As a hardcore Alien fan who’s spent countless sleepless nights watching the series, I can confidently say that this list is nothing short of a masterpiece for any sci-fi enthusiast. From the terrifyingly intelligent Test Subject #7 to the eerie Goddess that could potentially spell doom for all life in the universe, each unique Xenomorph variant on this list adds an exciting layer of complexity to the Alien saga.

Personally, my favorite has got to be the Irradiated Xenomorph from Alien: Aftermath. As someone who’s spent a fair share of time around nuclear waste sites (just kidding, folks!), the idea of a bio-luminescent, liquid nitrogen-blooded Xeno is just too cool for words.

And let’s not forget about the Goddess; she’s like the ultimate badass boss battle that we never got to fight in the movies but can only imagine what it would be like. If you’re still not convinced, just think about the epic showdown between Ellen Ripley and the Queen Xenomorph in Aliens, now multiply that by a thousand and add some mind-bending telepathic abilities.

Lastly, remember, never go to space without your hazmat suit… or a good sense of humor! After all, who would want to face off against an irradiated Xenomorph with a straight face? It’s just not practical!

In my view, the Alien movie series has etched an indelible mark on cinematic history with its chilling sci-fi/horror aesthetics, largely due to the menacing presence of the Xenomorph – their unofficial emblem. These sleek, dark-skinned, eyeless creatures, resembling sinuous beasts, have haunted the dreams of countless film enthusiasts throughout the years, and a significant factor behind this enduring terror is the sheer variety of terrifying forms a Xenomorph can assume.

Currently, the latest movie titled “Alien: Romulus” offers a fresh take on the iconic Xenomorph design by introducing “The Offspring,” a unique creature with DNA from humans, Engineers, and Xenomorphs, thanks to a concoction developed by Weyland-Yutani researchers. Yet, numerous imaginative adaptations of the Xenomorph species have yet to be depicted on screen. Hereafter, you will discover a list of 7 captivating Xenomorph variants that have emerged from “Alien” novels, comics, and video games. This just underscores the wealth of creativity in other branches of this franchise!

7 Coolest Xenomorphs That Have Never Appeared In Alien Movies

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7. Flying Xenomorph

Among the various Xenomorph species, one of the most striking remains incredibly captivating. In certain arcade adaptations of the ‘Alien’ franchise, such as ‘Alien’ and ‘Alien: Survival’, and even in the 1998 limited comic series ‘Alien: Survival’, Xenomorphs with the ability to fly have appeared as formidable enemies. This added aerial capability makes these terrifying creatures even more chilling, much like adding icing on a nightmare-inducing dessert. The 1992 limited comic series ‘Aliens: Space Marines’ and the trading card collectible comic ‘Operation: Aliens’ took this concept further, introducing Flying Queens as significant antagonists in their narratives (as depicted in the image above).

6. Spitter/Crusher/Prowler Xenomorphs

The concept that Xenomorphs assume traits from their host animals became well-known, even notorious, through David Fincher’s Alien 3. However, this idea has been delved into more deeply in various other canonical and non-canonical installments of the series.

Spitters are Xenomorphs adapted for combat against both human and Predator forces. They can spit acid through their jaws, and kangaroo-jump to different vantage points to attack.
Crushers are “sentry” Xenomorphs that undergo a second metamorphosis. A combination of a Queen’s “Royal Jelly” and a diet of raw metals inside a cocoon creates four-legged monstrosities that have heavily armored mesoskeleton armor and charge prey like rhinos. Not the smartest Xenomorphs, but some of the most powerful.
Prowlers (or “jumpers”) are dog-like Xenomorphs of red-and-black coloring, which stalk prey and leap on them, tearing them apart with teeth and claws.

In the 2021 game “Aliens: Fireteam Elite,” which is available on consoles and PC, all of these Xenomorph variants are showcased. The Crushers and Spitters have a more extensive background in the franchise, dating back to the “Aliens: Colonial Marines” comic series and video games, as well as the “Alien vs. Predator – The Hunt Begins” board game.

5. Queen Mother/Empress Xenomorph

Following James Cameron’s movie “Aliens”, which established the hierarchy of a Xenomorph hive and its queen, it was only logical that this concept would grow into something more substantial. In various novels and video games, the “Alien” franchise has delved into what lies above a Queen within the Xenomorph hive.

In various video games such as “Aliens Online” from 1998 and “Aliens: Infestation” in 2011, the colossal creature known as the Empress Xenomorph has made an appearance. The Empress is one of the most significant manifestations of the Xenomorph species, second only to the Queen Mother in size. Distinguished by a double-layered crest on its mesoskeleton shell, the Empress also possesses greater agility and control with her four arms compared to a typical queen. The Empress serves as the ruler over numerous queens, thus controlling multiple Xenomorph hives simultaneously.

