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Alien: Isolation #4
Aliens: Rescue
Colonial Marines are the elite military fighters of the future, battling alien threats across the galaxy.
One hero has the chance to fight alongside Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks, who saved his life from Xenomorphs so long ago.
Following the events of Aliens: Resistance, Alec Brand, the colonist rescued by Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks, has grown up into an elite Colonial Marine. A secret mission brings him back to the Alien-infested moon where he was rescued...and face to face with the past.
Brian Wood (Massive, Aliens: Defiance) joins artist Kieran McKeown (Halo: Lone Wolf) for an action-packed battle against a dangerous alien threat.
Collects Aliens: Rescue #1-#4.
One hero has the chance to fight alongside Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks, who saved his life from Xenomorphs so long ago.
Following the events of Aliens: Resistance, Alec Brand, the colonist rescued by Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks, has grown up into an elite Colonial Marine. A secret mission brings him back to the Alien-infested moon where he was rescued...and face to face with the past.
Brian Wood (Massive, Aliens: Defiance) joins artist Kieran McKeown (Halo: Lone Wolf) for an action-packed battle against a dangerous alien threat.
Collects Aliens: Rescue #1-#4.
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2020
12 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Brian Wood
1,174 books961 followersBrian Wood's history of published work includes over fifty volumes of genre-spanning original material.
From the 1500-page future war epic DMZ, the ecological disaster series The Massive, the American crime drama Briggs Land, and the groundbreaking lo-fi dystopia Channel Zero he has a 20-year track record of marrying thoughtful world-building and political commentary with compelling and diverse characters.
His YA novels - Demo, Local, The New York Four, and Mara - have made YALSA and New York Public Library best-of lists. His historical fiction - the viking series Northlanders, the American Revolution-centered Rebels, and the norse-samurai mashup Sword Daughter - are benchmarks in the comic book industry.
He's written some of the biggest franchises in pop culture, including Star Wars, Terminator, RoboCop, Conan The Barbarian, Robotech, and Planet Of The Apes. He’s written number-one-selling series for Marvel Comics. And he’s created and written multiple canonical stories for the Aliens universe, including the Zula Hendricks character.
From the 1500-page future war epic DMZ, the ecological disaster series The Massive, the American crime drama Briggs Land, and the groundbreaking lo-fi dystopia Channel Zero he has a 20-year track record of marrying thoughtful world-building and political commentary with compelling and diverse characters.
His YA novels - Demo, Local, The New York Four, and Mara - have made YALSA and New York Public Library best-of lists. His historical fiction - the viking series Northlanders, the American Revolution-centered Rebels, and the norse-samurai mashup Sword Daughter - are benchmarks in the comic book industry.
He's written some of the biggest franchises in pop culture, including Star Wars, Terminator, RoboCop, Conan The Barbarian, Robotech, and Planet Of The Apes. He’s written number-one-selling series for Marvel Comics. And he’s created and written multiple canonical stories for the Aliens universe, including the Zula Hendricks character.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 9, 2020
This kind of felt like a prologue for whatever Wood plans to do next with his Aliens series. The story is told through Brand's eyes. He's the boy Ripley and Hendricks saved in Aliens: Resistance. Now he's grown up and joined the Colonial Marines. I did like the setup for this new world the team has discovered. I do feel like Wood's storytelling is too decompressed for a 4 issue miniseries. The pacing is off in places and necessary details get glossed over. The art by newcomer Kieran McKeown is OK.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
July 26, 2020
Storyline went totally downfall since Aliens: Defiance (a bunch of Marines to clean a fully infested planet, Zula and Amanda surviving a nuke, people talking like term xenomorph was never used before to name the Aliens... really?), author forgot this used to be a space- horror franchise, and the three hive queens working together were something near to bad fan fiction for me.
Cartoonish artworks and having not played the Alien: Isolation videogame helped not much at all, at last covers where really good ones... but can somebody tell me what that mask was?
I loved Wood's Defiance, but its sequels Resistance and Rescue were so disappointing ones for me that I'm almost happy publishing rights are going to Marvel.
Such a shame because I was a fan of Dark Horse Aliens comics since I've read Mark Verheiden's first (and still best) one on April 1991.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2019
Brian Wood and Dark Horse continue running this franchise into the ground. Why are the issues weirdly short? Is there any meddling from Dark Horse or Twentieth Century Fox? Why bother keeping this thing alive?
