The Red Xenomorphs are a unique color variation of the Xenomorph species. Known for their reddish-black appearance and distinct behavior, they have a history of rebellion, war, and ultimate destruction. Introduced in Aliens: Genocide, these aliens diverged genetically from the traditional Xenomorph strain, forming their own hive on Xenomorph Prime and engaging in a conflict with their black-hued counterparts. Here is an overview of all red (and crimson) Xenomorphs, including the ones influenced by environmental conditions.
Red Xenomorphs
Red Xenomorphs were not visually distinct from black Xenomorphs to human observers, but their reddish-black tint and behavior set them apart. They were considered "red" by the original black strain, which saw them as a threat to their existence. The Reds originated after a hive collapse, leading to their genetic deviation. Both types shared similar physical traits, such as height (over 7 feet) and weight, but their genetic rivalry sparked a war that reshaped their existence. Hundreds of Black and Red Xenomorphs fought on the desolate plains of Xenomorph Prime until a group of Colonial Marines arrived to break their stalemate.
Red Xenomorph Queen
The Red Queen Mother led the rebel Red Xenomorphs on Xenomorph Prime, being the original source of the strain. The death of the first Queen Mother during the events of the Earth War trilogy left Xenomorph Prime leaderless, leading to the birth of both the Red and Black Xenomorph Queen Mothers. Larger and more imposing than a standard Queen, the Red Queen secreted pale resin to construct her hive. Her intelligence and ferocity rivaled that of any Xenomorph ruler. Despite her power, the Red Queen Mother and her hive were destroyed during the events of Aliens: Genocide, where a nuclear strike wiped them out, leaving the original strain victorious.
Giant Red Facehugger
Probably unrelated to the Genocide Red Xenomorph lineage, the Giant Red Facehugger was introduced through a Kenner toy line and accompanying Space Marine comics. This creature had red skin, fangs, and spiked legs, which it used to fight against Ellen Ripley and her marine companions. Unlike traditional facehuggers, it incapacitated hosts rather than infecting them, holding victims until a standard facehugger arrived. It was later reimagined by NECA as the Queen Facehugger, using the design of the Alien 3's Super Facehugger but with a red color scheme. This would hint that the Giant Red Facehugger carried the Alien Queen embryo.
Prowler Xenomorph
The Prowler Xenomorph (sometimes called the Jumper), featured in Aliens: Fireteam Elite, combines the agility of a Runner Xenomorph with enhanced armor. This reddish-black variant can incapacitate its prey by leaping onto them, forcing players to rely on teammates for rescue. With a spiked tail and a slightly larger head, the Prowler's appearance and behavior evoke influences from the Left 4 Dead series, making it a formidable, but somewhat annoying foe. It is unknown why the Prowler has a reddish color, but it might have inherited it from the wildlife from the jungles of LV-895, or the contaminating effects of the Katanga refinery.
Shānmén Xenomorph
The Shānmén Xenomorphs were abominations created by a pathogen released during a Border Bombing event caused by an Engineer Juggernaut ship. The colonists on the planet focused on mining Eitr, a valuable substance that produced rust-red residue when extracted. Eitr contamination turned water and plants rust-red, while also poisoning humans and impacting local wildlife, including mole-like creatures. When the living creatures on the planet were infected by the Black Goo Pathogen, the Xenomorphs produced were also born rust-red. Many of the Shānmén Xenomorphs were wiped out by the Jackals, a group of ex-Colonial Marines led by Zula Hendricks with Captain Olivia Shipp among them, while the planet was quarantined.
Mr Sinister Xenomorph
The Aliens vs. Avengers comic series introduces another distinct red Xenomorph, the Mr. Sinister Xenomorph, born from one of the X-Men's most infamous villains. Mr. Sinister had established a bizarre death cult composed of numerous clones of himself. When one of these clones gave birth to a massive red Xenomorph, the others hailed it as their Queen. However, the creature quickly turned on its creators, seizing control of the surrounding Xenomorphs. Under its influence, the Aliens attacked the remaining Avengers, including Iron Man and Spider-Man. The Mr. Sinister Xenomorph ultimately confronted Venom and appeared to overpower him, until the Venom symbiote ensnared the creature and destroyed it from within.
Killer Crab Alien
The Killer Crab Alien was another Kenner red type, unrelated to the Genocide hive on Xenomorph Prime. Kenner sold the 5-inch figure in 1993 with a crab-host body: four legs, two pincers, two smaller arms, and a claw on the tail. The card advertised dual launching chestbursters, spring-fired from the chest when a back spike was pressed. That low stance followed the same DNA reflex logic as Kenner's other animal-host Aliens, with the red-and-black paint closer to the Giant Red Facehugger than to a hive mutation. The later wave did not include a Space Marines mini-comic, and the type has not received a NECA Kenner Tribute remake.
Arachnid Alien
The Arachnid Alien was another Kenner red type, a six-legged spider-host body with a red carapace, a rotating head, and silver-grey pincers. Kenner sold it late in 1994 as a Series 3 figure, carded with Sneak Attack and Venom Spray. A back trigger walked the legs and snapped the claws shut, and the rubber head squirted water after it was filled. That red-and-black paint put it with the Giant Red Facehugger and Killer Crab Alien rather than the Genocide hive strain. It is not the four-limbed arcade Arachnoid, and it has not received a NECA Kenner Tribute remake.
Red Xenomorph Figures
Red Xenomorphs have inspired multiple collectibles. Kenner's Giant Red Facehugger toy and mini-comic stand out among the early representations. NECA's reimagined Queen Facehugger offers a modern take, while the Prowler Xenomorph from Aliens: Fireteam Elite has also been immortalized in merchandise. NECA's Red Xenomorph Queen was a popular figure, and great to set against the regular Black Queen. Finally, NECA made the Red Xenomorph Warrior, which was a red copy of the black Xenomorph Warrior. Kenner's Killer Crab Alien was another bright-red 5-inch figure from the later waves, sold with two spring-loaded chestburster missiles. The Arachnid Alien followed in 1994 as a six-legged red figure with sneak-attack legs and a water-squirting venom spray.
Conclusion
The Red Xenomorphs were a rare genetic variation of the Xenomorph species, introduced in Aliens: Genocide. Known for their reddish-black tint, they emerged after a hive collapse on Xenomorph Prime, diverging genetically from the black Xenomorphs and forming a rival hive. These Xenomorphs originated from the Red Queen Mother, who led the strain in a war against the original black Xenomorphs. Other variants, such as the Giant Red Facehugger, Killer Crab Alien, Arachnid Alien, and Prowler Xenomorph, received the red colorization possibly by the influence of a red-colored host. Environmental influences, like the rust-red Eitr contamination on Shānmén, can also contribute to regular Xenomorphs turning red.
Tag Categories: Xenomorph Appearance | Xenomorphs From The Comics | Alien Lore
