Marvel Comics is going to let us see Xenomorphs in ways we’ve never seen them before, from a number of creators in a number of different settings. The publisher has announced a new anthology series titled Alien: Black, White & Blood that will take place within the iconic sci-fi/horror franchise and, as the title implies, things are going to get bloody. Fortunately, Marvel is not pulling any punches when it comes to this particular property.
This is the latest in a line of Black, White & Blood anthologies. Previous installments have cenetered on characters like Wolverine and Darth Vader. Now, it’s off to Alien land for a four-issue series to be published in 2024, with the first issue set to hit stands in February. Marvel has revealed the cover art for the first issue by artist Ryan Stegman (which you can check out below), as well as the tales that will be contained in issue #1. So, what’s in store? We’re glad you asked! Here’s a little breakdown of the tales in the debut issue:
- Superstars Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing (Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, Guardians of the Galaxy) and brilliant artist Michael Dowling (Black Cat, Amazing Spider-Man) kick off "Utopia," a generations-spanning saga that will be told across all four issues! Soaring through space to find a perfect world, a society descends into darkness as they’re shaped by their fear of the Xenomorphs!
- Fan-favorite writer Ryan Cady (Winter Guard) and Marvel newcomer Devmalya Pramanik explore the limits of compassion in "Maternal Instincts." On a deep space vessel, a small child is the sole survivor of a Xenomorph slaughter and her only hope for salvation is the ship’s comforting and guiding AI computer unit.
- Rising stars Stephanie Phillips (Capwolf & The Howling Commandos, Cosmic Ghost Rider) and Marcelo Ferreira (Moon Knight: City of the Dead) deliver a tale of guts, glory and the most exhilarating of games in "The Hunt." Xenomorphs become the main attraction when Weyland-Yutani gives wealthy thrill-seekers a chance to hunt down the galaxy’s deadliest species.
Marvel launched a 20th Century Studios imprint earlier this year to handle the properties that Disney inherited when it purchased Fox back in 2019. This also includes Predator comics, such as the recently released Predator vs. Wolverine. One man’s opinion, but I believe the publisher has done a damn fine job with these franchises since taking them over a few years ago. This sounds like another potential winner.
Elsewhere in the Alien franchise, there is much to look forward to. FX is currently working on a TV show set within the universe from creator Noah Hawley (Fargo) that is expected to debut next year. We’ve also got a new movie on the way from director Fede Alvarez (Don’t Breathe) that has wrapped production already.
Alien: Black, White & Blood #1 hits shelves on February 7, 2024.
