Please be aware this issue is not available in stores until 9.24.2014
Written by: Chris Roberson
Art by: Patric Reynolds
Publisher: Dark Horse
In the effort to keep this as transparent a review as possible, I need to start off with three facts: One, I’m an Alien fanboy and have been for a very long time. Two, I do not consider anything other than the Alien movies (and Prometheus) to be canon. Three, I did not read the set of comics prior to Alien: Fire and Stone #1.
Issue 1 of A:FaS opens up with a plot summary of Prometheus and winds up getting major facts wrong, which is a bad way to start something I already deem fanfiction. Given the plot summary then, I imagine A:FaS will try to weave itself into the Prometheus storyline, though as of Issue 1, I can’t say how much or how accurately it will do so.
However, none of the above might matter as it seems to be a swell start to something fun. It’s not perfect, but there’s enough gore and tension to be had to please any Alien fan, regardless of canonical status.
The story opens up with what can only be described as sheer brutality. Xenomrophs have gotten loose and are tearing apart Hadley’s Hope (yes that Hadley’s Hope). The first few panels are nothing but close-up death, and they are stunning.
Stunning is really the only apt way to describe the art here. It is breathtaking in its beauty. This might be one of the best looking comics I’ve read thus far, and if nothing else, it’s worth grabbing just to look at. The Xenomorphs look perfect, and the facial expressions really sell the horror going on. I cannot praise the art enough.
On the narrative front, it’s a bit early to tell how everything will play off. Much of this issue is spent in chase, with Russell and Genevieve as our main characters. Both do an apt job of getting everyone off of LV426 (yes that LV426) to LV223 (yes that LV223), and we are promised that the worst is yet to come.
As a character, I like Russell. I don’t know enough about him to say much more, but this story was told from his past-tense perspective, and I want to know what happens to him. I also want to know who he’s telling his story to.
Genevieve was a bit too comedic for my liking though. She just seems too optimistic given everything that is happening, and I don’t find her stance realistic.
On the whole, I enjoyed this debut issue of Alien: Fire and Stone, though I’ll be going into the next one with some caution. Prometheus’ lore is a tricky thing to work with, and I can only hope this series manages to integrate it in well. Given that opening paragraph though, I’m not so sure.
