REVIEW: ‘Aliens vs. Avengers’ Issue #1

Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Esad Ribić, colors by Ive Svorcina, and letters by Cory Petit. In this issue, the Xenomorphs have conquered the Earth, with only a handful of older Avengers left to fight back against the swarm.

This series chooses an exciting angle to tackle this crossover. Hickman goes bold with Aliens vs. Avengers #1, wiping the world out in a matter of pages. It’s a shocking opening that makes the whole comic bleak and cold, but it separates the story from the mainstream reality. After a brief cold open that dives into its exposition and combines the universe of the Aliens and cosmic Marvel, the level of devastation is enormous. The society that is left is close to falling apart completely.

The early fight scenes are brutal, fitting the tone. Hickman also favors tension-filled sequences instead of an all-out brawl. The book is double-sized, and the pace is slow, wallowing in sadness and desolation. Even as the community is established, a haunting tone suggests that many aren’t going to make it. Even by the end of Aliens vs. Avengers #1, surprising casualties make it clear that Hickman will not be gentle with readers.

The characters are fascinating, as Hickman uses many of his favorite heroes. This is many years in the future, with many household names verging on being elderly. Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers are at the end of their lives, while Valeria Richards is middle-aged.

The others included are only briefly mentioned or not yet named, but it is relatively easy to figure out who they are. They have had long lives that have been torn apart by tragedy instigated by the alien invaders, which can be horrifying to read about. But while this concept is intriguing, it’s a little disappointing to see the fight between Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the greatest monsters in the universe happen when the heroes are past their prime.

The dialogue is dark from the start and never lightens in Alien vs. Avengers #1. Before the world ends, tension and conflict still stand in front of humor. Black Panther is in the prologue, and he has never been a character who favors comedy. The narration as the world ends exemplifies Hickman’s powerful prose style. Very few people can describe the birth of the end of a world quite like Hickman.

Alien vs. Avengers #1 brings the creators of the Secret War event back together as Ribić joins Hickman in detailing this epic takeover of the Marvel Universe. The painted style can be simultaneously celestially beautiful and terrifying. The landscapes are phenomenal. The cities and countries look stunning just before they crumble. The sci-fi horror aspects of the comic are also exceptional in this art style. The technology looks sleek and impressive as spaceships come together in the opening pages.

The first fights between Marvel characters and Xenomorphs are brief but exhilarating and powerful signs of what’s to come. Many initial forays into action aren’t what readers might expect as the planet falls, but there are some mighty matchups. Seeing the characters in this older state is depressing, but their updates intrigue. They look ancient, with wrinkles and added weight, demonstrating that they cannot age gracefully.

The colors match the bleak atmosphere of the issue. Much of Alien vs. Avengers #1 is encased in shadow and darkness but with an ethereal note that works wonders with Ribić’s art style. Depending on the scenario, the general tone of the panel can vary from blue to yellow to red. The lighting looks natural and pretty, especially when the sunset falls on the faces of the characters, adding to the sorrow of the situation. The lettering is the same as most Hickman books, with a uniformity that is smart and easy to read.

Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is a solemn start to the series. The issue features superstar creators but does not feel epic yet. The quality of the art and the writing are extremely high, and the brutality of the execution is extreme. The world ends without seeing it come to a close, although it is still early, and more of the horror could be unveiled. It is a novel concept that has the Avengers be so much older even when the war hits, and Hickman tries to balance the universal scale and find a heart within it. But the first encounters between the Avengers and the Aliens could be more exciting and scary.

Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is available where comics are sold.