REVIEW: ‘Alien vs X-Men’ Issue 1

Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics. Written by Kieron Gillen, art by Geraldo Borges, colors by Andrew Dalhouse and letters by Travis Lanham. There is a backup story written by Chris Claremont, art by Dave Messina, colors by Rain Beredo and letters by Lanham.

In this issue, the mutants encounter the Xenomorphs in storage, and the horror will follow them home. Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1 erupts in a very different vein from other Xenomorphs and Marvel heroes instances, but with a similar level of brutality. Gillen wastes very little time getting to the core, bursting the aliens out and then instantly lurching forward in time to the X-Mansion.

While it feels like a beat has been skipped, the truth is much darker. It means that we get to witness two moments of slaughter and horror at the same time. The Xenomorphs have made it to the X-Mansion, and that’s where the present-day fear kicks in.

The pace is breathless and relentless, unleashing the aliens with sudden, brutal ferocity. Fan favorites are taken out within seconds, displaying how callous Gillen is going to be with the characters. As the murder takes place, we learn what happened on the ship in the first place, including a mistake that may have doomed the entire mutant race and the entire planet. The mansion has become a killing field and a breeding ground in the same moment, and it doesn’t look like it will stop any time soon.

The fear and the horror that shroud the X-Men are the most notable emotions within Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1. These are brave heroes that have faced the worst of the worst, but the vicious and disgusting method in which the Xenomorphs claim their victims is turning their blood cold.

The sheer panic is beautifully written by Gillen as the X-Men learn that their powers and individual physiologies are getting cut through and melted by the acidic blood. There are those who are starting to step up and gather themselves amid the sheer hysteria and grief. Storm is the biggest example of this, as the other experienced members are either killed or captured by terror.

The cast of Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1 is interesting. The strike team on this ship is very reminiscent of a specific era, but at the mansion, there is a plethora of X-Men, featuring almost all the biggest names. It creates a large cast that’s about to be torn apart.

The art is both inquisitive and sickeningly creative. When they first appear. The X-Men on board the ship instantly feel like a homage to John Cassaday’s X-Men team when he and Joss Whedon were on the book before House of M. It’s the same small team and the same specific designs, such as Beast’s head shape. And Wolverine kicks off the brutality with a gory evisceration very early in Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1. Then the fight moves to the mansion, and it becomes a prowling slaughter.

There are the likes of Rogue, Gambit, Cannonball, but also Hope Summers. Their designs are messy, and that fits the comic’s visceral nature. The skeletal structure of the Xenomorphs, the greatest alien design in all of fiction, is then added when they start displaying new powers and abilities.

A fusion has happened, and it makes for some brand new Xenomorph concepts. It’s alarming to know their origin, and the realization on the faces of the X-Men hits extremely hard. The injuries they’ve already sustained are distressing and solidify the power and menace the Xenomorphs hold.

The colors blend the vibrancy of the X-Men and the extremely dark, nefarious atmosphere the Xenomorphs bring with them. The X-Men have their bright and colorful costumes, which are instantly recognizable, but they are being swarmed by the oily black voids of the Xenomorphs. It’s also incredibly bloody. The lettering helps capture the severity of the book, whilst still containing the classic sound effects, which are used in an almost mocking fashion.

The most legendary X-Men writer in history has his own mutant story in Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1. It’s much more specific, with Kate Pryde at the heart of it and being immersed in a disturbing world. All the characters are tied to her world, and it’s quick to drag her into pure evil.

Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1 is ruthless and relentless from the start. No gentle beginning, no build-up, just pure slaughter. Gillen slips into the horror elements quickly, showing off his creativity and adaptability. It was always going to be accepted that favorites would die in this comic, but the surprise comes in the speed and savagery with which it happens. The X-Men and survival go hand in hand, and they’ve dealt with creatures like the Brood. But now they’re facing the beings the Brood were based on, and they’re far, far deadlier.

Alien vs. X-Men Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.