Set Description:
Dark Horse Comics: Aug 1989- May 1990
I started reading this mini series with issue #3. At the time I did not know about Dark Horse comics and was mainly vested in The ‘Nam and anything Punisher related. When I saw that there was an Aliens comic series I was ecstatic. While scanning through the book I was amazed by the airbrushed artwork. It had that “Aliens” feel from the 1986 film. So while I was waiting for issue #4 to come out I managed to track down the first three issues. Reading about the further adventures of an adult Newt and aging Hicks had me completely sucked in.
After tracking down the 1988 series and reading through it I am glad that I started with volume 2. Not that I think the first series was bad, far from it. It just didn’t have the impact I thought it would. Even though the artwork was phenomenal I didn’t like how a lot of the weapons were portrayed. They looked nothing like the pulse rifles from the movie and it got on my nerves. I wanted to see the equipment/firearms that I was familiar with. I’m sure a lot of Aliens fans will completely disagree with me (this is probably considered blasphemy). I understand that the story was to be told across three mini series and that the first arc was written to set the tone for the remaining two. I’m also aware that considerable time had passed since we last saw the characters in the movie and technology is always advancing. Regardless, it’s not my initial “go-to” reading when I need my Aliens “fix”.
Of all the Aliens comics I have read this mini series is hands down the best story told by Dark Horse. I always hoped that there would be a backstory about General Spears (the main antagonist). Starting from his first encounter with the Xenomorph to the time he first appears in issue #1, with some flashbacks of the earlier parts of his career thrown in. There was a lot about this character to be explored and unfortunately Dark Horse did not take the opportunity to do so. My loss I guess…
In 2016 I picked up a 9.8 copy of issue #1. I had no intention of trying to complete this series in 9.8, I was only going to buy this issue and be happy with it…NOPE! I have always loved these covers, extremely colorful with exquisite detail. So at the same time I decided to collect Aliens 1988 in 9.8 (see Aliens 1988 registry set description) I decided to add this set to the mix. Unlike the first series I wasn’t in a big hurry to get this one completed. At the time issue #2 and #3 had extremely low census numbers (3 and 1 respectively) so my approach was more “if I see them I will grab them”. In 2018 a copy of issue #3 popped on eBay and I snagged it. Happy that I acquired the second copy to be graded 9.8 I continued on my search for #2 and #4. Six months later in 2019 issue #4 makes an eBay appearance…MINE! Now this just leaves issue #2 (what is it with #2’s?).
When I made the decision to collect this set fellow board member ironcorn had a 9.8 copy of issue #2. Even though the page quality was “off white-white”, I didn’t have the ability to be picky with a census of 3 total books. At that time I messaged him and asked if he would be willing to sell the book. He informed me that he was abroad, the book was in storage and to hit him up in two years when he was again stateside. Well, I did just that and we managed to work out a deal. So around the same time I completed Aliens 1988; first prints in 9.8 I achieved the same with volume 2.
With “achievement unlocked” and work still to be done I embark on the hunt for issue #1 second print and a white page copy of #2. I was fairly certain that the second print would not be submitted for grading outside of small pool of hardcore Aliens collectors, I would have to go it alone. Late summer/early fall of 2021 I found what appeared to be a mint copy on eBay. It was only a couple bucks and totally worth a shot. The book comes in and it looked just as nice in person as it did online. I sent it off to Rich Henn for a clean and press which came out remarkably well. Riding this success I head to Baltimore Comic Con and manage to find a 9.8 white page copy of issue #2!!!
At this point I decide with the assistance of fellow board member sckao to submit my second print of issue #1 along with some other books for grading. Once again the comic God’s were on my side and issue #1 came back a 9.8, first on the census! I was extremely pleased with the outcome of that submission. I mean…who wouldn’t be? Even if the population of this book in 9.8 explodes I would’t bat an eye. The journey for completing this set was well worth the time and energy I put into it. Also knowing that I wasn’t completely riding on the back of other people’s work makes that accomplishment that much more satisfying.
I would like to thank the following board members for their knowledge and assistance in making goal a reality: ironcorn for selling me my first copy of issue #2 and my “Lance Henriksen” SS copy of issue #4, Rich Henn for your superb press work and sckao for guiding me through the submission process.
”Death or Glory” |