realize it is full of "trained" aliens that Spears intends on using to take back the infested Earth. The synthetic Bueller also manages to send a transmission saying goodbye to Billie as they were separated in the middle of the story. Since Bueller is a synthetic and torn in two the aliens do not engage him in any way. Bueller is left alone and abandoned in the military base. Before Spears lands on Earth Wilks and Billie jettison out in a small escape pod towards a different space station called Gateway, which becomes a haven for the few people capable of reaching, aware that their chances of survival on Earth are slim. Once Spears lands on Earth he releases his "trained" aliens and expects them to attack the Earth-bred aliens. The "trained" aliens end up turning on Spears. In the end Spears realizes that the aliens were never actually trained, but simply remaining patient throughout their supposed training. The Queen and the other aliens had every intention of getting to Earth and killing Spears. Spears is brutally killed at the end of this realization.
On the final page, Ripley appears, heavily armed, saying the time had come to take the battle to the xenomorphs.
crossovers
:
has produced a number of Aliens comic books and collected volumes:
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
in 1988 and set in the Alien
Alien (film series)
The Alien film series is a science fiction horror film franchise, focusing on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley and her battle with an extraterrestrial lifeform, commonly referred to as "the Alien"...
fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
.
Some stories often feature the company Weyland-Yutani and the United States Colonial Marines. Originally intended as a sequel to James Cameron's Aliens
Aliens (film)
Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
, the first mini-series features the characters of Rebecca 'Newt' Jorden and Corporal Dwayne Hicks. Later series also included the further adventures of Ellen Ripley
Ellen Ripley
Ellen Ripley is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Alien film series played by American actress Sigourney Weaver. The character was heralded as a seminal role for challenging gender roles, particularly in the science fiction genre, and remains Weaver's most famous role to...
. Other stories are completely unique to the Alien universe, and are often used to explore other aspects of the species, such as their sociology and biology.
Note: The first three stories formed a continuation of the two Alien films that had been released when they were published. However, they are no longer considered canonical after the Alien 3 film featured the deaths of Newt and Corporal Hicks. In order to keep the stories relevant to the Alien films, Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
changed the names of the characters for future printings of the stories. Newt became Billie while Hicks was now known as Wilks. The only other major difference between the original publications is that as well as being renamed the trade paperbacks were also recoloured.
Outbreak
Outbreak starts 10 years after AliensAliens (film)
Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
and Alien 3, and 190 years before Alien Resurrection. Both Wilks and Billie have been struggling with the aftermath of their encounter with the Xenomorphs. Billie is in a mental institution, and, after nothing seems to help her, the doctors decide to wipe her memory. Wilks has never gotten over the Aliens and the decimation of his squad, so he agrees to go on a mission to the alien
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
homeworld to recover some eggs and to destroy one of the hives (the hive-destroying serves no purpose other than to satisfy Wilks's hatred). Wilks goes to visit Billie before he goes, only to find out that her memory is about to be wiped. Wilks believes Billie to be the only thing that marks his existence and the only thing that marks his squad's sacrifice, so he rescues her and takes her to the homeworld. Their spaceship is followed by another, though...
Meanwhile, strange things are happening on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. A scientific corporation has acquired an alien Queen, and begins harvesting eggs. A weird cult that believes the Aliens to be God's spiritual rebirth breaks in and they all give themselves up for facehugging. Earth is overrun.
On the homeworld, the team lands (Billie has fallen in love with a soldier named Bueller), and are attacked by a band of soldiers, who want the eggs for themselves, after tracking them to the planet. They give up their weapons and stand down, but the attackers are forced into the hive by the various other hostile species on the planet. The team gathers weapons, and foolishly go into the hive to rescue their attackers. They rescue a few, and most of them get out, but not before the reason they so stupidly went in is revealed: they are all synthetic humans.
Billie is distraught; Bueller makes it back, but is ripped in half (revealing he is actually a synthetic), and Wilks almost kills them all by waiting until he has set the charges to take off, but they make it and go back to Earth. As soon as they get there, they have to leave, and are told by a general that they are following a standard military procedure against the Aliens: they are retreating. There is a mass exodus from Earth, most of the survivors being military. Bueller, Wilks, and Billie get on a ship and flee Earth.
Nightmare Asylum
Script by Mark Verheiden, art and title illustration by Den Beauvais and lettering by Willie Schubert.Plot summary
The story continues where Aliens: Outbreak left off with Billie, the synthetic Bueller, and Wilks a short time after having escaped the alien-infested Earth on a cargo ship. The crew discovers the ship is ferrying aliens to an unknown destination. After killing the aliens, the ship autopilots to a military post commanded by GeneralGeneral
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Spears, who is breeding and attempting to train aliens to fight against their own kind on Earth. He is depicted as ruthless, and is called insane by several characters. Throughout the story it is revealed that Spears is extremely paranoid about his own safety and the safety of his aliens, and is willing to sacrifice his own troops without hesitation. As the story progresses, the aliens inevitably escape captivity and begin taking over the military base. Wilks and Billie manage to hide on the same ship General Spears uses to escape. Once aboard the ship Wilks and Billie realize it is full of "trained" aliens that Spears intends on using to take back the infested Earth. The synthetic Bueller also manages to send a transmission saying goodbye to Billie as they were separated in the middle of the story. Since Bueller is a synthetic and torn in two the aliens do not engage him in any way. Bueller is left alone and abandoned in the military base. Before Spears lands on Earth Wilks and Billie jettison out in a small escape pod towards a different space station called Gateway, which becomes a haven for the few people capable of reaching, aware that their chances of survival on Earth are slim. Once Spears lands on Earth he releases his "trained" aliens and expects them to attack the Earth-bred aliens. The "trained" aliens end up turning on Spears. In the end Spears realizes that the aliens were never actually trained, but simply remaining patient throughout their supposed training. The Queen and the other aliens had every intention of getting to Earth and killing Spears. Spears is brutally killed at the end of this realization.
