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| − | {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Aliens vs. Predator'' ( |
+ | {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Aliens vs. Predator'' (comics line)}} |
| + | {{Header Dark Horse}} |
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| − | {{DarkHorse}} |
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| + | <!-- PLEASE NOTE: If you are adding a new comic(s) to the list in this article, please do not forget to change the total number of comics in the Aliens vs. Predator line both in the introduction to this page and in the History section of the main Dark Horse Comics article. Thank you. --> |
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| − | The '''''Aliens vs. Predator''''' comic book line |
+ | The '''''Aliens vs. Predator''''' comic book line, also known as '''''Aliens versus Predator''''' and '''''Alien vs. Predator''''', and commonly abbreviated as '''''AVP''''', was a long-running series of comic books published by [[Dark Horse Comics]] that brings together the titular creatures from the popular [[20th Century Studios]] science-fiction film franchises ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'' and ''[[Predator (franchise)|Predator]]''. The comic book line was in fact where the entire [[Alien vs. Predator (franchise)|''Alien vs. Predator'' franchise]] originated, being the medium that originally brought the two species together. For almost 30 years, Dark Horse was essentially the sole publisher of ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics, and the company produced a number of limited series, one-shots and short stories, starting with the original ''[[Aliens vs. Predator (1989 short story)|Aliens vs. Predator]]'' story in [[Dark Horse Presents 36|''Dark Horse Presents'' #36]] in February [[1990]]. |
| + | Following the purchase of [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]] by [[The Walt Disney Company]] in [[2019]], the license to produce ''Alien vs. Predator'' comics moved to [[Marvel Comics]] (along with the {{AcomDH}} and {{Pline}} lines), thus bringing Dark Horse's involvement with the franchise to an end. As a result of the change in ownership, publication of the ongoing series ''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood]]'' was affected, although the comic was ultimately completed as a trade paperback release, proving to be the final ''Aliens vs. Predator'' release from Dark Horse. |
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| − | ==Overview== |
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| − | The concept of a crossover between the Alien and Predator creatures originated with a three-issue story published in the anthology series ''[[Dark Horse Presents]]'', #34-36, from November 1989-January 1990; the final of these issues was the first to feature the title "''Aliens vs. Predator''" atop the first-ever ''Aliens vs. Predator'' cover art being. This story subsequently acted as a prequel, and the series was launched proper with a [[Aliens vs. Predator (series 1)|four-issue limited series]] published in 1990 and written by [[Randy Stradley]]. This was followed by various other limited series, one shots, original tradepaperbacks and short stories. |
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| + | During the time they owned the rights to produce ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics, Dark Horse published a total of 25 different ''Aliens vs. Predator'' stories, as well as various collected editions, reprints and non-canon [[Crossover comics line|crossover comics]] that introduce the titular [[Xenomorph XX121 (Alien)|Alien]] and [[Yautja (Predator)|Predator]] species to other franchises. |
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| − | The series has also spawned a side-series of ''AVP'' cross-overs with other popular comic book characters from Dark Horse and other companies — four to date — such as [[Batman]], Superman, the [[Terminator]] and various Image comics characters. Much as with other earlier ''Alien'' and ''Predator'' cross-overs with outside characters, these stories are not thought to exist in the same continuity as the rest of the ''AVP'' line. |
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| + | ==Publication History== |
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| − | The success of the first ''AVP'' comics mini-series resulted in 13 other miniseries or stories between 1990 and 2000. Following ''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis]]'' in 2009, the series (along with Dark Horse's ''[[Aliens (comic series)|Aliens]]'' and ''[[Predator (comic series)|Predator]]'' lines) entered a ten-year hiatus. However, unlike the ''Aliens'' and ''Predator'' comics, several new ''Aliens vs. Predator'' titles were published during this time — two original trade paperbacks (an {{AVP1}} movie spin-off in 2004 and its sequel in 2006) and three ''AVP'' DVD-set promo mini-comics (in 2005, 2007 and 2008). Dark Horse also published two Omnibus collections of the existing comic books. The quasi-hiatus finally came to an end in 2009, when Dark Horse Comics relaunched its ''Aliens vs. Predator'' line with the new series ''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War]]''. |
