Aliens vs. Avengers (2024-2025) #4

Aliens vs. Avengers (2024)

by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribić (Cover Art)

FINALE! THE SINISTER PLOT REVEALED! Earth's mightiest heroes abandoned their home planet to save humanity from the Xenomorph threat. Now, they've arrived on Mars - current refuge of the X-Men. But the twisted machinations of Mister Sinister might spell doom for them all… Don't miss the EPIC CONCLUSION of Hickman and Ribic's CROSSOVER MASTERPIECE!

Genres: Horror, Marvel, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comics, Comic Book, Action

Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Jonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Be careful? Careful is for people who are coming back." - Captain Marvel.

Such a great ending to a great series. Maybe one of the best, biggest surprise, crossovers I've ever read. Give me more!

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I may need to go back and reread the entire series now that I have the final issue; it's been quite a gap in between issues 2, 3, and 4. It was okay, I suppose. I did like the artwork and thought it was a good fit for the tone of the story.

The best line of this issue is Carol's "Careful? Careful is for those who plan on coming back."

Not only was it a depressing ending to the series, but it was underwhelming as well. I did not feel like this issue (or the rest of the the series) paid off Mile's transformation when the symbiote absorbed the face-hugger back in issue #2. That being said, I did like that Tony asked the Symbiote if it was ready - that was another cool moment in the story. But I thought "more" was going to happen regarding what happened with the symbiote taking over the face-hugger.

It was weird, too, how the "Red Queen" (or whatever it was supposed to be) killed the other "Mr. Sinisters" when they made comments implying that they had been impregnated with alien embryos as well. On the one hand, that did not make sense to me, based on scenes from the movies (such as in Alien3 where the "dog-alien" approaches Ripley but does not kill her because she has the queen larva inside of her). On the other hand, I suppose if all of the embryos were "queen embryos/larvae", then it would make sense the "Red Queen" would kill its competitors so that it was the "alpha" of the group/hive. Different universe, different species, I guess.

What happened to the Aliens on Mars? Were they wiped out before the survivors left on the Wakandan vessels? Or were they left behind with no way to leave the planet? I do find myself wondering if Arrako (sp?) could have protected the mutants on Mars had it remained (assuming it left like it did recently in the X-Men titles)? Or would even Arrako's abilities not have protected the mutants and the planet from the Aliens?

I don't know that I believe the aliens (xenomorphs) would have "taken over the universe" like they appear to have done in this series. I just find it hard to believe - perhaps that is arrogance on my part, but there are enough other beings in Marvel's universe that I think some systems or even galaxies out to have survived. There are so many galaxies that I do not believe the entire universe would be "dead" or "overrun" like it is described as being at the end of this series. I think it could have ended on a better note than it did. At the same time, the Creators were traveling the Universe exterminating life on all planets, so there is that. Did the Wakandans put a stop to their extermination of all life? Or were their actions limited to "our" galaxy? (And whatever galaxy holds the Kree, the Shi'ar, and Xandarians, and other aliens in the Marvel U?)

Also, I was not a big fan of a good chunk of this issue is a "backstory" of sorts telling how the Xenomorphs wiped out the Wakandan Intergalactic Empire to the point that only two planets remained free of the Xenomorphs. I suppose it was at a good point because it occurs right after all of the other Sinisters are killed by the Xenomorphs. Break up that shock by jumping back in time before moving forwards. But I was not a big fan of it. Maybe if this part of the story had been "at the end" before they entered the black hole, it would have flowed better in the story? Same with Miles and "Venom" showing up like they did before the "red queen" was killed. Showing "what happened yesterday" also took away from the story for me because it interrupted the flow.

It was cool to see Armor and Emma Frost in action at the end, although I was sorry to see Armor die. That sucked. It's a shame she couldn't do something to better protect herself, like create another suit of armor inside the suit of armor she was wearing.

It was also crazy that the symbiote went inside Tony and . . . what did it do? Was there an alien embryo/larva inside of him? Or did it "eat" Tony and Tony's brain to become "more" than he (it) was before that moment? In any case, I was not expecting that to happen! That being the case, how much luck would the aliens have had on a planet full of symbiotes? Would the symbiotes now be able to "take over the (this) universe" if they have the power and ability to absorb the traits of the aliens like "Venom" does (assuming that is Venom)?

Was cool to see Venom become the "alpha of the species" and stop the aliens from continuing their attack.

