Aliens: Defiance #1
Written by Brian Wood
Illustrated by Tristan Jones
Colours by Dan Jackson
Dark Horse Comics (Previews Order #: FEB160010)
April 27, 2016
Reviewed by Jess Landry
Ah, the never-ending saga of the Aliens universe. For fans of the series (in whichever medium it appears), new stories are both a blessing and a curse: a blessing considering how bad-ass the series is; a curse considering the stories are usually made up of the exact same storylines recycled and repackaged for our consuming pleasure.
In this latest offshoot, Colonial Marine Private First Class Zula Hendricks is sent on a mission surrounded by a flock of Weyland-Yutani security drones (a.k.a. synths). Her orders are to gather and copy information from a derelict ship called the Europa, which has ended up way outside of its origin point with no trace of the crew. Of course there are a few unwelcomed guests aboard the Europa, and much to readers’ delight it doesn’t take long for said guests to make a bloody (and milky) appearance.
A common subplot in most all Alien stories is that the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (WYC) always knows more than what they brief their soldiers, and it’s no different in Defiance. Hendricks’ life is put in danger because the company wants to get its greedy little hands on a live specimen of the xenomorph kind to militarize its special abilities. But the one thing the WYC didn’t bet on? A synth with a conscious named Davis – it goes AWOL, taking Hendricks with it. Now, not only do Hendricks and Davis have the most vital information about the xenomorphs in their hands, they’re on a personal mission to stop the WYC from bringing about the end of humankind.
Like a few of other Aliens graphic novels floating about, this comic stays true to its roots. With a woman taking charge as the main character (and she’s a person of colour to boot!), the first issue of four touches on Hendricks’ backstory while focusing on the action currently taking place. It sets up a series that will no doubt be another win the Aliens world – and it also includes a special appearance from Amanda Ripley, daughter of Sigourney Weaver’s famed Ellen Ripley!
Also working in Defiance’s favour is the beautiful colours palette from colourist Dan Jackson. A stand-out moment is when the xenomorphs make their entrance – the scene uses an excellent contrast of reds and blacks that adds a whole other level of tension to the battle (check out the preview pages below).
Aliens: Defiance #1 is a solid start to a new story in the often saturated Aliens universe. It’ll be interesting to see if this story follows suit like others before it or if it goes off in a new direction. Grab your copy of issue 1 on April 27th and keep an eye out for the rest of the series this year.
