Invading the Human Psyche: An Alien Perspective on Survival and Consciousness

In a captivating blend of science fiction, horror, and family drama, the creators of the acclaimed cosmic horror film "Daniel Isn't Real" have teamed up to bring us a unique and thought-provoking novel. "INVADER" promises to challenge our perceptions of what it means to be human, as it explores an alien invasion from the perspective of the invaders themselves.

Unraveling the Complexities of Alien Survival and Humanity

Alien Desperation and the Struggle for Survival

The story begins with a meteor carrying liquid-crystal alien organisms crashing into the California desert. These aliens, part of an ancient hive mind known as the SisterMind, are desperate to survive the harsh conditions of our planet. Driven by the need to replicate, reproduce, and colonize, they begin to "husk and copy" the bodies of various lifeforms, including a cat, a coyote, an elderly man, and a young woman. Their goal is to gut the planet of its resources and move on to the next, a cycle they have repeated countless times across the cosmos.However, when one of the alien "husks" takes on the form of Paige, an officer with the Bureau of Land Management, something unexpected happens. Paige finds herself with a human mind and emotions, leading her to resist the SisterMind's plans for Earth. This sets off a war between different factions of the hive mind, with a sinister corporate CEO and a young, psychedelic cult leader in the desert vying for control.

The Alien Perspective on Humanity

At the heart of this story is a profound exploration of what it means to be human. The authors, Brian DeLeeuw and Adam Egypt Mortimer, have long been fascinated by the idea of exploring the "monster's" point of view. They delve into the complex and deeply emotional perspective of the aliens, who view humanity not through a lens of maliciousness, but rather as a species they must colonize in order to survive."The idea of a species of creatures so abjectly alien to our planet, coming here and colonizing not out of maliciousness but because of the need to survive — that idea inspired us and we worked for quite a while to figure out the most interesting way to express that complicated and deeply emotional point of view in a way that could be both empathetic and insanely scary," explains Mortimer.

The Clash of Alien and Human Consciousness

As the story unfolds, the readers are confronted with the question of whether the "terrifying miracle of human consciousness" is enough to stop the alien invasion. The book explores the philosophical and existential implications of this clash, as the aliens grapple with the complexities of human emotions and relationships.The narrative is further enhanced by the stunning illustrations of acclaimed comic book artist Jock, who brings the alien invasion to life in a visceral and unsettling manner. The combination of the gripping text and the powerful visuals promises to create a truly immersive and thought-provoking reading experience.

A Unique Blend of Genres and Influences

"INVADER" is a genre-bending masterpiece that draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources. The authors describe the novel as a "brain-melting mix of body-horror, philosophical sci-fi, and high-octane thriller," blending elements of classic science fiction like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" with the visceral body horror of David Cronenberg and the emotional depth of Stephen King's family dramas.The result is a captivating and unsettling narrative that challenges readers to confront their own perceptions of humanity, consciousness, and the nature of existence. As the New York Times bestselling author Daniel Kraus aptly describes it, "Part Starman, part Body Snatchers, part Under the Skin, this is sci-fi horror with gasoline in its veins, a bloody but moving study of humanhood by the aliens that might replace us."