Here's how to buy the comic books Resident Alien is based on

Find out everything we know about the Resident Alien comic book series here!

RESIDENT ALIEN -- "The Wire" Episode 202 -- Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Alien Harry -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)
RESIDENT ALIEN -- "The Wire" Episode 202 -- Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Alien Harry -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY) /
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Resident Alien has crash-landed back in our lives, and the new weekly episodes of the third season cannot come quickly enough! As we eagerly anticipate Season 3 Episode 3 - 141 Seconds - debuting on Syfy tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024, our curiosity about what lies ahead is reaching new heights.

What many fans might not know is that this out-of-this-world hilarious Syfy series is not just an original idea – but its based on the pages of a captivating comic book series!

If you want to know more about the Resident Alien comic books, including where to buy them, you're in the right place! Join us below as we reveal everything we know about the sci-fi comic books and the TV show they inspired. Without further ado, let's dive in!

Resident Alien is based on these comic books

Resident Alien, originally published by Dark Horse Comics, is an American comic book series created by the dynamic duo, Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse! The comic book series follows the story of an alien who crash lands on Earth and adopts the identity of a small-town doctor while waiting to be rescued.

This hilarious and heartwarming comic book series was the launch pad for the SYFY television adaptation, which debuted in 2021.

How does the show differ from the comic book?

Resident Alien - Season 1
RESIDENT ALIEN -- "The Green Glow" Episode 107 -- Pictured: (l-r) Judah Prehn as Max Hawthorne, Alien Harry -- (Photo by: James Dittinger/SYFY) /

The Resident Alien TV show takes a detour from its comic book roots, injecting its own brand of humor and unique twists into the extraterrestrial escapade. Let's break down the intergalactic contrasts:

Characterization and Tone:

  • On the small screen, Harry is a tad more menacing, giving the show an extra sprinkle of intrigue. Yet, in the comics, he's your friendly neighborhood alien, radiating sweetness and a genuine aversion to causing a ruckus.
  • TV's Harry starts his journey in shades of gray, embracing the art of moral ambiguity before diving headfirst into the warm pool of empathy. In the comics, his character development is more of a slow dance, taking its sweet time to hit all the right notes.
  • The TV series cranks up the laughter with physical comedy, a delightful dimension harder to convey within the confines of a comic strip.

Visual and Casting Differences:

  • The sheriff undergoes a transformation from a gruff, slightly overweight, middle-aged white officer in the comics to a tall, young, Black guardian of the peace on the TV screen.
  • The mayor has also undergone a makeover – shedding a few years and pounds for his TV debut.
Resident Alien - Season 2
RESIDENT ALIEN -- "Girls' Night" Episode 203 -- Pictured in this screengrab: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle -- (Photo by: SYFY) /

Plot and Setting Changes:

  • Comics Harry uses telepathy to keep his alien identity under wraps, but the show takes a bolder approach -- Harry kills the real Vanderspiegle and steps into his shoes.
  • While the comics' Patience resides in Washington, the TV series relocates the action to the colorful backdrop of Colorado.

Supporting Cast:

  • The TV show introduces a younger supporting cast, injecting a dose of youthful energy into the mix, a departure from the more "lived-in" feel of the middle-aged characters in the comics.

Resident Alien comics in order

Resident Alien - Season 2
RESIDENT ALIEN -- "Old Friends" Episode 201 -- Pictured: Alan Tudyk as Harry Vanderspeigle -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY) /

If you're itching to dive into the quirky world of Resident Alien comics, you're in for a treat! Originally comprising 26 individual issues, these gems have recently found cozy homes within various paperback volumes and omnibus editions, making it a breeze for fans to binge-read the extraterrestrial escapades!

The collected editions are as follows:

  • Resident Alien Volume 1: Welcome to Earth!
  • Resident Alien Volume 2: The Suicide Blonde
  • Resident Alien Volume 3: The Sam Hain Mystery
  • Resident Alien Volume 4: The Man with No Name
  • Resident Alien Volume 5: An Alien in New York
  • Resident Alien Volume 6: Your Ride Is Here
  • Resident Alien Volume 7: The Book of Love

How to buy Resident Alien comic books?

The best way to snag a copy of the comics is to visit your local comic book shop or bookstore. However, if you're in the mood for a more convenient shopping experience, you can also explore Amazon, where a variety of Resident Alien paperbacks awaits, from individual volumes to omnibus editions!

Episode of 3 of Resident Alien season 3 is out Wednesday, Feb 28, 2024, on Syfy!

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