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| + | ===Origins and development=== |
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| + | The concept of a crossover between the {{Xeno}}s and {{Pred}} originated from a meeting between executives at [[Dark Horse Comics]], originally scheduled to discuss a potential crossover event with [[DC Comics]]. According to publisher and Dark Horse founder [[Mike Richardson]], editor [[Chris Warner]] was the person who first proposed the idea, suggesting that a crossover between two of their own properties may be more straightforward as it would keep the new comic "in-house" rather than involving DC.<ref name="AVP The Comic">{{cite video|people=[[Mike Richardson]], [[Randy Stradley]], Chris Warner|title=Aliens vs. Predator - The Comic Book|medium=DVD|publisher=[[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]]|year=[[2005]]}}</ref> |
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| + | Warner's suggestion soon led to a [[Aliens vs. Predator (1989 short story)|three-part short story]] that was published in the anthology series {{DHP}}, Vol. 1 #34-36, from November [[1989]]-January [[1990]]; the final of these issues, {{DHP36}}, was the first official media to feature the title "''Aliens vs. Predator''", atop the first-ever piece of ''Aliens vs. Predator'' cover artwork. The three-part story subsequently acted as a prequel to a [[Aliens vs. Predator (comic series)|four-issue limited series]] written by [[Randy Stradley]], which launched the line proper when it was published in 1990. The series proved to be both hugely popular and influential, and launched not only an ongoing line of ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics from Dark Horse, but a crossover trend that has seen countless other comic franchises brought together for special stories in a similar fashion. The series also introduced the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' line's pre-eminent character and recurring protagonist [[Machiko Noguchi]], a human female who is adopted into a Yautja clan in recognition of her combat skills. |
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| ⚫ | Set mostly in the future, the ''AVP |
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| + | The original ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comic was followed by various other limited series, one shots and short stories, most of which act as stand-alone stories, although several serve as sequels, typically to the original series. The line has also made reference to and used characters and plot elements from Dark Horse's {{AcomDH}} and {{Pline}} comics, establishing that all three lines exist in the same general continuity. In [[1992]], Dark Horse attempted to spread the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' line to the [[United Kingdom]] market, first as part of [[Aliens (1991 magazine)|''Aliens'' magazine]] and later in the anthology magazine ''[[Total Carnage]]''. However, the global fall in comic book sales over the mid-1990s caused both magazines to be cancelled in early [[1994]]. |
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| − | The stories also introduce the main ''AVP'' comics protagonist--meaning the one who has appeared in the most stories, including the original and current ''AVP ''serieses and novels--[[Machiko Noguchi]], a human female who is eventually adopted into a Hunter clan. |
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| + | ===Hiatus, relaunch and going digital=== |
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| − | These stories were the first to start fleshing out detailed information about the Predator culture and the nature of their interactions with the Aliens. The ''AVP'' line has also referenced and used characters and plot elements from Dark Horse's individual ''Predator ''and ''Aliens ''comics lines, establishing that all three lines exist in the same general continuity. |
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| + | Following ''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis]]'' in [[1999]], the line (along with Dark Horse's ''Aliens'' and ''Predator'' lines) entered a deliberate ten-year hiatus. However, unlike the ''Aliens'' and ''Predator'' comics, several new ''Aliens vs. Predator'' titles were published during this time, all of which were tied to the launch of the ''Alien vs. Predator'' film series. These comics included two original one-shots (the {{AVP1}} movie spin-off ''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt|Thrill of the Hunt]]'' and its sequel ''[[Alien vs. Predator: Civilized Beasts|Civilized Beasts]]'') and three promo mini-comics included elusively with various [[List of Alien vs. Predator home video releases|''Alien vs. Predator'' DVD releases]]. Dark Horse also published two [[Omnibus]] collections of the existing ''AVP'' comic books during this time. |
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| + | The quasi-hiatus finally came to an end in [[2009]], when Dark Horse Comics relaunched its ''Aliens vs. Predator'' line with the new series ''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War]]''. Beginning in January [[2013]], Dark Horse began issuing its back catalogue of ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics — starting with the original 1990 series — as digital downloads via its subsidiary [[Dark Horse Digital]]. More recent titles in the line were published simultaneously in both physical and digital formats. |
