Genre: Science Fiction Action | Writer: Henry Gilroy | Artist: Ronnie Del Carmen
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Release Date: 1996
Mercenary Herk Mondo is hired to rescue two missing daughters on a xenomorph-infested planet, but over-the-top action, a cartoonish hero, and rushed pacing undercut the story’s potential tension.
Writing
Aliens: Mondo Heat is a high-octane but surface-level entry in the expanded Aliens universe. The story follows Herk Mondo, a one-note action hero sent to rescue a wealthy man’s missing daughters from a xenomorph-infested installation. What could have been a tense survival narrative devolves quickly into mindless action as Mondo uses a makeshift laser cannon to mow through aliens, undercutting any suspense the premise could have had.
The pacing is rushed—major twists are introduced and resolved within panels, while a potentially rich subplot involving a volcano feels like an afterthought. The dialogue is utilitarian at best, often leaning into cheesy quips and shallow character moments. Mondo himself lacks depth; he reads more like a budget Duke Nukem than a compelling protagonist, especially when compared to more developed Aliens franchise characters like Hicks or Wilks.
The tone wavers between parody and pulp, making it hard to take the stakes seriously. There are brief sparks of potential in Henry Gilroy’s script—like the setup for the girls' situation or the idea of alien survival horror in a noir crime backdrop—but none are given enough breathing room to flourish.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Art Style
Ronnie Del Carmen’s artwork is the comic’s saving grace. While the tone of the story might be bombastic, the visuals do a good job at staging the chaos. His character designs are expressive enough to carry the simple script, and his renderings of the xenomorphs are intimidating and kinetic. The panel transitions feel tight, and action sequences are easy to follow, even when things get explosive. The art embraces a pulpy aesthetic, using exaggerated proportions and bold motion to emphasize Mondo’s over-the-top antics.
The color palette and inking are clean but not overly polished, giving it a raw, gritty edge that suits the genre, even if the narrative doesn’t always support it. However, the design of Mondo himself doesn’t help the comic’s credibility—his bulky build and exaggerated bravado look ripped straight from a 90s caricature. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are functional and entertaining, lifting the story from total forgettability and giving it a cult-action flavor.
Rating: 2 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Aliens: Mondo Heat is fast, loud, and ridiculous, with a forgettable protagonist and squandered plot potential. Despite solid art by Ronnie Del Carmen, the writing and pacing leave much to be desired. Aliens: Mondo Heat earns a 2 out of 5.
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