The story is beyond dull and does nothing interesting or new with the Aliens world. Zula Hendricks and Amanda Ripley are still pretty much non-existent as characters. The xenomorphs have become background players, made into animals that elicit zero horror or tension.
The art is woefully bad. Peoples' faces change from panel to panel. Xenomorphs look cartoony in some panels.
Again I ask - why bother?
(Read as four very short single issues)
The story is beyond dull and does nothing interesting or new with the Aliens world. Zula Hendricks and Amanda Ripley are still pretty much non-existent as characters. The xenomorphs have become background players, made into animals that elicit zero horror or tension.
The art is woefully bad. Peoples' faces change from panel to panel. Xenomorphs look cartoony in some panels.
Again I ask - why bother?
(Read as four very short single issues)
April 21, 2020
Well that was odd. I realize that Aliens: Rescue is a follow up to some other previous GN, but the story is underwhelming leaving a feeling of an incomplete story.
Alec Brand, who had been rescued in a previous GN, is now joining the Colonial Marines. He meets up with Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks to go to a world that is infested with the xenomorphs and eradicate them. For some reason, they decide that 30 Marines are plenty. Ok then.
The xenomorphs act very strangely, some don't even attack people. I am not sure what the deal was. I also am not sure why the Alien Queens didn't tear Brand apart when he is standing right smack dab in front of their nests..but this is a weird volume.
The story seems oddly lacking, though the art is decent. My suggestion? Give this one a pass.
Alec Brand, who had been rescued in a previous GN, is now joining the Colonial Marines. He meets up with Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks to go to a world that is infested with the xenomorphs and eradicate them. For some reason, they decide that 30 Marines are plenty. Ok then.
The xenomorphs act very strangely, some don't even attack people. I am not sure what the deal was. I also am not sure why the Alien Queens didn't tear Brand apart when he is standing right smack dab in front of their nests..but this is a weird volume.
The story seems oddly lacking, though the art is decent. My suggestion? Give this one a pass.
March 29, 2020
This was okay, but nothing more than that. The story is weirdly short and doesn't really seem to have much point to it. The artwork isn't bad. Wood just doesn't seem very well-suited to be writing Aliens, with his rather sketchy style that leaves a lot out. I'm not sure where this goes next or even if it should go somewhere after this arc.
February 20, 2021
"Aliens: Rescue" is a 2020 comic, written by Brian Wood, with artwork by Kieran McKeown (pencils), JL Straw (ink), Dan Jackson (colors), Nate Piekos (lettering), Robert De La Torre (cover and chapter break art), and Mack Chater (variant covers). "Rescue" is set a few years after "Aliens: Resistance," and is a direct sequel to that comic. I would certainly read "Resistance" prior to reading "Rescue."
Picking up a few years after "Aliens: Resistance," we find Alec Brand--colonist rescued from xenomorphs by Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks--has joined the Colonial Marines. Brand is approached about taking on a special assignment in the area where he was previously rescued by the pair of heroines. Brand jumps at the chance and once again finds himself in the company of the two venerable ladies who saved him several years prior.
The story presented in "Rescue" is slightly less confusing than that of "Resistance," but still lacks the engaging punch that every great Aliens story needs. The reasons for needing to visit the planet from the last comic are murky at best, and the scenario comes close to feeling ripped off of Ellen Ripley's return to LV-426 in Aliens. The best parts of the story are about Brand's past, which also contain the few compelling moments of characterization. The "mystery" in the story is resolved way too quickly and in a predictable fashion. The liberal use of flashbacks in the story is jarring and lends confusion to the narrative. Amanda and Zula's miraculous return seems forced and is light on explanation.
Where "Rescue" finds its saving grace is in its artwork. The art style is smoother and less angular than its predecessor, with a markedly cleaner feel. I enjoyed the art style, but found it lacked the grit and gore that an Aliens comic needs. It was a little too "sanitized" for my taste. Also lacking were sequences of extended action; action just lasts a few frames at a time, and is underwhelming. I must commend Robert De La Torre, however, on his excellent cover art presented throughout the comic. His renderings are outstanding, and are quite beautiful in a very dark and cold way.
Characterization is lacking. Amanda and Zula aren't developed in any appreciable way, and Brand ends up becoming the only compelling character of the bunch. As such, Brand becomes the hero of the day, while Amanda and Zula are portrayed as tepid, weak versions of their former selves.