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| − | A sidenote is that while in the comics the Predators are only ever refered to as the Hunters, the accompanying official novelizations of the ''AVP'' Machiko Noguchi comics were the first—and only—place to use the species name "yautja" which has since become popular amongst fans. |
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| − | == |
+ | ===End of an era=== |
| + | In [[2019]], the [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney Company]] purchased the film studio [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]], and with it the rights to the {{Franchises}} franchises. As a result of the merger, Dark Horse lost the license to produce ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics, which instead moved to Disney-owned [[Marvel Comics]]. As a result of the change in ownership, later issues of the limited series ''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood]]'', which was ongoing at the time, were cancelled, although the completed story was eventually published as a trade paperback, thus representing the final ''Aliens vs. Predator'' release from Dark Horse. |
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| − | The original miniseries' story was also the basis for the first drafts of an originally proposed [[Alien vs. Predator (film)|''Aliens vs. Predator'']] movie, but another script was eventually chosen for the final 2004 film. Some elements of the miniseries—specifically the apparatus for the imprisonment of the Alien Queen and the joining of forces between a Predator and a strong human female lead character—were used in the film, and the concept of the Predalien seen in the 2007 sequel, [[Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem|''Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem'']], also originated in an AVP comic ([[Aliens vs. Predator: Duel|''Aliens vs. Predator: Duel'']]). |
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| ⚫ | Set mostly in the future, the ''AVP'' comics introduce the idea of the Predator race — referred to as the "Hunters" — capturing Xenomorphs, seeding planets with them, and hunting the resultant creatures for sport. These activities often spiral disastrously out of control, typically with human characters caught in the middle of the battle between the two species. |
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| − | ==Novelizations== |
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| + | Notably, the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' stories were the first to start to delve into the culture and customs of the Yautja race (the name of which in fact originated in ''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Prey]]'', the novelization of the original series), aspects of which were merely hinted at in the feature films. The comics also explore the nature of their interactions with the Aliens. |
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| − | Two of the early comics series (the original 1990 series and its 1995 follow up [[Aliens vs. Predator: War (comic)|''Aliens vs. Predator: War'']]) were also adapted into the novelizations as [[Aliens vs. Predator: Prey|''Aliens vs. Predator: Prey'']] (1994) and [[Aliens vs. Predator: War (Novel)|''Aliens vs. Predator: War'']] (1996) by father-daughter novelist team Steve and Stephani Perry, making up two thirds of the ''AVP'' novel trilogy. |
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| + | ==Influence on the ''Alien vs. Predator'' Films== |
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| + | The story from the original ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comic was the basis of ''[[The Hunt: Alien vs. Predator]]'', a script for a proposed feature film based on the franchise written by [[Peter Briggs]], but the project was ultimately abandoned. However, several years later [[20th Century Studios]] resurrected the concept of a movie featuring Aliens and Predators, now with [[Paul W. S. Anderson]] at the helm. Notably, some elements from the comic series — specifically the apparatus used to imprison the Alien Queen, and the idea a Predator joining forces with a strong human female character — were used in ''Alien vs. Predator''. The concept of the Predalien, which first originated in an ''AVP'' comic (''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Duel]]''), was also utilized in the 2007 sequel, {{AVP2}}. |
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==''Aliens vs. Predator'' Comics== |
==''Aliens vs. Predator'' Comics== |
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| + | <!-- PLEASE NOTE: If you are adding a new original story/film adaptation to this list, please do not forget to change the total number of comics in the Aliens vs. Predator line both in the introduction to this page and in the History section of the main Dark Horse Comics article. Thank you. --> |
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| + | |||
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| + | *[[Aliens vs. Predator (1989 short story)|''Aliens vs. Predator'' (1989 short story)]] (Nov 1989-Feb 1990) |
