Aliens vs. Avengers. Such a crossover seemed inevitable once Disney took control of the Aliens franchise as well as Marvel Comics. However, despite sounding like Hollywood’s latest attempt at a lazy cash-grab, this Avengers What If..? is anything but a popcorn film on paper.
Aliens vs. Avengers opens with a prophetic pair of sentences. “It’s disappointing, isn’t it? To expect one thing and instead get another entirely.” We then open, not on Earth, but in the depths of space, where a group of Shi’ar scientists are conducting unethical experiments. They are interrupted by a team of Wakandans, led by the Black Panther T’Challa and his son, Azari. Alas, they are too late to stop the Shi’ar from releasing the Xenomorphs on several rival worlds, including Earth.
The Inhumans and Atlanteans were the first to die thanks to the Shi’ar assault. The Mutants, still living on Krakoa in this timeline, abandon the world that hates and fears them for a Martian colony. This leaves only the Avengers to defend the one city that remains after decades of battle. Their only hope lies in a plan fabricated by Valeria Richards. Yet it may be too late for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, even if humanity can be saved.
Jonathan Hickman is a master at this sort of bait-and-switch story. While the cover art promises a story akin to last week’s Predator vs. Black Panther #1, Hickman’s story is more thoughtful. Beyond exploring the logistics of how deadly the Xenomorphs would be on Earth, Aliens vs. Avengers is a great character study of these heroes in their final days, desperate to secure something that will survive them.
Alien vs. Avengers art compares favorably to Alex Ross
The artwork is of equal depth and quality. The work of Esad Ribić here invites favorable comparison to Alex Ross. There are many pages that appear to have been painted rather than sketched.
The somber mood of the story is further enhanced by the muted palettes utilized by Ive Svorcina. Most of the scenes are dimly lit, as if the whole world were in twilight. It is a fitting visual analogy for the state of humanity and the Avengers.
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The only readers likely to be disappointed in Aliens vs. Avengers are those who wanted bunches of bloody battles. While there is action aplenty, this comic is anything but mindless, with a depth that far belies its simple premise. It is sure to satisfy fans of the Aliens films and the Avengers.
Grade: 5/5
Aliens vs. Avengers #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
