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Resident Alien (Collected Editions) #1-3
Resident Alien, Omnibus: Volume 1
A small town's salvation is in the hands of an alien!
Resident Alien -- starring Alan Tudyk in the lead role -- is soon to be a SyFy Television Show in Summer 2020!
Living undercover as a semi-retired, small-town doctor, a stranded alien's only hope is to stay off humanity's radar until he can be rescued. When he's pulled into a surprising murder mystery by the town's desperate mayor and struggling police chief, Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle learns more about the human condition than he ever wanted to. Acclaimed creators Peter Hogan (2000 AD, Tom Strong) and Steve Parkhouse (Milkman Murders, Doctor Who) deliver a truly unique sci-fi adventure tale with heart and humor!
This omnibus collects Resident Alien Volumes 1 to 3!
Resident Alien -- starring Alan Tudyk in the lead role -- is soon to be a SyFy Television Show in Summer 2020!
Living undercover as a semi-retired, small-town doctor, a stranded alien's only hope is to stay off humanity's radar until he can be rescued. When he's pulled into a surprising murder mystery by the town's desperate mayor and struggling police chief, Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle learns more about the human condition than he ever wanted to. Acclaimed creators Peter Hogan (2000 AD, Tom Strong) and Steve Parkhouse (Milkman Murders, Doctor Who) deliver a truly unique sci-fi adventure tale with heart and humor!
This omnibus collects Resident Alien Volumes 1 to 3!
296 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2020
74 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Peter Hogan
237 books50 followersPeter Kenneth Hogan is an English writer and comics creator who started out as editor of cult political British comic Revolver in 1990–1991, before working for 2000 AD and American comic book publishers Vertigo and America's Best Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
September 6, 2020
Murder She Wrote with an alien. Harry Vanderspeigle crashlanded here 3 years ago with no way to reach home. Using his mental powers to look normal he's been living a reclusive life outside a small town as a retired doctor. One day the police need his help when the town's doctor is murdered. He steps into the role of town doctor and realizes he enjoys it. As an alien, he also has amazing observational powers that help him notice things on a Sherlock Holmes level.
This is a small, simple story with charm. What drew me to the book were Harry's interactions with people as he realizes he enjoys being around them. Steve Parkhouse's Norman Rockwell like panels are fantastic with scenes on an alien living an otherwise idyllic, small town life. It's quite striking.
I don't know what it is, but this alien living in a small town solving mysteries like Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote with a dash of Twin Peaks really does it for me. It's a fun little series.
This is coming out as a TV series on SyFy although the trailer looks quite a bit wackier than the comic.
This is a small, simple story with charm. What drew me to the book were Harry's interactions with people as he realizes he enjoys being around them. Steve Parkhouse's Norman Rockwell like panels are fantastic with scenes on an alien living an otherwise idyllic, small town life. It's quite striking.
I don't know what it is, but this alien living in a small town solving mysteries like Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote with a dash of Twin Peaks really does it for me. It's a fun little series.
This is coming out as a TV series on SyFy although the trailer looks quite a bit wackier than the comic.
April 20, 2022
A delightful series, I confess myself interested in watching the recent TV show after reading these three collected volumes.
April 27, 2021
First, ignore the cover. This is a collection of comics about a doctor in a small town in Washington State who, after a period of isolation, starts solving crimes and serving as the town physician. Think of it in the vein of Murder, She Wrote, although Hogan and Parkhouse dial up the noir aspects with crimes of passion and allusions to dime crime novels. (There's also somewhat more gore than what you would expect from a murder-of-the-week show.)
Then, don't ignore the cover. Because our protagonist, Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle, is an actually a crash-landed alien who can (mostly) disguise himself, detect when people are lying, and has been living in fear of discovery for three years. (There's a running subplot about a government task force trying to track him down.)
And this mixture works, most notably because Hogan and Parkhouse paint Harry as a reluctantly curious and compassionate character. It's an oddly comforting read; Harry and his hometown of Patience are in the midst of killings and government searches, but every storyline ends up mostly where you expect. A murder is solved, and Harry gets closer to those around him. It's nothing too deep, but I find it highly satisfying.
Then, don't ignore the cover. Because our protagonist, Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle, is an actually a crash-landed alien who can (mostly) disguise himself, detect when people are lying, and has been living in fear of discovery for three years. (There's a running subplot about a government task force trying to track him down.)
And this mixture works, most notably because Hogan and Parkhouse paint Harry as a reluctantly curious and compassionate character. It's an oddly comforting read; Harry and his hometown of Patience are in the midst of killings and government searches, but every storyline ends up mostly where you expect. A murder is solved, and Harry gets closer to those around him. It's nothing too deep, but I find it highly satisfying.
January 25, 2022
Stuck at home recovering from a slip on the ice, so binge-watched the first season of the Sci-Fi channel's "Resident Alien" - excellent, BTW - and so thought it would be interesting to look at the source material.
This compilation includes the first three stories in this on-going series; and while they were well drawn, they could just as well have been three episodes of Jack Klugman's old "Quincy" show from the late 70's - none of the edginess or humor (either dark or physical) of the show, just straight-up "small town doctor (albeit an alien in disguise) solving various murders." There ARE a few scenes where Men in Black types are trying to find him, but otherwise I am WAY impressed that they could turn this middling material into such an entertaining show.
