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Aliens (comics)
Aliens: Inhuman Condition
On a distant, frozen world, "artificial persons" are manufactured in discreet seclusion. With formidable new security synthetics coming online, how better to test their mettle than against a hive of deadly xenomorphs? But as "socialization specialist" Jean DuPaul sees her ever-more-human android charges sent to their destruction, she learns that the most savage species in the universe is man. From writer John Layman, creator of the award-winning Chew, and acclaimed artist Sam Kieth comes Aliens: Inhuman Condition, a hardcover graphic novella from the pages of Dark Horse Presents that shines a dark, disturbing light on the Aliens universe.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2013
4 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
John Layman
828 books591 followersJohn Steele Layman is an American comic book writer and letterer. Layman is most known for writing Chew, published by Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 2, 2019
I was afraid this was going to be a disappointing read because Sam Kieth's caricatural and grotesque style suits not well for me with the xenomorph franchise at all, luckly storyline gets better and better and in the end these artworks were just perfect ones for this kind of tale.
Better never judge a book by its cover and give it a try.
August 26, 2020
Okay story, terrible art.
May 10, 2019
This is a solid if unsurprising entry into the Aliens universe. Typical Weyland-Yutani company bad guys doing bad things with xenomorphs and androids running around. The art by The Maxx, Vol. 1 creator Sam Kieth has that Heavy Metal vibe, which works for this story.
January 1, 2019
1st read of 2019. not a bad little short story involving the good ol Weyland-Yutani operations. i felt like this could’ve been fleshed out into something with a bit more depth, but still an okay short. art was...different. worth reading if you’re a fan.
January 12, 2022
A fine addition to the canon, combining the expected horror with an unhealthy does of mental illness or PTSD.
February 3, 2023
I didn't realize how violent and graphic this would be, but was still good. Not normally I I horror and hoping I won't get nightmares now haha!
March 15, 2013
ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION Is A Perfect Nightmare
The world presented from the original ALIEN motion picture has always been just so rich for storytelling. It’s big and broad enough to incorporate horror, science fiction, drama, and – if done right – even light comedy while, all the while, still possessing the ability to comment on the human condition. Why? Well, that’s because ALIEN is so full of life. It has humans; it has aliens; and it also has these synthetic beings – part android, part biological – and where these various forms come into conflict with one another offers any writer or creator some terrific playground to play in, all the while never losing sight that the monsters are never very far away.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and character. If you’re the kind of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
Jean DuPaul has survived a dark tragedy that so few have. She spent three weeks cornered by in the darkness by full-grown Aliens. But her survival has not been without some cost: her ‘mate’ is dead, her future is uncertain, and her sanity is tenuous. When the powers that be at Weiland-Yutani decide that Socialization Specialist DuPaul is now expendable to the long-term mission, she finds herself coming face-to-face with her worst nightmare. Will she run from it … or will she instead embrace her shattered destiny?
INHUMAN CONDITION is exactly the kind of story I’d love to see brought to the silver screen, not so much because it offers a big-adventure premise but because it delivers a big-picture idea.
In this story, the Aliens are somewhat circumstantial – much as they were in the first ALIEN film – allowing the flawed human characters to occupy center stage. They’re here, and they’re always a threat, but there’s a reciprocal danger lying in wait amongst the Earthling social classes that’s just as dire and (somewhat) despicable. John Layman’s story is so richly textured – commenting equally on humanity and inhumanity within this microcosm existence – that there’s clearly something in here for everyone: scares, dread, and even social commentary. It’s precisely what most good horror films these days are missing – it enlists a sense of humanity while balancing a succinct, didactic story in a future setting. It has everything you’d want in an ALIENS movie and then some.
Also, Sam Keith’s artwork provides the story with another layer completely. I’m not art expert in the slightest, but much of INHUMAN is sprinkled with faces and bodies and shapes that don’t quite look ‘normal.’ These are ordinary human beings, but they’re given a slightly distorted presentation, not all that unlike some of the political cartoons of the late 1900’s and early 20th century. Features like chins and ears and noses come with slight exaggerations, and what I found so endearing about it is that you – as the reader – are allowed to make of that what you will. Personally, I thought it was a wonderful commentary about how things aren’t quite what they seem in life, but I’ll leave it up to you to draw whatever conclusions you might from it.
