Written by: Chris Roberson
Art by: Patric Reynolds
Publisher: Dark Horse
Of all the Fire and Stone comics, the Alien series has been the slowest to really start. The first issue prized violence over substance, and the latter prized exposition over being interesting. However, Chris Roberson and Patric Reynolds are finally giving us some payoff, and the wait has been worth it.
Issue 3 kicks off right after Issue 2 with a human/Xenomorph hybrid monster running around. It’s a creepy creature, but more than that, it seems to have retained a certain intellect from its human host. I get the feeling it knows things, and it certainly finds the human camp without too much worry. I only hope this kind of blatant mutation is acting as a kickoff point for even more.
Call the black goo what you want, but it’s a remarkably good plot device. It’s just consistent enough to not break immersion while also allowing…well, pretty much anything. It’s a fun variable, and I’m glad the different writers of these Fire and Stone comics are making solid use of it.
After a repeated conversation we saw last issue, half the human camp finally decide it’s time to storm the Onager to reclaim supplies and a transmitter. It feels a bit forced to be honest, especially when one person says something akin to, “There can’t be that many aliens now.” That’s less wishful thinking and more insanity, but this last-ditch effort has been a long time coming. The siege itself is quite spectacular, both in terms of action and rendition. I’m still in love with the art style here, and I love how they depict the [redacted].
On the Russell front, he seems to have turned into a hermit. He’s still talking to someone, but I’m starting to wonder if this whole ordeal is slowly driving him crazy and the only person listening to him is himself. He’s beginning to feel unhinged. My biggest complaint of this issue might be how little time we spend with Russell. he’s clearly the star of this arc, but he didn’t get much page space here.
Alien: Fire and Stone Issue 3 is finally giving me everything I want in an Alien comic. The wait has been a bit long but, as of now, worth it.