This compilation includes the first three stories in this on-going series; and while they were well drawn, they could just as well have been three episodes of Jack Klugman's old "Quincy" show from the late 70's - none of the edginess or humor (either dark or physical) of the show, just straight-up "small town doctor (albeit an alien in disguise) solving various murders." There ARE a few scenes where Men in Black types are trying to find him, but otherwise I am WAY impressed that they could turn this middling material into such an entertaining show.
April 15, 2024
This ended up being pretty cool. 3 years ago I believe, our alien friend crash landed on earth. It was cool watching him figure out money and clothing. To stay under the radar, he moved to a small town under the alias of a Doctor Harry Vanderspeigle. He eventually gets intrigued with some local murders and he finds the mystery fascinating. He becomes the towns doctor and gets involved working on a few different unsolved crimes and other mysteries. Starts off slow but I found myself really liking our alien friend. He has the ability to cloak his real look and look like a regular human. However, he does mention that a super low percentage of people can see through it. I liked what they did with the two people who ended up being able to “see” him. Pretty cool stuff there. I was also very interested in the government types that have been on his trail trying to find him. Definitely looking forward to checking out the next volume.
May 27, 2021
This omnibus collection includes material from the first three Resident Alien mystery arcs.
Welcome to Earth!: I first read this series as it was coming out in individual issues. I’m not even sure I would have picked it up, but I was buying Dark Horse Presents and #4-6 included the segments that became Resident Alien: Welcome to Earth #0. I was pretty well hooked with just those brief 24 pages. The next confirmed for me that this was something unique, something special. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t alone, that the series and “Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle” has enough admirers that there’s now a TV series. I hope it has a long a prestigious run.
The Suicide Blonde: This second story arc began in the pages of Dark Horse Presents #18-20 and followed the same release format as individual issue. Now that the series has spawned a TV adaptation with Alan Tudyk as “Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle” aka our Resident Alien who solves crimes in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, it wonderful to have an excuse to revisit them. I loved these when they were first being published as individual issues and they work even better in these trade collections. Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse are a dream team, each of these collections is a little masterpiece that juxtaposes some bizarre elements: Pacific Northwest setting, small town rural Americana, alien on earth, murder mysteries, first American characters. In fact, it’s all about the characters. This melange works because the characters are so vivid and relatable. Even our alien doctor who just loves to solve mysteries (yes, that reference was intended).
The Sam Hain Mystery: It takes a real quality of storytelling skill to maintain a readers interest for only four issues a year, but that's what these three volumes amount to. On the other hand Resident Alien would make a perfect TV series. Kind of Twin Peaks meets House, M.D. meets My Favorite Martian. I enjoy every issue, but after each story arc ends I completely forget exactly how much I enjoy each story - at least until the next story arc begins. Dark Horse Comics has a knack for finding off-beat properties that really get under your skin and Resident Alien is no exception. An alien crashes on earth, gets stranded, and hides in plain sight among us (Poe's The Purloined Letter any one?) as a good-natured, easy-going, everybody-in-town-loves-him small-town Doctor. The stories are totally character driven and very immersive as we get to know both our resident alien and the local townsfolk. Every page is beautifully drawn and every word is thoughtfully generated. A delight to read and I'm never disappointed. I love this series.
Welcome to Earth!: I first read this series as it was coming out in individual issues. I’m not even sure I would have picked it up, but I was buying Dark Horse Presents and #4-6 included the segments that became Resident Alien: Welcome to Earth #0. I was pretty well hooked with just those brief 24 pages. The next confirmed for me that this was something unique, something special. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t alone, that the series and “Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle” has enough admirers that there’s now a TV series. I hope it has a long a prestigious run.
The Suicide Blonde: This second story arc began in the pages of Dark Horse Presents #18-20 and followed the same release format as individual issue. Now that the series has spawned a TV adaptation with Alan Tudyk as “Dr. Harry Vanderspiegle” aka our Resident Alien who solves crimes in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, it wonderful to have an excuse to revisit them. I loved these when they were first being published as individual issues and they work even better in these trade collections. Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse are a dream team, each of these collections is a little masterpiece that juxtaposes some bizarre elements: Pacific Northwest setting, small town rural Americana, alien on earth, murder mysteries, first American characters. In fact, it’s all about the characters. This melange works because the characters are so vivid and relatable. Even our alien doctor who just loves to solve mysteries (yes, that reference was intended).
The Sam Hain Mystery: It takes a real quality of storytelling skill to maintain a readers interest for only four issues a year, but that's what these three volumes amount to. On the other hand Resident Alien would make a perfect TV series. Kind of Twin Peaks meets House, M.D. meets My Favorite Martian. I enjoy every issue, but after each story arc ends I completely forget exactly how much I enjoy each story - at least until the next story arc begins. Dark Horse Comics has a knack for finding off-beat properties that really get under your skin and Resident Alien is no exception. An alien crashes on earth, gets stranded, and hides in plain sight among us (Poe's The Purloined Letter any one?) as a good-natured, easy-going, everybody-in-town-loves-him small-town Doctor. The stories are totally character driven and very immersive as we get to know both our resident alien and the local townsfolk. Every page is beautifully drawn and every word is thoughtfully generated. A delight to read and I'm never disappointed. I love this series.
January 9, 2026
Well, I did not mean to finish this book in one day, but it was amazing. I have nothing bad to say about this book. The art is amazing and fresh, the colors used were wonderful. I enjoyed how the world Harry is from is drawn and colored.
