by Jake Douglas
Alien, is a special kind of film. Up until its release in 1979, there had been absolutely nothing like it. Sure there had been sci-fi films, scfi-fi horror films, and sci-fi thrillers all the same (most of which were parodied on Mystery Science Theatre 3000) but nothing to rival - if you'll beg the clichéd terms - the terror and suspense of the first Alien film. It spawned three sequels, two spin off films, one prequel, an entire merchandising line that still pumps out goods on a regular basis, and of course countless (and I do mean countless) books and comics based on the original premise.
Lets not mince words boys and girls, if you haven't seen Alien, then that's just downright shameful. I wouldn't normally say that to anyone about anything, but if you're over the age of fifteen and haven't watched it yet, you've already gone on too long without seeing it, and you need to immediately rectify this. So I'm just going to sit here and wait while the people who haven't seen it, see it. I'll give you - lets say - 3 hours. That gives you enough time to hire it out and watch it. Then you can come back and read the rest.
Ok, watched it? Changed your life? Good! Now you're back on track!
Alien, is a special kind of film. Up until its release in 1979, there had been absolutely nothing like it. Sure there had been sci-fi films, scfi-fi horror films, and sci-fi thrillers all the same (most of which were parodied on Mystery Science Theatre 3000) but nothing to rival - if you'll beg the clichéd terms - the terror and suspense of the first Alien film. It spawned three sequels, two spin off films, one prequel, an entire merchandising line that still pumps out goods on a regular basis, and of course countless (and I do mean countless) books and comics based on the original premise.
Lets not mince words boys and girls, if you haven't seen Alien, then that's just downright shameful. I wouldn't normally say that to anyone about anything, but if you're over the age of fifteen and haven't watched it yet, you've already gone on too long without seeing it, and you need to immediately rectify this. So I'm just going to sit here and wait while the people who haven't seen it, see it. I'll give you - lets say - 3 hours. That gives you enough time to hire it out and watch it. Then you can come back and read the rest.
Ok, watched it? Changed your life? Good! Now you're back on track!
In 1979, to tie in with the film, Heavy Metal Publishing enlisted the dynamic duo of Archie Goodwin (Marvel Star Wars, Detective Comics) and Walt Simonson (The Mighty Thor, Terminator VS Robocop) to adapt the film into a graphic novel, called Alien: The Illustrated Story. Titan Books have just recently released a couple of versions of the graphic novel, a regular soft cover, which I own, and a radical super duper hardcover coffee table format of an edition called the Original Art Edition; which I intend to own.
Titan's release even in the regular softcover version is truly a sight to behold. As an admirer of comics, and of art in general, it's hard not to impress me (the only books I stay away from are ones illustrated by Kelley Jones) but this edition has absolutely blown me away! Whether it's the double page spreads of the derelict spacecraft, or the incredible detail displayed in every panel, Simonson's art just slaps me in the face repeatedly until my jaw drops at its magnificence. The whole novel uses the mixture of scope and isolation to their advantage, much as the movie itself did. And knowing what I know about the movie didn't change anything either.
Titan's release even in the regular softcover version is truly a sight to behold. As an admirer of comics, and of art in general, it's hard not to impress me (the only books I stay away from are ones illustrated by Kelley Jones) but this edition has absolutely blown me away! Whether it's the double page spreads of the derelict spacecraft, or the incredible detail displayed in every panel, Simonson's art just slaps me in the face repeatedly until my jaw drops at its magnificence. The whole novel uses the mixture of scope and isolation to their advantage, much as the movie itself did. And knowing what I know about the movie didn't change anything either.
The graphic novel does indeed follow the events of the film precisely. But being that this was based on the screenplay, it does throw a few lefties here and there in the form of scenes deleted from the final cut of the film. There is a random, WAY out of place moment between Ripley and Lambert, placed after Dallas's fateful turn in the air ducts. In this moment it's in regards to whether or not either of them have slept with Dallas. This would have no doubt been out of place in the film, and it sure as hell stops the normally easy flow of the novel.
For the most part however, this works in their favour. On one page you could be reading the witty yet catty banter between the crew of the Nostromo, and the next page is a blood soaked massacre, which in terms of shock value, may even give the film itself a run for its money. I enjoyed being surprised in this way.
There is one scene in the film which even to this day nearly makes me want to puke or look away, and that is when Veronica Cartwright's character Lambert dies. There's some really uncomfortable shit in that scene, involving the Alien's tale, and a cutaway where all you can hear is what sounds like Lambert dry reaching. Now I don't consider myself to be that naive, but Jesus D. God that's rough! The novel puts this tastefully (I think) into effect, and just has Ripley walking in on Parker's corpse, with Lambert's feet dangling in the air.
All up though, Goodwin's consistently tight storytelling blended in with Simonson's equally savage and beautiful art, proves that they were absolutely a force to be reckoned with in the 70's. Before Dark Horse blasted the comic industry with all manner of Alien, Predator, Terminator, Robocop, Aliens VS Predator and Aliens VS Predator VS Terminator comics (Don't laugh, it's true, I own it, it's awesome) there was Alien: The Illustrated Story.
And in my humble opinion, much like the original movie spawning countless imitations and rip-offs, the printed legacy of Alien - Dark Horse or otherwise - owes a great deal to this graphic novel.
Pick it up, read it, and make sure everyone you know does the same.
For the most part however, this works in their favour. On one page you could be reading the witty yet catty banter between the crew of the Nostromo, and the next page is a blood soaked massacre, which in terms of shock value, may even give the film itself a run for its money. I enjoyed being surprised in this way.
There is one scene in the film which even to this day nearly makes me want to puke or look away, and that is when Veronica Cartwright's character Lambert dies. There's some really uncomfortable shit in that scene, involving the Alien's tale, and a cutaway where all you can hear is what sounds like Lambert dry reaching. Now I don't consider myself to be that naive, but Jesus D. God that's rough! The novel puts this tastefully (I think) into effect, and just has Ripley walking in on Parker's corpse, with Lambert's feet dangling in the air.
All up though, Goodwin's consistently tight storytelling blended in with Simonson's equally savage and beautiful art, proves that they were absolutely a force to be reckoned with in the 70's. Before Dark Horse blasted the comic industry with all manner of Alien, Predator, Terminator, Robocop, Aliens VS Predator and Aliens VS Predator VS Terminator comics (Don't laugh, it's true, I own it, it's awesome) there was Alien: The Illustrated Story.
And in my humble opinion, much like the original movie spawning countless imitations and rip-offs, the printed legacy of Alien - Dark Horse or otherwise - owes a great deal to this graphic novel.
Pick it up, read it, and make sure everyone you know does the same.
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