The Alien Factor

by Stan Lee, Stan Timmons (Contributor)

In 1942, as the Nazi war machine sweeps across Europe, an alien spacecraft and its occupants crash behind enemy lines, revealing the secrets of alien weaponry to the ruthless Nazis, unless an Allied suicide squad known as "Logan's Losers" can venture into the heart of enemy territory and rescue the alien visitors and their technology before it is too late. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, War, Science Fiction Fantasy

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Gilgamesh]

Un'accozzaglia di trito e ritrito, scontato fin dalle prime pagine. L'unica cosa che intriga (forse) è l'ambientazione durante la seconda guerra mondiale, con l'astronave aliena che finisce (udite udite) nella Francia dominata dai nazisti, invece che a Roswell. Inutile dire che c'è il comandante tedesco cattivissimo e assetato di potere che tenta in tutti i modi di accaparrarsi le simpatie del visitatore dopo averlo imprigionato (sob!), l'eroe americano che sembra uscito da un episodio di una serie noir, l'ingenuo ragazzo che prende l'alieno per un angelo (ah sì?)... etc. etc.
Stan Lee, il genio della Marvel, scomparso da qualche anno, qui ci dimostra (nel caso avessimo dubbi) che il fumetto è una cosa, la narrativa un'altra.
Ma va?

[CharlieSz]

Don't bother. Should have bailed much sooner but I kept waiting for it to get better. Nope.

[Aaron]

This was a pretty good read, though I had only just hear of it recently.

The story starts when a small alien vessel crashes in Vichy France during World War II. As you can imagine, the various powers scramble to get control of the vessel, which seems to be magically made up of a solid liquid metal (think of the ship from The Flight of the Navigator) and the one surviving alien, who seems to have morphing, healing, and telepathic powers. The story is pretty fast paced and takes on the form of a political intrigue story that is filled with spies and double agents ... basically mix The Bourne Identity with The X-Files. The story is presented with shared perspectives, which creates a unique look at what is going on. Perspectives include an American operative, a French boy who believes he is following in the footsteps of Joan of Arc, a French Maquis leader, a german uberfuhrer, and an American military leader.

I thought it read easily and moved pretty quickly. The characters are not tremendously well-developed, but that would not seem to be too important with this kind of story.

The biggest disappointment for readers might be if they are hoping to see some of Stan Lee's more famous characters. This seems to be a unique, standalone story that is superhero free, despite the fact that one of his characters shares his name with one of Marvel's most popular characters.

[Nicholas Lefevre]

When I was a kid in the 50's and early 60's I delighted in a few comic book series that mixed Nazis, Allied GIs, and monsters. What could be better for a kid in the 50's. Nazis were still fresh villains and the Bomb gave birth to new breeds of monsters. Combine Nazis, Monsters, and GI good guys and you can't lose. When I saw this was written by Stan Lee I figured that his adolescent fantasies were akin to mine and he wanted to revive the genre.

I got some of what is was hoping for. The setting is just what I hoped, Europe in 1942. The Nazis and Resistance clash. A flying craft crashes in Vichy France and both sides come to realize it may contain balance of power setting technology. There's also a surviving alien with unique powers. Unfortunately, the character development and plot thrills are weak. I hope someone puts pen to paper to revive the Nazis, GIs, monsters genre.

On screen we did get Overlord from JJ Abrams. That came pretty close.

[Tim Richman]

Long comic book

There is a slightly interesting story but it is all telegraphed with no character development. It fits with Stan Lee's history but it doesn't demonstrate anything beyond comic book shorthand.

[Gene]

After 30 pages I almost set it aside thinking it was terrible, but by page 60, Stan had found his stride and was going strong. In spite of the name, it’s not really science fiction, it more a story of WW2 and how awful Nazis were.

[Jesse Deleon]

5 Stars for Stan Lee!

Thank you Stan Lee for a fantastic WW 2 sci fi adventure that is action packed story. A new fan of your writing.

[james fowler]

Excellent read.

Very entertaining book. A real page Turner. Looking forward to reading more books by Stan Lee. Really kept my interest throughout the book.

[Richard Domey]

A quickie.

Interesting. Well written. Good plot that moves along easily. Nothing wasted. Excellent mixture of WWII and sci-first. Good character development.

[Maria]

I'm a big fan of Stan Lee and this book was another one of his many wonderful accomplishments. Loved it.

[Matt McRoberts]

Real rating: 2.5

It was ok, I doubt i'll take the time to re-read this one again though.

[Devero]

In realtà, questa prova del padre dell'universo Marvel come scrittore, meriterebbe di più. Ma non è l'unico autore del romanzo che, in troppi punti, strizza l'occhio ai lettori Marvel che possono intravedere come diversi dei personaggi siano ricalcati su alcuni personaggi Marvel, nonché sulla missione, pazzesca come quelle degli Howling Commandos e altri gruppi simili.

[Dee Renee Chesnut]

It was entertaining. I was disappointed by the weak characterizations in this novel. For example, I did not have enough distinction between the Allied commander and his staff and Allied commando leader and members of his squad to help me keep them distinguished while reading.

[Carl]

Stan Lee is a living legend, a co creator of some of the greatest comic series on earth!
Unfotunately he cannot write super novels. I love his cameos in the Marvel films and hopes he does many more
Excelsior!

[Richard]

Reading this book was just like reading a comic book. Unfortunately, there is no artwork to prop up the inane dialog and trite story. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything else.

[Brett]

Science Fiction

[Bree]

While Stan Lee is a great idea man and I love seeing his appearances in the Marvel films...a writer he is not.

[Jason Hale]

I just didn't like the book sorry Stan Lee.