Very different from the show, and honestly that is too bad, for the show. I really think had they kept the show about an alien solving crimes it would have run longer. This is a collection of three stories, and each one is a good as the first. Although the last one was really cool! I loved the first season of Resident Alien the TV show, Alan Tudyk played Harry as quirky and not so crazy as the last seasons. So, I hear his voice as Harry narrates in this collection. The first mystery is very close to the pilot with minor changes, and it is solved at the end. The second mystery is about a blonde that seems to have killed herself. Interesting but the last mystery I loved! It's called the Sam Hain Mystery, and I enjoyed it because I do read a lot of pulp fiction, mostly Raymond Chandler. Seeing Harry have the same love was awesome and some of the writers he likes I made sure to make note of for myself. Harry loves reading, watching and solving crime. He is also making friends and planting roots in his new hometown. People love him, but the government is aware that an alien is somewhere in the United States. It's an interesting B story that arcs throughout the series. The C. story is Harry's life on his home planet.
I cannot wait to buy more; the mysteries are great and the suspense of the agents on his trail keeps things tense. If I could give this six stars I would have. I cannot wait to buy another one!
Very different from the show, and honestly that is too bad, for the show. I really think had they kept the show about an alien solving crimes it would have run longer. This is a collection of three stories, and each one is a good as the first. Although the last one was really cool! I loved the first season of Resident Alien the TV show, Alan Tudyk played Harry as quirky and not so crazy as the last seasons. So, I hear his voice as Harry narrates in this collection. The first mystery is very close to the pilot with minor changes, and it is solved at the end. The second mystery is about a blonde that seems to have killed herself. Interesting but the last mystery I loved! It's called the Sam Hain Mystery, and I enjoyed it because I do read a lot of pulp fiction, mostly Raymond Chandler. Seeing Harry have the same love was awesome and some of the writers he likes I made sure to make note of for myself. Harry loves reading, watching and solving crime. He is also making friends and planting roots in his new hometown. People love him, but the government is aware that an alien is somewhere in the United States. It's an interesting B story that arcs throughout the series. The C. story is Harry's life on his home planet.
I cannot wait to buy more; the mysteries are great and the suspense of the agents on his trail keeps things tense. If I could give this six stars I would have. I cannot wait to buy another one!
February 21, 2022
I love friendly alien stories. This alien is stranded on Earth and trying to make a life for himself. He's settled outside a small town and is trying to live a very private life. He calls himself a doctor, though there's no indication that he's ever been accredited, but he knows his stuff. When the town doctor is murdered, he is drafted to fill in. He likes the work, everyone likes him, so he keeps the job. He's acquired a taste for murder mystery books, and segues into doing detective work about the deaths he sees - more murders than a small town would ever have, but that's how murder mysteries work.
The alien has special powers. He disguises his looks so that almost everyone thinks he's human. One exception is one of the nursing staff, a Native American woman who is not telling even him that she knows. They get along quite well. He also has a certain amount of, not quite telepathy, but he can tell whether someone's telling the truth. And some other powers shown in flashback, which he isn't using now.
And, some government agency witnessed the original crash, several years previously, and know that he exists. They're in, let's say, warm pursuit. It would not be good for him if they found him.
The book is very nicely done. The writing is folksy and pleasantly small-town-centered. It reads almost like Clifford Simak. The story is easy to understand. The art is excellent. Not sure why I gave the first issue only three stars; I think this is 4 1/2, rounded down just because I reserve 5 stars for books that change my world. Highly recommended if you like this kind of thing.
The alien has special powers. He disguises his looks so that almost everyone thinks he's human. One exception is one of the nursing staff, a Native American woman who is not telling even him that she knows. They get along quite well. He also has a certain amount of, not quite telepathy, but he can tell whether someone's telling the truth. And some other powers shown in flashback, which he isn't using now.
And, some government agency witnessed the original crash, several years previously, and know that he exists. They're in, let's say, warm pursuit. It would not be good for him if they found him.
The book is very nicely done. The writing is folksy and pleasantly small-town-centered. It reads almost like Clifford Simak. The story is easy to understand. The art is excellent. Not sure why I gave the first issue only three stars; I think this is 4 1/2, rounded down just because I reserve 5 stars for books that change my world. Highly recommended if you like this kind of thing.
June 15, 2021
I had read Resident Alien Volume 1: Welcome to Earth! earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so when I found the Omnibus on Hoopla I grabbed it. - Much like my experience with "Welcome to Earth!" the other stories in here were enjoyable and easy to read. When I say 'easy to read' I mean it doesn't ask a lot of you. After the conceit of an Alien hiding in plain sight, these are mostly small town mysteries with a unique protagonist. The world is understandable and relatable and the story has a familiarity to it. There is some intrigue as the U.S. government is trying to figure out if an alien really did crash land here, but that story line is subtle and hangs just behind Harry's life story in the foreground. He's an interesting character and we get just enough info about his life before Earth to be invested in him and his plight.
I really like the formula Peter Hogan is using for this series and while it's not exactly sunny material, I find this a relaxing pace to read. Well worth the time and I look forward to reading what's next.
I really like the formula Peter Hogan is using for this series and while it's not exactly sunny material, I find this a relaxing pace to read. Well worth the time and I look forward to reading what's next.