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| + | *[[Aliens vs. Predator (comic series)|''Aliens vs. Predator'' (series)]] (July-Dec 1990) aka ''Aliens versus Predator'' |
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| + | *[[Aliens vs. Predator (1991 short story)|''Aliens vs. Predator'' (1991 short story)]] (Apr 1991) |
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| + | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator 2]]'' (Jan 1992-Feb 1993) aka ''Aliens vs. Predator II'' |
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*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time]]'' (Sept 1994) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time]]'' (Sept 1994) |
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| − | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Booty]]'' (Feb 1995-Jan 1996) aka ''Aliens versus Predator: Booty'' |
| − | *'' |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Duel]]'' (Mar-Apr 1995) |
| − | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: War]]'' (May-Aug 1995) aka ''Aliens versus Predator: War'' and ''Aliens/Predator: War'' |
| − | *''[[ |
+ | *''[[Dark Horse Classics - Aliens versus Predator]]'' (Feb-July 1997) |
| − | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal]]'' (June-Sept 1998) |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal]]'' (June-Sept 1998) aka ''Aliens versus Predator: Eternal'' |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Annual 1|Aliens vs. Predator: Annual #1]]'' (July 1999) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Annual 1|Aliens vs. Predator: Annual #1]]'' (July 1999) |
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**''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Hell-Bent]]'' |
**''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Hell-Bent]]'' |
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**''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Old Secrets]]'' |
**''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Old Secrets]]'' |
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*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: The Web]]'' (Sept-Oct 1999) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: The Web]]'' (Sept-Oct 1999) |
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| − | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis]]'' (Dec 1999- |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis]]'' (Dec 1999-Mar 2000) aka ''Aliens vs. Predator: Genocide'' |
*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt]]'' (Sept 2004) |
*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt]]'' (Sept 2004) |
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*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Sand Trap]]'' (Oct 2007) |
*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Sand Trap]]'' (Oct 2007) |
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| − | *''[[ |
+ | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Deadspace]]'' (Mar 2008) |
| − | *''[[ |
+ | *''[[Alien vs. Predator: Civilized Beasts]]'' (Apr 2008) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War]]'' (Jan-Sept 2010) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War]]'' (Jan-Sept 2010) |
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*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone]]'' (Oct 2014-Jan 2015) |
*''[[Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone]]'' (Oct 2014-Jan 2015) |
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| + | *''[[Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood]]'' (Dec 2019-Nov 2020) |
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| + | ===''Aliens: Space Marines'' comics=== |
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| − | ===Omnibus editions=== |
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| + | {{Seealso|Aliens: Space Marines}} |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Collections=== |
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*''[[Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 1]]'' (June 2007) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 1]]'' (June 2007) |
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*''[[Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 2]]'' (Oct 2007) |
*''[[Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 2]]'' (Oct 2007) |
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| + | *''[[Aliens/Predator/Prometheus/AVP: Fire and Stone]]'' (Apr 2018) |
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| + | *''[[Prometheus/Aliens/AVP/Predator: The Complete Life and Death]]'' (Oct 2018) |
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| + | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 1]]'' (Oct 2019) |
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===Crossover comics=== |
===Crossover comics=== |
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| + | {{Seealso|Crossover comics line}} |
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| − | *''[[Witchblade-Aliens-Darkness-Predator: Overkill|Witchblade/Aliens/Darkness/Predator: Overkill]]'' (Nov 1999) |
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| − | *''[[Aliens |
+ | *''[[Overkill: Witchblade/Aliens/Darkness/Predator]]'' (Nov-Dec 1999) |
| − | *''[[ |
+ | *''[[Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator]]'' (Apr-July 2000) |
| − | *''[[ |
+ | *''[[Witchblade/Aliens/Darkness/Predator: Mindhunter]]'' (Dec 2000-Feb 2001) |
| + | *''[[Superman and Batman vs. Aliens and Predator]]'' (Jan-Feb 2007) aka ''Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator'' |
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| + | *''[[Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Splice and Dice]]'' (July 2016-June 2017) aka ''Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens'' |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Novel Adaptations== |
| + | Several of the comics in the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' line have been adapted into novels: |
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| − | The current and proper form of the name of the fully spelled out ''AVP'' comics franchise is "'''''Aliens vs. Predator'''''." This was the original name and it is again the current name used by Dark Horse Comics. Though other forms of the name, also trademarked by Dark Horse, are occasionally used. Points to consider when thinking about the title situation are as follows: |
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| + | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: Prey]]'' by [[Steve Perry]] and [[S. D. Perry|Stephani Perry]], an adaptation of ''Aliens vs. Predator''. |
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| − | *'''Plurality:''' While the name of the franchise has taken 4 forms over its history (Aliens vs. Predator, Aliens versus Predator, Aliens/Predator, and Alien vs. Predator), overwhelmingly the name of the franchise itself and the name of almost all of its individual titles have used the plural "Aliens" instead of "Alien". The only exception was the 2004 comic book "Alien vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt", its 2006 sequel "Alien vs. Predator 2: Civilized Beasts," and three promotional mini-comics distributed with the AVP movie DVD releaes. The reason these five titles used the singular is because Thrill of the Hunt was released as a direct spin-off of the first AVP film, which used the singular (Alien vs. Predator) in its title, and Civilized Beast continued to use it because it was Volume 2 of the story from Thrill of the Hunt. And the promo-mini-comics were similar spin-offs included with the movie's DVD release. Otherwise, every other AVP comic ever made in history has used the plural. In 2008 when Dark Horse released Omnibus editions of the series it was again using the plural, as is the current AVP comics series, Three World War. The reason the plural was originally used is that the ''AVP ''line was the bringing together of Dark Horse Comics' "Aliens" license with their "Predator" licence. There had already been a comic based on Ridley Scott's "Alien" by another company, and Dark Horse's comics were a spin-off of the James Cameron film "Aliens" and literally continued its story, using the same logo. Also multiple aliens were featured in the story instead just a single alien. Hence: "Aliens" not "Alien". |
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| + | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: War (novel)|Aliens vs. Predator: War]]'' by [[S. D. Perry]], an adaptation of the comic of the same name. |
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| − | *'''vs:''' The history of using "vs.", "versus", or "/" can also easily be charted. The original and current usage is "vs." From 1991-1998 "versus" became standard. And twice a "/" has been used. History: The name on the covers of the original miniseries in 1989-90 was simply "Aliens vs. Predator." The title was revised for the miniseries' collected edition in 1991 to "Aliens versus Predator", and this was the form that would be mostly regular used on the comic books from 1991-1998. Conversationally and in print "versus" would be substituted with "vs." from time to time. But the actual comic book covers clearly used "versus." There were only three exceptions to this. 1993's "Aliens/Predator: Deadliest of the Species" used a "/". 1995's "Alien vs. Predator: Duel" again used "vs." And the 1996 trade paperback edition of the story "Aliens versus Predator: War" was released as "Aliens/Predator: War". The last AVP comic to use the fully spelled out "versus" was "Aliens versus Predator: Eternal" in 1998 and its tpb in 1999. But by 1999 all AVP comics were using "vs" once again. This has been standard since. Also the two AVP omnibus editions released in 2007, recollecting and reprinting all the previous AVP material formally revised the titles of all the comics under the title "Aliens vs. Predator." |
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| + | As well as the numerous comics published by Dark Horse, a small number of ''Predator'' comics have also been released by other publishers. As Dark Horse had no involvement with these comics, they are not considered a part of the company's ''Predator'' line and have never been collected in any form with the Dark Horse releases. |
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| + | *''[[Illegal Aliens]]'' (Sept 1992) |
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| − | ==See Also== |
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| + | |||
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| + | ==Cancelled Comics== |
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| − | *[[Aliens (comic series)|''Aliens'' (comic series)]] |
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| + | At least one ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comic has been planned and possibly partially completed but remains unreleased. |
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| − | *[[Predator (comic series)|''Predator'' (comic series)]] |
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| + | *''[[Aliens vs. Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 2]]'' |
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| − | *[[Comics]] |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Trivia== |
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| + | [[File:AVP comic logos.png|thumb|The evolution of the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics logo.]] |
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| + | *Unlike the ''Aliens'' and ''Predator'' comics from Dark Horse, the titular logo for the ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comic books has undergone a complete redesign several times during the line's history. Originally, comics were branded with a simple amalgam of the existing ''Aliens'' and ''Predator'' logos, but in the late 1990s Dark Horse introduced an original "AVP" logo. This was changed again in the mid-2000s, when the comic books adopted the simpler, stark AVP logo that was developed for the film {{AVP1}}. ''Aliens vs. Predator'' comics have retained this logo ever since. |
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==External Links== |
==External Links== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Navigation== |
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| + | {{Navbox Dark Horse}} |
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[[Category:Aliens vs. Predator (comics)| ]] |
[[Category:Aliens vs. Predator (comics)| ]] |
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| − | [[Category:Comics]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:06, 18 January 2023
Cover to Aliens vs. Predator #1 by Phill Norwood.
The Aliens vs. Predator comic book line, also known as Aliens versus Predator and Alien vs. Predator, and commonly abbreviated as AVP, was a long-running series of comic books published by Dark Horse Comics that brings together the titular creatures from the popular 20th Century Studios science-fiction film franchises Alien and Predator. The comic book line was in fact where the entire Alien vs. Predator franchise originated, being the medium that originally brought the two species together. For almost 30 years, Dark Horse was essentially the sole publisher of Aliens vs. Predator comics, and the company produced a number of limited series, one-shots and short stories, starting with the original Aliens vs. Predator story in Dark Horse Presents #36 in February 1990.
Following the purchase of 20th Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company in 2019, the license to produce Alien vs. Predator comics moved to Marvel Comics (along with the Aliens and Predator lines), thus bringing Dark Horse's involvement with the franchise to an end. As a result of the change in ownership, publication of the ongoing series Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood was affected, although the comic was ultimately completed as a trade paperback release, proving to be the final Aliens vs. Predator release from Dark Horse.
During the time they owned the rights to produce Aliens vs. Predator comics, Dark Horse published a total of 25 different Aliens vs. Predator stories, as well as various collected editions, reprints and non-canon crossover comics that introduce the titular Alien and Predator species to other franchises.
Publication History
Origins and development
The concept of a crossover between the Xenomorphs and Yautja originated from a meeting between executives at Dark Horse Comics, originally scheduled to discuss a potential crossover event with DC Comics. According to publisher and Dark Horse founder Mike Richardson, editor Chris Warner was the person who first proposed the idea, suggesting that a crossover between two of their own properties may be more straightforward as it would keep the new comic "in-house" rather than involving DC.[1]
Warner's suggestion soon led to a three-part short story that was published in the anthology series Dark Horse Presents, Vol. 1 #34-36, from November 1989-January 1990; the final of these issues, Dark Horse Presents #36, was the first official media to feature the title "Aliens vs. Predator", atop the first-ever piece of Aliens vs. Predator cover artwork. The three-part story subsequently acted as a prequel to a four-issue limited series written by Randy Stradley, which launched the line proper when it was published in 1990. The series proved to be both hugely popular and influential, and launched not only an ongoing line of Aliens vs. Predator comics from Dark Horse, but a crossover trend that has seen countless other comic franchises brought together for special stories in a similar fashion. The series also introduced the Aliens vs. Predator line's pre-eminent character and recurring protagonist Machiko Noguchi, a human female who is adopted into a Yautja clan in recognition of her combat skills.
