Decades before Stranger Things, actor and comedian Paul Reiser appeared in the now classic sci-fi film Aliens where he played Carter Burke, Special Projects Director for Weyland-Yutani (Space) Corp’s Special Services Division. As fans are well aware, the character met a fitting end after trying to smuggle Xenomorphs to Earth by having Ripley and Newt impregnated by Facehuggers. However, it looks like everyone’s favorite company man you love to hate is making a comeback.
Today Marvel announced a 5-issue Aliens: What If…? miniseries. In the same of its Marvel What If…? title, this series will imagine what if Burke actually survived the end of Aliens. Bringing this series to life is a murderers’ row of creator including Reiser himself who will be writing the series along with his son Leon. Other writers involved include Adam F. Goldberg, Hans Rodionoff, and Brian Volk-Weiss. On art duties will be Guiu Villanova while Phil Noto provides cover art.
Official press release below:
For decades, What If…? has allowed creators to put bold twists on classic Marvel Universe stories. This March, this beloved comic series format enters the groundbreaking—and terrifying—world of Alien for the first time in ALIENS: WHAT IF…?.
The five-issue comic series will take readers back to the events of the franchise’s historic original sequel, Aliens, to ask the question, “What If… Carter Burke has lived?” The actor behind the 1987 film’s beloved villain, Paul Reiser, joins his son Leon and the star-studded team of writers and producers Adam F. Goldberg (The Goldbergs), Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys That Made Us) and Hans Rodionoff (Damage Control) for this pulse-pounding journey back to Hadley’s Hope and the twisted escape of a man who should have died. On art duties is Guiu Villanova, known for providing intergalactic excellence on titles like Cosmic Ghost Rider and Eternals. The saga will further explore the nature of the man who infamously betrayed Ripley and the lengths he’s willing to go to get his hands on the deadliest species in the galaxy…
For years, fans of James Cameron’s legendary Aliens questioned whether Carter Burke, a company man more hateable than the Xenomorphs themselves, had actually survived the traumatic events on the terraforming colony Hadley’s Hope. Thirty-five years later, Burke is eeking out a cursed existence on a backwater asteroid. With his once-promising career in the toilet, Burke’s only remaining purpose in life is to care for his daughter, Brie. She hates him, probably for being a horrible person. And when she finds out what he’s up to now? It’s not going to be a friendly reunion. Has Burke learned his lesson, or is he about to get all of his companions killed again?
On the chance to revisit the character’s motives, Reiser said, “For years, people have asked me about Burke, what it was like to play such a ‘bad guy,’ to which my response was always ‘You say ‘bad’, I say ‘misunderstood.’ Now the world will find out!”
Check out Phil Noto’s first two ALIENS: WHAT IF…? covers now and keep a lookout for more details about the series in the months ahead.
Look for Aliens: What if…? #1 (of 5) to arrive in stores on Wednesday March 6th, 2024.
Look for Aliens: What if…? #2 (of 5) to arrive in stores on Wednesday April 11th, 2024.
Cool idea. I love it when famous people slum it in the comics field.
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