Alien vs. Captain America is what every crossover series should be: self-aware and fully leaning into the best parts of both franchises. Writer Frank Tieri and artist Stefano Raffaele double down on these strengths, giving us an issue bursting with epic action set pieces, heartbreaking character deaths, and even some surprise twists. This is a can’t-miss ending for one of Marvel’s most entertaining recent miniseries.
Omaha Beach and the Horror of the Xenomorph Invasion
The book opens like many great World War II stories before it. It’s D-Day and we’re at Omaha Beach as the Allies bravely charge up the sand. This time they encounter a whole different kind of villain though. Xenomorphs emerge from the German bunkers, raining down on the army in a flurry of gore. Raffaele doesn’t spare the horror, rendering the panic clearly on the soldiers’ faces before they’re mauled by the alien invaders. Nick Fury, Yon-Rogg, and even the Invaders soon join the fight. Letterer Clayton Cowles introduces the super team with their signature logo, ripping them straight out of the Silver Age. Seeing all these heroes come together further adds to the spectacle this book has done so well.
Who is the Red King? The Ultimate Hydra-Xenomorph Hybrid
Back at the Hydra base, Captain America and Mar-Vell finally confront the Red King. This twisted hybrid of the Red Skull and Alien Queen towers over our heroes on page thirteen, with its razor-sharp teeth and twisted appendages ready to strike. Colorist Neeraj Menon uses demonic reds to bleed into the Xenomorph’s dark skin, making this one of its most terrifying variants since Aliens first introduced the Alien Queen.
Does Mar-Vell Die? The Brutal Final Battle Explained
The fight that follows lives up to the hype. Cap and Mar-Vell leap into action, pushing their abilities to the limit, while the Red King lashes out with his spinelike tail and deadly tongue. Cap shows no mercy once Mar-Vell falls victim to the monster’s Dust of Death, using his shield to decapitate his long-term enemy in a spray of neon green blood. It’s a properly brutal end for the Red King, but a bittersweet victory for our hero. Mar-Vell’s not the only casualty, and our survivors are left to pick up the pieces.
How the Ending Sets Up the Future of the Marvel Alien Universe
The book’s epilogue seals the deal. Cap disappears after WWII in this alternate universe as well, and Tieri cleverly frames the search for him like an MCU after-credits scene. There are some surprise characters that I won’t spoil here along with an irresistible cliffhanger. After wrapping up a high-quality run of Predator crossover titles, Marvel appears to be building towards something similar with Alien. That’s great news for comic fans.
Marvel has set a new bar for crossovers with Alien vs. Captain America #4. Tieri and Raffaele don’t flinch from consequences, the Red King is genuinely terrifying, and the bittersweet ending is surprisingly emotional. It’s a brilliant finale to a fantastic miniseries.
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‘Alien vs. Captain America’ #4 | The Gold Standard for Modern Crossover Events
Marvel has set a new bar for crossovers with Alien vs. Captain America #4. Tieri and Raffaele don’t flinch from consequences, the Red King is genuinely terrifying, and the bittersweet ending is surprisingly emotional. It’s a brilliant finale to a fantastic miniseries.