On the final page, Ripley appears, heavily armed, saying the time had come to take the battle to the xenomorphs.
Crossovers
There have been other comicComics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
crossovers
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
:
- Aliens vs. Predator
- Aliens vs. Predator vs. The TerminatorAliens vs. Predator vs. The TerminatorAliens versus Predator versus The Terminator is a comic published by Dark Horse Comics about fictional characters from three separate movie series: Alien, Predator, and The Terminator. The series was in four parts, with parts 2-4 having a tagline on their cover.-Part 1:The story begins in a...
- Aliens vs. Predator/Witchblade/Darkness
- Batman/AliensBatman/AliensBatman/Aliens is a crossover between the Batman and Aliens comic book franchises. It was published in 1998. A sequel was released in 2003.-Batman/Aliens:...
- Green Lantern Versus AliensGreen Lantern Versus AliensGreen Lantern Versus Aliens is a four-issue comic book mini-series published jointly by DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics monthly from September 2000 to December 2000...
- Judge Dredd vs. AliensJudge Dredd vs. AliensJudge Dredd vs. Aliens is an intercompany crossover, featuring Judge Dredd and the Alien from the Alien franchise. It was published weekly in 2000 AD in 2003.-Plot:...
- Superman vs. AliensSuperman vs. AliensSuperman vs. Aliens is an American comic book limited series about a battle between the superhero Superman and the aliens created by H. R. Giger , from the Alien film series...
- Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator
- WildC.A.T.s/AliensWildC.A.T.s/AliensWildC.A.T.S/Aliens was a one-shot comic book and intercompany crossover event, published by Wildstorm and Dark Horse Comics in 1998. The comic was written by Warren Ellis, pencilled by Chris Sprouse, with Kevin Nowlan inking and Laura Depuy as the colorist.-Overview:The story is set between the...
Publications
Dark HorseDark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
has produced a number of Aliens comic books and collected volumes:
- Aliens:
- Aliens 1-6 (AKA Aliens Book 1 & Outbreak, by Mark VerheidenMark VerheidenMark Verheiden is an American television, movie, and comic book writer. He is a co-executive producer for the television series Falling Skies for DreamWorks Television and the TNT Network.-Career:...
and Mark A. Nelson, Dark Horse, 1989, ISBN 1-56971-164-X, 1996, ISBN 1-56971-174-7, Titan Books, 176 pages, 1990, ISBN 1-85286-276-9, 1996, ISBN 1-85286-756-6) - Aliens 1-4 (AKA Aliens Book 2 & Nightmare Asylum, by Mark VerheidenMark VerheidenMark Verheiden is an American television, movie, and comic book writer. He is a co-executive producer for the television series Falling Skies for DreamWorks Television and the TNT Network.-Career:...
, Denis Beauvais and Mark A. Nelson, Dark Horse, 1990, ISBN 1-878574-03-5, Titan Books, 112 pages, 1991, ISBN 1-85286-378-1, 1997, ISBN 1-85286-765-5) - Earth War 1-4 (AKA Aliens Book 3 & Female War, by Mark VerheidenMark VerheidenMark Verheiden is an American television, movie, and comic book writer. He is a co-executive producer for the television series Falling Skies for DreamWorks Television and the TNT Network.-Career:...
and Sam KiethSam KiethSam Kieth is a New York Times best-selling American comic book writer and illustrator, best known as the creator of The Maxx and Zero Girl.-Comics career:...
, Dark Horse, 176 pages, 1991, ISBN 1-878574-23-X) - Rogue (by Ian EdgintonIan EdgintonIan Edginton is a British comic book writer.He is one of the few British comic talents to follow the reverse trajectory to the one usually taken: becoming successful in American comics before returning to work for 2000 AD.-Biography:...
and Will Simpson, 1993, 1994, trade paperback, 112 pages, 1995, ISBN 1-56971-023-6) - Hive (AKA Harvest, by Jerry ProsserJerry ProsserJerry Prosser is an American comic book writer and editor, best known for his work with Dark Horse Comics.-Biography:Prosser was part of Dark Horse Comics from its early days, and was one of five creators, who as Team CGW created the Comics' Greatest World line for Dark Horse Comics...
and Kelley JonesKelley JonesKelley Jones is an American comic book artist best known for his runs on Batman with writer Doug Moench and on Sandman with writer Neil Gaiman.-Biography:...
