Alien Covenant: David’s Drawings

by Dane Hallett, Matt Hatton

Before Alien Covenant, David was stranded alone on the Engineers’ planet and—left to his own dark devices—he began to push the boundaries of creation. Delve into this exclusive collection, containing two books, to gain an insight into the android’s descent into madness.

The in-universe sketchbook contains over two hundred illustrations from the set and will take you inside the mind of David. It features the complete arc of his journey from the studies of flora and fauna, to his more sinister experiments on creatures, and the disturbing demise of Dr. Elizabeth Shaw. The companion book, Developing the Art of an Android, holds an interview with Dane Hallett and Matt Hatton—the artists behind all of the beautifully grotesque sketches. Alien Covenant: David’s Drawings will satisfy every serious fan’s hunger for details of the most intriguing character from the Alien prequels.

Genres: Media Tie In, Horror, Science Fiction, Art, Aliens, Fiction, Collections

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 4, 2018

Reviews

[E. G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alien Covenant: David's Drawings

--David's Drawings

Alien Covenant: Developing the Art of an Android

Foreword, by Victor Zolfo

--Interview with Concept Artists Matt Hatton & Dane Hallett

Acknowledgements

[Patrick Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely gorgeous and honestly I think its a better horror story and more complete and coherent work of art than the film these images were a part of. The story suggested by these rhapsodies in texture, naturalism and horror, of a naturalist, alone on a planet of crazed mutations except for the body of his lover/victim, gradually going insane, is pure poetry. The images in question are some of the most lovely and startling since Giger, the task of drawing in the style or the identity of an imagined other has brought something truly unique out of this small team.

[C.J. Bunce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published November 27, 2018, at BORG.com.

Alien: Covenant–Find a key in-universe look at detailed set art in David’s Drawings

Review by C.J. Bunce

The early 2018 release Alien: Covenant is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Vudu, and other streaming services. It is the second act of a two-part story focusing in major part on the android named David, the continuation of non-human humanoids we first encountered in the Ridley Scott’s original 1979 film Alien with Ash, and later Bishop, and others. Continuing David’s quest from Scott’s follow-up, 2012’s Prometheus (yes, this is that “sequel to a prequel” we discussed here at borg back in 2012), David has embarked on a search for the creation of mankind prompted by his creator, Peter Weyland, played by Guy Pearce. David’s cold, deliberate calm is disturbing–he is a robot, he is emotionless, despite improvements on earlier models that make him appear kind, even sincere. Yet, as we learned in Prometheus, David is little, if any, evolved more than the decision-making by HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Is David’s ruthlessness carried forward into Alien: Covenant? You’ll need to watch the movie to find out. There you’ll meet an upgraded version of David’s android design. Also played brilliantly by Michael Fassbender, the android Walter replaces David as assistant to the humans in Alien: Covenant as they embark on a mission to settle a colony in deep space, led by James Franco's Branson, Billy Crudup's Oram, and Katherine Waterston's Daniels. In a great dual performance by Fassbender, Walter encounters David as the story progresses. And that’s where David’s Drawings come into play.

Disturbing and grotesque. David, as part of his quest from Weyland, studies, researches, and documents lifeforms he encounters. Many of these are in the form of sketches, sketches that can be found on the screen in the film, and in the new bound portfolio volume called David’s Drawings, from production artists Dan Hallett and Matt Hatton (see our preview below). The artwork is meticulous, like something out of Gray’s Anatomy. So the drawings are both in-universe props, and a real-world document of the filmmakers. In more than 200 images, the boxed set (featuring a hardcover of drawings and a second volume including interviews with the artists) features the complete arc of his journey from David’s studies of flora and fauna, to his more sinister experiments on creatures, and the film’s most disturbing, surprise revelation.

Both the hardcover and the included companion book, Developing the Art of an Android, are for serious Alien franchise fans only. Is Alien: Covenant the end of the Alien franchise, or will Ridley Scott–or someone else–continue the prequel stories after Alien: Covenant? How far can Ridley Scott take his science fiction/horror story?

For diehard Alien fans looking for an in-universe book of the film and the art that went into the film, Alien: Covenant–David’s Drawings and Developing the Art of an Android is available now.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set of 2 books, one being a brief interview with the two artists behind all of David's artwork in the film, and a book of the artwork itself.

I really enjoyed the interview - I didn't really appreciate the care and thought put into the movie (at least this part of it, anyway) nor the sheer amount of effort it entailed. Hundreds and hundreds of final pieces, with an unknown amount of concept work on top of that!

The artbook is gorgeous. The cover is gorgeous. The art is gorgeous. The style they were going for was Rembrandt and Leonardo meet Giger, and I'd say they nailed it. Maybe with a touch of Stephen Gammell in there, too. The art was loosely based on the progression we see in the film - from observation and description to experimentation to...... Its genuinely unsettling art in a genuinely unnerving order, and I felt both compelled and uncomfortable. Which is exactly what xenomorph-styled art should do.

