Marvel’s Alien and X-Men Crossover Promises Thrilling Action

The X-Men are gearing up to confront their most formidable adversary this September as they face off against the Xenomorphs. Following last year’s thrilling Alien Vs. Avengers, Marvel is setting the stage for the Children of the Atom to battle the ultimate killing machine from the cosmos. A fresh preview of the upcoming limited series reveals just how dire the situation is about to become, and the anticipation is palpable.

Alien Vs. X-Men will be penned by the iconic X-Men writer Kieron Gillen, with artwork by Geraldo Borges. Additionally, the series will feature a four-part bonus story from Chris Claremont, showcasing a clash between the Xenomorphs and the Brood, Marvel’s own hive-minded alien race known for their host-infecting and lethal tendencies. The main narrative will see the X-Men biting off more than they can chew as they search for a Phoenix egg, only to stumble upon a far more perilous threat that they inadvertently bring back to Earth.

The preview pages highlight the moment the X-Men first encounter the Xenomorphs in their egg stage. Wolverine and Jamie Madrox (Multiple Man) are seen ensnared by alien growth, just as Jamie is attacked by a facehugger. The lineup, featuring Kitty Pryde, Beast, Emma Frost, Wolverine, and Cyclops, along with their specific costumes, suggests that the series is set during Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men era.

In a conversation, Gillen noted that the extraterrestrial themes of this period seamlessly integrate into an Alien crossover.

The excitement of crossovers like Alien Vs. X-Men lies in their freedom from established canon. This allows Gillen to fully embrace the horror elements of the Alien franchise, even if it means putting fan-favorite mutants in peril. “Heroes can still be heroes and act like themselves,” Gillen explained, “but they’re in a story where their luck often runs out.”

Gillen highlighted Storm as a pivotal character in Alien Vs. X-Men, despite her absence from the promotional material thus far. He likens her to Ripley, suggesting she will be the central figure and, if fortune favors her, the survivor of the X-Men’s harrowing encounter with the Xenomorphs. While Storm’s power level posed challenges for the creative team, Gillen hinted that they have devised a solution that makes her role in the story feel justified.

Fans will discover the details for themselves when Alien Vs. X-Men #1 drops on September 16.