Queen Mothers, in the Xenomorph species, are considered the pinnacle of evolution within the queen-empress-queen mother cycle. They reach colossal sizes, often more than ten times larger than a typical egg, and possess a unique capability to lay eggs capable of giving birth to additional Queen Mothers. Characterized by their robust dorsal spines, enormous spiked tails, double rows of metallic teeth in their jaws, and tendril-like horns sprouting from their chins, they are formidable figures. These advanced Xenomorph forms have been featured in novels such as “Aliens: Female War,” “Alien: Genocide,” and “Alien: Music of the Spears,” as well as the “Alien: Infestation” video game and the “Alien vs. Predator – The Hunt Begins” board game.

4. King Xenomorph

In many realms of nature, every queen seems to require her king as a counterpart. Although Queen Xenomorphs are known for reproducing without a mate, their connection to other creatures in the animal kingdom strongly hints at the existence of a male equivalent to the ruling female.

In various works, such as the “Aliens: Rogue” Dark Horse comic series and Bantam Spectra novel, the notion of a royal Xenomorph called “King Xenomorph” has been explored. These stories introduce the initial concept of a king, which is a genetically modified hybrid created by the rogue scientist Ernst Kleist. While Kleist was successful in creating Xenomorph drones, he couldn’t manufacture a Queen until he incorporated human DNA into the mix, resulting in a male variant of a Queen. The King eventually turned against its fellow Xenomorphs, even challenging the Queen for dominance – a conflict the Queen eventually prevailed over due to her superior speed and intelligence compared to the slower, less clever male.

The 1990s comic book series “Aliens vs. Predator: Deadliest of the Species” introduced a unique character named “King”. This character was not your typical Predator or Xenomorph; instead, he was a fascinating hybrid of humanoid origin, white-skinned, with a blend of Predator and Xenomorph traits. These characteristics included red eyes, an elongated head, spikes, mottled skin, and even a second mouth. This extraordinary being was the result of an advanced computer program called TOY’s creation.

In the initial draft of Alien 3 from 1990, a dominant Xenomorph known as the King was portrayed with an ability to spit acid, insert Chestbursters into victims, and blend in using chameleon-like camouflage. Over time, this King Xenomorph has been memorialized in toy collections by Kenner (1992) and other brands like Sideshow Collectibles, as well as the Alien vs. Predator: The Hunt Begins board game.

3. Test Subject #7

The 2021 book “Alien: Infiltrator” by Weston Ochse serves as a prequel to the video game “Fireteam Elite.” This narrative explores clandestine Xenomorph experiments conducted on Pala Station, which unfortunately take a disastrous turn. In this tale, twelve Xenomorph eggs come into contact with Chemical A0-3959X.91, also known as the “black goo” or “Prometheus Fire” liquid, originally developed by the android David in “Alien: Covenant,” and later refined by Weyland-Yutani scientists on Renaissance Station, as detailed in “Alien: Romulus.

Test Subject Number 7 underwent a transformation at the hands of the goo, becoming a white-skinned, exceptional Xenomorph drone. This particular specimen displayed unparalleled intelligence and telepathic powers, enabling it to command and manipulate other Xenomorphs (albeit not as effectively as a queen). In a fierce struggle against the remaining Colonial Marines, Test Subject #7 proved itself one of the most remarkable and terrifying Xenomorph variants known.

2. Irradiated Xenomorph

Aftermath” (2021) served as a continuation of the storyline from James Cameron’s movie “Aliens”, with the events from that film being used to introduce an original Alien species: the Irradiated Xenomorph.

In my account, the terrifying creature known as the Xenomorph variant I encountered originated from the devastating nuclear blast that tore through the Atmosphere Processing Plant on LV-426, following a fierce conflict between Ellen Ripley and the Colonial Marines at Hadley’s Hope colony. One remarkable adaptation this particular specimen underwent was the development of bio-luminescent skin, along with a unique blood composition consisting of liquid nitrogen rather than the conventional acid.

Although its demise wasn’t officially verified, the Irradiated Xenomorph was last spotted engaged in a fierce battle with one of the story’s key figures, Cutter Vasquez. This radical journalist was on a mission to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of his aunt, Colonial Marine Jenette Vasquez.

1. The Goddess

In Marvel’s Alien comics, a terrifying figure known as “The Goddess” or “The Woman in the Dark” is suggested as the ultimate outcome of Xenomorph mutation. This entity could potentially wipe out all life across the universe. The 2021 comic story arc, Alien: Bloodlines, hinted at her being an embodiment of pure evil, but the 2022-2023 story arc, Alien: Icarus, made her a tangible threat. A character named Lee, who leads a human settlement on Tobler-9, becomes infected by an experimental compound from Weyland-Yutani, similar to the black goo. This compound transforms Lee into a hybrid of Xenomorph and human, granting her the mental control abilities of a queen and physically altering her to resemble an android.

The creature known as Icarus has deactivated “The Deity” on Tobler-9 temporarily. Given that the story unfolds over 60 years post-events of Alien: Romulus, it appears this Xenomorph-human hybrid could symbolize the destruction that is often the outcome when beings like the Engineers and humans meddle with life creation. Whether The Deity will become a significant antagonist in future Alien comic books or screenplays remains to be discovered.

Without a doubt, this compilation serves as a compelling argument for immersing yourself in every book, game, and film related to the Alien universe!

2024-12-31 02:10

7 of the Coolest Xenomorphs That Were Never in Alien Movies