May 18, 2024
Jest to pierwszy komiks po jaki sięgnęłam, chyba że liczą się gazetki Witch we wczesnych latach 2000-cznych. Co mnie zaskakuje,że tam jest fabuła,że jest ona podane lekko i przyjemnie oraz jaką rolę maja ilustracje. A dobre ilustracje dodają duuuzo! Podobają mi się wątki kryminalne, retrospekcje z przeszłości które po kawałku odsłaniają przeszłość i świat głównego bohatera. Pokazywanie niegroznosci obcego i robienie trochę z niego człowieka o dużej inteligencji, pochłoniętego książkami, pomagającego innym i wierzącego w ich niewinność, coś jak Ojciec Mateusz w przebraniu kosmity. Budowanie powolnego napięcia kto co wie i kogo szuka. A to co najlepsze chyba to humor, w tym komiksie jest humor, prosty, ale miałam takie momenty,że dobry ten żart, albo ta wymiana zdań, riposty! To chyba najlepsze w tym tomie, a długość też niczego sobie, więc naprawdę można się wciagnac w historię.
March 28, 2021
This is very different from the TV series. I kinda wonder if I would have liked this more if Nomad read it before seeing the show. It its interesting and fun on its own but just doesn't have those funny moments.
April 24, 2021
This is great. Murder mystery with a scifi tinge. Im loving the show which made me turn to the graphic novel form. Not as funny as the show but the mystery element is a little darker serious here
January 7, 2025
Significantly different from the tv series - much more serious, although there are touches of humor. Very enjoyable. There are the mysteries Harry solves, as well as the mysteries surrounding Harry. On to the next!
April 20, 2023
Kryminalne zagadki jakoś mnie specjalnie nie grzeją, za to sam pomysł na bohatera z innej planety, którego prawdziwa natura może być rozpoznana tylko przez nielicznych, jest super. Mam wrażenie, że wokół tej postaci mogło się urodzić coś dużo lepszego, a jest zaledwie przyjemnie i niezobowiązująco
November 27, 2022
Alan Tudyk and SyFy brought me here. 😁 After binging seasons 1 & 2 of Resident Alien, I had to dive into the source material. Although I’m used to adaptations throwing accuracy out the window, I wasn’t quite expecting such a shift in genre. Instead of a side splitting comedic romp peppered with heart melting moments, this comic delivers a subtle, yet compulsively readable, tale of a well spoken, gentleman alien (Tudyk could never! 😅) who plays at small-town-doctor-moonlighting-as-detective to pass the time while awaiting rescue from Earth. The fact that Harry is even an alien is sometimes easy to forget, because the focus is so heavy on his quest to solve Patience’s murder mysteries. Yet, a background thread of federal agents in pursuit is slowly building.
Although, I really enjoyed this omnibus, I was bummed to see that the source material didn’t develop the deep connections and friendships that the townspeople of Patience have in the show with each other and Harry. The main players are far more one dimensional in this offering. But, there are further volumes to explore, so maybe that will change.
Regardless, I’m thankful to Hogan and Parkhouse for developing characters whose stories I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in either format.
Although, I really enjoyed this omnibus, I was bummed to see that the source material didn’t develop the deep connections and friendships that the townspeople of Patience have in the show with each other and Harry. The main players are far more one dimensional in this offering. But, there are further volumes to explore, so maybe that will change.
Regardless, I’m thankful to Hogan and Parkhouse for developing characters whose stories I’ve thoroughly enjoyed in either format.
April 20, 2022
I found Resident Alien surprisingly terrific for how staid it is. An alien crash lands on Earth, learns our language and culture, and just kinda...blends in. Harry's ability to cloud the minds of nearby humans basically means he can wander among us without heavy make-up. Neat! Fine! Problem solved, at least for the author. So, when Harry the Alien has to become Harry the Town Doctor, it's not actually that big a deal.
What Harry is really interested in, though, is solving little mysteries. Like, who murdered the previous town doctor? Or how did the young woman in the motel die? Or who is the mysterious author of Harry's favorite book? If they didn't star an alien, these mysteries would easily qualify as "cozy mysteries," like the ones about baking or cats. They're not particularly scary or complex, but Harry's sleuthing is easy to follow and pleasantly engaging. The local townspeople are nice and helpful and just a little quirky - we're in the mountain version of Stars Hollow, basically.
What I'm trying to say is that Resident Alien is honestly pretty boring, but if you're in the right mind set (very relaxed), this kind of read just washes over you like a warm bath. There are small doses of zip, of course: lurking in the background of this omnibus are government agents who move steadily closer to finding Harry. And Asta, Harry's closest human friend, can see his alien form, though doesn't seem to change their relationship. But these are definitely subplots, often discarded for many pages.
Of the three volumes contained in this omnibus the second is probably the best (engaging and sad mystery about the young woman in the motel), followed by the first (nicely introduces our hero, but the mystery is lame), followed by the third (honestly barelyyy even a mystery, though still appealing in a weird way). Looking forward to reading the rest of the Resident Alien volumes. Sometimes boring is perfectly all right.
What Harry is really interested in, though, is solving little mysteries. Like, who murdered the previous town doctor? Or how did the young woman in the motel die? Or who is the mysterious author of Harry's favorite book? If they didn't star an alien, these mysteries would easily qualify as "cozy mysteries," like the ones about baking or cats. They're not particularly scary or complex, but Harry's sleuthing is easy to follow and pleasantly engaging. The local townspeople are nice and helpful and just a little quirky - we're in the mountain version of Stars Hollow, basically.