The slight improvement in story gives "Rescue" an edge over "Resistance," though its visuals don't convey the same raw intensity. Unfortunately, characterization falls flat in both comics. So in the end, we have yet another fun though flawed comic that fails to give us any real desire to see the cast back for another outing. At this time, there are no sequels to "Rescue," nor any plans to come out with one. If you're hungry for more action with Amanda and Zula, you might check out the Alien novels "Isolation" and "Prototype," fine novels both.
Picking up a few years after "Aliens: Resistance," we find Alec Brand--colonist rescued from xenomorphs by Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks--has joined the Colonial Marines. Brand is approached about taking on a special assignment in the area where he was previously rescued by the pair of heroines. Brand jumps at the chance and once again finds himself in the company of the two venerable ladies who saved him several years prior.
The story presented in "Rescue" is slightly less confusing than that of "Resistance," but still lacks the engaging punch that every great Aliens story needs. The reasons for needing to visit the planet from the last comic are murky at best, and the scenario comes close to feeling ripped off of Ellen Ripley's return to LV-426 in Aliens. The best parts of the story are about Brand's past, which also contain the few compelling moments of characterization. The "mystery" in the story is resolved way too quickly and in a predictable fashion. The liberal use of flashbacks in the story is jarring and lends confusion to the narrative. Amanda and Zula's miraculous return seems forced and is light on explanation.
Where "Rescue" finds its saving grace is in its artwork. The art style is smoother and less angular than its predecessor, with a markedly cleaner feel. I enjoyed the art style, but found it lacked the grit and gore that an Aliens comic needs. It was a little too "sanitized" for my taste. Also lacking were sequences of extended action; action just lasts a few frames at a time, and is underwhelming. I must commend Robert De La Torre, however, on his excellent cover art presented throughout the comic. His renderings are outstanding, and are quite beautiful in a very dark and cold way.
Characterization is lacking. Amanda and Zula aren't developed in any appreciable way, and Brand ends up becoming the only compelling character of the bunch. As such, Brand becomes the hero of the day, while Amanda and Zula are portrayed as tepid, weak versions of their former selves.
The slight improvement in story gives "Rescue" an edge over "Resistance," though its visuals don't convey the same raw intensity. Unfortunately, characterization falls flat in both comics. So in the end, we have yet another fun though flawed comic that fails to give us any real desire to see the cast back for another outing. At this time, there are no sequels to "Rescue," nor any plans to come out with one. If you're hungry for more action with Amanda and Zula, you might check out the Alien novels "Isolation" and "Prototype," fine novels both.
April 17, 2020
I've been a fan of the Alien franchise since I was a little bitty kid in the late '80s but I've never read any of the many Aliens comic books until I read a digital galley of the upcoming Aliens: Rescue. It's a direct sequel to the 4-part Aliens: Resistance which was a sequel to the 12-part Aliens: Defiance and the video game Alien: Isolation. Despite the fact I had no clue what occurred before Aliens: Rescue, I had no problem figuring out what happened at the tail end of Aliens: Resistance, thanks to a few flashbacks.
The story itself is about as simple as it gets ― Marines are sent to a planet to kill hundreds of Xenomorphs. That's the entire plot. Besides Alec Brand, the characters are all one-dimensional at best. If I'd read the previous series, then maybe I would've liked the characters more.
The artwork is really good and it's actually the best thing about this graphic novel. The Xenomorphs are very detailed though they're not really characters in this tale, instead, they're treated like background props and only take center stage near the ending (or otherwise known as issue 4).
Overall, Aliens: Rescue has some entertaining artwork but it misses the mark with a clichéd plot and bland characters.
The story itself is about as simple as it gets ― Marines are sent to a planet to kill hundreds of Xenomorphs. That's the entire plot. Besides Alec Brand, the characters are all one-dimensional at best. If I'd read the previous series, then maybe I would've liked the characters more.
The artwork is really good and it's actually the best thing about this graphic novel. The Xenomorphs are very detailed though they're not really characters in this tale, instead, they're treated like background props and only take center stage near the ending (or otherwise known as issue 4).
Overall, Aliens: Rescue has some entertaining artwork but it misses the mark with a clichéd plot and bland characters.
March 28, 2023
The final part of Wood's 3 part alien series before Dark Horse lost the rights (and also the fact Brian Wood accusations came out, so doubt he'd be writing for Alien much longer after this)
This takes place a few years after resistance. This time the young boy is now a grown man, Alec Brand joins the marines after the events of the last book. Thinking his two heroes, Zula and Amanda are dead he doesn't think much of his work till he finds out they're both alive and decides to join them on their mission.
