Alien Next Door

Cute book! Husband loved it as a gift! If you're an Alien fan, you will love this at any age.

This little booklet is a delightfully humorous romp through the Aliens universe! It's small in format and a tad short on pages, but I believe any Aliens fan will get their full money's worth from this title. If you are new to the world of Aliens, then I would suggest some of the movie books such as "The Book of Alien" and "Alien Vault" as your next -- or added -- purchases, but if you are already familiar with the films this book is worth the purchase. While many of the cartoons require no explanation, others have some fairly detailed movie references subtly sprinkled about. While I’m certain there are even more that a better Aliens fan or more observant reader than I will uncover, here are the less obvious movie nods that I noticed, as well as an explanation of some of the cartoons that some might not “get” right away. This book does not have page numbers, so I hope that my descriptive titles will be enough to clarify which cartoon I’m referring to. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! I recommend that you read the book first, and then come back here to compare lists. Enjoy! -- Game Over Man: The high scores are by Newt, Ripley, and the Xenomorph. -- Hang In There: That’s Jones the cat giving a little inspiration to our favorite Xenomorph. -- Barber Shop: That’s Ripley in the chair . . . Hint: Think Alien 3. -- Refrigerator Run: Androids bleed white. -- No Bowling Shoes: That’s the Sulaco crew on the scoreboards. -- Mop Time: This appears to be the Fury 161 dining area where Andrews fails entirely in his attempt at “Rumor Control”. A small rubber ball on the floor would have completed this scene for me. -- Batter Up: In case you’re living in an area entirely insulated from Hispanic culture, that’s a piñata, an empty cardboard construction filled with toys and candy that blindfolded partygoers try to break open with a bat or stick. The author even got right the feathery paper used to cover piñatas! -- Coiling Up with a Good Book: “Nostromo” is a novel written by Joseph Conrad in 1904; it is titled after one of the main characters. On a side note, the story takes place in the fictitious South American city of Sulaco—the name of the Colonial Marine spaceship in Aliens. -- Trick or Treat: That’s undoubtedly Newt under the ghostly sheet. -- Space Invaders: That’s the console chair from the Nostromo’s MU-TH-UR mainframe computer access room. -- Vacuum Time: Nothing hidden here—Ripley lending a domestic hand with the power loader was just one of my two favorites. -- Happy MU-TH-UR’s Day: MU-TH-UR is the Nostromo ship’s mainframe computer, and this is the mainframe room. -- Xenos and Dolls: This is from the scene in Aliens where Newt is captured by the Xenomorph. When Hicks cuts through the floor seconds too late to rescue her, all that remains is the floating head of Newt’s doll, Casey. In this re-imagining a helpful alien has found Casey’s body, hitherto unseen in the movie. This is my other favorite cartoon in this book. -- Welcome to Hadley’s Hope: The population of 158 is movie-accurate, and I believe the 2179 date is correct as well. -- Spa Time: That’s the Space Jockey’s chair from Alien. -- Laundry Time: From left to right the hanging laundry belongs to Brett (Hawaiian shirt), Parker (headband), Ash, Kane (post-chestbursting), and of course Ripley. -- In Limbo: That is apparently Lambert from Alien with her cowboy boots though I think they are seen more often in off-set photos than in the movie itself. -- First Day of School: The license plate 5251979 is the release date of Alien, May 25 1979. The bus number 86 is the release year of Aliens, 1986. -- Car Wash: I found this cartoon unusual in that the Xenomorph washing the APC is bikini-topped and thong-bottomed, while the author allows her to run mostly un-garmented throughout the rest of the book. Note that while many may consider the alien hierarchy to be made up of a single queen and many male warriors or drones, the bee and ant societies that the alien hierarchy is clearly modeled after are composed mostly of sterile female workers. The bathing attire is therefore biologically accurate. -- Graveside Visit: This would have made a very appropriate final cartoon for the book, but the author chooses to end it on a lighter note. Thank you for making me smile, Mr. Spiotto. "Not bad for a human."

