REVIEW: ‘Alien Vs Captain America’ Issue 2

Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Frank Tieri, with art by Stefano Raffaele, colors by Neeraj Menon and letters by Clayton Cowles.

In Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2, the Howling Commandos stumble upon their most dangerous enemy yet: a building full of Xenomorphs. This chapter moves at a surprising pace, introducing Cap and his allies to the full extent of the Xenomorphs very quickly. Cap, Bucky, Nick Fury and the rest of their regiment enter a stronghold that had been devastated by HYDRA and their alien weapons. But inside is the most horrific of sights. Hundreds of bodies, some barely alive.

Up to this moment, Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 is extremely quiet. As they walk in, the dread also begins. Because there’s an expectation of a trap. Xenomorphs leave time bombs. The sudden outburst is a frightening, immediate increase in ferocity and carnage. Even when expected, it’s still alarming. And this begins a steady increase in threat.

First comes one Xenomorph, which leads to a gory, devastating slaughter. It’s the first clash Cap gets to have with the aliens, and it’s exhilarating. It’s an exhausting experience for all involved. But then come the other Xenomorphs, and the Howling Commandos are cut down. It’s a staggering surprise, especially as it happens so soon in the series.

And then the roof is ripped off. Literally. Tieri changes the plot entirely, adding new figures that turn this historical sci-fi story into something new. All expectations are torn apart, converting the war comic into a mind-blowing new world.

The characters are a little weak, largely because they don’t get a chance to speak. There is a full brigade of soldiers, including all the supporting cast from classic stories. These have been faces seen in comics, TV shows and movies. It would be naïve to think they’d all survive in a comic filled with face-huggers, chest bursters and fully grown Xenomorphs. However, it is alarming to see them ripped apart so suddenly.

At the helm of Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 is Captain America. This is an early form of the hero, not yet versed in battling super villains or beings from other worlds. So when he walks into a bloodbath, it disturbs even him. His survival instincts kick in, and he fights hard against the extremely tough aliens.

What would have been beneficial in Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 is more reaction from Cap. His soldiers are dying around him. But Cap doesn’t even get the chance to comprehend it, because he gets tossed from fighting to survive himself, and what comes next after the Xenomorphs.

The art is exceptionally gruesome. Right from the start, the blood and death are on display. Bodies strewn across the floor, ripped apart and eaten. Those who are still alive have faced worse fates, with harrowing expressions on their faces. It’s the depths of Hell, and there are demons in there with the soldiers. The Xenomorphs are glorious. Just one is a stunning concoction, but there’s a swarm of them. Their skeletal forms with screeching mouths and razor-sharp claws are etched to perfection.

The aliens do awful things to the Commandos, beheading them, eating their faces, ripping them to pieces. Bisecting and vivisecting. Cap’s first battle with the original Xenomorph is spectacular. The shield is all that stands between Steve Rogers and a grizzly job. The impacts and the force can be felt with every move.

The colors help depict a demented horror scene. There are two major tones when the team enters the stronghold. One is red, which costs the floor to show the blood and viscera that coat the building. The other is the sleek onyx-black of the Xenomorphs, which becomes more pervasive as the Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 progresses.

The blue of Captain America is bright enough to stand out, but not overwhelmingly vibrant to disperse the grim shades the comic lathers itself in. The white of the wood balloons is brilliantly contrasted against the black, making the lettering especially easy to read.

Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 completely carves up any preconceptions. The ferocity that is unleashed in this second chapter is staggering, breathtaking in its extremity. The group that was going to progress through this story are obliterated in the most grotesque means possible. Tieri pulls out characters who derail the story in the most delightful way possible, making it impossible to tell what comes next.

Alien Vs Captain America Issue 2 is available where comics are sold.