Book Review: Classic ‘Alien,’ ‘Aliens’ Books Re-Released in Time For ‘Prometheus’

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CHICAGO – How excited are you for “Prometheus”? The highly-anticipated Ridley Scott prequel to one of the most influential films ever made, his masterful “Alien,” will finally hit domestic theaters on June 8, 2012 (we’ve seen it and will have a review for you on Thursday). Are you ready? Have you watched the Quarilogy again? What else can you do to prepare? In a wonderful bit of synergy, Titan Books has re-released two collectible items, books initially published on the first theatrical releases of Scott and James Cameron’s beloved films — “The Book of Alien” and “Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual.” Collectors will want to own them both.

The Book of Alien
Photo credit: Titan Books

“The Book of Alien” by Paul Scanlon and Michael Gross is the better of the two as it’s purely non-fiction and offers some amazing insight, anecdotal trivia, and behind-the-scenes stills about the making of Ridley Scott’s beloved “Alien.” A majority of the book consists of stills and photos of the production and one wishes it was a little more lavishly packaged so it could be used as a coffee table book instead of the relatively-paper and binding of a paperback book. However, this is the only conceivable complaint about a stellar collector’s item for fans of one of my personal favorite films of all time.

Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual
Photo credit: Titan Books

“Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual” by Lee Brimmicombe-Wood is more unique a collector’s item in that it’s not really ABOUT the film as much as it is a companion to it. The unique 160-page manual takes itself COMPLETELY seriously, as if it were a prop from “Aliens,” offering weapons diagnostics, details on armor and combat support, and much more. It’s for people who want to become fully engrossed in the world of “Aliens” and imagine they’re one of the Colonial Marines within it. The game is far from over, man.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com