Genre: Science Fiction Horror | Writer: Ian Edginton | Artist: Phil Hester | Release Date: 1997
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writing
Aliens: Purge, written by Ian Edginton, introduces a bold and disturbing entry in the Alien universe with a provocative premise: scientists on Sybaris 503 discover that leprosy-infected hosts significantly delay xenomorph gestation. This opens up an intriguing ethical and biological question—but one that's only lightly explored. The narrative swiftly shifts gears when Weyland-Yutani’s “corporate financial liquidators” arrive to claim the afflicted hosts as company property, establishing a tension-filled conflict between soulless capitalism and vulnerable humanity. The standout character is Eloise, a mysterious android/xenomorph hybrid—a concept that evokes echoes of Ripley’s clone in Alien: Resurrection. Her presence immediately grabs attention, especially when she’s first seen sleeping in a xenomorph hive, blurring the line between dream and reality.
Edginton's script sets up a deeply compelling story, but the short format leaves many themes undercooked. The pace is aggressive, sacrificing emotional development and depth, particularly between Eloise and the infected community. Eloise’s nature, origin, and relationship with the xenomorphs beg for more narrative space. Armand, the colonel antagonist, also comes off as more cartoonish than threatening, looking like a misplaced fantasy warlord instead of a cold corporate enforcer. Still, the story manages to hit the necessary notes of tension, mystery, and horror, and gives fans something fresh to chew on—even if it's only a taste.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Art Style
Phil Hester’s artwork complements the story with a gritty, expressive style that matches the grotesque tone of the narrative. His illustrations of the xenomorphs are especially well-rendered—iconic, menacing, and full of kinetic menace in motion. The panel transitions are smooth, keeping the narrative flowing cleanly despite the compact story. The backgrounds and environments, while not highly detailed, are functional and capture the clinical coldness of corporate facilities as well as the grimy, decaying atmosphere of the infected colony. The depiction of leprosy is more stylized than realistic, resembling something closer to Marvel’s Morlocks, which makes it digestible but possibly too sanitized or fantastical for the serious subject matter.
Den Beauvais’ cover art is striking, detailed, and eerie—though it doesn’t reflect the actual content of the comic. It feels like an out-of-context movie poster: gorgeous but misleading. Armand’s design, on the other hand, stands out—but not in a good way. His warlord-like appearance feels tonally inconsistent with the sci-fi horror world of Aliens, undercutting his credibility as a corporate officer. That said, Eloise’s design—a fusion of mechanical precision and xenomorphic grace—is visually compelling and hints at more story potential than we get in this single volume.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Aliens: Purge delivers a fascinating but underdeveloped concept within the Alien mythos. Eloise, a hybrid android/xenomorph, is a compelling character deserving more narrative time, and the comic hints at profound bioethical themes that remain mostly unexplored. Despite fast pacing and some odd character design choices, the tension, artwork, and core ideas make it a worthwhile read for dedicated fans. Aliens: Purge gets 3 out of 5.
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