He’s one of the most beloved “hated” characters of all time, the corporate stooge that wants everyone to know he’s “really an okay guy.” Carter J. Burke is the Weyland-Yutani mid-level manager in the film Aliens that attempts to smuggle Xenomorph specimens to earth by locking Ripley and Newt in a room with two Facehuggers. He’s so slimy and cut-throat, his character rivals the Xenomorph as the most dangerous creature in the film.
Fans often debate Burke’s fate, with much discussion about the legendary deleted scene where Ripley sees him cocooned in the hive and hands him a grenade. It’s a shame we weren’t able to get his character in other Alien stories, but thanks to Marvel, fans can imagine what would have happened if Burke somehow escaped.
This week, I picked up the omnibus collection of Aliens: What If…?. The power had been out at my house for days (thanks the to bomb cyclone that hit the Pacific Northwest), and I wanted something to read by candlelight. I’ll be honest in saying that while I’m a huge fan of the Alien comics, I’ve been less than pleased with how Marvel has handled the franchise. Most of the stories have lacked the depth of storytelling and the rich creativity of the Dark Horse Comics releases.
But I loved every page of Aliens: What If…?.
It was like a dream realized, one I didn’t know I wanted. Getting to see Carter Burke back in action and imagining more complexity to his character than what the legendary film was able to cover was awesome. The story is believable and even allows Burke to win a bit of redemption, which very much feels earned and not gimmicky.
If you’re a fan of the James Cameron film, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this limited-run series. The artwork is beautiful and feels more in line with the early Dark Horse Comics run than the recent issues from Marvel. You can buy the complete collection here for $17.99 (USD)–you won’t be disappointed.
Tell us what you think! Have you read Aliens: What If…? and what did you think? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
Featured Image: Marvel
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