I’ve followed this franchise in Dark Horse print over the years, but I’ve rarely been as jazzed after reading one installment as I am with this one. In less than sixty pages, INHUMAN will make you excited for a thoughtful and intelligent return to the ALIENS universe, showing you all of the things you’ve come to know in such a way that you may not quite recognize them the same way ever again.
ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION is published by Dark Horse Comics. The story and lettering are provided by John Layman; with the art and cover illustration by Sam Kieth; with colors done by Kieth and John Kalisz. This book bears a cover price of $10.99, and, yes, that’s a bargain compared to what enjoyment I took out of it.
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLE. The original ALIEN set the standard for smart space-based horror stories mirrored with a soft commentary on the human condition; while the other films may’ve been better or worse received than Ridley Scott’s original, none have quite matched his intensity for delivering a complete product that made you look at the world differently. ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION brings this saga full circle so far as I’m concerned by bringing audiences an artsy shocker that reminds folks monsters may never be quite what they seem. In fact, you may be sitting next to one right now …
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital copy of ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
The world presented from the original ALIEN motion picture has always been just so rich for storytelling. It’s big and broad enough to incorporate horror, science fiction, drama, and – if done right – even light comedy while, all the while, still possessing the ability to comment on the human condition. Why? Well, that’s because ALIEN is so full of life. It has humans; it has aliens; and it also has these synthetic beings – part android, part biological – and where these various forms come into conflict with one another offers any writer or creator some terrific playground to play in, all the while never losing sight that the monsters are never very far away.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and character. If you’re the kind of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
Jean DuPaul has survived a dark tragedy that so few have. She spent three weeks cornered by in the darkness by full-grown Aliens. But her survival has not been without some cost: her ‘mate’ is dead, her future is uncertain, and her sanity is tenuous. When the powers that be at Weiland-Yutani decide that Socialization Specialist DuPaul is now expendable to the long-term mission, she finds herself coming face-to-face with her worst nightmare. Will she run from it … or will she instead embrace her shattered destiny?
INHUMAN CONDITION is exactly the kind of story I’d love to see brought to the silver screen, not so much because it offers a big-adventure premise but because it delivers a big-picture idea.
In this story, the Aliens are somewhat circumstantial – much as they were in the first ALIEN film – allowing the flawed human characters to occupy center stage. They’re here, and they’re always a threat, but there’s a reciprocal danger lying in wait amongst the Earthling social classes that’s just as dire and (somewhat) despicable. John Layman’s story is so richly textured – commenting equally on humanity and inhumanity within this microcosm existence – that there’s clearly something in here for everyone: scares, dread, and even social commentary. It’s precisely what most good horror films these days are missing – it enlists a sense of humanity while balancing a succinct, didactic story in a future setting. It has everything you’d want in an ALIENS movie and then some.
Also, Sam Keith’s artwork provides the story with another layer completely. I’m not art expert in the slightest, but much of INHUMAN is sprinkled with faces and bodies and shapes that don’t quite look ‘normal.’ These are ordinary human beings, but they’re given a slightly distorted presentation, not all that unlike some of the political cartoons of the late 1900’s and early 20th century. Features like chins and ears and noses come with slight exaggerations, and what I found so endearing about it is that you – as the reader – are allowed to make of that what you will. Personally, I thought it was a wonderful commentary about how things aren’t quite what they seem in life, but I’ll leave it up to you to draw whatever conclusions you might from it.
I’ve followed this franchise in Dark Horse print over the years, but I’ve rarely been as jazzed after reading one installment as I am with this one. In less than sixty pages, INHUMAN will make you excited for a thoughtful and intelligent return to the ALIENS universe, showing you all of the things you’ve come to know in such a way that you may not quite recognize them the same way ever again.
ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION is published by Dark Horse Comics. The story and lettering are provided by John Layman; with the art and cover illustration by Sam Kieth; with colors done by Kieth and John Kalisz. This book bears a cover price of $10.99, and, yes, that’s a bargain compared to what enjoyment I took out of it.
HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLE. The original ALIEN set the standard for smart space-based horror stories mirrored with a soft commentary on the human condition; while the other films may’ve been better or worse received than Ridley Scott’s original, none have quite matched his intensity for delivering a complete product that made you look at the world differently. ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION brings this saga full circle so far as I’m concerned by bringing audiences an artsy shocker that reminds folks monsters may never be quite what they seem. In fact, you may be sitting next to one right now …
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital copy of ALIENS: INHUMAN CONDITION for the expressed purposes of completing this review.
