Marvel Is Reinventing the Avengers with "Older, Grittier Versions" of MCU Icons

There are few fictional characters in recent media more iconic than the MCU’s Avengers, as the live-action films have taken these decades-old Marvel Comics heroes to new heights in terms of widespread popularity. However, now it’s Marvel Comics’ turn to reinvent the MCU Avengers within their original medium, as an all-new comic series promises to introduce fans to “older, grittier versions” of those MCU icons - and that series is the upcoming Aliens vs Avengers.

In a release from Marvel announcing Aliens vs Avengers, fans are given the official synopsis of the four-issue miniseries, along with a first-look at the cover for the first issue. Aliens vs Avengers will be championed by writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Esad Ribic, and with their respective levels of creative talent focused on a single series, it should come as no surprise that this comic will be far from just an average ‘versus’ book, but a story that will truly reinvent those involved - both Avengers and Xenomorphs alike.

Aliens vs Avengers #1 (2024) Writer: Jonathan Hickman

Artist: Esad Ribic

Cover Artist: Esad Ribic

The four-part epic is set in a new timeline many years in the future and features older, grittier versions of Marvel characters. It also will be the first-time readers will see certain parts of Alien lore in the Marvel Universe—like the home of the Engineers. In this unmissable series, Xenomorphs reach Earth, and the perfect organism meets a planet of superhumans. But who will be first to fall?

One point in the official solicitation stands out from the rest, as it makes mention of the time period in which this new storyline is set, while also making it clear that Aliens vs Avengers takes place in a separate universe from the main Marvel Comics and Alien realities. The release says this series takes place “many years in the future”, and that it will feature “older, grittier versions of Marvel characters”. That means this story will be more than just the Avengers fighting some Xenomorphs, it will be one that redefines the team as fans know them today.

The Avengers Will Likely Face Alien’s Xenomorphs at Their Lowest Point (& That’s a Good Thing)

Aliens vs Avengers by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic

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These images are from the ‘Marvel vs Aliens’ variant covers that were released in 2021.

When something is described as ‘old and gritty’, especially superheroes, one gets the impression that other appropriate adjectives would be ‘disillusioned and beaten-down’. Perhaps the Avengers aren’t so much champions of hope in this not-too-distant future, but are, instead, rugged vigilantes who have grown bitter from the countless battles they’ve fought in defense of the entire planet.

While not outright confirmed, Marvel’s official release for Aliens vs Avengers prominently noted that these Avengers will be ‘old and gritty’, which makes it seem like the Avengers will be facing Alien’s Xenomorphs at their lowest point. However, that could actually wind up being a good thing for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, as perhaps - after being beaten down by the strenuous life of a superhero - the Avengers will find new purpose by defeating this cosmic enemy.

Xenomorphs are famous for their ability to invade a planet and completely take it over horrifyingly quickly, effectively terraforming any given world to meet their needs. Marvel’s announcement of this series reveals that the Xenomorphs have made it to Earth in Aliens vs Avengers, which means the Avengers will have to act quickly if they want to save the planet - something that will be extra challenging given their ‘old and gritty’ state.

While the Xenomorphs could mean the end of this Marvel world, their invasion may be just the thing to revitalize these “older, grittier” Avengers, allowing them to overcome their personal, internal battles while taking on these cosmic beasts.

The Avengers Won’t Be the Only Ones Altered in Aliens vs Avengers

Jonathan Hickman teases a metamorphosis for both the Avengers and the Xenomorphs!

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jonathan Hickman expanded on the upcoming storyline beyond what was offered in the official synopsis.

Jonathan Hickman: Probably one of the coolest things about the project is how we’ve found really fun ways to ‘Avengerize’ Aliens and ‘alien-up’ Avengers. I think fans will be surprised at how elegantly some of those things fit together. It really turned out to be a chocolate-and-peanut-butter situation.

While Hickman could be referring to the tone of each series, and how one will imprint upon the other during this crossover, there’s also the possibility that Hickman is speaking literally when saying one series will ‘Avengerize’ or ‘alien-up’ the other. Like their ability to take over planets, Xenomorphs are also famous for another horrific trait: DNA Reflex. Xenomorphs ‘inherit’ beneficial traits from their hosts due to their DNA Reflex, which means that this series could give life to Avenger/Xenomorph hybrids.

The fact that these Avengers will exist in a separate reality from those of Earth-616, and that they’re ‘old and gritty’, means that they are not immune to death as they normally would be. Therefore, when Hickman says that Alien’s Xenomorphs are going to be ‘Avengerized’, he may very well mean that fans will see Xenomorphs with the superhuman abilities of the Hulk, Captain Marvel, or any other Avenger fans can think of.

Aliens vs Avengers teases the introduction of Xenomorphs with the superhuman powers of the Avengers, should any of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes find themselves as a Xenomorph host, which is a wildly exciting prospect the likes of which fans have never seen before!

Aliens vs Avengers May Finally Lead to Another Highly Anticipated Crossover: Alien vs Predator

Predators were recently seen in the Marvel Universe in Predator vs Wolverine!

Since 20th Century Studios (an imprint of Marvel Comics) started publishing Alien and Predator comics, the two series have remained separate from one another. This is in stark contrast to the last publisher to produce Alien and Predator comics, Dark Horse Comics, which had Xenomorphs and Yautja existing in the same continuity right from the start. Could the Marvel Universe be the bridge that finally brings these two series together?

Predators were recently spotted hunting Wolverine in Benjamin Percy’s Predator vs Wolverine - a storyline that existed in its own continuity separate from the wider Marvel canon. Perhaps that storyline takes place in the same universe as Aliens vs Avengers, with the Predators being just as anxious to fight the Xenomorphs as the Avengers when the ‘Perfect Organisms’ invade Planet Earth.

While the inclusion of Predators from the Predator vs Wolverine storyline in Aliens vs Avengers would be a fun way to give fans the long-awaited AvP crossover in a 20th Century Studios comic, it seems more likely that the Predators will sit this adventure out, leaving the ultimate payoff of a 20th Century Studios AvP crossover for a later storyline all its own.

Related 10 Alien Species That Should Be Terrified the Predator Has Joined the Marvel Universe The Predator has entered Marvel with Predator vs Wolverine, and now that it's there, who else will it hunt? Here's the 10 aliens who should be scared.

Based on the little information that’s been offered about Aliens vs Avengers, it’s clear to see there’s a lot to be excited about. While it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the Avengers going toe-to-toe with Xenomorphs, one of the most interesting parts of this upcoming crossover actually has nothing to do with the ‘Alien’ factor, but the Avengers themselves.

Fans are about to see the Avengers as older, grittier versions of themselves, which is far from how fans are used to seeing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the MCU, and that contrast will be an incredibly captivating aspect of Aliens vs Avengers in its own right.

Aliens vs Avengers #1 (of 4) by Marvel Comics/20th Century Studios is available July 24, 2024.

Source: Marvel

Source: EW