How could you possibly not love this little picture book? It is cute, clever, and touching, and gives you a very unlikely affection for a giant bug that wants to put something awful in your chest! I am so glad I picked it up, because I think if you are a fan of the Alien series, or even just H.R. Giger's art, this is a great addition to any collection. I found it instantly endearing, and I especially liked the way the artist paid tribute to the great man whose mind birthed the creature into our culture and our dreams. Far from ridicule, this is a gentle and, at times, even sweet collection of funny little what-ifs involving Jonesy the cat, shopping, and trying to make it as a normal monster in a busy, fast paced world. I really loved this book, and it didn't bother me in the slightest that there are no words. It doesn't need them!

I bought this for my daughter as a cute present. She's 12. We are avid comic book collectors (Street Angel, Cerebus, ECT). Embarrassed to say I had no idea this existed. I will say that it's at its best when you've actually seen the first two movies, as there are a ton of inside jokes. If you haven't, it is still super cute, slick design by the artist.

This is a funny book that details the life of your average everyday Alien neighbor. Perfect for any Aliens fan and a nice little conversation piece to leave on the coffee table. Not a whole lot of re-readability here but it's fun for what it is.

This book is perfect.

I love this so much I ordered a second one for my friend! The only downside is both of them arrived a little banged up but not damaged to the point i would need a return. The book itself is amazing and absolutely adorable. It’s such a good price I’m seriously considering buying them for all of my friends and family to put in their Easter baskets hahaha. It’s absolutely adorable and I’m excited to show this to friends and family. I’m super particular with my books so when the corners are smashed it drive slow me mad but maybe it won’t bother other people.

I saw this book and immediately knew I needed it. I’m a huge alien series fan and this was a really humorous take on the franchise. Amazing picture book and sits on one of my display shelves.

もはやエイリアンという言葉は宇宙的凶悪生物の 代名詞になってしまった。それくらい映画のインパクトが 強烈だったのですが、逆にファンシーキャタクター化 すると、その落差もハンパではない。 一コマ漫画的に描かれているのは、我々の世界で暮らす エイリアンの日常。買い物や料理をしたり趣味に没頭したり と実に微笑ましいです。ネコのジョーンズやリプリーといった お馴染みの面々や、映画にちなんだアイテムなども随所に登場。 文章はないので原書でも十分に楽しめますよ。 そんなエイリアンの姿の向こうには、異国へと渡り、 生活習慣や文化の違いに戸惑ったり、馴染もうと奮闘する 人間の姿を見て取ることもできます。なので、作中では 本来の意味でのエイリアンになったと言えますね。

Ce livre a toutes les caractéristiques d'un livre pour enfants et c'est fait à dessein: le format, un carré d'environ 18 cm, un petit nombre de pages, ainsi qu'un dessin minimaliste voir faussement naïf. Le sujet lui est risqué, l'auteur se propose de nous faire rire de la quadrilogie "Alien" qui, vous en conviendrez, n'est pas connue pour être particulièrement propice aux gags. Grâce a une connaissance approfondie du sujet et un humour corrosif (j'ose !), mais pas seulement, l'auteur parvient a nous faire sourire et même, rire aux éclats. A signaler que l'anglais n'est pas indispensable pour la lecture de ce livre.

Must have missed that this is not a written story. The illustrations are all very charming. A LOT of great references throughout the book for long time Alien franchise fans. As much for adults as children.

Ein echt nettes Buch, dass so ziemlich jeden Fan der Filmreihe begeistern wird. Ich liebe das Alienfranchise und habe sowohl die Filme, als auch einige der Videospiele in meinem Besitz. Die liebevollen Zeichnungen und der darin eingebettete Humor sind absolut genial. Ich habe mir das Buch schon vor einiger Zeit gegönnt, bei dem Preis kann man nun wirklich nichts falsch machen. Meine Frau schenkt dieses Buch nun auch ihrem Bruder, da dieser die Alienfilme gesuchtet hat und ihm der intellektuelle Zugang zu diesem kleinen Meisterwerk mit Sicherheit nicht fehlt : D

Un regalo molto carino e soprattutto per i fans di Alien le illustrazioni sono molto divertenti.