February 3, 2026
Pretty good story. I liked the word-choice and the reveals.
May 5, 2013
Another book I would never had purchased had it not been presented as a nice hardcover.
I also coulndn't help but think I had already read it the entire time I was reading it... then I remembered, the entire story had previously been in the monthly Dark Horse Presents anthology book.
The art is nice, but sometimes it appears much too caricatural for what should be a horror story.
The story itself is somewhat "coocky"; all the characters seem to have issues, icluding, and mostly, the lead character.
If you've read it in Dark Horse and liked it enough to buy the hardcover, go ahead.
If you haven't read it and are a "must-own" everythng Alien related, again, go ahead and buy this.
But honestly, this could be given pass and life'd go on unnafected.
I also coulndn't help but think I had already read it the entire time I was reading it... then I remembered, the entire story had previously been in the monthly Dark Horse Presents anthology book.
The art is nice, but sometimes it appears much too caricatural for what should be a horror story.
The story itself is somewhat "coocky"; all the characters seem to have issues, icluding, and mostly, the lead character.
If you've read it in Dark Horse and liked it enough to buy the hardcover, go ahead.
If you haven't read it and are a "must-own" everythng Alien related, again, go ahead and buy this.
But honestly, this could be given pass and life'd go on unnafected.
September 2, 2015
Really different art in this one. In some parts it seemed nice, but in others strangely inappropriate for the story. The faces seemed to keep changing, a little too much than usual in a comic.
The story was good, with a sad ending. But I also wasn't sure if I should be sorry for, or annoyed at, the main character. Was what she did really her only option? Was it really necessary?
I'll give this one a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The story was good, with a sad ending. But I also wasn't sure if I should be sorry for, or annoyed at, the main character. Was what she did really her only option? Was it really necessary?
I'll give this one a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
May 28, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up. John Layman offers a slight, well-told story. The art is rather rough even for Sam Kieth.
June 10, 2018
Very mixed on this. I like the story, it has an interesting mix of whimsy, heartbreak, and horror. But I'm sorry, I hated the art. Imagine the sleek dark designs of Aliens depicted as an angry political cartoon. It didn't work for me.
May 10, 2013
I keep buying Alien comics hoping for something new and original, but I keep encountering retreads.
July 27, 2013
Pretty intense storyline. I love the artwork that went with this story. Very interesting.
February 28, 2025
The art was off putting to me at first, but I got used to the kind of 80s loose line drawings (reminds me of The Snowman, which is a Christmas classic!)
The story is full of good twists and turns, and shows the mental plight anyway dealing with Weyland-Yutani would face. The company is so damn evil, sadly I feel like many companies would do this same stuff to make just a little more money. You feel bad for everyone in the story who isn’t a boss, the humans are demented, the robots are human enough to kind of realize the hell they live in before fighting a losing battle and then the scientists have to create a world in their minds to escape the horrid reality they live in.
I love Alien, if you like the series check this one out. It is not a must read, but a nice day off moment of pain and suffering. Good morning!
The story is full of good twists and turns, and shows the mental plight anyway dealing with Weyland-Yutani would face. The company is so damn evil, sadly I feel like many companies would do this same stuff to make just a little more money. You feel bad for everyone in the story who isn’t a boss, the humans are demented, the robots are human enough to kind of realize the hell they live in before fighting a losing battle and then the scientists have to create a world in their minds to escape the horrid reality they live in.
I love Alien, if you like the series check this one out. It is not a must read, but a nice day off moment of pain and suffering. Good morning!
October 20, 2021
This was a surprisingly deep book for a one-shot piece. It does describe itself to be a graphic novella, which does match the relative brevity of this tale.
I liked the many layers to this story. We have a protagonist that clearly isn't quite all there and how that will factor into things is slowly revealed. They managed to show us a different aspect of the Alien comics - in this case, a facility that actually produces the artificial humans that play such a prominent role in different Aliens stories. And the involvement of Weyland-Yutani isn't just about corporate betrayal as a plot point. So I liked how so many things did not play to expectations.
