Best Alien Comics (September 2025)

The legacy of the 1979 film Alien cannot be understated. The movie defied the conventions of both horror movies and science-fiction, blending both into something truly original. It also redefined the status of women in both genres, with Sigourney Weaver’s performance as Ripley setting a new standard for women as action heroes.

Unsurprisingly, Alien inspired a sequel, and then a larger franchise. Its setting has been expanded into multiple media, including novels, video games, and the streaming series Alien: Earth. Yet the medium in which it has seen the most development is comic books.

Best Alien Comics as of 2025

Alien has inspired over 60 separate comic book series and miniseries since 1979. Most of these are original tales, which expand the setting of the movies. Some are set in alternate timelines or based on unused film scripts. Some are adaptations of the original films or direct sequels to them. However, many of the original comics were of sufficient quality that they were then adapted into novels or movies themselves.

Alien: The Illustrated Story

Alien: The Illustrated Story holds the distinction of being the first comic inspired by the first movie. It was originally published in 1979, in the adult comic magazine Heavy Metal. It was scripted by legendary writer/editor Archie Goodwin. The art was handled by Walt Simonson, years before he became famous for his work on Thor.

While largely faithful to the plot of the film, Alien: The Illustrated Story does change some details. Chief among these is a scene in which the Xenomorph seems to compress itself into a box to ambush Ripley. This was due to Goodwin and Simonson working from the original shooting script and a rough cut of the movie. As a result, the comic contains several scenes cut from the final film. (Many of these were later restored in the 2003 Director’s Cut of the movie.)

Beyond being the first comic inspired by Alien, The Illustrated Story is historically notable in other respects. Its first collected edition was the first graphic novel to make the New York Times Bestsellers list. A 2013 reprint edition was honored with that year’s Harvey Award for Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work.

Aliens: Nightmare Asylum

After Aliens was released in 1986, it was assumed that a third film would be released shortly thereafter. However, Alien 3 took six years to develop, and proved divisive among the franchise fans once finished. Their chief complaint was that the movie killed off the characters of Newt and Hicks.

It didn’t help matters that the first Aliens spin-off comics from Dark Horse Comics in 1988 utilized these characters. The first volume, later dubbed ‘Outbreak,’ found Hicks and Newt leading a team of Marines to destroy the Xenomorph home-world. The second volume, later collected as ‘Nightmare Asylum,’ details their escape from an Earth overrun by Xenomorphs.

Such was the quality of ‘Nightmare Asylum’ that Dark Horse Comics later republished it with Hicks and Newt changed to Wilks and Billie. This was necessary due to a demand the comics adhere to the continuity of the films after Alien 3. Both versions have been reprinted repeatedly in various Aliens comic omnibuses. The most recent of these was 2021’s Aliens: The Original Years Omnibus Vol. 1.

Aliens: Labyrinth

While many of the Alien comics featured characters from the films, most were original stories in the same shared universe. Aliens: Labyrinth is widely regarded as the best of these comics. It was originally published in 1993 as a four-issue miniseries. These comics have since then been collected in 2008’s Aliens Omnibus Vol. 3 and 2022’s Aliens: The Original Years Omnibus Vol. 2.

The story is set on a remote research station in deep space. It is here that Dr. Paul Church is studying the behavioral responses of a captive Xenomorph. When his test subject escapes, it is cause for concern. However, the lead investigator soon deduces that someone let the Xenomorph loose to facilitate a murder.

Much as the original Alien blended science fiction and horror, ‘Labyrinth’ presents a murder mystery in the world of Aliens. While other stories have explored the idea of humans being as monstrous as Xenomorphs, ‘Labyrinth’ took the theme to new, truly twisted ends. The psychodrama also adds another level to the threat posed by Xenomorphs and the frightening possibility of someone controlling them enough to make them a weapon.

Aliens vs. Predator

A crossover movie featuring both the Aliens and the Predators was a fan dream for many years. It finally became a reality in 2004. However, before the film, the Xenomorphs and Yautja first met in a short story in 1990’s Dark Horse Presents #36. This inspired a full five-part miniseries later that year, titled Aliens Vs. Predator.

The action is set on the agricultural colony world of Ryushi. Unbeknownst to the colonists, their new home is a traditional hunting ground of the Predators. The Predators are likewise ignorant of the new human settlement, until they discover, too late, that the Xenomorphs eggs they acquired as part of an initiation rite have infected the human’s livestock. This leaves the colonists trapped in a conflict with both species, until the Predator elder Broken Tusk pledges his support to the settlers after a doctor treats his wounds.

The main human character, Machiko Noguchi, became a fan favorite. She went in to star in further Aliens vs. Predator comics. This story can be found in both 2007’s Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus, Vol. 1 and 2019’s Aliens vs. Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 1.

Aliens vs. Avengers

Unsurprisingly, there have been several comic books pitting the Alien against various superheroes. Dark Horse Comics partnered with DC on several series pitting Batman, Superman and Green Lantern against the Xenomorphs. Most of these are solid crossovers, as they were written by the same writers adapting Alien for comics. However, the 2024 Aliens vs. Avengers miniseries may be the best blending of superheroes and sci-fi horror yet.

Set in an alternate future of the main Marvel Comics universe, Aliens vs. Avengers finds Earth’s Mightiest Heroes facing their final challenge. The Xenomorphs come to Earth and quickly lay waste to humanity. This leaves the Avengers fighting not to save their world, but to survive long enough that some can escape to the stars.

Writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribić both outdid themselves with their work on Aliens vs. Avengers. The painted artwork and stunning script present a more detailed and emotional journey than is typical of the average Avengers story. However, there is also plentiful action which explores how well some superpowers would fare against the Xenomorphs.

How we chose the best Alien comics

Variety was the watchword in composing this list of comics based on Alien. Historical significance was a major factor, as was quality and how well the story stands on its own. Availability, unfortunately, was a secondary consideration, Many of the omnibuses mentioned are out of print and only slightly more accessible than the original comic books.