What happens when you cross the slacker mentality of Kevin Smith’s early films and sci-fi action of Star Wars and Aliens? “Aliens Vs. Parker”, apparently.
Written by Paul Scheer & Nick Giovannetti
Illustrated by Manuel Bracchi & Gianfranco GiardinaGAME OVER Set in the not so distant future, a group of SpaceEx employees spend their days doing what they always do: loading and unloading cargo all over the universe and playing video games. That is, until they have to deliver a ‘classified’ package to the most dangerous planet in the galaxy. The ragtag team of slackers, malcontents, and gamers must put all their skills (or lack thereof) to the test if they want to survive.
From comedian Paul Scheer (Adult Swim’s NTSF:SD:SUV::) and writer Nick Giovannetti, with art by rising star Manuel Bracchi, comes a scifi action comedy perfect for fans of Shaun of the Dead and alien farts.
You know what one of the hardest things to review is? Comedy. Comedy is up there with horror in terms of how the experience is entirely subjective of the audience which makes it incredibly hard to review. That being said, let me explain why you should read “Aliens Vs. Parker”.
At first you might think that this comic, from the co-writer team of noted comedian Paul Scheer and writer Nick Giovannetti and artists Manuel Bracchi and Gianfranco Giardina, might just be aiming for laughs and not a lot else, but you’d be wrong. There’s a strong, beating heart at the core of this story about an everyman who becomes the hero of his own story and it is incredibly well told. Yes, unlike Marvel of the late 90s (and uh… now), this isn’t getting a big name from outside of comics and slapping it on the cover to sell issues, this feels like a story that really comes from the heart.
As stated, comedy is an annoyingly subjective topic to try and review simply based on individual tastes so instead this review will be focusing on the story of the series. That’s not to say I didn’t find the series funny as I really did, but just because I laughed doesn’t mean everyone will, right? Yet what is arguably more universal is the level of storytelling on display throughout the book which is really rather strong, telling a simple, but engaging story that pays homage to many a sci-fi classic with a bucket full of entertaining characters. It’s everything a comedy comic book should be as it doesn’t let the jokes overshadow the plot and doesn’t stop story progression in order to tell jokes. Instead, it weaves the humour into the story with excellent character writing that feels completely natural.
Wait, I said I wouldn’t talk about the comedy.
“Aliens Vs. Parker” follows a group of a space couriers (including the titular Parker) as they follow a group of marines down onto a planet infested with the also titular aliens for the only reason that makes sense: a pretty girl. What follows is a four-issue long love letter to just about every great sci-fi film of the 70s and 80s. This is the kind of story told from the love of other stories and it shows as the book really does wear its influences on its sleeves. As the solicit mentions, this is closer to Shaun Of The Dead than anything else because as much as it is a send up of classic sci-fi films in its humour, the story itself plays into that genre. This is the real strength of the storytelling as Scheer and Giovannetti aren’t interesting in laughing at the films this takes inspiration from, but in sharing their love for them through the story and the comedy. This is definitely a book for those who share that same love and will get all of the little in-jokes and references as well as the story that stands shoulder to shoulder with the films it takes its inspiration from.
However, if there is one problem with the storytelling it’s that the story doesn’t really get going until midway through the second issue. It’s not really a problem as from there the quality skyrockets into an incredibly fun read that doesn’t let up until the end, but the first issue is kind of a slog to get through to get to that. If the rest of the book wasn’t as wholly enjoyable as it was, though, it would be a much bigger problem for it. As it stands, it just means the best stuff is about twenty pages of set-up into the book.
Continued belowIt’s not just Scheer and Giovannetti who make “Aliens Vs. Parker” worth the read as the artwork by Manuel Bracchi & Gianfranco Giardina throughout the four issues is simply stellar. As much as the writing plays into the feel of classic sci-fi action films, it’s the artwork that cements that feel in the book. From the brightly coloured alien ramapge in a video game that opens the first issue to the riveted and blasted metal interiors of the ships and the alien landscapes that fill out the rest of the story, Bracchi and Giardina (who provides art in the fourth issue) instil the series with such an atmosphere that brings the story to life. Not only that, but the artwork from Bracchi is impressive in its quickfire pacing that admirably keeps up with the pace of the comedy from Scheer and Giovanetti’s comedy. It really is a match made in heaven for this book and makes it read like dream when they’re all working in complete sync.
Overall, this book was simply a blast to read, there’s really no understating it. For anyone who is a fan of classic science fiction from the 70s and 80s, this is pretty much a must read and even stands up with the likes of Paul in terms of modern love letters to the time period for the genre. Scheer and Giovannetti channel both astute humour in their character writing as well as genuine heart in the story they’re telling. Teaming them with Manuel Bracchi on art (for the most part) leads to the art elevating just how enjoyable the book is. It make take a while to build up steam, but once that train starts a-rollin’ it’s one hell of a ride.
Final Verdict: 7.9 – It may be end up being a niche taste, but if you get your jollies from Aliens references and alien penis jokes then this is the book for you. But then you probably already knew if you were into that sort of thing.
