Review: Aliens #8

Story Thus far:

In the last issue of Aliens #7, the moon colony Euridice, was awaiting resupply from the cargo U.A.S Extrasolar vessel Heraclides, when it suddenly crashed. The colony leader, Jane found the crash remains, and everyone dead or eviscerated by something. Now Jane must prepare the colony to defend whatever did it.

In the current issue of Aliens #8, Jane’ s sickness causes a delay in the alarm in the rest of the colony. They believe it may be causing her to see things. Despite Jane warning the colony to stay inside till daylight, they send out to scouts to investigate the area to see if falling bit of the ship has damaged any critical infrastructure.

Art:

Salvador Larroca did the best he could with the script he was given. Not a bad panel, in the 20 or so pages. Some good panels. Most of the action is outside so, as too e expected with a comic, it is missing the air of cinematic buildup. Coloring was done by Guru-Efx. Using darker tones to demonstrate horror is a good technique, but if every single panel is dark, it kind of loses it effect.

Script:

I think it was kind of rushed; One minute they were talking about the survival of the leader and the colony , and then all a sudden, boom! They were running from Aliens. As Alien storylines go, it is missing the air of being in an entrapped space with the unknown creature, some of whom may be infected. There are some acts of treachery that seem to compromise the group, but the placing and timing seemed to be off.

SCORE: 2.5/5

Speculation:

Since I first started promoting the speculation of franchise related comics, the 1st appearance of Aliens #1 (1988) has risen significantly. Especially for the 9.8 which are going for about 3k. Any speculation derived from this issue lies in the very disciplined definition of 1st appearance. The thing to keep in mind is that some of the Aliens in this series are a different species, so the Aliens #1, Inhyuk Lee is one to keep an eye on.

Cover Art:

ALIEN #8, has three covers CVR A is by Marc Aspinall; CVR B Ivan Shavrin; CVR C R. B. Silva 1:25. At this time CVR B was sold out at the re-seller level. My favorite of course due it being a homage to the painting ‘Whistlers Mother’ (1871) , by James McNeill Whistler. The big difference is that Anna Whistler is getting her face sucked by one of the Aliens.

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colorist: Guru-Efx
Letterer: VC’S Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics