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While Marvel Comics has successfully made companion comics to Marvel studios' R-rated Deadpool & Wolverine without the comics themselves being restricted just to adults, they couldn't find a way to do it with the official Alien: Romulus prequel comic coming in October.

Marvel has informed retailers that the previously-announced Alien: Romulus will now be restricted to those of us 18 and older - with the issue now being branded as 'Explicit Content.' When originally announced back in July, Marvel had branded it as 'Parental Advisory' - a term it uses for comics intended to be for those of us 15 & up (read it as PG:15). 

Marvel hasn't revealed how the Alien: Romulus comic connects to the movie beyond that it'll present "an all-new story revealing secrets of the film’s legendary antagonists." While that could be read as a new Xenomorph story, given the surprise appearance of an android looking identical to the original movie's android Ash (played by the late Ian Holm), this could be something connecting 1979's Alien with 2024's Alien Romulus. But that's just speculation, on my part. You can read all about Alien: Romulus' surprises (and ending) here.

Marvel Comics' Alien: Romulus comic is an official prequel to the movie, and is written by Zac Thompson and drawn by Daniel Picciotto. The publisher stressed in the marketing that the prequel was written in close collaboration with the movie's co-writer/director Fede Álvarez and co-writer Rodo Sayagues.

Marvel hasn't told retailers why the Alien: Romulus comic surprised them with its adult nature - but it would seem to be something more than just a curse word, as that could be fixed with a lettering correction even if you're Q-Bert.

Marvel Comics' Alien: Romulus comic is set to debut in comic shops on October 16 - which should be around the time the movie might be coming to streaming.

Here's how to watch the Alien franchise in order.