Two different Aliens books are perfect for fans with xenomorph mania
With news that Ridley Scott’s upcoming Alien: Covenant is rounding out its cast, what better time than any to go a little xenomorph crazy. Fortunately, two recently released reads from Titan Books can help tide fans over until the new movie hits theaters. The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume One is a trio of novels that I’d go so far as to consider canon, and Alien Next Door is a cute look at our favorite movie monster as it goes about everyday life. Both books are must-owns for xenomorph lovers, so pick one up for yourself or a fan of the franchise.
Take a peek inside The Complete Aliens Omnibus Volume One and Alien Next Door after the jump.
I first read this Aliens trilogy of books waaaaaay back in the ’90s. For a kid who had nightmares of chestbursters and shiny black xenomorphs taking over his home and impregnating his family, the world and the monsters Scott helped bring to the big screen (let’s never forget the legend H.R. Giger) was terrifying but also fascinating. The perfect killing machine. How could you not love/hate these beautiful baddies?
Steve and Stephani Perry have successfully expanded the xenomorph universe, and their combined trilogy of novels (Steve wrote Earth Hive and Nightmare Asylum and he and Stephani co-wrote The Female War) is as entertaining and adventurous as the movies, if not more so. I’ve been telling myself to add these three to my collection for over a decade now, and The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume One is perfect.
The books follow two central characters, Wilks and Billie, who could be the 15-years-later versions of Hicks and Newt had they survived David Fincher and Joss Whedon getting their hands on the franchise. Wilks and Billie have a great love/hate chemistry, which is what makes throwing them into xenomorph chaos so enthralling. They grow apart and rely on each other more than a few times, and no matter how far we stray from them during the three books, we always come back.
Personally, I’m convinced Scott is pulling inspiration from these books for his upcoming Alien: Covenant movie. There’s so much here to have a blast with ranging from ninjas fighting xenomorphs, crazy religious queen-worshipping cults, android armies, Earth overrun, and plenty of acid-soaked Aliens awesomeness. Plus, Ripley even makes an appearance. So, we’ll see if any of this material makes it into the movie. Here’s hoping!
As I understand it, this is the first in a series of omnibus books combining various Aliens novels, so clear a space on your shelf. Earth Hive, Nightmare Asylum, and The Female War are a lot of fun, and The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume One is probably the best way to pick them all up right now.
Steering away from fierce and violent, Joey Spiotto has taken the xenomorph to cute and cuddly places with his book Alien Next Door. This is more of a chuckle-worthy coffee table book than it is a page-turning adventure novel, but you’ll love it for what it is. Take a look:
Ha, the xenomorph has acid reflux. Get it? Spiotto takes the terrible baddie and turns it into a comical, misunderstood next door neighbor type, and it’s just precious. I’ve got this sitting on my coffee table next to one of Scott C’s Great Showdown books, and the two pretty perfect companion pieces. Both are cute (I keep coming back to that word when trying to describe Alien Next Door) and innocent, and you can easily kill 10 minutes flipping through either while snickering at the in-jokes and awkward situations.
To be honest, there’s not much to this one, even if it is a fun little picture book. I imagine, like Scott C, Spiotto is doodling away getting ready for another flipbook. So, when Alien Next Door Vol. 2 comes out it’ll sit nicely next to his first compilation. Until then, if you’re a fan of the xenomorph and want something silly, give Alien Next Door a try. Here are a few more pieces from between the pages:
