In April 2013 Dark Horse released their latest novella, Inhuman Condition, written by John Layman and drawn by Aliens veteran Sam Keith. I picked it up last month and have now uploaded my review:
“I hadn’t initially intended to pick this book up because I knew Sam Keith would be doing the artwork. I’ll put this straight out there – I don’t like his art. In my opinion his inclusion on Female War ruined that book and that is a consensus shared by the majority of the Aliens readership.”
Is it all doom and gloom? Read the entire review and find out! As well as that, I have also re-written my review for Aliens Omnibus Volume #1. Be sure to check out that review too.
Still, the potential is there and if nothing else Layman demonstrates that there are plenty of good hooks in this franchise even if he doesn't pursue them to fresh conclusions. Keith's artwork ranges from a rare deep insight, usually fleeting across Jean Depaul's milky face, to just downright awful. I have seen stuff by him that I like but this time there are too many panels that feel phoned in.
The story going from somewhat of a thinking man's action movie in the first and second story arcs going to pure popcorn action flick in the Female War bothered me much more.
I've already ordered it, so I'll have to wait and see what I think about Inhuman Condition when I get back.