So it was a good little story overall and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I liked the many layers to this story. We have a protagonist that clearly isn't quite all there and how that will factor into things is slowly revealed. They managed to show us a different aspect of the Alien comics - in this case, a facility that actually produces the artificial humans that play such a prominent role in different Aliens stories. And the involvement of Weyland-Yutani isn't just about corporate betrayal as a plot point. So I liked how so many things did not play to expectations.
So it was a good little story overall and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
May 16, 2017
Finally, a new and unique Alien story. A few decades past the original two blockbuster films, it is nice to find writers willing to explore this world and its possibilities. This is another horror story, firmly and unrepentantly Alien, but not a story of survival. This is psychological terror with a dose of body horror (of course) and just a sprinkle of revenge fiction. In fact, I could imagine Tarantino doing an interesting film adaptation of this one.
Very timely, in a world of terrorists and suicide bombers, of globalization and rising male entitlement, I recommend this Alien comic before most others to anyone interested in seeing new places these stories can go.
Very timely, in a world of terrorists and suicide bombers, of globalization and rising male entitlement, I recommend this Alien comic before most others to anyone interested in seeing new places these stories can go.
June 10, 2017
Solid story telling by John Layman and good artwork by Sam Kieth. The story has a slight twist from from the protagonist and the planetary setting. It seems flavored with Alien Resurrection Ripley idea. The artwork lends to a less graphically gory aliens combat scenes which is refreshing. Well worth reading.
July 11, 2019
I am not sure taht I would have seen so many overtones of The Maxx in this story had it not been drawn by Sam Keith. It reads like The Maxx without the titular character and the social worker character stands up for herself in the end in a fun twist that still feeds her fantasy delusion.
November 22, 2021
Keith's take on the xenomorphs is interesting and the story at least tries to be a little different than typical for the franchise. Better than most Aliens stories but still not something I'd be coming back to in the future.
March 10, 2026
I enjoyed the illustrations and their caricatureness. I think it added to the disillusioned thought processes as well as the grotesque nature of the company and its representatives. I would definitely have this on my Aliens shelf!
May 28, 2017
The legendary Sam Kieth illustrates Xenomorphs while Layman explores the humanity of synthetics in the Alien universe. "Win-Win."
March 19, 2019
Oddly chilling little story.
September 29, 2019
I just don't 'get' Sam Keith's artwork
February 2, 2022
Ya al final cualquier ncosa de Alien resulta predecible
March 22, 2023
Art is pretty poor imo but the story is dark and twisted with a nice take on PDST. I can dig stuff like this.
September 6, 2025
Art work lack seriousness and depth.
It is so bad that it is hard to read anything .
It is so bad that it is hard to read anything .
July 21, 2015
Não é segredo para ninguém que sou uma enorme fã de Alien e quando vi este pensei must have, read and be happy *-*
Jean DuPaul sobreviveu aos aliens mas perdeu o seu marido e a sua sanidade mental. É para combater algo que ela acha ser injusto que decide confrontar o seu maior pesadelo.
Uma vez mais temos como grande perigo o próprio ser humano e o grande dilema "deve ser um robot carne para canhão?"
É uma história que nos deixa presos até ao fim... Esta ficava também muito bem com uma adaptação para filme. (a girl can dream).
Resumindo, se querem algo para ler e que vos ajude a matar saudades de Alien, aqui fica uma excelente opção.
in: http://folhaembranco.blogs.sapo.pt/al...
Jean DuPaul sobreviveu aos aliens mas perdeu o seu marido e a sua sanidade mental. É para combater algo que ela acha ser injusto que decide confrontar o seu maior pesadelo.
Uma vez mais temos como grande perigo o próprio ser humano e o grande dilema "deve ser um robot carne para canhão?"
É uma história que nos deixa presos até ao fim... Esta ficava também muito bem com uma adaptação para filme. (a girl can dream).
Resumindo, se querem algo para ler e que vos ajude a matar saudades de Alien, aqui fica uma excelente opção.
in: http://folhaembranco.blogs.sapo.pt/al...
November 1, 2013
John Layman, creator of the hilarious CHEW comic book series, has teamed up with Sam Keith to produce a profoundly moving piece about a woman faced with inhumanity on a world populated by corporate suits, aliens, and the artificial persons she has been assigned to socialize. It offers a very different female perspective than that of Ripley, one that uses Keith's style to maximum advantage. A quick read, one worth the time and money.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews