Interview: Discussing ALIENS: VASQUEZ and Expanding the Legacy of an Iconic Character with Author V. Castro

While some Aliens novels are more or less standalone tales, stories such as Aliens: Vasquez by V. Castro take an iconic character like Private First Class Vasquez and expands what we know about them. In this case, V. Castro fleshes out Vasquez’s backstory while also focusing on the future through her two children, Leticia and Ramón. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Aliens, I caught up with Castro to learn how her real-life experiences helped shape the personal story of her novel, we discussed finding a way to continue the story of the iconic Colonial Marine even after her heroic sacrifice in Aliens, and Castro commented on the lasting legacy of Vasquez:

What are your first memories of watching Aliens and seeing Vasquez onscreen? Can you talk about the impact the character had on you?

V. Castro: I saw Aliens very young with my mother, who is a horror fan. At first it was Newt I was obsessed with because she was a little girl! It wasn’t until I was older that I felt drawn to Vasquez for her representation of a Latina who was not a domestic worker.

Regarding the expanded world of Aliens, were there any standout Aliens books, games, or comic books that you’ve enjoyed or used as research when developing the story of Vasquez? 

V. Castro: Titan came out with a coffee-table book about the creation of the world. It is a fantastic source for in-depth information regarding the films. I used this for world-building, but I used my life in Texas and culture for creating Vasquez in my book. My trip to Iceland was the basis for the planet they travel to. Iceland is truly like being in another world.

Your Aliens: Vasquez novel really builds upon what we know of this character from the film, diving into her Mexican-American heritage and her backstory. Can you discuss the importance of her background and how you incorporated your personal experiences into the story?

V. Castro: There wasn’t much canon, so I had an opportunity to write what I wanted with her family background. I took certain stereotypes I was not allowed to change (locked up for murder and a former gang member in LA) and explained them in a way to make her feel like a fully formed Mexican-American woman and not a caricature of one. 

Your novel expands upon the world of Aliens, heavily focusing on Jenette's children, Leticia and Ramón. Can you talk about the importance of this being a family and generational story? 

V. Castro: I couldn’t bring her back to life! We had to have Xenomorphs in the book, so the only way to do this was through her legacy. In the film, this was her first encounter with them, so we couldn’t use previous military campaigns. However, family is very important in my culture, as is the veneration of our ancestors.

Can you speak about incorporating Santa Muerte into the story and the ingenious idea of developing a macuahuitl made from Xenomorphs?

V. Castro: Xenomorphs are the perfect weapon. They are the embodiment of life (the Queen) and death. Why not take this a step further? Santa Muerte shows us death is not the end. She can be for protection and she does protect Leticia from certain death. You need a powerful entity to combat another one. 

Is there interest in revisiting the world of Aliens, Predator, or AVP in a new story? 

V. Castro: I would love to write another book. Disney holds the license so it is up to their business plan if they want more. Doesn’t mean you won’t see a little fan fiction on my Patreon!

Do you have advice for aspiring writers looking to tell sci-fi and horror stories that feel grounded and personal?

V. Castro: Write in your own voice. Don’t try to be the next whatever. Readers connect with authenticity and this will make you successful.

Are you able to share any information with our readers about your latest project?

V. Castro: I just turned in the sequel to Maria The Wanted. Until new books are released next year I hope people will check out my back list and visit my Patreon for more!

It's been 40 years since Aliens was released. Why do you think Vasquez and Aliens are still so beloved by fans around the world?

V. Castro: All icons are unforgettable! Certain characters capture our imagination because we develop a connection with them. I think people would want someone like Vasquez on their team. Fearlessness is something so many admire.

Aliens as a film is just a great thrill ride. You are literally at the edge of your seat the entire time. Horror fans want that suspense but also characters who can defeat this creature who seems invincible. If Xenomorphs can be defeated, perhaps we can defeat our own monsters.

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To learn more about Aliens: Vasquez and pick up a copy for yourself, visit: https://titanbooks.com/71045-aliens-vasquez/

"Even before the doomed mission to Hadley’s Hope, Jenette Vasquez had to fight to survive. Born to an immigrant family with a long military tradition she looked up to the stars, but life pulled her back down to Earth—first into a street gang, then prison. The Colonial Marines proved to be Vasquez’s way out—a way that forced her to give up her twin children.

Raised by Jenette’s sister Roseanna, those children—Leticia and Ramón—have been forced to discover their own ways to survive. Leticia by following her mother’s path into the military, Ramón by embracing the corporate hierarchy of Weyland-Yutani. Their paths converge on an unnamed world, which some see as a potential utopia, while others would use it for highly secretive research.

Regardless of what humans might have planned for it, however, Xenomorphs will turn the planet into a living hell. Sarcastic, sexy, and action-packed, Vasquez brings generational heritage into the Alien universe in an explosive way."