The original Aliens vs. Predator comic was followed by various other limited series, one shots and short stories, most of which act as stand-alone stories, although several serve as sequels, typically to the original series. The line has also made reference to and used characters and plot elements from Dark Horse's Aliens and Predator comics, establishing that all three lines exist in the same general continuity. In 1992, Dark Horse attempted to spread the Aliens vs. Predator line to the United Kingdom market, first as part of Aliens magazine and later in the anthology magazine Total Carnage. However, the global fall in comic book sales over the mid-1990s caused both magazines to be cancelled in early 1994.
Hiatus, relaunch and going digital
Following Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis in 1999, the line (along with Dark Horse's Aliens and Predator lines) entered a deliberate ten-year hiatus. However, unlike the Aliens and Predator comics, several new Aliens vs. Predator titles were published during this time, all of which were tied to the launch of the Alien vs. Predator film series. These comics included two original one-shots (the Alien vs. Predator movie spin-off Thrill of the Hunt and its sequel Civilized Beasts) and three promo mini-comics included elusively with various Alien vs. Predator DVD releases. Dark Horse also published two Omnibus collections of the existing AVP comic books during this time.
The quasi-hiatus finally came to an end in 2009, when Dark Horse Comics relaunched its Aliens vs. Predator line with the new series Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War. Beginning in January 2013, Dark Horse began issuing its back catalogue of Aliens vs. Predator comics — starting with the original 1990 series — as digital downloads via its subsidiary Dark Horse Digital. More recent titles in the line were published simultaneously in both physical and digital formats.
End of an era
In 2019, the Walt Disney Company purchased the film studio 20th Century Fox, and with it the rights to the Alien, Predator and Alien vs. Predator franchises. As a result of the merger, Dark Horse lost the license to produce Aliens vs. Predator comics, which instead moved to Disney-owned Marvel Comics. As a result of the change in ownership, later issues of the limited series Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood, which was ongoing at the time, were cancelled, although the completed story was eventually published as a trade paperback, thus representing the final Aliens vs. Predator release from Dark Horse.
Common Themes
Set mostly in the future, the AVP comics introduce the idea of the Predator race — referred to as the "Hunters" — capturing Xenomorphs, seeding planets with them, and hunting the resultant creatures for sport. These activities often spiral disastrously out of control, typically with human characters caught in the middle of the battle between the two species.
Notably, the Aliens vs. Predator stories were the first to start to delve into the culture and customs of the Yautja race (the name of which in fact originated in Aliens vs. Predator: Prey, the novelization of the original series), aspects of which were merely hinted at in the feature films. The comics also explore the nature of their interactions with the Aliens.
Influence on the Alien vs. Predator Films
The story from the original Aliens vs. Predator comic was the basis of The Hunt: Alien vs. Predator, a script for a proposed feature film based on the franchise written by Peter Briggs, but the project was ultimately abandoned. However, several years later 20th Century Studios resurrected the concept of a movie featuring Aliens and Predators, now with Paul W. S. Anderson at the helm. Notably, some elements from the comic series — specifically the apparatus used to imprison the Alien Queen, and the idea a Predator joining forces with a strong human female character — were used in Alien vs. Predator. The concept of the Predalien, which first originated in an AVP comic (Aliens vs. Predator: Duel), was also utilized in the 2007 sequel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.