I have to be honest, I wish we dug deeper into Alec and his loss of his heroes while also his struggles of being a marine. I felt we just glanced over that stuff, and the weight behind it didn't last very long sadly. I did enjoy the mission, and the actual fights against the Xenomorphs were pretty great. But overall a fun ride, better than resistance, but not as good as Defiance, which might be the best Alien story overall.
A 3 out of 5.
This takes place a few years after resistance. This time the young boy is now a grown man, Alec Brand joins the marines after the events of the last book. Thinking his two heroes, Zula and Amanda are dead he doesn't think much of his work till he finds out they're both alive and decides to join them on their mission.
I have to be honest, I wish we dug deeper into Alec and his loss of his heroes while also his struggles of being a marine. I felt we just glanced over that stuff, and the weight behind it didn't last very long sadly. I did enjoy the mission, and the actual fights against the Xenomorphs were pretty great. But overall a fun ride, better than resistance, but not as good as Defiance, which might be the best Alien story overall.
A 3 out of 5.
July 5, 2021
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this one better than the previous series, Resistance. Partly because when I read Resistance I had no idea it was a sequel to the Alien Isolation game and therefore was lost for most of the story. In this case, the story is a direct sequel to Resistance so I knew what was happening from the start.
It's really a very typical Aliens story with a planet overrun by Aliens and a valiant group of marines battling to destroy the Aliens in order to thwart the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's evil schemes. The art was decent and while the story was predictable it was still entertaining.
I'm curious to see what Marvel does with the Alien license, as for the most part Dark Horse did a good job with it.
I enjoyed this one better than the previous series, Resistance. Partly because when I read Resistance I had no idea it was a sequel to the Alien Isolation game and therefore was lost for most of the story. In this case, the story is a direct sequel to Resistance so I knew what was happening from the start.
It's really a very typical Aliens story with a planet overrun by Aliens and a valiant group of marines battling to destroy the Aliens in order to thwart the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's evil schemes. The art was decent and while the story was predictable it was still entertaining.
I'm curious to see what Marvel does with the Alien license, as for the most part Dark Horse did a good job with it.
August 28, 2023
As a sequel to ALIENS: RESISTANCE this answers the question of Aliens followers as to what happened to Alec Brand, who was rescued by Amanda Ripley and Zula Hendricks. He works his way into the Colonial Marines and gets an assignment that reunites him with his rescuers. Should be an emotional moment, right? - - - somewhat, for all of three panels and then it's right to the mission briefing - - intercept an alien migration on a remote planet (how did they get here? - never answer) to a giant hive with thousands of eggs.
The story is good, and includes a sufficient amount of marines versus aliens to satisfy those who came along for that. The art is good, but also nothing special. Wood's story-telling here is so methodical and matter-of-fact that it completely drains this story of any emotion for me. And, failing that, so what? Why read it? I would only recommend this to real Aliens fans. To others, it's just not essential. Nothing new happens. Same old bad guys - - the evil Weyland-Yutani corporation and "their perpetual hard-on for alien bio-tech."
The story is good, and includes a sufficient amount of marines versus aliens to satisfy those who came along for that. The art is good, but also nothing special. Wood's story-telling here is so methodical and matter-of-fact that it completely drains this story of any emotion for me. And, failing that, so what? Why read it? I would only recommend this to real Aliens fans. To others, it's just not essential. Nothing new happens. Same old bad guys - - the evil Weyland-Yutani corporation and "their perpetual hard-on for alien bio-tech."
August 23, 2024
Rescue is better then woods preceding comic Resistance, but this still isn't great. The artwork is fine, but the story felt rushed, incomplete, and even had inconsistencies and plot points that didn't make sense.
September 28, 2020
I read it over a couple days and, when I picked it up to finish, felt I must have missed a large section. It feels really rushed and pointless, and is a step down from Wood's previous Aliens books.
March 25, 2020
Why did I read this?
January 5, 2021
I'm going to echo what I'm seeing others say, I'm not sure that this is a complete story.
There's an odd time jump that negates the "cliffhanger" for the end of one issue to the beginning of the next with zero explanation. I can't help but wonder if the editor was asleep on the job here.
The main plot point is an actual dangling plot thread at the end. It's never really explained.
