Alien Annual 2022 #1
- Writer
- Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Artist
- Salvador Larroca
- Letterer
- VC’s Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist
- Salvador Larroca, Guru-eFX
- Publisher
- Marvel
- Price
- $4. 99
- Release Date
- 2022-07-20
- Colorist
- Guru-eFX
Since Marvel acquired the license to both the Aliens and Predator comics late last year, the former franchise has already seen itself through two story arcs under the company’s banner. While there were always going to be comparisons to Dark Horse Comics’ legendary, decades-spanning runs with the Aliens franchise, Phillip Kennedy Johnson managed to hold his own with his debut Alien series under the Marvel brand. Alien Annual 2022 #1, written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson with artwork from Salvador Larroca and Guru-eFX and lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles, is a culmination of the writer’s journey with the franchise. This annual reflects on his original story and offers some throwbacks to fans. It is held back by inconsistent art.
Alien Annual 2022 #1 opens years before Johnson’s main Alien series, focusing on a team of marines led by Gabriel Cruz, tasked with putting down a rebellion on a vital Weyland-Yutani space station. The company views this opportunity as a test of their “organism against the dissenters” in typical corporate evil. The company chooses not to abandon the test after the mission has gone sour, and instead shifts gears. This puts Cruz and his crew at the mercy, as well as a synthetic crew member, who are hiding far more than they could bargain for.
Johnson has taken a simple yet effective approach to his Alien run. Johnson understands both the main narrative threads as well as the central theme of the franchise that has made it such a lasting cultural phenomenon. This annual is a perfect example of Kennedy’s ability to make the most of the Alien formula, as he introduces readers to compelling characters before having the titular Alien pick them off one by one. This story also provides background to many of the events in the main series. This story tells the tale of Cruz’s encounter with an Alien. It also reveals his disgust for Weyland-Yutani’s corporation. Amidst all these threads, Johnson expertly sprinkles in several fun throwbacks to the Aliens franchise, with one major twist, in particular, coming near the end of the story that will surely excite long-time fans.
Larocca’s art is not for everyone and has been one of the relatively divisive points for this series since it started. Although Larocca’s visual style is admirable, readers are often put off by his awkward character expressions, and strange proportions. Guru-eFX, a colorist, is able bring Larocca’s visions to life. Larocca’s drawing of the Alien is a marvellous example of a black creature driven by instinct. Larocca’s artwork doesn’t halt when the Alien does its dirty work. Larocca’s art is filled with violence and he makes readers feel it. Outside of the Alien and the synthetic crew members, whose unnerving white eyes and pale features really play up their inhumanity, Larocca’s cold, lifeless interpretation of the human characters is dramatically disappointing, especially when compared to his older work on Marvel titles like Darth Vader.
Alien Annual 2022 #1 successfully tells a classic Aliens story. Johnson and Larocca are proving that they have the skills to manage this iconic franchise. The future looks bright, particularly with news of Alien’s most formidable foe joining the pull-lists. This Annual, which is a must-read for all fans of both the series, and the franchise as a whole, will be available until then.