The "ending" ending was disappointing. It left me feeling "that's IT?!?" when I finished the comic. I wanted something more for an ending, not just for the comic but the series as well. They definitely left it open for some kind of sequel assuming they intend to use the black hole they are orbiting as a doorway into another universe or something, and this is weird to say, but I find myself hoping they do not do this. Again, maybe I will change my mind if I go back and reread the series in one sitting.

===============================================
November 15, 2025 review (second reading):

We should move to the ship...Nuke the entire site from orbit - how did I miss this line when I first read this issue?!? wonderful callback to the 2nd movie!

The artwork of the Wakandan spaceships was just beautiful. It was just lovely to behold and I would thoroughly enjoy seeing a story involving more of them. The picture of the vessels hovering and docking over the city was just WOW!!!! On the flip side, that was thoroughly disgusting to see the red alien "queen" eating (feasting on?) Sinister's BODY!!!! BLECH!!!! Made me sick to my stomach but I cannot deny it was a powerful image.

I find myself still glad that the Sinisters were killed by "the Red Queen" like they were. Served them right (but also makes me think the tables will be overturned for the Red Skull in the new Aliens vs. Captain America series that just started). Cannot stand that guy.

That is still crazy that the symbiote entered Tony like it did and took over Tony's body and mind (or whatever it did) to come out of it bigger, stronger, and badder like it was during "the last battle".

Also crazy (but no big surprise) that Tony record his last moments/thoughts before dying. A sad moment in the story. Hated that Carol's sacrifice was in vain - I think that was crappy writing considering her power levels (granted, this is a different U, so maybe her power levels are not nearly as high as they are/were in the 616-U).

Hate that Armor died in the end. I felt like that was a cheap ploy used for shock value. "One last death before our heroes escape!"

On the one hand, it would have been cool if the Wakandan survivors had picked up survivors from other races. Ah, well. Maybe they did and those survivors are just not shown.

I said it above, and I will say it again - the two "time jumps" (or "backstories") really mess with the flow of the story. I do not know how you would include them otherwise (or if the order of images/story was rewritten) (especially with what happened to Tony because it needed to stay hidden as it was implied Miles was also dead when Carol and Wolverine returned to the battlefield), but those two breaks killed the momentum of the story for me.

It is such a depressing end to the story. As depressing as it was, I felt like it could have been fleshed out more but I am not sure how. Four issues does not feel like enough time to properly tell this story. In addition, the ending felt rushed and unfulfilling. I did not get the emotional payoff for the time invested in reading each issue - not the second time around and especially not the first time around.

I don't know how much it matters, but why exactly did the Davids feel the way they did? Why did they choose the path they chose? It feels like this story ties into the events in Alien: Covenant except that Alien: Covenant takes place "in the future" in terms of when the Avengers would have been alive (the characters in this story) and there are multiple "Davids" onboard the captured ship in this series versus the one onboard the ship at the end of Prometheus.

It is an okay issue, I guess. It is still a disappointing ending to an underwhelming series. The only redeeming factors would be the artwork in the issues as well as cover artwork. I am not sure if it was worth it to read it a second time.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

La verdad es que es una lástima que esto conste solo de 4 entregas. Lo que podía haber sido un crossover hiper facilón ya solo por la "gracia" del enfrentamiento entre el azote xenomorfo contra los héroes más poderosos de la tierra Marvelita, ha acabado presentando unos mimbres realmente potentes en la entrega de ciencia ficción y la devastadora épica de supervivencia que ha imprimido Jonathan Hickman. Quizás topándose con la "sencillez" que realmente buscada Marvel editorial con la franquicia de 20th Century Studios que ha limitado mucho de su trama general y ideas y representaciones de estos avejentados héroes en horas bajas y desesperadas. Con fuerzas ajenas a su propio universo y que se basan en una devastadora máxima de eliminar la vida orgánica o cuanto menos asimilarla y transformarla en algo terrible y... SINIESTRO.

Aliens Vs Avengers remata en un acelerado clímax de batalla y alguna débil promesa de poder extender la historia. Un más que curioso anexo a la nueva vida de la franquicia ALIEN que ha coincidido con la emisión de la serie Alien Earth, de la que incluso podría solaparse a este universo alternativo Marvelita.

[Carolina Casas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One hell of an ending

The closing chapter of this wild crossover was absolute carnage. But rather than end in more hopeless Lovecraftian nightmare, it spawns a message of hope. But do not confuse this as a happy ending. Anything that has to do with these heroes and Aliens never ends truly happy. There's always sacrifice, greed, terror, violence and the endless cycle hinted at the end of creator vs creators. The eternal battle of those beyond our comprehension with the demons of their own creation and also of our own.
Spoilers!!!!
While I do give it five stars, I would have liked Tony's last transmission to be inserted in another universe, mainly the one where Riley's crew of the Nostromo fins the space jockey in LV 426, thereby indirectly setting up an even bigger connection to the canon and reinforcing here the horrifying notion of alternate universes (and the possibility of this star seed spreading in others).

