Aliens (magazine, UK) (aka Aliens Magazine (UK), or Aliens, vol. 1, and Aliens, vol. 2) was a two-volume, 50-page, large "oversized" (12 x 8) format comics magazine released in the UK by Dark Horse International and Trident Comics between 1991-1994.

It featured serialized reprints of Dark Horse's existing Aliens, Predator and Aliens vs. Predator comics material from America, as well as new Aliens comics, behind the scenes articles on the creation of the Aliens and Predator films, artist's sketchbooks, technical schematics and more.

Liliana Bolton (wife of longtime Aliens cover artist John Bolton ) ran Dark Horse's UK publishing operation, (which also produced a similarly oversized Star Wars reprint magazine and other releases). Aliens Magazine was edited by Michael W. Bennent and, starting with Volume 2, Dick Hansom.

Reviews, articles and background material for the magazine were provided and compiled by David Hughes and writer/artist Lee Brimmicombe-Wood. Hughes typically wrote articles and compiled the Motion Tracker news section, while Brimmicombe-Wood provided the Technical Readouts section on various Aliens film weapons and technology. The Technical Readouts were first almost expanded into a 6-issue American comics project by Dark Horse but the project fell through with the end of the magazine. The Readouts were then later expanded upon and compiled in the book Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual (dealing with only the readouts for the second film) for London publisher Boxtree, written by Wood and edited by Hughes.

Each issue of Aliens Magazine typically contained three to five separate episodes from titles such as Aliens: Hive and Predator: Race War, etc. Covers also often featured re-used or new painted cover art from leading British comics painters such as Chris Halls, John Bolton, Paul Johnson, Dave Dorman, Killian Plunkett and others.

Volume 1 of the series was made up entirely of reprint material and ran for 17 issues. It was mostly taken up with the reprinting of Aliens: Book One, Aliens: Book Two, Aliens: Earth War, Aliens: Genocide and Aliens vs. Predator (Series 1).

Volume 2 of the series ran for 21 of a planned 24 issues, including a number of original features and new cover art, with the last three issues remaining unpublished allegedly due to Trident Comics going out of business in 1994.

This left the magazine's original serialized story Aliens: Crusade unfinished, and its planned graphic novella Aliens: Matrix unreleased. Other original content produced for Aliens magazine Volume 2 included the original release of Aliens: Sacrifice and the first and only full, two-part compiling of the story Aliens: Countdown (which had previously only been run in segments in the promotional Dark Horse Insider).

In 1992, Dark Horse International Also released the three-issue Alien3 Movie Special magazine, featuring a serialized reprinting of the comic book adaptation of the film, reusing its painted covers by Arthur Suydam, and with articles about the film.

Contents 1 Contents (partial) 1.1 Aliens magazine (Volume 1) 1.2 Aliens magazine (Volume 2) 2 See also

Contents (partial)Edit

Aliens magazine (Volume 1)Edit

Issues 1-16 Trident Comics. Issue 17 Dark Horse

17 issues, Serial Reprints

1 – Feb. 1991 –Aliens: Book Two Part 1, Aliens vs. Predator Part 1

2 – March 1991 –Aliens: Book Two Part 2, Aliens vs. Predator Part 2

3 – April 1991 –Aliens: Book Two Part 3, Aliens vs. Predator Part 3

4 – May 1991 – Aliens: Book Two Part 4, Aliens vs. Predator Part 4

5 – June 1991 – Aliens: Book Two Part 5 conclusion, Aliens vs. Predator Part 5

6 – July 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 1, Aliens vs. Predator Part 6

7 – Aug. 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 2, Aliens vs. Predator Part 7 + AVP poster

8 – Sept 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 3, Aliens vs. Predator Part 8

9 – Oct 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 4, Aliens vs. Predator Part 9

10 – Nov 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 5, Aliens vs. Predator Part 10

11 – Dec 1991 – Aliens: Earth War Part 6, Aliens vs. Predator Part 11 conclusion (?)

12 – Jan 1992 – Aliens: Earth War Part 7 conclusion, Aliens: Book One Part 1, Aliens: The Alien

13 – Feb 1992 – Aliens: Genocide Part 1, Aliens: Book One Part 2, Aliens vs. Predator 2 (?)

