Species: Hot Alien or Hot Garbage? Comic Review
Nathan “Xeno” Williams
1/11/20244 min read
Written by Dennis Feldman
Penciled by Jon Foster
Inked by Brian Kane
Lettered by Pat Brosseau
Colored by Rachelle Menashe
Cover Art by John Bolton (#1-3), Peter Mitchell Rubin (#4)
Spoilers Ahead
This comic produced by Dark Horse is the official comic adaptation of the 1995 science fiction thriller film “Species,” directed by Roger Donaldson and written by Dennis Feldman. Feldman wrote the adaptation of the comic, with Jon Foster on penciling and artwork. The comic came out the same year as the film and ran for four issues from June to September of 1995.
The first issue gives the reader a much better glimpse into the life of Sil, the extraterrestrial/human hybrid and main character of the Species series. Sil’s character arc is fleshed out better in the comic series as she is given more human qualities, such as fear and insecurity, presented in the form of nightmares. Sil feels and acts more human in the adaptation and is not as robotic, animalistic, or predatory as her movie self.
The adaptation follows the same trajectory as the film, as the government scientists (Sil’s captors), fearing her nightly outbursts, begin to perceive her as a threat to humanity, and plan to terminate her. However, Sil, being able to read lips, knows what is about to come and breaks out of the containment cell and into the wild, evading her pursuers. The issue ends with Sil boarding a train headed to Las Vegas.
Issue two picks up where issue one ends with Sil on the train eating and building a cocoon for her to transition into adulthood. By this time, the team that is formed to hunt her down is getting briefed on who she is, what her plans are, and what her instincts are driving her towards. Unfortunately, Sil’s pursuers are not aware that they are supposed to be looking for an adult and only discover this after they find her cocoon in one of the train cabs.
Her metamorphosis enables Sil to escape and follow her instincts, which are to mate and reproduce more alien offspring.
This carnal need culminates when a man takes Sil to his home after meeting him at a nightclub. The evening ends very poorly for the hapless victim. While attempting to force himself upon Sil, she decides that he is not a prime candidate for her needs and proceeds to put a spike through his skull.
Issue two ends with the science team finding the body of the dead man, but Sil is nowhere in sight.
Issue three starts with the team's startling discovery that if Sil is allowed to breed human civilization, it will quickly head towards extinction. The comic cuts to Sil wandering down a highway as her stolen car runs out of gas. A truck hits Sil, then the trucker takes her to the hospital. The hospital staff becomes alarmed when the wounds that Sil sustained begin to heal right before their eyes. The unfortunate trucker is picked by Sil to be her breeding partner and leaves with her. Meanwhile, the science team arrives at the hospital where a nurse catches them up on events that have transpired since Sil’s escape.
Later that night, Sil and the trucker are in a hot tub about to bond when members of the science team enter and corner Sil. She transforms into her alien form then runs into the forest. She has learned that her pursuers know what she looks like. To disguise herself, Sil cuts and dyes her hair. She then becomes the hunter, rather than the hunted, and begins to stalk the team.
Issue 4 very quickly wraps up the story. Sil finally manages to breed with one of the doctors on the team. The doctor realizes too late that the woman he is with is Sil, and she kills him. Before the rest of the team can prevent her from escaping, Sil ducks into a nearby cave system and gives birth. Her child grows quickly and immediately attacks members of the team. The child is killed then Sil once again attempts to escape her pursuers. Sil is now seeking revenge, but unfortunately, revenge does not outdo a shotgun blast to the chest. Sil is dead, as are her offspring, and the earth is safe. Or is it?
The comic stays true to the film, following it beat for beat. Issue one stands out because of its deeper exploration of Sil’s childhood, if one could call it that. The comic focused on Sil’s journey, while the film focused on human interactions of the team of scientists. The cover art for all four issues is astounding. They truly capture the aesthetic and atmosphere that only H.R. Giger can create. But that is where the connection to Giger ends. The cover art atmosphere does not transfer to the pages of the comics.
Despite that, there are some excellent scenes penned in the panels, especially those involving Sil and the other infected alien lifeforms, where the line work and inking are top-notch and really add a dramatic depth to the comic. However, these scenes are quickly overshadowed by what feels like rushed work. The writing is not bad, and the overall story is not bad either, but the comic comes off as a glorified storyboard of the film.
Would I recommend this comic series? Yes. As a huge “Alien” and H.R. Giger fan, these comics are great to add to the collection. The covers are eye-catching and they make great display pieces that are sure to draw attention. While the comics are a quick read and very well written, I would say, “Just watch the movie." The film has some great eye candy and gives the science team more personality. If you are watching this movie for intriguing dialogue and thought-provoking discussions on ethics and human/alien hybrid genetics, I think you may be left very disappointed.
In summary, yes, get the comics. They are a great addition to any horror or sci-fi comic collection. Read maybe once, but other than that, watch the movie.