Labyrinth: Aliens

I have found that over time an Aliens fan becomes somewhat desensitised to the 'horrors' of the genre that first transfixed you. The novelty of the xenomorph wears off and becomes just a part of the environment of the story (read at least ten Aliens graphic novels and you'll see what I mean). The aliens inevitably become a mere vehicle for the story. So you look for plot and characterisation because the aliens themselves don't shock anymore; in a predictable arena in which xenomorphs are used as 'experiments' undertaken by crazy scientists/professors who want to use the aliens - and unfortunate human victims - for dastardly and evil ends. (The biggest cliché in Alien graphic novels, by the way.) The alien becomes familiar; and thus by definition - not an alien! They don't shock anymore! Few of the books that followed Aliens: Outbreak (the first Aliens graphic novel) shocked or gave a buzz to the reader. I was beginning to give up on the Aliens graphic novel franchise as a place to find stomach-churning horror. But with Aliens: Labyrinth my faith was restored in the 'Alien' trademark as a byword for horror and depravity beyond your darkest imaginings. Horror that is intense enough to warp your perceptions. Horror that is an excruciating blend of your deepest disturbances, worst fears and darkest nightmares! Although the basic premise of the story is the same - mad professor experiments with aliens and humans too - the story is amplified through exceptionally good story-telling and the mechanism of a flashback sequence which explains the mad professor's background and helps you to connect with him despite his evil intentions. In Labyrinth, the aliens promote human suffering that is pushed to the absolute limit; sexual deviances [incest, cross-breeding between alien and human]; the sickening stenches, smells, odours and organic messes of the nest; the horrifying way in which the hive is living organic tissue which assimilates the hapless human creatures trapped in it, so that they swell into vomit-inducing 'food sacs' for alien nourishment, no my brief descriptions do not do justice to the horror in this graphic novel. The plot is this: an extended family of terra-formers land next to an alien nest on an unknown planet. They are then kidnapped by the aliens, but instead of being summarily killed or strapped to chamber walls for implantation, they are tortured and abused as the normally predictable xenomorphs use the unfortunate family as guinea pigs; a twist if there ever was one. The story centres on the son of the family, a twenty year old boy who is the only survivor. He sees the members of his family get disembowelled by the xenomorphs, get their limbs removed, etc. The sadism of the aliens is numbing, but this is nothing. To survive, he manages to imitate the aliens, and they 'accept' him. He becomes one of them. He has to feed the humans trapped in the nest's walls using his own mouth - including members of his family - with alien gunge. H

This book has by far the best story line of all the books i have read so far. It might not be the same for most but i can bet that the majority who reads this classic alien story will absolutely love it and look upon the writer and story in awe and wonder. An excellent read with great written action sequences accompanied by good character use. I am not giving away any of the story and will only tell you that this book will surely get you expecting the unexpected. Read it if you will!

I love the whole ALIENS mythos and I've seen all the movies and read all of the novels. S.D. Perry offers some of the best contributions to the series, in my opinion, and LABYRINTH is outstanding. Perry does a great job of combining gritty sci fi with pulse pounding horror; important elements that contributed to the success of the films. Highly recommended.

Well written and gross, that is how I would describe this book, S.D Perry really out did herself when writing this one.

This is a truly creepy novel. The way the Aliens are portrayed is astounding. I am a huge Alien fan and I must say, this book impressed me. The ending where Crespi and Sharon McGuinness were in the maze with the Alien drones running around was awesome. And Paul Church is truly a freaky character. If you're into the Alien movies, comics etc. this would be a great book. I especially like Crespi and Churches flashback scenes to their previous encounters with the Alien. This is a definite must read.