Celebrate Alien Day with ALIEN: INVASION
Published on 19 April, 2016
Authored by Titan Books
Calling all Nostromo Sapiens! April 26 is Alien Day, a day to celebrate all things Alien. And what better way to celebrate than with another stunning new chapter in the Alien legend, Tim Lebbon's Alien: Invasion!
For centuries Weyland-Yutani has tried to weaponize the aliens. Now someone has beaten them to it, sweeping through Yautja space and turning predator into prey.
Faced with the overwhelming forces of the Rage, Earth envoys forge an unprecedented alliance with the Predators. Yet even the combined might of two races may not be enough to stop the carnage, as an unstoppable swarm of Xenomorphs topples planet after planet, penetrating ever deeper into the Human Sphere.Alien: Invasion is the second original novel in an Alien vs Predator “Rage War” series, continuing from Predator: Incursion, also by Tim Lebbon.
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We spoke to Tim about all things Alien.
When did you first get into the Alien series?
TL: I think I was about 13 or 14. My mum and brother were big fans of Alien, and eventually I got to see it and became an instant fan. The image that struck me hardest from the whole film was what became known as the Space Jockey. It was so mysterious, so alien, implying so much in one single image that it stuck in my mind for a long time afterwards. Even now -- with that long-deal alien explained (unfortunately, in my opinion) -- it still sends a chill down my spine every time I see it.
What is it about Alien that stands out for you?
TL: The whole exploration of that dead alien's ship was an incredible scene, dripping with sense of wonder, rich in tension, beautifully designed and filmed. One of my favourite moments in any film.
Which is your favourite Alien film?
TL: Well, after saying all the above, I think I'd have to say Aliens. For me it's an almost perfect film. The first hour has some of the tension and fear of Alien, then even when the fighting kicks off there's a sense of hopelessness, and humanity still discovering it's (small) place in the universe. The acting is uniformly brilliant, especially Sigourney Weaver, who lifts the whole movie to a higher level. I also love the fact that you get to know and love the marines before most of them get their faces bitten off. I can't think of another film where you become so familiar and fond of a ensemble cast as large as this one. As I understand it, the initial scenes of them waking and exchanging banter aboard the Sulaco were filmed towards the end of the shoot so that the actors had become familiar with their parts, and got to know each other well. It shows. I watched it again just last weekend, showing it to my son for the first time, and I enjoyed it then as much as I ever have before. Just brilliant, and Cameron's finest moment.
Whose vision of Alien most influences your work and why - Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher or Jean-Pierre Jeunet?
TL: I'd have to say Cameron, especially if we're talking about the 4 novels I've written in the alien universe. He opens up the whole Weyland-Yutani story, and implies a lot of backstory with just a few lines here and there.
What has been your favourite part of writing for the Alien universe?
TL: Writing about the Colonial Marines. My trilogy The Rage War was set in 2692, a long time after the first two brilliant movies, and I had to think about how the marines might have changed and adapted to becoming, in effect, a police force for The Company. I also got to create and visit loads of planets and habitats (not literally, of course. The mileage costs would have been prohibitive) ... and destroy some of them. World building is something I love doing in my fiction, and in these novels I got to do an awful lot!
How will you be spending Alien day?
TL: I might just watch Alien again! And I hope I'll be taking part in an interview or two. Once that's all over, all we need is a deck of cards.
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But the Alien books don't stop there — Titan has a long and face-hugging history with Alien Universe, and here is just a selection of other books to enjoy!
Alien: The Archive
Alien: The Archive is the first complete book of the stunning artwork and photography from all four films.
The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume One (Earth Hive, Nightmare Asylum, The Female War)
They come in silence like death in the night. They are perfect killing machines. They are the Aliens. And some people value them above all else. But the attempt to weaponize a creature of such power is a very dangerous game for the inhabitants of Earth to play... The first volume of The Complete Aliens Omnibus contains Earth Hive by Steve Perry, Nightmare Asylum by Steve Perry and The Female War by Steve Perry and Stephani Perry.
Alien - Out of the Shadows
The massively acclaimed Alien franchise is one of the most successful of all time, beginning with the first film in 1979. In a dramatic twist, this novel will return us to that time, to Ellen Ripley, and to never-before-revealed secrets of the Weyland-Yutani Corporations ... secrets that lead into the events of the second film, Aliens... and beyond!
Alien - The Illustrated Story
Two of comics’ greatest talents joined forces in 1979 to bring Ridley Scott’s epicAlien motion picture to the comic book page. Out of print for over thirty years, this brand new edition (released in time to coincide with Scott’s latest opusPrometheus) has been meticulously restored from original artwork in Walt Simonson’s studio — presenting for the very first time the definitive artist’s edition of the greatest sci-fi horror ever produced.
Alien: The Official Movie Novelization & Aliens: The Official Movie Novelization
The official novelizations of the classic Alien movies!
Order HERE for Alien and HERE for Aliens.
Alien: Next Door
See a new, caring side to the legendary science fiction monster as he tends to Jonesy the cat, endeavours to keep his house cleaner than the Nostromo, and searches for his place on a cold, new, alien world: Earth. From facehuggers to feather dusters, discover how the perfect killing machine relaxes after a day of scaring space marines.
Aliens: The Set Photography
And here's another amazing Alien book to look forward to this Summer!
A new hardback photography book documenting the making of Aliens, the 1986 smash hit movie directed by James Cameron. Aliens: The Set Photography reveals a unique new perspective on the making of James Cameron’s film as the focus shifts behind the cameras to capture the director, cast and crew as they bring the second action-packed installment of the Alien saga to the big screen. Released to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the movie, Aliens: The Set Photographyfeatures brand-new insights and memories from Carrie Henn (Newt) and Jenette Goldstein (Private Vasquez). With a wealth of never-before-seen pictures including casting publicity shots, behind-the-scenes ‘between-take’ breaks, weapons, vehicles and much more, Aliens: The Set Photography acts as a sumptuous visual celebration of this sci-fi classic.