One of the more outstanding “Aliens” tales comes from 1997’s Aliens Special #1. The second (longer) part of the issue is the story “Elder Gods” by Nancy Collins. Here, we actually get a glimpse of the timeframe by which humans have spread across the stars in the Aliens-verse. “Elder Gods” states that the story occurs in the “last year of the 21st century” (2099 or 2100 depending on how technical you get) and that humanity has been journeying to other planets for “over 75 years.” That means interstellar travel began in 2024-25 on Earth in the Aliens-verse. Can you imagine starships in less than a quarter century? Only if we get lucky and have a major scientific breakthrough … or successfully reverse engineer an alien (lower case) craft.
At any rate, “Elder Gods” takes place on planet Mira Ceti IV. (It is interesting to note that the star[s] in the Mira Ceti system – a binary system, like the majority of star systems – is/are 350 light years distant, meaning human faster-than-light propulsion systems must be pretty damn good!) The Omni Tech company (obviously not The Company of “Alien” film fame) is busy scuttling the planet for its mineral wealth. Many of the workers employed by O.T. are quite eccentric, most especially so, perhaps, the cult which worships the 20th century horror writer Horace Payne Lovecraft. (The story has his last name as "Loveless;" however, Google provides virtually no information on a "Horace Payne Loveless" other than this very Aliens tale. Perhaps it is a late 21st century bastardization of his real name.) This cult, called the Esoterics and led by one Father Lumley, is sent on a mineral extraction mission by the higher-ups at the O.T. compound, and this doesn’t sit well with the good Father. Nevertheless, the company’s Chief Architect quotes Lumley his employment contract, and soon the Father and his flock are on their way miles from the compound.
A couple weeks into their quarry detail, a worker discovers something quite interesting: The top of the head of an Alien queen! About another week later, the entire creature is unearthed, and a tunnel below it is found. Father Lumley and his followers believe that they have discovered the “Crypt of Tulitu” (also referred to as “Cthulhu”) The old Alien nest is a near-perfect analogy to Lovecraft’s visions – horror beyond imagining. Lumley and the cult approach the cadre of Alien eggs and … !
A day later, the Esoterics return to the Omni Tech base, totally ignoring the demands of the Chief Architect to inform her as to why they are back from their mission so soon. That night, the cult plants the Alien eggs they have brought back with them throughout the company camp. The next day, all of the Esoterics are found mutilated, their chests somehow ... exploded from within! Except Father Lumley – he’s still alive, but in agony. He mutters some Lovecraft-laden swill … while chest-burster erupts from his torso! Soon after, mature Aliens surround and attack the compound workers!
The colony administrators realize they’re in deep doo-doo. The Chief Architect awoke with a 
sore throat (hello, facehugger!), the Esoterics are massacred, and now horrendous creatures are all over the place! It’s just a matter of time before the colony is ransacked by the Aliens …
The inks by John Stokes (over Leif Jones' pencils) are really what give this macabre tale its “umph.” The panel at the above left is a perfect example; just marvel at the utter madness on the guy’s face – this, in the midst of the Alien takeover of the colony! Also, during and after the Esoterics’ discovery of the Alien queen, Stokes' shadows are eerie and disturbing. At right is a glimpse of Father Lumley descending the ladder of his craft after returning to the Omni Tech base (and following his Alien implantation). His facial expression is determined and creepy at the same time. Perfect for this distressing Aliens tale!
“Elder Gods” is a must read for any true-blue Aliens fan.
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