What I'm trying to say is that Resident Alien is honestly pretty boring, but if you're in the right mind set (very relaxed), this kind of read just washes over you like a warm bath. There are small doses of zip, of course: lurking in the background of this omnibus are government agents who move steadily closer to finding Harry. And Asta, Harry's closest human friend, can see his alien form, though doesn't seem to change their relationship. But these are definitely subplots, often discarded for many pages.
Of the three volumes contained in this omnibus the second is probably the best (engaging and sad mystery about the young woman in the motel), followed by the first (nicely introduces our hero, but the mystery is lame), followed by the third (honestly barelyyy even a mystery, though still appealing in a weird way). Looking forward to reading the rest of the Resident Alien volumes. Sometimes boring is perfectly all right.
April 9, 2023
I started watching the TV show based on this book series and I was curious about the source material. The graphic novels are more mystery and less humor than the series. The alien is a very honest, serious, and helpful person. He is extremely curious and tends to get embroiled in mysteries because of this. I like the flashbacks that show how he got situated in Patience to begin with. This omnibus has the first three volumes included in it. They were all good and I'll continue with the rest for sure.
September 11, 2024
This was fun. I've never read anything about the creators but Hogan and Parkhouse create a quirky fun sci-fi mystery tale. They create such a human character in alien Harry. Its impossible for you not to want him to succeed. Its refreshing. Also, the town of Patience is a fantastic character on its own. The art is perfect fit for the story. The story isn't that fast paced and I felt I wanted a little more of the sci-fi aspects of the story to round it out but overall this was very entertaining.
February 13, 2021
***directly after finishing***
3.5⭐ rounded down
That reviewer was right! It was fun! I read this so fast. And I think I'll put this on the list of buying a physical copy... Well depending on the next 2 volumes and the ending...
***Before reading***
I read a review on GoodReads that called this fun. Then I saw that the actor in the trailer is Mr. Nobody from that DC series I forgot the name of. He also played in Firefly and I've always enjoyed his acting.
3.5⭐ rounded down
That reviewer was right! It was fun! I read this so fast. And I think I'll put this on the list of buying a physical copy... Well depending on the next 2 volumes and the ending...
***Before reading***
I read a review on GoodReads that called this fun. Then I saw that the actor in the trailer is Mr. Nobody from that DC series I forgot the name of. He also played in Firefly and I've always enjoyed his acting.
December 25, 2024
I wanted to read this because I love the TV show based on this series. The show and the comic are very different, but each brilliant in their own ways. While the show leans heavily into comedy and sci-fi, the comic is much more of a drama with a big focus on mystery.
The plot is strong, the characters are great, and the art is fantastic. I flew through this series and can't wait to read the second half!
The plot is strong, the characters are great, and the art is fantastic. I flew through this series and can't wait to read the second half!
Read
December 14, 2021(There's only an omnibus for Volumes #1-3, but I read all 6 volumes and am using this as a stand-in for all 6)
This was rlly good and super fun! I heard about this when Sasha from Casually Comics made a video about it earlier this year but I didn't get around to it until now.
I loved the quirkiness of the story + the writing was funny and engaging. I read the first volume yesterday then consumed the remaining five in one sitting today.
I can't find any reviews from Indigenous reviewers, so I don't know what to say about the Indigenous rep/depiction of spirituality...as Sasha said, "mileage may vary".
This was rlly good and super fun! I heard about this when Sasha from Casually Comics made a video about it earlier this year but I didn't get around to it until now.
I loved the quirkiness of the story + the writing was funny and engaging. I read the first volume yesterday then consumed the remaining five in one sitting today.
I can't find any reviews from Indigenous reviewers, so I don't know what to say about the Indigenous rep/depiction of spirituality...as Sasha said, "mileage may vary".
June 21, 2023
Five out of five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Art/cover: when I first picked this up, I wasn't really sure if I'd get into it, but it was something I hadn't read before. The art kind of reminds me of old school Dark Knight comics.
Plot/Story: fantastic plot, like the little details are just there and there's no mistakes, I understand what's going on and yet I'm left shaking my head. The sense of humor is also great. I'm going to have to find the next book asap.
All and all, I would read this again and recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction and comics.
Art/cover: when I first picked this up, I wasn't really sure if I'd get into it, but it was something I hadn't read before. The art kind of reminds me of old school Dark Knight comics.
Plot/Story: fantastic plot, like the little details are just there and there's no mistakes, I understand what's going on and yet I'm left shaking my head. The sense of humor is also great. I'm going to have to find the next book asap.
All and all, I would read this again and recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction and comics.
May 12, 2021
This was such a cosy alien murder mystery..! (Something I never thought I’d say..)
I binged the TV series (amazing btw) and naturally had to check out the comics and while it’s different, it works so well! It’s virtually so different that it’s become it’s own entity and I love both of them - can’t wait for season 2 and volume 4/5/6!
I binged the TV series (amazing btw) and naturally had to check out the comics and while it’s different, it works so well! It’s virtually so different that it’s become it’s own entity and I love both of them - can’t wait for season 2 and volume 4/5/6!
