Alien #1 Charest Var

Alien (2022-2023) (Single Issues)

by Phillip Kennedy Johnson

PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON AND JULIUS OHTA LAUNCH A NEW ALIEN EPIC! MAN, MACHINE, AND THE MOST TERRIFYING CREATURE IN THE UNIVERSE…IT'S AN EXPRESS ELEVATOR TO HELL, AND YOU'RE GONNA WANT TO BE ON IT! A small colony of synths have settled in secret on a backwater moon. When a company of United System soldiers come to them for help retrieving biotechnology on a hostile planet that could be the key to saving humanity, the synths must decide whether the prospect of peace between man and machine is worth the risk of betrayal.

Genres: Comics, Science Fiction, Horror, Marvel, Comic Book, Graphic Novels

32 pages, Comic

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Phillip Kennedy Johnson earned a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as Teaching Fellow for the Department of Jazz Studies, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. SFC Johnson has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Dallas Opera, Washington Symphonic Brass, and the Moscow Ballet, and was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. SFC Johnson remains active as a composer, arranger, teacher, and clinician, and also enjoys a second career as a writer of comics and graphic novels. His work has been published by DC Comics, Marvel Comics, BOOM! Studios, and more.

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the freshest idea so far I've seen in a alien series in a long time. A special ops mission with androids on a alien invested planet? Uh yes please.

[BrokenMnemonic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if sending andoirds to obtain materials from an alien-infested planet will go any better this time than it did in the Earth War trilogy.

[Marius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning Of The End

"Here at Tobler-9, Weyland-Yutani has built a home for your wildest dreams, where the only limits are those of our imagination."
- Introducing Tobler-9


story:
Phillip Kennedy Johnson starts yet another "Alien" series. Together with Julius Ohta and Yen Nitro he unveils the events on Weyland-Yutani's innovation lab on Tobler-9. The facility was overrun by Xenomorphs years ago but in the present days its the main objective for United Systems general March. He is tasked with reaching the surface and securing a life-saving radiation-resistance serum. What better team to bring to this adventure than the "Steel Team" consisting of the androids Eli, Astrid, Nora, Seth and Freya?

rating:
plot: The plot of "Alien" isn't very groundbreaking. As always someone has to "sacrifice" themselves to go into a Xenomorph hive and retrieve something or someone. While "classic" at best it's still fun to read and experience. In the right hands this plot can become very intruiging. The motivation for all of this seems noble and understandable - securing the fields on the United Systems greatest agricultural planet after a devastating catatstrophe sets out huge amounts of radiation. Bringing back the Steel Team (or the Steel Team on its own as I'm really just a newcoming fan and didn't know them before) was a nice idea and we'll have to watch closely how this will play out.
characters: As this first issue is really just a prologue the characters are still very vague. General March seems stereotypical and not really interesting. However the writing is well done with letting it seem as if he feels actually ashamed to return to his past and ask for help. The androids while performing incredible feats of strength don't seem very individual. Perhaps this will shine through more comprehensively in the next parts. There seem to be smaller disagreements and individual thoughts but nothing of great interest to me.
setting & atmosphere: The introduction of Tobler-9 was well done with some shots of the original facility and single frames of the Xenomorph invasion taking place. The whole incident seemed otherworldy and frightening - exactly as planned. Of course brutality is yet again an important part of the franchise which works out in favor of the excitement. Europa-5 is the exact opposite of Tobler-9. The untouched nature and quietness make up for a huge contrast and are very welcome. The atmosphere felt secure and out of reach of any problems.
illustrations: The creative team did a great job with illustrating this first issue. No matter which part of story everything looks convincing and colorful. The huge contrast between Tobler-9 before and after the invasion was well done. First everything looked bright, clean and scientific with light blue and white but then the tone changed. Dark corridors, humans with terrifying facial expressions and a warning red light are depicted. The brutality in this scene is shown realistically but also a little bit exaggerated which makes for a great mix. The biggest contrast to this however is still Europa-5 with strong green and blue colors. The artists create an untouched natural habitate. The panels change regularely and therefore keep the eyes of the reader entertained. The characters look convincing with well-painted facial features.
This "Alien" series is a follow-up to "Alien:Revival". Sadly I haven't read this prequel yet. Therefore small remarks or easter eggs could hide in this first issue. However everything is well understandable without "Revival".

conclusion: Not overly exciting yet a small entertaining read. A solid start to a new Xenomorph adventure. 3/5

[Kayra Kaan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this at all unfortunately. This is the first Alien comic I am reading and while I was waiting for something more scary or more thrilling, I got a lot of exposition and a little bit of action.

I also want you to know that this first issue has no Xenonorphs in it. I mean, it has for a very brief time in the prologue and it sets up the story to go to Xenomorphs in the next issue but the core story here has nothing to do with them.

I started with excitement but this issue ended up being a boring and unnecessary setup to a story I probably won't like. I won't continue this series.

[Sean Bai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is excellent, 10/10.

It does the Alien series justice. The artist brings this comic to life.

You don't see many depictions of xenomorphs in this comic, but that's because the first issue is setting up the stage for what will come in the rest of the issues, which I have and am almost done reading.

This short run doesn't disappoint.

I don't know what happened in the Alien (2021) comic run, but this six issue Alien comic series is worth your money.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual...one of my favorite books I'm currently reading. Alien 2021 was great & seemingly so this series will be as well. I always feel like these issues are so very short. So many comics are sadly disappointing these days, but this series is legit! 4.25/5

[Luke Costin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewing this as the trade isn’t out yet (but including a review of the entire 6 issue run)

A bit too “anime” for me, I like the idea of an all android team as the protagonists but the story and style of the comic let it down slightly. Still, not exactly bad.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good issue to set up the premise for the story. We have some androids being promised freedom if they do this one final mission. What could possibly go wrong? The art is very good and the gore is well done.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 2 out of 5]

At this point I have extremely low expectations of Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

[Johnathan Breeland · Rating 3 out of 5]

More

Weak start they can do better, I will read more see Hopefully it will get more creature action and isn't Woke and goes left field