, 1997, 128 pages, Titan Books, 1993, ISBN 1-85286-469-9, Dark Horse, ISBN 1-56971-122-4) - Labyrinth (by Jim WoodringJim WoodringJim Woodring is a Seattle-based cartoonist, comic book author, artist and toy designer. He also produces fine art works in a variety of other media, including painting and charcoal....
and Kilian Plunkett, trade paperback, Titan BooksTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, 136 pages, 1997, ISBN 1-85286-844-9) - Genocide (by John ArcudiJohn ArcudiJohn Arcudi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work on The Mask and B.P.R.D., and his series Major Bummer.-Career:Arcudi worked for Malibu Comics upon its founding in 1986, working on its Eternity line...
, Damon Willis and Karl Stor, tpb, 112 pages, 1997, Titan, ISBN 1-85286-805-8, Dark Horse ISBN 1-56971-196-8) - Purge (by Ian EdgintonIan EdgintonIan Edginton is a British comic book writer.He is one of the few British comic talents to follow the reverse trajectory to the one usually taken: becoming successful in American comics before returning to work for 2000 AD.-Biography:...
, Phil HesterPhil Hester (comics)Phil Hester is an American comic book artist, penciller and writer.-Biography:This Eisner Award-nominated artist was born in eastern Iowa, where he went on to study at the University of Iowa...
(pencils) and Ande ParksAnde ParksAnde Parks is a professional American comic book artist, known for his work as an inker and writer in the industry. His greatest notoriety has come from his stint with fellow artist Phil Hester on DC Comics’ Green Arrow series from 2001 to 2004 and writing the graphic novels Union Station and...
(inks), 1997, trade paperback, 88 pages, 1999, ISBN 1-56971-409-6) - "Pig" (by Chuck DixonChuck DixonCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, best known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.-Biography:Dixon grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area, reading comics of all genres...
, Henry FlintHenry FlintHenry Flint is a British comic book artist who has worked mainly for British sci-fi comic 2000AD.-Biography:Flint has established a cult following for his hyper-detailed and wildly inventive work on series such as Judge Dredd, Zombo,,ABC Warriors, Shakara, Low Life and Aliens.A recent project was...
(pencils) and Andrew PepoyAndrew PepoyAndrew Pepoy is an American comic book artist writer and artist.-Early life:Andrew Pepoy was born on May 13, 1969 in Holland, Michigan.-Career:Pepoy began working as a professional artist while still in college at Loyola University Chicago....
(inks), one-shot, 1997) - "Xenogenesis" (by Tom Bierbaum/Mary Bierbaum, Dave Ross (pencils) and Andrew PepoyAndrew PepoyAndrew Pepoy is an American comic book artist writer and artist.-Early life:Andrew Pepoy was born on May 13, 1969 in Holland, Michigan.-Career:Pepoy began working as a professional artist while still in college at Loyola University Chicago....
(inks), 4-issue mini-series, 1999) - Apocalypse: The Destroying Angels (by Mark SchultzMark Schultz (comics)Mark Schultz is an American writer and illustrator of books and comics. His most widely-recognized work is his self-created and owned comic book series, Xenozoic Tales, about a post-apocalyptic world where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures coexist with humans...
and Doug WheatleyDoug WheatleyDoug Wheatley, sometimes credited as Douglas H. Wheatley or Doug Tropea-Wheatley, is a comic book artist that has illustrated numerous comic books including several Star Wars stories for Dark Horse Comics.-References:* ComiCon.com...
, 4-issue mini-series, 1999, trade paperback, 96 pages, 1999, ISBN 1-56971-399-5)
- Aliens 1-6 (AKA Aliens Book 1 & Outbreak, by Mark Verheiden
- Aliens Omnibus:
- Volume 1 (collects Outbreak, Nightmare Asylum, Female War, Theory of Alien Propagation, and The Alien, 384 pages, July 2007, ISBN 1-59307-727-0)
- Volume 2 (collects Genocide, Harvest and Colonial Marines, 448 pages, December 2007, ISBN 1-59307-828-5)
- Volume 3 (collects Rogue, Sacrifice, Labyrinth, Salvation, Advent/Terminus, Reapers, and Horror Show, 376 pages, March 2008, ISBN 1-59307-872-2)
- Volume 4 (collects Music of the Spears, Stronghold, Frenzy, Taste, Mondo Pest, and Mondo Heat, 376 pages, July 2008, ISBN 1-59307-926-5)
- Volume 5 (collects Alchemy, Kidnapped, Cargo, Survival, Alien, Earth Angel, Incubation, Havoc, Lovesick, and Lucky, 364 pages, November 2008, ISBN 1-59307-991-5)
- Volume 6 (collects Apocalypse, Once in a Lifetime, Xenogenesis, Headhunters, Tourist Season, Pig, Border Lines, 45 Seconds, Elder Gods, Purge, Glass Corridor, Stalker, and Wraith, 376 Pages, December 2008, ISBN 1-59582-214-3)