14 – Mar 1992 –Aliens: Genocide Part 2, Aliens: Book One Part 3

15 – April 1992 –Aliens: Genocide Part 3, Aliens: Book One Part 4

16 – May 1992 –Aliens: Genocide Part 4 conclusion, Aliens: Book One Part 5 conclusion

17 – June 1992 – Theory of Alien Propagation (in color), Advent part 1 and Terminus part 2, Reapers

Aliens magazine (Volume 2)Edit

Serial reprints and original stories

Note: More information is available about Volume 2. Below, information on issue 1 is taken from a copy of the actual issue, on issue 2 from the comic book database, issues 3-19 from magazine cover images only and therefore incomplete. It is assumed, though unverified that standard sections such as Motion Tracker, Technical Readout and the Bug Hunt letter column which began with issue 2 appeared in each issue.

Issue 1 – July 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 1,

Predator: Cold War Part 1,

Free 8-page Bonus Comic: Black-and-white Martha Washington story by Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons (the then-not-yet-released sequel to their Dark Horse miniseries Give me Liberty, not an A/P/AVP title).

Additional features:

The Motion Tracker – Aliens News –

“Weaver Magic Spell”, about a recent Sigourney Weaver photoshoot for Premier magazine,

“Trailer for Sale or Rent” about the pulled original Alien 3 trailer featuring the slogan

“On Earth, Everyone Can Hear You Scream”,

“Scotland the Brave” about the official Alien War horror funhouse ride set up in The Arches in Glasgow to coincide with the Aliens: Special Edition video release.

“Cameron Terminates Contract” about James Cameron switching studios.

Article: "Unnatural Selection: The Evolution of Alien3" - a chart showing development of film

Article: "Loving the Alien" by Dave Hughes, article about the unofficial British Aliens Fan Club

Technical Readout -

M41A Pulse Rifle

M56 Smart Gun

Armour and Battledress

M240 Flamethrower

"The Bit About the Horse" – background summary about Dark Horse comics

Dark Horse Comics Checklist for July 1992

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Re-uses painted cover by John Bolton from Aliens: Newt's Tale # 1, though issue does not feature Newt’s Tale

Issue 2 – Aug 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 2,

Predator: Cold War Part 2,

Aliens: Newt's Tale Part 1,

AVP 2 (mentioned in one source as being included, NOT mentioned on the cover or elsewhere, may not appear in issue),

Free 8-page Bonus Comic (possibly the above-mentioned AVP story)

Additional features:

Bug Hunt - letter-column, standard from this point on

Contest: “Win Batman vs. Predator Graphic Novels”

Edited by Dick Hansom (first solo editing of title)

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Paul Johnson

Issue 3 – Sept. 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 3,

Predator: Cold War Part 3,

Aliens: Newt’s Tale Part 2,

Alien vs. Predator (referred to by one source as AVP 2, but referred to on cover as "New this issue: Aliens vs. Predator", not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Article: Exclusive latest news on Alien 3.

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Paul Johnson

Issue 4 – Oct 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 4,

Predator: Cold War Part 4

Aliens: Newt’s Tale Part 3,

Aliens vs. Predator (referred to in one source as AVP2, but referred to on cover as "Special Bonus Story: Aliens vs. Predator!", not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Article: “Exclusive News on Aliens vs. Predator The Movie!”

Article: “Exclusive Inside Info on the Uncut versions of Alien, Blade Runner, and The Abyss”

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Issue re-uses painted cover by John Bolton from Aliens: Newt’s Tale #2.

Issue 5 – Nov 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 5,

Predator: Cold War Part 5,

Aliens: Newt’s Tale Part 4,

Aliens vs. Predator (referred to as "Aliens vs. Predator" on the cover, one source refers to this as AVP 2, atomicavenue.com calls it Part 6, not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Contest: "Win Return of the Living Dead Videos"

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Chris Halls

Issue 6 – Dec 1992 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 6,

Predator: Cold War Part 6,

Aliens: Newt’s Tale Part 5,

Aliens vs. Predator (referred to as "Aliens vs. Predator" on the cover, one source refers to this as AVP 2, atomicavenue.com calls it Part 7,

not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Contest: "Win Predator 2 Videos"

Motion Tracker: Blade Runner Director's Cut, London's Best Sellers, Predator 2 insight

Technical Readout: Caterpillar P-5000 'Powerloader'

Article: Widescreen "The Big Picture". Alien Special Edition

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted Aliens: Hive cover by Peter Doherty featuring Norbert

Issue 7 – Jan 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 7,

Predator: Cold War Part 7

Aliens: Newt’s Tale Part 6,

Aliens vs. Predator (not mentioned on cover or atomicavenue.com, but mentioned in one source as AVP 2, and mentioned on Comic Book DB as featuring Aliens vs. Predator: War #0),

Additional Features

Article: Alien3 Computer Game Reviewed

Contest: "Win Terminator 2 Videos"

Motion Tacker: Aliens 1, Predator 1. Terminator 2, Readers 10. Alien 3, Jennifer 8. BBc 2, Ridley Scott 1.