[اینتاریوش · Rating 3 out of 5]

خب حالا یه یه دشمن درخور هست. یه پلات آرمور ضایع هم اینه که تونی استارک از همون اول دست ویلند و دیوید رو خونده بود و یک سال قبل از حمله زنومورف ها خبر داشت ولی به جای اینکه مثل فیلم دوم بره دنیال پیشگیری و توقف بحران قبل از بوجود اومدنش، رفت برای خودش سنگر دفاعی ساخت. این خیلی ضایع است.

یه چیز جالب که این وسط هست همه یا مردن یا فرار کردن به جز آپوکالیپس، اولین جهش یافته. یه گوشه روی تخت فرمانرواییش نشسته و میگه من هیچ جا نمیرم اگه میتونید بیاید سراغم؛ هر زنومورفی که سمتش میاد رو هم میکشه!

جالبه پارول این همه شخصیت نامیرا داره ولی آخرش تنها کسی که به درد اینا خورد، پلنگ سیاه و سیمبیوت ونوم بود! چقدر ضایع!

در کل فضا و ایده باحال بود ولی داستان نه! انگار زوری میخواستن یه فضای تراژیک بسازن ولی چندان خوب از کار درنیومده بود؛ توی همچین پلاتی جای دکتر استرنج و ثور خیلی خالی بود اینا مهره های قوی اونجرز بودن جا داشت توی همچین داستانی باشن. البته داستان شکاف های منطقی زیادی داشت یعنی شکست انسان ها و قهرمان هاشون با عقل جور درنمیومد دیگه اگه این دوتا هم بودن داستان غیرمنطقی تر جلوه میکرد.

[Richard A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was so different than I had once thought it would be. Though, it was true to the Alien Universe and stories it had nothing of the Avengers Universe where this story is 90% held. Yet still I enjoyed this so dark, scary and depressing story. Well enjoyed is the wrong word, more like was enthralled and also somewhat repulsed but well you know still an excellent story. Hopefully there will be a follow up one someday around the few survivors, I would read that.

[N A.R Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rushed and sloppy ending from a series that I think tried to incorporate too much in too little. where this series failed I believe X vs Predator is thriving. it's not about pushing as many known faces into this chaos as possible, it's about how the avengers struggle to save humanity from a relentless killer. stretching itself to any possible "viral moment" killed the impact of any reveal, and packing so much Into only #4 issues was never going to be successful.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid wrap-up to a fun mega series. I was waiting for the payoff of Miles fusing with the Xenonorph - and it was super cool but I felt like rushed in at the end as an escape hatch for what seemed to be an unwinnable battle. Overall, this felt truly cinematic, a look at what a dark MCU crossover with recent Aliens films would look like.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ok ending

I wish it went on for a bit longer. I would habe loved to have seen a more in-depth story before and after these events. But an Alien-Symbiote mix has to be the coolest thing I have ever seen. So badass. I had fun overall. Was worth the read.

[No_One · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow that rocked. All of it. Little but of horror, little but of action, little but of sci-fi, using the most interesting Alien lore for this tale, the little bit of space opera, classic Marvel elements, and an awesome twist involving a certain symbiote, I thought this was excellent.

[Khabeer Rashad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sick of this comic coming out once, every 50/11 months. 🫠

[Andy Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

hickman the madlad that you are. this was head and shoulders above all of the other crossovers marvel has been putting out recently

[vk chompooming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue started off with a bang and kept the pace. The ending was a little bit of a let down, but I could not think of a satisfying ending that would b true to the Aliens franchise.

[Jeremy Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This is probably the best Alien comic I have read. It is also one of the best Avengers comics I have read on par with the Ultimate Avenger comic. It is dark and gritty.

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty darn good! Well written, great cast of characters, unstoppable Aliens and fantastic art. All wrapped in an excellent series, well worth the money!

[Billie Jo Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I was hooked and I just wish there was more! It’s a great mashup and concept though it moved TOO fast. Still, enjoyed very much.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75
What an end.

[dr_set · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good and grim as hell.

I wish the series Alien Earth would have been something like this.

[John Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent 4-parter with outstanding artwork from Ribic. Terrifying story with a bleak ending.

[Josh Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great series. I really enjoyed the mashup of Aliens and Avengers.