Review by Ian Keogh
It’s not going to seem that way at first, but Randy Stradley’s three stories combined in this collection chart the strange career path of Machiko Noguchi, introduced in the opening thriller as just one of an ensemble cast. It’s probably not dipping too far into spoiler territory to note that when humans find themselves trapped between Aliens and Predators, the survival count is going to be low.
Machiko is first seen as the new administrator of a ranching colony soon to be beset by greater problems than her stand-offish attitude. Stradley conceived and wrote the first Aliens vs Predator encounter years before the films, and his legacy is a logical reason for the spread of Aliens throughout the galaxy. This first Aliens/Predator stramash remains the gold standard, an exciting thriller from start to finish, most of which is drawn by storyboard artist Phill Norwood, formerly credited as Philip. His imagination and detail is phenomenal, and if his aliens are drawn better than his humans, it doesn’t greatly interfere with the thrills.
The final chapter of that opening encounter is well illustrated by Chris Warner, who continues into the opening chapter of ‘War’, also included in the 30th Anniversary hardcover edition of Aliens vs. Predator. That opening chapter is really all you need of a disappointing sequel. Stradley doesn’t provide the greatest motivation for Machiko’s choice prompting her experiences, and the artist changing with almost every chapter with none of them having Warner’s vision or techniuque renders the project ordinary. It’s combined with the first story in the first Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus.
There’s an adage that advises against revisiting old triumphs, but we should all be grateful Stradley ignored it in 2010. What was Three World War in paperback doesn’t break much new ground, but it’s a glorious exploitation of the action thriller formula, only falling slightly short of the original Aliens and Predator match-up by virtue of extensive familiarity with their battles. The concept of Predators who don’t follow the code of the hunt is introduced, and Rick Leonardi’s art supplies all the action and tension, while breaking down the story amazingly well. Even in the midst of chaotic battle Leonard’s clarity ensures there’s no missing what’s going on.
So, great start and great finish, but it all goes a bit lumpy in the middle.
