Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Color Artist: Guru-eFX
Cover Artist: Marc Aspinall
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
The colony of Euridice is in ruins. The people who sought to make a home there have been hunted down by the alien Xenomorphs who arrived on a ship that crash-landed on the moon colony. Now, the colonists’ leader Jane and anyone she could save make their way to a station that could be their last hope or final stand in Alien #11.
Review:
The people of Euridice are not doing so hot. Their moon colony has been decimated by the alien Xenomorphs. They’ve lost some people trying to rescue others, people who they’re not even sure about, they discovered that their colony was founded on lies. They’re low on weapons, morale, and soon places to run to. Gamma Station is their last hope on Euridice, but it’s clear that they won’t all make it out alive.
From the start, Jane and her company are struggling just to survive attacks from the Xenomorphs. They finally make it to Gamma Station, which they hope will be a safe haven in one way or another from the Xenomorphs, but the aliens are not far behind. From there, action ensues but there are a few big twists that shake up the story in Gamma Station. The comic finally starts to connect the dots between the events in this story and the first story arc on Epsilon Station. By the end, things don’t turn out well for Jane and her friends leading to the next and final issue of this story arc.
One major criticism for this comic is the visuals by Salvador Larroca. Same criticism as before, the art looks too static for most of the scenes that are trying to depict movement or any motion at all. Some are better drawn than others of course, and Larroca’s art really shines when it comes to the Xenomorphs’ creature design and when depicting a moody and macabre atmosphere. But everything else feels like it would be better if it were in a movie, TV series, or a video game, but as is, it’s too static for this horror comic.
The other issue is the story, particularly developments near the end which try to forcefully tie back to the first story in some ways. These connections feel like last minute additions since they feel so meaningless and tacked on so close to the end of the storyline. While Phillip Kennedy Johnson does a good job with the characters’ dialogue and story pacing, the story progression feels like it’s rushing to get to the finish line.
Final Thoughts:
The storyline on Euridice inches closer to the finish line with Alien #11. Jane and her friends finally reach Gamma Station but trouble’s not far behind as Xenomorphs relentlessly hound them. The dialogue and pacing are good, and the comic connects some things back to the first story arc. However, it feels like a last minute addition that may or may not have that much weight in this story, but we’ll see if it bears fruit in the next issue.