I rarely dream, but – when I do – they tend to be very vivid. And particular. I notice very specific things. Colors. Names. Very fine details from the experience tend to linger beyond the fog in my head, and I’ll often times wake up with a specific name or some other arcane trinket of information that means nothing to me. While these dreams may be little more than a source of curiosity for me, the sad news is that my nightmares are just as vivid. I recall a time more than a decade back that I actually had a dream featuring on the unstoppable Xenomorphs that featured prominently in the ALIEN universe; and, no doubt, my wife remembers me screaming when I woke up.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the Dark Horse website: “During a vicious xenomorph outbreak, terraforming engineer Derrick Russell leads a desperate group of survivors onto a rickety mining vessel. They hope to escape the creatures overrunning their colony—but they’ll face horrors both in space and on the strange planet they crash on.”
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the Dark Horse website: “During a vicious xenomorph outbreak, terraforming engineer Derrick Russell leads a desperate group of survivors onto a rickety mining vessel. They hope to escape the creatures overrunning their colony—but they’ll face horrors both in space and on the strange planet they crash on.”
Those pesky, hungry, acid-dripping Aliens are back – never a good sign for the space-going – in Dark Horse’s latest ‘event’ FIRE AND STONE, a miniseries crossover experience promising to bring together not only ALIENS and PROMETHEUS but also looks to introduce a few PREDATORS for good measure. And why not? Theatrically, it’s been established that PROMETHEUS takes place in the same universe as ALIENS, and the ALIENS have been haunted by those PREDATORS in both comic book and theatrical fashion. This indeed is a match made in sci-fi heaven! (FYI: PROMETHEUS: FIRE AND STONE 1 of 4 has already streeted, and interested readers can pick up a copy at their local comicbookery any time they like.)
As for ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE, the first issue serves to set up the particulars for the tale that’s only beginning. Colonists – always in danger of a Xenomorph infestation – find themselves in dire straits right out of the gate in #1 which happens to take place on LV-426. (For the uninitiated, LV-426 was the planet explored in the ALIEN sequel, ALIENS, directed by James Cameron.) These people are on-the-run, and they’re left with no other choice than to abandon that world, seeking out a place for safety and survival. Little do they know that their craft already has some baggage they’ll be none too happy to unload wherever they set down next!
The tale is written by Chris Roberson, and – along with Patric Reynolds’ dark, bloody, and necessarily grim artwork – it feels a part of the broader ALIEN mythology right out of the gate. The pacing is quick, and the stakes are set clearly with each advancing page: LV-426 is doomed, and these folks will take their chances anywhere else but here. It’s tight, exciting, and effective from start-to-finish, ending with a panel that harkens back to that memory in my imagination: a lone but energized monster howling like a wolf at the sky.
Great stuff!
As for ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE, the first issue serves to set up the particulars for the tale that’s only beginning. Colonists – always in danger of a Xenomorph infestation – find themselves in dire straits right out of the gate in #1 which happens to take place on LV-426. (For the uninitiated, LV-426 was the planet explored in the ALIEN sequel, ALIENS, directed by James Cameron.) These people are on-the-run, and they’re left with no other choice than to abandon that world, seeking out a place for safety and survival. Little do they know that their craft already has some baggage they’ll be none too happy to unload wherever they set down next!
The tale is written by Chris Roberson, and – along with Patric Reynolds’ dark, bloody, and necessarily grim artwork – it feels a part of the broader ALIEN mythology right out of the gate. The pacing is quick, and the stakes are set clearly with each advancing page: LV-426 is doomed, and these folks will take their chances anywhere else but here. It’s tight, exciting, and effective from start-to-finish, ending with a panel that harkens back to that memory in my imagination: a lone but energized monster howling like a wolf at the sky.
Great stuff!
ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE (1 OF 4) is written by Chris Roberson; the art is provided by Patric Reynolds; the colors are provided by Dave Stewart; the letters are completed by Nate Piekos of Blambot; with this issue’s primary cover art supplied by David Palumbo. For those needing it spelled out perfectly, the storyline ties in with both Twentieth Century Fox properties ALIEN and PROMETHEUS. Lastly, the issue comes with a cover price of $3.50, and that’s a bargain so far as this longtime comic book reader is concerned.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If the action and the set-up in the opening pages of ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE (1 OF 4) seem a bit familiar, then take heart: LV-426 is better known as Hadley’s Hope, the terraforming colony featured prominently in the 1986 blockbuster sci-fi motion picture, ALIENS. The tale opens with plenty of action (just how we like ‘em!), and it closes with the promise of circumstances only growing more and more dire for the surviving colonists who manage to escape but unfortunately happen to have the worst stowaways possible in league with them. Who knows where it’s heading? We’ll all know more in 30 days.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital reading copy of ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE (1 OF 4) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If the action and the set-up in the opening pages of ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE (1 OF 4) seem a bit familiar, then take heart: LV-426 is better known as Hadley’s Hope, the terraforming colony featured prominently in the 1986 blockbuster sci-fi motion picture, ALIENS. The tale opens with plenty of action (just how we like ‘em!), and it closes with the promise of circumstances only growing more and more dire for the surviving colonists who manage to escape but unfortunately happen to have the worst stowaways possible in league with them. Who knows where it’s heading? We’ll all know more in 30 days.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics provided me with a digital reading copy of ALIENS: FIRE AND STONE (1 OF 4) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
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