Alien: Romulus Prequel Changes Its Rating to R

Marvel’s upcoming Alien: Romulus (2024) comic tie-in, featuring the same title as the film, has received a content advisory update. While the Alien franchise is no stranger to adult content, many of the comics expanding upon it have garnered only a T+ rating. This will not be the case for the newest addition to Marvel’s comic line-up.

Previously labeled as “Parental Advisory”, Alien: Romulus will now have an “Explicit Content” label according to a report from Popverse. This adjustment isn’t entirely a surprise given the nature of xenomorph mayhem and the usual film ratings on entries within the franchise. However, it does mark a big distinction for Marvel’s particular Alien comics and recent xenomorph inclusions.

The iconic alien species just recently began facing off with Marvel’s Avengers. While each of Marvel’s offerings has generally been teen-friendly, Alien: Romulus will only be purchasable by readers 18+.

Alien: Romulus Expands on The Film, But Rating Change Promises More

Jumping from Parental Advisory to Explicit Content is Major for Marvel

Alien: Romulus, from Marvel Comics has the creative team of Zac Thompson and Daniel Picciotto. It will be a one-shot prequel to the film that expands on its story, providing the “illuminating backstory behind the film’s main threat.” The film has seen quite a bit of success, making this upcoming comic expansion a rather anticipated title – particularly given how little has been said about its focus. Long-term fans of the series should already expect to see xenomorphs and more of Weyland-Yutani’s devious corporate involvement, as they are staples of the franchise’s universe.

Beyond that, most of what is known is that the one-shot was written “in close partnership” with the film’s writers, Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues. However, the rating shift implies that readers will be in for a highly intriguing experience. It’s common for expletive terms to be present in comics with Parental Advisories, with them being blotted out stylistically. It’s also common for Alien involved comics to have some bloody aspects, though not necessarily heaps of gore, varying between Marvel and Dark Horse published issues. Marvel could deliver more horror than expected since its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company.

Marvel Could Deliver True Horror with Upcoming Aliens One-Shot

Xenomorphs are known for their destructive natures and ability to make grotesque messes, from acid bloodspray aftereffects to chest-bursting birth processes. Marvel delivers on that in recent series, including Aliens: What If…?, which carried a Parental Advisory label. The envelope could be pushed farther for this occasion. It’s not unheard of for Marvel to have adult comics, considering the former line of MAX imprint series featuring Punisher and Deadpool, among others – albeit with some controversy. Marvel could finally be true to the darker nature of the Alien franchise with its newest upcoming special, doing xenomorphs’ and Weyland Yutani’s villainy justice.

Alien: Romulus #1 will be available October 16 from Marvel Comics.

Source: Popverse, Marvel