While aliens are often a source of horror in fiction, they can also be wondrous too. Even E.T. originally started as horror before Spielberg realized the potential for something much more wholesome. The reason stories like E.T. prominently feature young adults as protagonists is because they can approach this newly discovered life-form with new eyes. It's with this spirit that Mad Cave Studios releases the new series They Fell From The Sky, and the result feels classic and fresh at the same time.
Coming from writer Liezl Buenaventura and artist Xavier Tárrega, They Fell From the Sky focusses on a twelve-year-old named Tommy. Between school bullies, an indifferent older sister, and a father who wants more from him, life is difficult for him. His only respite from the difficulty of life is the late-night watch parties of Space Journey with his friends. One night, after a particularly rough day at school and home, something catches his eye. As the title suggests, Tommy spots a spaceship crashing down to Earth. Without hesitation, he rushes to investigate. He finds a sort of rat-like alien with a wounded leg. The creature is initially afraid of Tommy, but the young man offers a helping hand, establishing a bond that will change the world.
One thing that is immediately commendable about They Fell From The Sky is that this first issue takes time to establish its characters. Though the opening pages promise readers an exciting adventure, the bulk of this first issue is devoted to making readers understand Tommy and his situation. There is a sort of best 80's movies vibe to it all, especially with the bullies. Though the surface level conflicts are all interesting in their own right, it's the smaller stuff that is sure to hook readers. Details like Tommy's indifferent sister showing him sympathy after a fight, or a cop casually throwing around a slur are all little moments that convey a great deal about the setting and characters. It invites questions about how these elements will inevitably interact with the main alien plot.
The alien itself, unnamed in this first issue, also has an air of mystery to it. It is definitely an intelligent being, but what it's doing on Earth and how it got wounded are all questions smartly left for later issues. Tommy and his friends all watch a clear Star Trek parody, which suggests that their new friend may be part of some galactic federation to contrast with the goofiness of the show the characters love.
The one word to describe this first issue is potential. Tommy is a likable character and his situation will invite sympathy from readers. Mad Cave Studios has always championed diversity with comics like Pantomime, and that continues here as Tommy is Hispanic. This already sets the comic apart from other stories like E.T. which predominantly feature heterosexual white boys as their protagonists. They Fell From the Sky #1 is a promising first issue from one of the industry's most interesting studios.
Find They Fell From The Sky #1 when it debuts on February 3rd.