Superman vs. Xenomorphs: The Wildest Alien Showdown You Never Knew Happened

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Superman is among the most beloved superheroes globally, and the Alien franchise stands out as one of the best science fiction horror and slasher movie series. Despite their stark contrast, the idea of a collaboration between these two was destined. Given the fascination with crossovers, a 1999 comic book titled Superman/Aliens came into existence. Initially, the concept of Superman battling the Alien franchise’s Xenomorphs might seem preposterous. After all, Superman is invincible and can move planets, while the Xenomorphs are vulnerable to a few well-placed bullets. However, this crossover proved to be more captivating than expected. The Last Son of Krypton confronts an endless horde of Xenomorphs in an exhilarating battle to protect a family he wasn’t aware of, which turns out to be surprisingly emotional. Although it sounds absurd, the outcome manages to hold together effectively.

The story begins as Clark Kent and Lois Lane receive an urgent call from Cheryl Kimble, head of LexCorp’s space division. She informs them that LexCorp satellites have detected something unusual entering Earth’s atmosphere, which emits a strange signal in an alien language. Superman, recognizing the language as Kryptonian, swiftly takes flight to intercept the meteor. Upon closer examination, he discovers it’s not just a meteor but a device of some sort, transmitting psychically images of a domed city fleeing from an exploding planet and coordinates to find this city. Using a LexCorp spacecraft, Superman embarks on a journey deep into space in search of survivors from Krypton, while Lois remains behind in the satellite, questioning Kimble’s true motives.

A Depowered Hero Meets Movies’ Most Terrifying Creature

On a barren planet lacking a yellow sun, Superman’s powers start deteriorating at an unexpected and dramatic pace. He stumbles upon a city in disarray, with indications of something attempting to burst through its walls. Near the damaged entrance, he finds some unconscious individuals along with a deceased Facehugger, unbeknownst to him. He swiftly transports them for medical assistance, then explores within the city, only to be assaulted by a Xenomorph. Superman manages to fend off the creature, but his powers have significantly weakened, making it possible for the monster to wound him. Being mindful of potential sentience and unwilling to take lives, he hesitates to harm the creature. This narrative alludes to his recent confrontation with General Zod in “Superman” Volume 2 #22, where he executed Zod and two other Kryptonian criminals, a decision that remains debated to this day. I was surprised by the thoughtful inclusion of Superman’s rich backstory in this “Alien” crossover, enhancing the story’s overall atmosphere.

Despite the Xenomorph’s corrosive blood momentarily disabling Superman, a city survivor, a teenage girl named Kara, rescues him. She eliminates the Xenomorph and leads Clark to a secure hideout for his injured eyes. Speaking in Kryptonian, she recounts her tale of how her city managed to escape their home planet’s destruction before crashing here. The city’s sustenance and life-support systems gradually failed, so they broadcasted distress signals similar to the one that landed on Earth, but no help arrived. One day, a gigantic freighter arrived and wrecked near the city. They investigated it, discovering what appeared to be a dormant Xenomorph Queen and thousands of eggs. However, these were merely in hibernation, eventually awakening and causing chaos. Upon learning how they invade host bodies, Superman understands that he had inadvertently sent live Xenomorphs back to Earth, and insists they need to return promptly.

On the satellite belonging to LexCorp, Lois and Kimble help the survivors exit the ship, but unfortunately discover one deceased individual with a young Xenomorph slipping away into the vessel. The creature soon matures into its full size and wreaks havoc among the crew. To dispose of both Lois and the alien, Kimble confines them in the hangar, but Lois outsmarts him by expelling the monster into space before it can harm her. Aware of the threat these creatures pose, and after witnessing another chestburster emerge from one of the survivors, Lois destroys two Xenomorphs that Kimble intended to incorporate into LexCorp’s arsenal, leaving only one fully-grown specimen remaining.

An Escape and a Horrifying Discovery

In the urban jungle, a weakened Superman and Kara strive to round up any remaining survivors to reach the alien spaceship where they hope to find a means of departing from this planet. Regrettably, they manage to rescue only themselves. During their ordeal, Superman discovers an unexpected truth: Kara is not from Krypton, but from its twin planet Odiline, which adopted Kryptonian customs and speech following the burial of several Kryptonians there. (The manner in which the inhabitants of Odiline learned Kryptonian isn’t elaborated upon.) Despite their debilitated state, Superman and Kara are eventually captured by the Xenomorphs, who infect them both. Escaping their restraints, they notice that the Xenomorphs avoid attacking Superman, revealing he carries a Queen within him. Utilizing this knowledge, they manage to evade the horde of Xenomorphs and devise a strategy to employ the ship’s escape pods for an exit.

1) The predicament lies in the pods being unable to exit the atmosphere by themselves; they require additional force. They conceive a strategy where they destroy their entire spacecraft to create an explosion powerful enough to propel them into space. Superman readies the pods as Kara races to the fuel system. Upon severely damaging it, she enters a teleportation device for Superman to transport her to him. However, he finds a way to save her from an impending chestburster threat by beaming it out of her. This action saves her life, but she is compelled to escape the teleporter hastily as a Xenomorph appears. The spacecraft detonates, sending Superman back to Earth without Kara.

The Most Insane Xenomorph Defeat – And Story – Ever

Near a radiant sun yellower than any other, Superman regains his abilities. Struggling to burst through his body, the Queen Xenomorph fails to penetrate his tough skin. In what might be the most revolting Xenomorph kill on record, Superman uses his internal organs to crush it and ejects its remnants violently. It’s a grim scene, yet efficient. He manages to rescue Lois and Kimble from the last Xenomorph, but his decision not to kill it is significant, given his recent struggle with taking life. This moment would be powerful if he hadn’t just fought one inside him. And there was another instance when it tried to harm Kara. Regardless, Superman adheres to his principles, but Kimble takes matters into her own hands and slays the alien herself.

Regarding Kara, in the end, Superman confides in Lois about Kara while grieving her loss, not knowing that she had boarded another escape pod. After escaping the nightmare of the Xenomorphs, Kara ventures out into space to seek a fresh start and new family.

This blend was utterly wild! It was clever how Superman’s powers vanished swiftly to establish the Xenomorphs as a threat for him, and his ethical standpoint went through a series of affirmations, breakages, and affirmations once more, seemingly at random. However, this comic was filled with the thrill of ‘Aliens’-style dread and superhero action, making it a quintessential representation of 90s comics. To top it off, Superman sported his iconic mullet. While the narrative may not always be coherent, it provides an exhilarating journey. And let me tell you, its follow-up is even more mind-boggling!

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2025-04-19 23:10