Article: Alien 3, Game Over, Man, Game Over!!

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Chris Halls entitled “Slay Ride in the snow”

Issue 8 – Feb 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 8,

Predator: Cold War Part 8 conclusion

Aliens: Newt's Tale Part 7 conclusion,

Aliens vs. Predator (referred to on cover as "Aliens vs. Predator", one source refers to it as AVP 2, not mentioned on atomicavenue.com,

not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Article: “Raising Hell! Clive Barker Speaks Out – interview with Barker about Hellraiser movies

Contest: Win “Massacre Mansions Videos”

Cover Tagline: This Time It's War!

Cover Art: Original painted Aliens/Newt’s Tale cover by Kilian Plunkett featuring the Sulaco and Alien Queen from the film

Issue 9 – Mar 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Hive Part 9 conclusion,

Aliens: Sacrifice Part 1,

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 1,

Aliens: Countdown Part 1 (mini-comic),

Aliens vs. Predator (referred to as "Aliens vs. Predator" on the cover, referred to as AVP 2 in one source, not mentioned on atomicavenue, not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

News, reviews, photos

Contest: Chance to Win Alien 3 Videos

Cover Art: Original painted Sacrifice cover by Paul Johnson

Issue 10 – Apr 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Sacrifice Part 2,

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 2,

Aliens: Countdown Part 2,

Aliens: Tribes Part 1, text story

Predator: Rite of Passage Part 1,

Aliens vs. Predator II (referred to as "Aliens vs. Predator" on the cover, the story is written by Randy Stradley and art by Chris Warner. atomicavenue.com calls it Part 11, not known which AVP story is featured, but the story features Topknot, a predator),

Additional Features

Contest: Chance to Win Alien 3 Videos

Cover Art: Re-uses painted art by Dave Dorman from Aliens: Tribes page 5

Technical Readout: M4A1 Pulse Rifle - Field Stripping Instructions by Lee Brimmicombe-Wood

Bug Hunt: Letters to Dark Horse International

Issue 11 – May 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Sacrifice Part 3,

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 3,

Aliens: Tribes Part 2,

Predator: Rite of Passage Part 2 conclusion

Aliens vs. Predator II (referred to as such for first time on cover, mentioned on atomicavenue.com as Part 12, not known which AVP story is featured),

Additional Features

Contest: Win Alien 3 Videos, Soundtrack and posters

Motion Tracker: Roc Hard: Charles Dutton's award. Article; Alien Stars Left on Shelf.

Technical Readout: Jorden RV-E Recovery Vehicle

Under The Knife: Jim Campbell summarises current knowledge of Xenomorph Biology

Cover Art: Original painted cover by currently unknown artist (perhaps Chris Halls) for Aliens: Colonial Marines

Issue 12 – June 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Sacrifice Part 4 conclusion,

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 4

Aliens: Tribes Part 3

Aliens vs. Predator II: part 3 (not known which AVP story is featured),

Aliens: Horror Show Part 1

Additional Features

Article: Alien3 - The Giger Sanction (interview)

Motion Tracker: The Abyss (movie) and other movies.

Alien3: Terminal Addiction (short comic)

Technical Readout: U.S. Colonial Marine

New Cover tagline: The Nightmare Continues

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Paul Johnson for Aliens: Sacrifice

Issue 13 – July 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 5,

Aliens: Tribes Part 4,

Aliens vs. Predator II (not known which AVP story is featured),

Aliens: Horror Show Part 2,

Aliens: Crusade Part 1

Additional Features

Spotlight on the Sulaco - Sulaco Technical Readout - Part 1

Article: "Aliens Invade London, behind the battlements at Alien War " about the Alien War ride opening at the London Trocadero featuring actual movie props and costumes through an Alien-themed house of horrors guided by Colonial Marines

Contest: “Win tickets to Alien War!”

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Chris Halls

Issue 14 – Aug 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 6,

Aliens: Tribes Part 5,

Aliens vs. Predator II conclusion (not known which AVP story is featured),

Aliens: Horror Show Part 3 conclusion,

Aliens: Crusade Part 2

Additional Features

Motion tracker: The Abyss: Special edition. Lights, Cameron, Interaction.