November 19, 2025
Knew of the show first, never realized it was a comic (not sure why, seems like this should be more popular...). Some iffy parts concerning Asta and her ancestry, but this was pretty much exactly what I look for and want in a comic (haven't read something like this in a long, long time and got heavy, heavy nostalgia). In any case: I'm positively charmed by the doctor, the X-Files B-plot, and the Twin Peaks/Murder She Wrote mysteries.
March 11, 2021
What a pleasant diversion.
It really does feel like spending an evening with a couple of innocuous episodes of feel-good television where the private-sleuthing doctor solves gruesome murders. Only here the good village doctor also happens to be a stranded alien, waiting for rescue.
The illustrations and the concept are great, the plotting and script are nothing special, immediately forgettable, and a bit cheesy, but the whole thing seems comfortably familiar and soothing while being entertainingly novel enough to warrant attention.
[I haven't seen the TV series yet, but I am curious - this is a rare instance where the adaptation has the potential to be even better than the source material (if they bothered hiring good scriptwriters).]
3,5/5*
It really does feel like spending an evening with a couple of innocuous episodes of feel-good television where the private-sleuthing doctor solves gruesome murders. Only here the good village doctor also happens to be a stranded alien, waiting for rescue.
The illustrations and the concept are great, the plotting and script are nothing special, immediately forgettable, and a bit cheesy, but the whole thing seems comfortably familiar and soothing while being entertainingly novel enough to warrant attention.
[I haven't seen the TV series yet, but I am curious - this is a rare instance where the adaptation has the potential to be even better than the source material (if they bothered hiring good scriptwriters).]
3,5/5*
January 20, 2024
The story lines of this series were a delightful mix of the old-fashioned murder mystery, that is also one of the leading themes of the comics, and the Roswell/ Communist hysteria that griped the US in the 50's and 60's. Fans of the crime genre, whether it be the hardboiled gumshoe detective or Jessica Fletcher, will not go wanting; nor will people more drawn to the secretive conspiracy world of the X-files. In many ways this premise screams for a televised (streaming) adaptation. The story boarding, both illustration and text, is excellent in delivering the story, using the graphic novel medium.
June 30, 2025
Before we begin, this is my SECOND time writing this because my dumbass hit the back button and my beautiful review is now in the void 😭 So, I must try again, though things are rarely as great the second time.
(Maybe you've already seen the show, and that's why you're holding this book in your hands. If so, you'll soon notice that the books and the show have a few differences.)
In fact, I did watch the show first and I fell in love with it! I only recently learned that this comic exists so, of course, I had to check it out.
I'm surprised by just how different the two are!
Both are fantastic, but they come in different flavors.
For example, the show focuses more on crack humor and slapstick comedy, something the actor does a fantastic job at. My mom thinks it's dumb, but he makes me laugh my ass off! Even the comic author agrees:
(Alan Tudyk's performance as Harry, with his skills in subtle comic timing, shows why he's perfect for the role.)
The comic, on the other hand, is more calm and heartwarming. There are some funny moments, but it focuses more on serious topics.
Show Harry is more interested in being left alone and is mostly fueled by curiosity.
Comic Harry seems to actually care about the people around him and genuinely seems to enjoy the community he's become a part of.
The characters are mostly different, too. While I'm enjoying both mediums, I think it was a bad choice to change the characters for the show. I prefer the comic characters more and I think it was a poor choice.
"I'm not... Good at social events. They make me uncomfortable."
Same, though. Maybe I'm an alien, too? 🤔👽
"Well, it's good to see him smiling, anyway..."
"Yeah, morphine will do that."
Well, damn, is that what it takes? 😂 Maybe I should go and get myself shot in the leg, too! For real, though, who the fuck let her have a gun? She shot it WITH HER EYES CLOSED. Girl, please!
I have to say, the writer did a fantastic job with the story, it's so well written and interesting. The author also did a fantastic job, the characters look cool and the scenic shots are gorgeous. Plus, Harry is cute as fuck, so that's always a bonus.
(There are less than a million inhabited worlds in the entire known universe. Life is so rare. So precious. And yet for some it is a burden greater than they can bear.)
There's too many of us shoved on this planet. There's not enough space, not enough resources for us all. People are forgotten. They fall through the cracks, unable to get help and the resources they need to survive. Some people hit rock bottom and they simply can't pull themselves back up and no one cares.
It's sad, but it's true. We are overpopulated and human lives are slowly losing their meaning. No one cares anymore. No one has the energy to care.
The comic tackles serious issues but it doesn't do so in a cheap way. It's not just a plot point, it feels real. The characters may be made up, but they FEEL like they could be real people. This comic navigates through real issues in a respectful way, something I can appreciate.
"The last time we ran into a murderer we almost didn't survive it. Shouldn't we at least buy a gun?"
"So you can shoot me again? I don't think so."
Please do not let her within 100 feet of a gun 😭 she makes ME feel unsafe and I'm just reading the damn comic lmao
"Depression isn't rational."
FACTS. There's a reason we are told to not make decisions when we are emotional. We usually fuck up and end up regretting it. The problem is, with depression, you're emotional more than half the time so you always make poor choices that you regret which only makes you more depressed. It's a vicious cycle.
Depression is like a person whispering in your ear, lying to you and saying cruel, nasty things that make you feel smaller than an ant. It's the farthest thing from rational.
"That's one of the things you learn in life... Homes don't last."
