Aliens vs Predator: Duel is a two-issue limited comic book series that was first published by Dark Horse Comics from March-April 1995. It was written by Randy Stradley, pencilled by Javier Saltares, inked by Jimmy Palmiotti, colored by Jim Sinclair, lettered by Steve Dutro, and edited by Chris Warner, with cover art by Warner. The comic follows a squad of Colonial Marines dispatched to the planet Ryushi to investigate a distress signal. It is notable as being the first official appearance of a Predalien.
The series is one of the few Aliens, Predator and Aliens vs. Predator comic books to serve as a direct sequel to an earlier story. Specifically, it follows up on events on the planet Ryushi after the destruction of the colony of Prosperity Wells, as seen in the original Aliens vs. Predator series.
In the Aliens vs. Predator comics line, Aliens vs. Predator: Duel was preceded by Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time, published concurrently with Aliens vs. Predator: Deadliest of the Species and Aliens vs. Predator: Booty, and was followed by Aliens vs. Predator: War.
Publisher's Summary[]
#1: The violent clash of Alien against Predator left the planet Ryushi a desolate wasteland. But now, years later, a mysterious alien beacon beams a distress signal from the supposedly abandoned world. When Marine ship Brilliant responds to the call for aid, they step neck deep into disaster!
#2: It's hard enough going toe-to-toe with the meanest Aliens in the galaxy, even if you are the toughest Marine hombres around. But throw in a batch of fresh Predators, and the only solution to this dilemma will have you wiping blood from your goggles for the next week!
Plot[]
Following the Xenomorph infestation on Prosperity Wells, a platoon of USCM from the combat ship Brilliant respond to a non-human distress signal and land on the planet Ryushi to investigate. The crew, led by Captain Glass are already aware of the Xenomorph's existence and the Hadley's Hope incident. They also identify that Machiko Noguchi is the sole human inhabitant on the planet, and locate her home, though she is no where to be seen. Instead, the platoon drive to the distress call's origin. Expecting to find a derelict ship similar to the one found on Acheron, they are surprised to find a very different class of ship - a Predator Mother Ship.
The Marines are surrounded by a horde of Xenomorphs.
Glass and his men investigate the interior, encountering an unconscious Yautja and a supposedly dead, enchained Xenomorph Queen. The Queen suddenly springs to life and attacks the group, before they gun it down. Carrying the unconscious Yautja, the Marines evacuate, but are attacked outside by a horde of Xenomorphs. Suddenly, a one-armed Predator known as Light-Stepper inadvertently saves the squad, before subsequently attacking them. The Marines manage to escape, killing another Predator in the process. They return to Machiko's place and contact the Brilliant for a quick extraction. Suddenly, a Chestburster erupts from the unconscious predator.
The Ryushi Predalien Chestburster.
The Chestburster manages to escape as the Marines are suddenly attacked by the Predators attack the marines and they make a stand as the Brilliant lands. However, a Predator destroys the ship with a plasma bazooka. Glass and his surviving soldiers flee again, this time to the destroyed wreckage of Prosperity Wells, unaware that the Chestburster is under the vehicle.
Light-Stepper fights the Predalien.
Glass and his men establish a defence perimeter within the ruins of the town, placing mines all on the exposed side. Whilst busy preparing for the Predator's arrival, the Predalien emerges from behind and attacks them. The men open fire and the Predalien escapes, before the group are then attacked by the clan. Glass detonate the perimeter mines and kills two of the remaining Yautja, leaving only the one-armed Predator alive. Eventually, Glass finds himself the sole survivor of his platoon, and is subsequently trapped between Light-Stepper and the Predalien.
Glass and Light-Stepper await rescue.
A battle ensues between the two creatures, and just as the Predalien has the upper hand, Glass distracts it from behind by striking it with his Pulse Rifle, giving Light-Stepper enough time to kill the abomination. Exhausted, the two mutually sit down, awaiting rescue from their respective peoples.
Characters[]
Reprint History[]
Aliens vs. Predator: Duel was first collected with other stories in the trade paperback release of Aliens/Predator: War in May 1996. The story was again collected as part of Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus: Volume 1 in June 2007.
The complete comic was released digitally through Dark Horse Digital on January 30, 2013, reusing Chris Warner's cover art from issue 1.
The series was collected and released again as part of Aliens vs. Predator: The Essential Comics Volume 2, released on August 5, 2020.
Trivia[]
- The cover artwork from the two issues of Aliens vs. Predator: Duel forms one complete image when placed side by side. A similar feature is present with the covers for Aliens: Survival and Predator: Cold War.
- There is no sign from Jame Roth's dalmatian dog, Creep, owned by Machiko prior to her departure with the clan, at Sheldon's ranch, nor is the dog present on the Yautja ship, leaving its fate unclear.
- The fate of Captain Glass is also left ambiguous. As Light-Stepper appears in Aliens vs. Predator: War, it's assumed that the Yautja arrived first, and that Glass was either killed, or had given his bandana over to Light-Stepper as a prize.
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