USS Sulaco Technical Readout – Part 2

Contest: “Win Alien Kenner Toys!”

Cover Art: Original painted Alien cover by currently unknown artist

Issue 15 – Sept 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 7,

Aliens: Tribes Part 6,

Aliens: Crusade Part 3,

Aliens: Backsplash Part 1

Additional Features

Contest: "Win Aliens: Hive graphic novel"

Motion Tracker: Pretty Special Editions. Alien War, The First Wave.

Martial Chic: A Sneak Peek at the very latest in marine coiture as designed by Tony Akins.

Q & Alien: David Huges and Lee Brimmicombe-Wood answer your Questions about the Alien Trilogy.

Cover Art: Original painted cover by Kilian Plunkett for Aliens: Backsplash featuring Tony Crespi

Issue 16 – Oct 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 8,

Aliens: Tribes Part 7 conclusion,

Aliens: Crusade Part 4,

Aliens: Backsplash Part 2 conclusion,

Additional Features

Technical Readouts

Smart Gunner

Dropship Pilot

Contest: Win Alien 3 video

Cover Art: Original cover by Dave Dorman for Aliens: Tribes

Issue 17 – Nov 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 9,

Aliens: Crusade Part 5,

Aliens: Cargo Part 1,

Aliens: Taste

Additional Features

 ::: Motion Tracker: Aliens news. Ridley Scott and "The Different Engine". Gale Anne hurd and "The Penal Colony". Time Cop (movie). Last Word: Tip Tipping's death.

Technical Readout – Dropship Markings

Contest: Win Aliens Special Boxed Set

Free Aliens Postcard included with issue

Under the Knife II: Cyanide Kiss: Jim Campbell summarises recent studies of the alien Facehugger.

Cover Art: Original Painted cover by currently unknown artist

Issue 18 – Dec 1993 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 10,

Aliens: Crusade Part 6,

Aliens: Cargo Part 2 conclusion,

Aliens: Renegade Part 1

Additional Features

Motion Tracker: aliens World Exclusive: Aliens collector's box. long Term: Special editions and movies. Returning Holm. Last Word: Alien figures (human females with alien heads).

Extra Terrestrial: Terry Jones looks at ALIEN's deleted scenes and photos.

Technical Readout – Space Control - Theory and Practice. Starship Tactics

Contest: Chance to win ‘the ultimate Aliens set’

Cover Art: Original painted "gothic" cover by Chris Halls for Aliens: Crusade

Issue 19 – Jan 1994 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 11,

Aliens: Crusade Part 7,

Aliens: Renegade Part 2 conclusion,

Aliens: Salvation Part 1

New Cover tagline: In Space No-One Can Hear You Scream

Motion Tacker: A Glaswegian alien in london.

Cover Art: Original cover art by Dave Gibbons for Aliens: Salvation

Issue 20 – Feb 1994 –

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 12,

Aliens: Crusade Part 8,

Aliens: Salvation Part 2

Additional Features

Motion Tracker: Alien 3 Number 1 (interview). Body Snatchers (movie). Solar Crisis (movie).

Technical Readout - UD-4L Cheyenne , Internal Schematic

Cover tagline: In Space No-One Can Hear You Scream

Cover Art: Original painted cover art by Charlie Adlard and colourist David Lyttleton for Aliens: Colonial Marines

Issue 21 – Mar 1994 –(Last One)

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 13,

Aliens: Crusade Part 9,

Aliens: Salvation Part 3 conclusion,

Aliens: Alien Part 1

Additional Features

Mapping the Psyche: Novelist and fantastique film-maker Clive Barker shows no fear as he enters the strange world of H.R. Giger

Technical Readout: Command Control

Cover tagline: In Space No-One Can Hear You Scream

Cover Art: Original painted cover art by Ilya for Aliens: Colonial Marines

Issue 22 – Apr 1994 –(Solicited But Never Published)

Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 14,

Aliens: Crusade Part 10 conclusion, (never concluded)

Aliens: Alien Part 2

Aliens: Rogue Part 1

Issue 23 – May 1994 – (Solicited But Never Published)

Planned Features

Aliens: Colonial Marines Part 15,

Aliens: Alien Part 3,

Aliens: Rogue Part 2,

Aliens: Matrix (never published elsewhere)

Issue 24 (?) – June 1994 - ?

*one unconfirmed source says this issue was also planned*

See alsoEdit

• Dark Horse Comics
• Comics
• Aliens (comic series)
• Predator (comic series)
• Aliens vs. Predator (comic series)
• Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual