Cyberantics (Science Fiction) (Graphic Novel)

by Jerry Prosser & Rick Geary

Published: Dark Horse Comic (September 1, 1992).

Hardcover, 64 pages.

This is a very weird spin-off from the Aliens franchise (specifically Aliens: Hive) as it is more of a children's book rather than a grim tale of alien xenomorphs gestating their way through a future humanity that has lost touch with what it means to be human.

The tone is hopeful and happy, brought on primarily by the art of Rick Geary, whose style (even when depicting brutal scenes) is cute and friendly. Cyberantics is about the adventures of a cybernetic ant who goes out into a hive to begin exploring and finds love and happiness, while rescuing a larva queen from slavery in another ant hive. Interspersed throughout the story are annotations on physiology of ants, technical notes on the AI unit in the cybernetic ant, and background information on the man himself. It ends with a detailed bio of the fictional genius Stanislaw Miakovski.

Aliens: Hive is about Stanislaw Miakovski, a cybernetic and AI expert, is a beautiful young thief has approached him to use his experience and expertise to create a cybernetic alien to sneak into an alien hive and steal the rare and valuable alien jelly. She goes to him because she read this book, Cyberantics, as a child.

Despite the grim origins of the story, this is a fun little book, and would actually be a good gift for any young children interested in science fiction.

For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.