Aliens: Salvation
Written by Dave Gibbons
Illustrated by Mike Mignola
Dark Horse Books
September 15, 2015
Reviewed by Elaine Pascale
Aliens: Salvation follows the relentless soul searching of marooned fundamentalist spaceman, Selkirk, after he is stranded on an unfamiliar and unforgiving planet with the deranged captain of Nova Maru. Later, he finds himself in the company of an enticing commando fembot, all the while dealing with Nova Maru’s bad-ass cargo (the “hidden passengers” make Snakes on a Plane look tame).
Writer Dave Gibbons’s script is sparse. The exposition is given in spurts—at times literally, as two characters explain key plot points when under great duress or dying. The majority of the dialogue is Selkirk’s internal prayers and confessions. While the original issue of Aliens: Salvation was hot on the tail of the film series, there are few allusions to any cross-overs beyond the alien species. This broadens the audience for the graphic novel, as anyone can follow and enjoy the plot.
Illustrator Mike Mignola’s aliens are truly frightening. The faces seem eyeless due to the dark hue and shadowing; the teeth are the creature’s most prominent feature. The aliens appear to be swift and sleek and are rendered as demons or demi-gods—the most destructive and insurmountable type of monster. The background colors are diluted in order to place the action, and the aliens, in the forefront. The artwork is definitely the strength of Salvation.
While the aliens are doing what they do best: populating the planet with additional monsters and feasting on humans, they are not the true source of evil of Salvation. The real villain is big business or “the Company” that views human life as expendable. The struggle of worker/pawn/puppet may resonate even more today than it did in the original publication of this graphic novel.
Selkirk sees signs of divine intervention amongst the ruins of the planet and even amongst the violence that he is forced to commit. While his character and religious quest are very engaging, it is the work of Mignola and colorist Kevin Nowlan that will remain with readers and leave a haunting impression.