My only real complaints here are 1) there's more repetition in the art than there should be for a book like this - some pieces were shown 2,3,4 times over the book. You had hundreds of pieces and additional concept art! There's no reason to repeat in the limited space we have! Some of the text repeated as well. And 2) some pieces were incredibly intricate - I would have loved to see them in fold-outs or 2-page spreads so we could get more detail.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This art book had a stunning presentation. While a lot of the renderings online show it being a lot thicker, the production version is slightly more slimmed down. The hardcover slipcase has a shiny metallic paper that has an aged appearance with inscriptions reminiscent to that used by the engineers. Within this volume you find a slim softcover book that showcases the sheer amount of work that went into producing a lot of the set design elements for the film. There are lots of behind the scenes pictures and interviews with the two main artists tasked with illustrating all of David's drawings for the film. The main book is much thicker than the softcover and is hardbound with an imitation black leather that has debossed markings similar to that of the slipcase. This hardcover is packed with a lot of the drawings artists Matt Hatton and Dane Hallett worked on for the set of the film. It was very interesting to see some of the unfinished works and the process behind their sketches. Although, after reading the other book in this set it was very clear there was a lot of content that was left out. Overall, this beautiful hardcover book has an abundance of eye candy with really great horror reference material - it's well worth picking up for any Ridley Scott Alien fan.

[cosmic_truthseeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering this book is predominantly artwork, it's hard to be particularly critical, especially when the artwork is phenomenal, consistent and revelatory. Flicking through, it's hard to tell that the work was produced by two different artists, and the mania present in the notations strongly supports the premise of these being pieces of art by David himself.
It's interesting to see his step by step working as he attempts to (according to my headcanon/preference) replicate the Xenomorph that was originally created by the Engineers.
There's even an element of storytelling in the layout of this book, gradually transitioning from seemingly innocent diagrams/studies of flora and fauna to dissections, experimentation and induced mutations.
The companion book was also an entertaining read, as it gave an insight into the workings of the actual artists and what they channelled into their works.
Finally, extra credit to the Gigeresque art towards the end of the book; a fitting homage with horrifying potential ramifications for the story.

[Jonathan Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly purchased this set to try and develop my understanding of Alien: Covenant as a movie but more specifically David's journey in creating the Xenomorph.

As much as I really enjoyed the artwork and thought it was incredible in its own right, I didn't quite develop the understanding I'd hoped for.

There is the loose thread outlining descent that David suffers from seemingly Anatomical study of flora and fauna to deranged images of experimental foetuses and latterly the sick, sexual and religious artistic renderings of Elizabeth Shaw.

However, the notes, at times illegible due to the cursive handwriting style, were not as extensive or detailed enough to give me the level of insight I craved.

To truly get there, I would probably need a third document, perhaps 'David's notebook' to complement the drawings by outlining his experiments and results.

But, for fans of the Alien franchise, this is still a very worthwhile purchase for the artwork alone.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The in-universe sketchbook of over two hundred illustrations is amazing and creepy. The companion book Developing the Art of an Android, holds an interview with the artists, where they tell how they got into the creepily grotesque mind of the android, David.
This set for me is a satisfying insight/closeup of the illustrations I saw in the film.
Another book that's found a place on my favourites shelf!

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. Put me very much in mind of Michelangelo and Da Vinci's sketches, with a particularly horrifying downward spiral into madness. Very well-designed collection. While there are some repeats, considering the number of drawings they are few in number and often consist of a smaller and then much larger version of the same image, allowing the reader to see more details than previously visible.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely companion piece to the film and gives a deeper insight into the character of David and experiments which he has been carrying out since the conclusion of Prometheus. The artwork is beautifully drawn and you find yourself picking out the finer details. A must have for any fans of the alien franchise.

[Sam Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike a lot if people, I loved Prometheus and Covenant and so this replica of David's diary from those films is a treat. A disturbing treat, but a treat nonetheless. The drawings become increasingly more unhinged the further in you go, perfectly representing David's descent into the maniacal character he becomes.
I loved this and I might have to rewatch the films now too.

[Povilas Pavilonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

just simply astonishing visual development

[Erik Horned · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply gorgeous edition with a separate bound book with a longer interview of the two illustrators. The artwork is amazing and the entire package is just stunning. Love it.

[Teken Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully bound and comes with a little information book. Very happy to have this in my collection.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terribly imaginative and gruesome, and packed with behind-the-scenes info. A great companion for any fan, or for anyone with an interest in horror and art.

[Rob Frampton]

Detailed, beautiful and unique. Not for the faint-hearted, though...