Unless you've never had a home to begin with. And I'm not talking about the building you live in. You can live somewhere your entire life, but that doesn't make it a home. They're very different things and if you're unlucky (lucky?) enough to have never found a home, you don't have to worry about losing it.
As for what makes a place a home... Well, I think that's different for everyone.
"For reading, I prefer real books."
I fall more in love with this man with every sentence 🥺 He's intelligent, kind, funny, cute as hell, loves reading and prefers real books over digital? Asta, if you fall for him, I swear! Lol
I don't know if the show is planning to add this, but the comic shows Harry as having a lover back home 👀 I'm not sure how I feel about this information. The anti-romance side of me is hoping she broke things off before he left, but the pro-I want Harry to be happy side of me isnt sure how to feel.
"MORE books?"
"Leave me alone."
This is literally my brain and heart fighting 😂 Every time I get a new book, my brain is confused as fuck. 'Dont you have enough books?' *Judging side eye to the literal mountain of TBR books in the corner.*
But my heart is all like, 'Yay, new books! I'm so happy!'
I'm sure you can figure out which one I side with haha
"Dieting? Do I have to? Isn't there, like, something I could take?"
"Yes. Exercise."
Goddamn, Harry, you killed him 😂
I get it, though. I've struggled with weight my whole life, it's stressful and hard and nothing ever seems to make a difference. I've thought about it, too, just taking something to get rid of the fat.
But I can't even afford to buy healthy food, ain't no way I can afford those pills lol
"Up till now I guess I persuaded myself that it was a secret that could stay burried. But they never do, do they?"
Nope. Secrets always come out, one way or another. How's that saying go?
'Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.'
Even then, the truth always comes out eventually and it usually eats away at you unless you're a total psychopath lol
God, this book was amazing. So charming and heartwarming. It made me smile, it made me laugh, it even made me swoon (this artist draws some attractive characters!)
Did it make me cry? No, but there's more to the series to go! I really hope the Octopus is part of the comic, but something tells me it's a show exclusive haha Either way, both are awesome. I think it just depends on what you're in the mood for.
(Maybe you've already seen the show, and that's why you're holding this book in your hands. If so, you'll soon notice that the books and the show have a few differences.)
In fact, I did watch the show first and I fell in love with it! I only recently learned that this comic exists so, of course, I had to check it out.
I'm surprised by just how different the two are!
Both are fantastic, but they come in different flavors.
For example, the show focuses more on crack humor and slapstick comedy, something the actor does a fantastic job at. My mom thinks it's dumb, but he makes me laugh my ass off! Even the comic author agrees:
(Alan Tudyk's performance as Harry, with his skills in subtle comic timing, shows why he's perfect for the role.)
The comic, on the other hand, is more calm and heartwarming. There are some funny moments, but it focuses more on serious topics.
Show Harry is more interested in being left alone and is mostly fueled by curiosity.
Comic Harry seems to actually care about the people around him and genuinely seems to enjoy the community he's become a part of.
The characters are mostly different, too. While I'm enjoying both mediums, I think it was a bad choice to change the characters for the show. I prefer the comic characters more and I think it was a poor choice.
"I'm not... Good at social events. They make me uncomfortable."
Same, though. Maybe I'm an alien, too? 🤔👽
"Well, it's good to see him smiling, anyway..."
"Yeah, morphine will do that."
Well, damn, is that what it takes? 😂 Maybe I should go and get myself shot in the leg, too! For real, though, who the fuck let her have a gun? She shot it WITH HER EYES CLOSED. Girl, please!
I have to say, the writer did a fantastic job with the story, it's so well written and interesting. The author also did a fantastic job, the characters look cool and the scenic shots are gorgeous. Plus, Harry is cute as fuck, so that's always a bonus.
(There are less than a million inhabited worlds in the entire known universe. Life is so rare. So precious. And yet for some it is a burden greater than they can bear.)
There's too many of us shoved on this planet. There's not enough space, not enough resources for us all. People are forgotten. They fall through the cracks, unable to get help and the resources they need to survive. Some people hit rock bottom and they simply can't pull themselves back up and no one cares.
It's sad, but it's true. We are overpopulated and human lives are slowly losing their meaning. No one cares anymore. No one has the energy to care.
The comic tackles serious issues but it doesn't do so in a cheap way. It's not just a plot point, it feels real. The characters may be made up, but they FEEL like they could be real people. This comic navigates through real issues in a respectful way, something I can appreciate.
"The last time we ran into a murderer we almost didn't survive it. Shouldn't we at least buy a gun?"
"So you can shoot me again? I don't think so."
Please do not let her within 100 feet of a gun 😭 she makes ME feel unsafe and I'm just reading the damn comic lmao
"Depression isn't rational."
FACTS. There's a reason we are told to not make decisions when we are emotional. We usually fuck up and end up regretting it. The problem is, with depression, you're emotional more than half the time so you always make poor choices that you regret which only makes you more depressed. It's a vicious cycle.
Depression is like a person whispering in your ear, lying to you and saying cruel, nasty things that make you feel smaller than an ant. It's the farthest thing from rational.
"That's one of the things you learn in life... Homes don't last."
Unless you've never had a home to begin with. And I'm not talking about the building you live in. You can live somewhere your entire life, but that doesn't make it a home. They're very different things and if you're unlucky (lucky?) enough to have never found a home, you don't have to worry about losing it.
As for what makes a place a home... Well, I think that's different for everyone.
"For reading, I prefer real books."
I fall more in love with this man with every sentence 🥺 He's intelligent, kind, funny, cute as hell, loves reading and prefers real books over digital? Asta, if you fall for him, I swear! Lol
I don't know if the show is planning to add this, but the comic shows Harry as having a lover back home 👀 I'm not sure how I feel about this information. The anti-romance side of me is hoping she broke things off before he left, but the pro-I want Harry to be happy side of me isnt sure how to feel.
"MORE books?"
"Leave me alone."
This is literally my brain and heart fighting 😂 Every time I get a new book, my brain is confused as fuck. 'Dont you have enough books?' *Judging side eye to the literal mountain of TBR books in the corner.*
But my heart is all like, 'Yay, new books! I'm so happy!'
I'm sure you can figure out which one I side with haha
"Dieting? Do I have to? Isn't there, like, something I could take?"
"Yes. Exercise."
Goddamn, Harry, you killed him 😂
I get it, though. I've struggled with weight my whole life, it's stressful and hard and nothing ever seems to make a difference. I've thought about it, too, just taking something to get rid of the fat.
But I can't even afford to buy healthy food, ain't no way I can afford those pills lol
"Up till now I guess I persuaded myself that it was a secret that could stay burried. But they never do, do they?"
Nope. Secrets always come out, one way or another. How's that saying go?
'Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.'
Even then, the truth always comes out eventually and it usually eats away at you unless you're a total psychopath lol
God, this book was amazing. So charming and heartwarming. It made me smile, it made me laugh, it even made me swoon (this artist draws some attractive characters!)
Did it make me cry? No, but there's more to the series to go! I really hope the Octopus is part of the comic, but something tells me it's a show exclusive haha Either way, both are awesome. I think it just depends on what you're in the mood for.
November 3, 2022
Sort of dark, and at the same time, it's like a great sitcom premise from the 80's that never got made: an alien crashes on Earth, blends in, and finds himself intrigued by a mystery here and there.
I enjoyed the shit out of this. I guess this is a comics nerd version of a cozy mystery where a lady solves mysteries with her spunky cat and there are ginger snap recipes between chapters. This is who I've become now.
I enjoyed the shit out of this. I guess this is a comics nerd version of a cozy mystery where a lady solves mysteries with her spunky cat and there are ginger snap recipes between chapters. This is who I've become now.
October 4, 2023
I can't get enough of this.
I read the first volume first, then watched the show and now read the Omnibus and I simply can't get enough!
This perfectly marries my love for Murder, she wrote and space
I read the first volume first, then watched the show and now read the Omnibus and I simply can't get enough!
This perfectly marries my love for Murder, she wrote and space
May 29, 2024
Summary:
Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle may seem like your regular recluse. He loves spending his time in his cabin – away from the rest of humanity. There's only one catch – Harry isn't actually human. He's an alien trapped on Earth.
Harry (as he is now known) came to Earth on a mission (to destroy it). Luckily for humanity, things didn't go as planned. Unluckily for Harry that means he's trapped on Earth until further notice. Does that mean he can indulge in TV crime dramas?
Review:
Upfront confession: I did not read Resident Alien before the TV Series came out. It was actually the other way around. I watched (and loved) the show, so I wanted to see what the source material looked like.
I'll admit, I was surprised. Resident Alien Omnibus Vol. 1 is different from what I expected. Don't get me wrong, it's still great! But it does make me appreciate the show all the more. You can see what changes were made and why. Ultimately, both versions are solid, but they serve different purposes.
Resident Alien Omnibus Vol. 1 is the perfect read if you like murder/crime mysteries and science fiction. It seamlessly blends the two together, and our resident alien (ha) is obsessed with solving crimes. Yes, that makes him a nosy recluse, but it works.
The best way I could describe this series is that it is Murder She Wrote meets space. Harry is basically Jessica Fletcher – whether he wants to be or not! If that sounds great to you, make sure to add the Resident Alien backlog to your TBR list.
Highlights:
Mystery/Crime
Aliens
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Turned into a TV Series
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle may seem like your regular recluse. He loves spending his time in his cabin – away from the rest of humanity. There's only one catch – Harry isn't actually human. He's an alien trapped on Earth.
Harry (as he is now known) came to Earth on a mission (to destroy it). Luckily for humanity, things didn't go as planned. Unluckily for Harry that means he's trapped on Earth until further notice. Does that mean he can indulge in TV crime dramas?
Review:
Upfront confession: I did not read Resident Alien before the TV Series came out. It was actually the other way around. I watched (and loved) the show, so I wanted to see what the source material looked like.
I'll admit, I was surprised. Resident Alien Omnibus Vol. 1 is different from what I expected. Don't get me wrong, it's still great! But it does make me appreciate the show all the more. You can see what changes were made and why. Ultimately, both versions are solid, but they serve different purposes.
Resident Alien Omnibus Vol. 1 is the perfect read if you like murder/crime mysteries and science fiction. It seamlessly blends the two together, and our resident alien (ha) is obsessed with solving crimes. Yes, that makes him a nosy recluse, but it works.
The best way I could describe this series is that it is Murder She Wrote meets space. Harry is basically Jessica Fletcher – whether he wants to be or not! If that sounds great to you, make sure to add the Resident Alien backlog to your TBR list.
Highlights:
Mystery/Crime
Aliens
Sci-Fi Fantasy
Turned into a TV Series
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
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