The
re is nothing better than a crossover between two franchises that you didn’t realize how badly you wanted to see come together. That’s what Aliens Vs. Avengers is for me, especially when it is by the masterminds of Johnathan Hickman and Esad Ribic. After reading the first issue all I can say about thisone is: whoa… wasn’t expecting that.
If you have read any of Hickman’s work – especially that of the 2015 “Secret Wars” that also had Ribic on art duty – you know he is a world builder and I can happily report he does that and more in this issue. This could have been an easy “Aliens show up and fight the Avengers” story that could be phoned in, but Hickman over delivered with this one. Hickman carefully brings the Aliens into the Marvel Universe where it feels like the Alien hive could have been floating out in deep space all this time we’ve been reading Marvel comics. This isn’t just smashing two action figures together for the sake of doing so, this is an incredibly well thought out crossover that makes so much sense.
The book begins in space with the Shi’ar experimenting on different alien species from Marvel with the Alien facehuggers. In the middle of their experiments, the Wakandans show up to stop them. They stop the Shi’ar but it’s already too late. Their experiments to seed planets across the universe has already happened… and one of them was Earth. The big twist to this issue is that Earth falls to the Aliens and we will be following a very different line up of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes attempting to avenge the planet from the Alien hive. Who that line up is… well, let’s just say I want to save a couple of cool surprises for you when you read this. I can at least tell you this: it isn’t who you expect and there are several moments in this book that had me audibly saying “no way!”
I’ve already heaped praise upon Johnathan Hickman on this book for his writing and world building. If you are a fan of any of his previous series, you will be right at home in his loving embrace of the Alien’s franchise. Esad Ribic’s style and clear amazing working relationship with Hickman make this one of the best-looking books the pair has done together. Ribic’s perfect pencil lines give such a texture to every character and background. What is of note is how Ribic captures the Xenomorphs distinct design but also gives them his own flair to make you realize just how badly you wanted Ribic to draw the slimy aliens. Ive Svorcina’s colors on this issue fit right in with the color palettes from the Alien movies: haunting and creepy in each panel.
This is a summer horror blockbuster in comic book form. I don’t want to wait another month to see where the cliffhanger picks up, but sadly I must.
If you love Aliens, do not miss out on this series. If you want a great crossover, check out this issue. If you want to sit back and read a book crafted by a creative team clearly in control of this awesome book, check this series out.
Aliens Vs. Avengers #1 releases in the shop this Wednesday (8/28), so be sure to grab a copy and let us know what you think about it after you’ve read it!
Save the world, read comics!
Tripper
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