Marvel Comics' current Alien series has seen writer Declan Shalvey and artist Andrea Broccardo unearth terrifying new truths about the legendary Xenomorph species.
Set on an icy moon in the black of night, the current saga, "Thaw," will wrap up next month in Alien #5 but the threat of the Xenomorphs always re-emerges. Now, this creative team will dare to explore even darker depths of the Alien mythos in this November's Alien #1.
The series will take place in two time periods with Shalvey also on art duties, drawing flashback scenes of a doomed earlier crew in each issue. As we learn more about the mistakes and goals of the first mission, they'll discover the full unsettling scope of what the present-day protagonists have gotten themselves into.
Tied to the current series while offering a fresh start for new readers, this latest Alien run will continue to develop the new subspecies of Xenomorphs that Shalvey and Broccardo have introduced while laying the groundwork for an even greater threat.
Before Alien #1 launches, we'll get up close and personal with this new breed of creatures in October's Alien Annual #1, a double-sized issue that serves as a bridge between story arcs.
In deep space spins a world infected by the universe’s greatest killers. Most people - sane people - would construct a barrier thicker than the hulls of ten Nostromos and leave it to rot. But where most people see a death trap, Weyland-Yutani sees the biggest payout in the history of civilization. And if it costs a few human lives to secure? Those come cheap here. Prepare for more corporate corruption, personal betrayals and extraordinary violence.
"It's such a joy to continue to build out our own little corner of Marvel Comics' Alien universe with this new 'Descendant' story arc," Shalvey said. "We're building on what we've done before (with some nods to previous stories) and get to dig a bit deeper in this arc (both figuratively and literally). It's also a real treat for me to draw a section of the story."
Take a look at Javi Fernández’s Alien #1 cover below (via SFFGazette.com) ahead of the issue hitting stands in November.