Alien vs. Captain America finds writer Frank Tieri taking a simple premise: what if Captain America fought the Xenomorphs during World War II and turned it up to eleven. Issue three doubles down on the chaos, giving us crucial information on why the Kree came to Earth and the Red Skull’s ultimate plan. The stakes are through the roof as Cap and his friends are no longer just fighting for their side anymore; they’re trying to save the world.
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The Origin of the Skrull-Xenomorph Hybrids
The story kicks off with a flashback from Mar-Vell, detailing why the Kree joined the fight against the Xenomorphs. They discover a Skrull warship drifting suspiciously through space and decide to investigate. It’s a fatal mistake. Xenomorphs have already massacred the Skrull battalion, but with a twist. The Xenomorphs born from the Skrull inherited their shape-shifting abilities, creating an appalling new enemy.
Visceral Horror: Stefano Raffaele’s Stunning Artwork
Artist Stefano Raffaele brings these monsters to life in stomach-churning detail. The Skrull/Xenomorph hybrids are terrifying; their bodies bubbling and constantly mutating while they make quick work of the Kree. You can tell Raffaele is having fun when we see the Supreme Intelligence die. Panic builds across four horrific panels on page eleven, before a Chestburster erupts from his forehead. The creature’s razor-sharp teeth flash as colorist Neeraj Menon fills the page with sinister green blood. It’s a fantastic visual you won’t soon forget.
Trench Warfare: Captain America’s Brutal Battle Against the Swarm
Tieri barely gives us a moment to catch our breath as we’re soon back in the trenches of World War II. Cap, Bucky, Nick Fury, and Mar-Vell are debating the best path forward when the Axis launches their next attack. It’s an airdrop of Xenomorphs, the sickening aliens landing in an explosion of blood and guts. Cap and his allies are quick to the scene, partnering with the soldiers to turn the tide in an incredible fight sequence.
Raffaele cleverly leans into the horror origins of the Xenomorphs here. Gore lines the battlefield, while laser beams rain down from Kree ships. Explosions erupt in brilliant orange bursts courtesy of Menon, as deep red blood stains the ground. There’s no attempt to glorify what’s going on; it’s simply the horrors of war.
The Big Reveal: Red Skull Merges with the Alien Queen
Tieri saves the best for last, ramping everything up on page thirty-one. We finally find out the truth: the Red Skull has merged with the Alien Queen, granting him more control over his Xenomorph army. It’s an incredible visual. Raffaele melds the Red Skull’s hideous face onto the Queen’s head but maintains her gaping jaws. Limbs jut out at chaotic angles, and their spinelike tail curls menacingly. Letterer Clayton Cowles drives home the danger, bolding key words that naturally draw your eye.
Verdict: A Bold Alternate Universe Masterpiece
It was smart to place this story in an Alternate Universe. Shaking off the chains of continuity allows Tieri to work in some truly surprising moments. The deaths of the Howling Commandos in the previous issue, the devastation of the Kree, and especially the reveal of the Red Skull Alien Queen had me on the edge of my seat. I doubt we’ll see Cap make the ultimate sacrifice, but it feels like he could, and that’s a rare storytelling accomplishment.
This series is what superhero/Alien crossovers should be. It’s visceral, shocking, and explores dark outcomes. Tieri makes it seem like nobody is safe, while Raffaele and Menon wonderfully portray the Red Skull Alien Queen and the Supreme Intelligence’s death. This was a knockout penultimate issue. Bring on the finale.
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‘Alien vs. Captain America’ #3 | Red Skull Meets the Xenomorph Queen
This series is what superhero/Alien crossovers should be. It’s visceral, shocking, and explores dark outcomes. Tieri makes it seem like nobody is safe, while Raffaele and Menon wonderfully portray the Red Skull Alien Queen and the Supreme Intelligence’s death. This was a knockout penultimate issue. Bring on the finale.