If this was planned as an overall trilogy then I'm sorry to say I don't think it will ever be completed. Dark Horse no longer has publication rights for ALIENS because Disney bought Fox.
Hey, the art was pretty though.
There's an odd time jump that negates the "cliffhanger" for the end of one issue to the beginning of the next with zero explanation. I can't help but wonder if the editor was asleep on the job here.
The main plot point is an actual dangling plot thread at the end. It's never really explained.
If this was planned as an overall trilogy then I'm sorry to say I don't think it will ever be completed. Dark Horse no longer has publication rights for ALIENS because Disney bought Fox.
Hey, the art was pretty though.
April 25, 2020
After being saved by Zula Hendricks and Amanda Ripley in Alien Resistance, Alec Brand is back as a Marine in Alien Rescue, though for me, the titles of the books, fit better the other way around - but hey, that's just me!
The three of them, and a load of disposable no-name marines are back Alien hunting, in a bid to stop Weyland-Yutani getting their specimens, you'd have thought that the big WY would've given up by now!
A nice little action story to add to the series.
The three of them, and a load of disposable no-name marines are back Alien hunting, in a bid to stop Weyland-Yutani getting their specimens, you'd have thought that the big WY would've given up by now!
A nice little action story to add to the series.
July 6, 2025
I was originally worried b/c of the weak artwork on the cover. Fortunately, the Kieran McKeown really brought the great art for this title. Everything else this title brings is just "mid". As far as an Alien title goes, Rescue is very weak. The violence and horror of Aliens: Rescue was almost non-existent. I thought the story was good, but not up to the level that we are used to in the Aliens franchise. I'm quite surprised this got "greenlit".
April 23, 2020
Even before Wood's misconduct came out, these just weren't ever as good as they should've been. They should've been scary. With better art. I guess someone's buying 'em if they keep continuing with these characters...
July 28, 2022
I picked this book up on a whim and I liked it. Nice action, art was engaging and clean. I don’t know anything about the Aliens story so I was a bit lost but I think I got the overall plot. I think people more knowledgeable about the Aliens backstory would enjoy this more.
September 4, 2024
Following on the heels of Resistance, another short installment that is all broad strokes and few small details, and the justification that is dreamt up for continuing the tale in the first place also...strains credulity.
Still, it's short, and inoffensive.
Still, it's short, and inoffensive.
March 22, 2020
definitely better than Resistance (more action and plot). More aliens2-4 than isolation gameplay
April 17, 2020
I read this back to back with Predator: Hunters, they essentially have the same plot a survivor decides to kill the Aliens.
Doesn't bring anything new to the table, it basically the same beats as the movies.
Even though this is the 4th book in the series, you can go in without any prior knowledge. I did, it explains all the important bits but doesn't really add anything to the story.
Overall it's a bit bland but still enjoyable.
Doesn't bring anything new to the table, it basically the same beats as the movies.
Even though this is the 4th book in the series, you can go in without any prior knowledge. I did, it explains all the important bits but doesn't really add anything to the story.
Overall it's a bit bland but still enjoyable.
June 6, 2021
Fairly weak entry into the franchise, but then apparently this is Wood's last book on the series, so hopefully better things are to come.
October 20, 2021
It was ok, visual awesome, but I felt the story could been told better. They did cover the a bit through flashbacks, but I didn't feel like it was enough. And than with his story, I felt it was good, but simple. Than your just left with a hanging feeling. I did realize that this comic came out in 2020, so maybe there a fifth comic being made, I do hope so, otherwise this will feel very incomplete.
October 21, 2021
Short and rather forgettable.
November 6, 2022
Rushed
February 12, 2023
Too long or too short.
July 28, 2024
"Alien : Rescue" de Brian Wood, un buen cómic de Aliens pero quede bastante colgada con la historia y necesito buscar la continuación, para saber en que terminará. 🤷🏻♀️
February 16, 2020
Another exciting issue in the series
Rating based on story and artwork. Story could have been more elaborate and layered but artwork was really great. Good work!
Rating based on story and artwork. Story could have been more elaborate and layered but artwork was really great. Good work!
February 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this. As a sequel to Aliens: Resistance it was so much better. A solid 4 part series with great characterisation and ideas. The art was superb too. Next part please.
January 17, 2020
This wasn't very good. The story was interesting, but the editing was very poor. For example, at the end of one comic the main character was running off on his own and then at the beginning of the they are all in a group again hunting down the aliens. I wondered if I missed something, but I don't think so.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews