Dark Horse announces Aliens: Dead Orbit in a new interview released on Comic Book Resources. Dead Orbit will be both written and illustrated by James Stokoe who is best known for his original creation Orc Stain.
“’Dead Orbit’ mostly takes place on the space station Sphacteria in a rather forgotten and secluded area of space. It’s a pretty ragged, worn looking setting. [The Xenomorphs] are definitely not there to give the space station crew a helping hand, so I’d say they’re as much of an antagonist as an unknowable monster can be. I don’t really consider them to be that sinister; they just have a very violent, predatory life cycle which sucks if you’re a human and happen to be their neighbor.”
Stokoe talks to CBR about the direction he is taking with Aliens: Dead Orbit, discussing the challenge of no sound in comic and the visual aspects of the series:
“The narrative bounces between pre and post alien attack on the station,” he said. “I’m having to draw the same settings in various states of disarray, but still keep it recognizable, which has been a bit of a challenge with all the million little pipes and terminals and whatnot. It’s definitely a big departure from the ‘Orc Stain’ environments, but more technical sci-fi stuff is always fun to draw.”
The interview includes several pages of preview artwork from Aliens: Dead Orbit and I have to say I’m getting quite an Alien vibe from it. Stokoe’s style is very reminiscent of some of Alien’s concept artists, specifically Ron Cobb and Mobius!
Aliens: Dead Orbit is currently due for release April 26th (Alien Day), 2017. Thanks to Ultramorph for the news!
http://uk.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Limited_Comic_Book_or_Mini-Series
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/comicbook.com/amp/2017/12/14/why-aliens-dead-orbit-was-the-best-licensed-comic-of-2017/
Multiversitycomics have put in their top 5 min series of 2017
http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2017-in-review-best-miniseries/
I have found more sites with the same consensus. I am really happy that this book has been well received and noticed.
You do these things so we don't have to.
It's a shame too, we'll never get another graphic adventure game in that vein ever again.
Space Jockies at the end.
Church is in that?
But he's an even more one dimensional nut in that one.
To be honest, I'd quite like a follow up.
The flashback is truly awesome.
Yeah, people rave about that one, but if you take out the absolutely stellar flashback, I honestly think the rest is pretty mediocre, which is a big shame.
I love all of Labyrinth but I do agree that Church didn't have to be so looney at the end. I would have played the story out the same way but had church be a lot more level headed and make him almost justified.
I am - the issue in the hive is possibly the best single issue of any Aliens comic, the art is Beauvais-level good, and the writing is generally pretty good. But it falls away towards the end when it's revealed Church is just another nut. On more recent readings I can't help but think it was a great opportunity to turn convention on its head.
And Crespi suffers from 'believing the last thing he was told'itis.
I completely missed that it regenerated. I absolutely loved that it lost it's arm in the explosion.
Maybe Stoakes had been listening to the Covenant commentary...
Are you not a fan of Labyrinth?
I was not being sarcastic.
What's with the smarmy rolly eyes?
Aliens have never been shown to regenerate before
https://jacobsfilms.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/photo-3.jpg
Yeah. This is right.
The smokes were a bonus
Yeah it's strange
Perhaps Wassy held his breath and the timer adjusted.
Spoiler
Spoiler
4:02:52
4:02:51
4:02:50
4:02:49
Then last page goes:
4:02:43
4:02:47
4:02:46
etc.
I think 4:02:43 was supposed to be 4:02:48.
Ironically to get smokes. The first issue shows an empty pack.
Stokoe does all his own lettering so I can't see it being a mistake. He is really anal. Must mean something.
Yeah, that's what I meant by the countdown.
He had to get from observation to life support.
The timers are curious in that they don't really follow on the surface but I think they're for different things. I really need to study them more closely. The basic plot seems to be all about Wassy going EVA to grab a stash of smokes.
Despite the 'typo' in the last page.
Is there any mention of te United Systems Military in that series.
Another glowing review I found.
https://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2017/12/13/aliens-dead-orbit-4-review/
One thing I'm wondering now. I don't remember Dark Horse resoliciting the TPB of this series. It was originally solicited for Nov. Obviously the delays prevent that. Dark Horse have it listed as March 21st now, I think, definitely March. Usually delays mean the book is resolicited. Did I miss that ?