Warning! Spoilers for Alien #6 ahead!

In the latest issue of Marvel’s first Alien comic series, the newest Xenomorph species – the Alpha – gains a new canon ability. Alien #6 confirms that the Alpha is able to survive in the vacuum of space – though the duration of survival is still unknown.

The Xenomorph from the Alien franchise has numerous characteristics, all of which can vary with the type of species it is or the role it plays in a hive. However, with the Disney Fox merger, it isn’t fully known which aspects of the franchise’s comics are canon. Dark Horse published numerous series since 1988 that added to the lore of the Xenomorphs. The idea that Xenomorphs could survive in space was touched upon by the Alien Isolation – The Digital Series web series that premiered on IGN in 2019. This series aired just before the completion of the merger that gave the Walt Disney Company rights to the Alien franchise.

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Alien #6 from Marvel Comics has the creative team of Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Salvador Larroca, Guru Efx, and Vc Clayton Cowles. It is not yet known what Disney and Fox plan to make canon within the series, but anything happening in Marvel’s latest comics should certainly be considered so. In this issue, Gabe and Bishop face off against Iris after she shot them at the end of the last issue. Now, it’s revealed that Gabe and Bishop survived their violent encounter with Iris, just so Gabe could make ship repairs while facing the ultimate predator in space.

While making repairs to save Danny and get home, Gabe realizes that he isn’t alone. The Alpha Xenomorph is outside with him, making for an extra dangerous situation since time’s running out for everyone. Fights outside of ships and stations have not been staples of the Alien franchise, making this scene a very intriguing one. Typically, the battles fought against Xenomorphs are inside ships and colonies, within corridors, air ducts, and tight spaces. Now, Gabe is out in the open with nowhere to hide and limited mobility in his space suit. However, the Alpha Xenomorph prowling outside the life raft with ease reveals that the vacuum of space is not an immediate danger to this particular Xenomorph. This seemingly supports the scenario put forth in Alien Isolation – the Digital Series, in which standard Xenomorphs are shown hibernating in the wreckage of Sevastopol Station – the station that serves as the setting for the Alien: Isolation video game. Now, it’s confirmed at least one species of Xenomorph can definitely maneuver in the vacuum of space without any extra tools required.

The issue specifically states that Gabe is wearing magnetic boots, which will let him adhere to the ship’s exterior. The Alpha Xenomorph needs no such gear. It’s shown walking though how is still unknown – the logical answer could be that it digs its claws into the ship for grip. Adding this ability to any Xenomorph makes the species much scarier, considering that even if a station is escaped or a ship gets away, there is always room for there to be a hitchhiking alien outside of it. Additionally, if Marvel eventually confirms hibernation state survivability for standard Xenomorphs, there could be no limits to how long the species could exist in any given wreckage or location. Food limits may apply, but space in and of itself isn’t a death sentence for these aliens. Fans can see the combative end of this first Alien chapter from Marvel Comics in Alien #6, on sale now.

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Samantha King
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Samantha King is a Comic News Writer for Screen Rant. She has a B.A. in English & American Literature with a concentration in Shakespeare and a minor in Creative Writing from UTEP. She also has a M.S. in Library Science from the University of North Texas.

Samantha used to get in trouble for reading comics in class back in high school, but she gets the last laugh. She took a graphic novel course in college and now gets paid to write about comics. She runs her own blog at: www.therealworldaccordingtosam.blogspot.com

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