Aliens vs. Predator Comics
- Aliens vs. Predator (1989 short story) (Nov 1989-Feb 1990)
- Aliens vs. Predator (series) (July-Dec 1990) aka Aliens versus Predator
- Aliens vs. Predator (1991 short story) (Apr 1991)
- Aliens vs. Predator 2 (Jan 1992-Feb 1993) aka Aliens vs. Predator II
- Aliens vs. Predator: Deadliest of the Species (July 1993-Aug 1995) aka Aliens/Predator: The Deadliest of the Species
- Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time (Sept 1994)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Booty (Feb 1995-Jan 1996) aka Aliens versus Predator: Booty
- Aliens vs. Predator: Duel (Mar-Apr 1995)
- Aliens vs. Predator: War (May-Aug 1995) aka Aliens versus Predator: War and Aliens/Predator: War
- Dark Horse Classics - Aliens versus Predator (Feb-July 1997)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal (June-Sept 1998) aka Aliens versus Predator: Eternal
- Aliens vs. Predator: Annual #1 (July 1999)
- Aliens vs. Predator: The Web (Sept-Oct 1999)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Xenogenesis (Dec 1999-Mar 2000) aka Aliens vs. Predator: Genocide
- Alien vs. Predator: Thrill of the Hunt (Sept 2004)
- Alien vs. Predator: Sand Trap (Oct 2007)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Deadspace (Mar 2008)
- Alien vs. Predator: Civilized Beasts (Apr 2008)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War (Jan-Sept 2010)
- Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone (Oct 2014-Jan 2015)
- Alien vs. Predator: Life and Death (Dec 2016-Mar 2017)
- Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood (Dec 2019-Nov 2020)
Aliens: Space Marines comics
- See also: Aliens: Space Marines
Collections
- Alien vs. Predator: Whoever Wins...We Lose (Nov 2005)
- Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 1 (June 2007)
- Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 2 (Oct 2007)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Special Collector's Edition (Feb 2010)
- Aliens/Predator/Prometheus/AVP: Fire and Stone (Apr 2018)
- Prometheus/Aliens/AVP/Predator: The Complete Life and Death (Oct 2018)
- Aliens vs. Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 1 (Oct 2019)
Crossover comics
- See also: Crossover comics line
- Overkill: Witchblade/Aliens/Darkness/Predator (Nov-Dec 1999)
- Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator (Apr-July 2000)
- Witchblade/Aliens/Darkness/Predator: Mindhunter (Dec 2000-Feb 2001)
- Superman and Batman vs. Aliens and Predator (Jan-Feb 2007) aka Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator
- Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Splice and Dice (July 2016-June 2017) aka Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens
Novel Adaptations
Several of the comics in the Aliens vs. Predator line have been adapted into novels:
- Aliens vs. Predator: Prey by Steve Perry and Stephani Perry, an adaptation of Aliens vs. Predator.
- Aliens vs. Predator: War by S. D. Perry, an adaptation of the comic of the same name.
Non-Dark Horse Comics
As well as the numerous comics published by Dark Horse, a small number of Predator comics have also been released by other publishers. As Dark Horse had no involvement with these comics, they are not considered a part of the company's Predator line and have never been collected in any form with the Dark Horse releases.
- Illegal Aliens (Sept 1992)
Cancelled Comics
At least one Aliens vs. Predator comic has been planned and possibly partially completed but remains unreleased.
Trivia
The evolution of the Aliens vs. Predator comics logo.
- Unlike the Aliens and Predator comics from Dark Horse, the titular logo for the Aliens vs. Predator comic books has undergone a complete redesign several times during the line's history. Originally, comics were branded with a simple amalgam of the existing Aliens and Predator logos, but in the late 1990s Dark Horse introduced an original "AVP" logo. This was changed again in the mid-2000s, when the comic books adopted the simpler, stark AVP logo that was developed for the film Alien vs. Predator. Aliens vs. Predator comics have retained this logo ever since.
External Links
References
- ↑ Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, Chris Warner. Aliens vs. Predator - The Comic Book (2005), 20th Century Fox [DVD].
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