Aliens versus Predator (comic book)
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Aliens versus Predator comics are part of the crossover franchise, most recently published by Dark Horse Comics. According to the notes which accompany the first Aliens vs. Predator graphic novel, the original idea of combining Aliens with Predators was the result of a brain-storming session between the comic's authors (Chris Warner is specifically credited).
Note that the comics (and most other AvP material) are Aliens vs. Predator rather than Alien vs. Predator.
Contents |
[edit] Volume 1
The first Aliens versus Predator centres on Ryushi, a recently-colonised planet, and Machiko Noguchi, the Chigusa Corporation's administrator there. The settlers on Ryushi raise cattle for export to other solar systems, and at the time of the story are in the process of assembling a shipment of the native livestock, Rhynth. Unbeknownst to the colonists, Ryushi is a traditional hunting ground of the Predators, and they are returning for their initiation rites. Onboard the Predator ship, the prey are prepared : an Alien queen lays eggs for delivery to Ryushi. Confounding the Predator's safeguards, this queen manages to slip an egg containing the seed of another queen into the shipment. On reaching Ryushi, the eggs hatch and infect Rhynth. Led by a Predator elder, Broken Tusk, the Predators arrive expecting to encounter Aliens. However, they soon run into the settlers and, after Broken Tusk is incapacitated, change their plans and hunt them instead. Meanwhile, the infected Rhynth have been loaded aboard a cargo transporter and, with a queen among their number, an Alien colony quickly takes hold. The Predator assault continues to the settler colony itself, and the surviving settlers find themselves pitched between the Aliens and Predators. Broken Tusk, now recovered due to the intervention of a human doctor, sides with Machiko and the settlers, and together they arrange for the transporter's orbiter to crash into Ryushi and destroy the colony and the Aliens. In the ensuing fight, Broken Tusk is mortally wounded, but, admiring the courage of his human comrades, "bloods" Machiko with the mark of his clan. The story concludes with Machiko the sole inhabitant of Ryushi, the surviving settlers having been evacuated from the planet. She awaits, and is rewarded with, the return of the Predators and another hunt. One of Broken Tusk's former Predator rivals greets her and, recognising his clan symbol, accepts Machiko into the hunt.
[edit] Collections
A number of publishers have released trade paperbacks of the franchise over the years (occasionally given as Alien vs Predator as in Thrill of the Hunt despite its sequel Civilised Beasts being in the plural):
- Aliens vs. Predator:
- Original (by Randy Stradley, Chris Warner, and Phill Norwood, tpb, Titan Books, 176 pages, 1992, ISBN 1-85286-413-3)
- Deadliest of the Species (by Chris Claremont and Eduardo Barreto, tpb, 152 pages, 1995, Boxtree, ISBN 0-7522-0878-0, Warner Books, ISBN 1-56971-184-4)
- Deadliest of the Species Book 2 (by Chris Claremont and Eduardo Barreto, tpb, 156 pages, 1995, Boxtree, ISBN 0-7522-0695-8)
- War (by Randy Stradley, 5-issue mini-series, 1995, tpb, 1996, Titan Books, 176 pages, ISBN 1-56971-158-5, Dark Horse Comics, 200 pages, ISBN 1-56971-158-5)
- Booty (by Barbara Kesel and Chris Chalenor, 1996)
- Eternal (by Ian Edginton and Alex Maleev, Dark Horse Comics, 4-issue mini-series, 1998, tpb, 88 pages, 1999, ISBN 1-56971-409-6)
- Xenogenesis (by Andi Watson, Mel Rubi and inkers Mark Lipka and Norman Lee, 4-issue mini-series, 1998-1999)
- Thrill of the Hunt (by Mike Kennedy and Roger Robinson, Dark Horse Comics, tpb, 96 pages, 2004, ISBN 1-59307-257-0)
- Civilised Beasts (by Mike Kennedy and Roger Robinson, Dark Horse Comics, tpb, 96 pages, 2005, ISBN 1-59307-342-9)
- Aliens vs. Predator Omnibus:
- Volume 1 (collects the original series plus War, 456 pages, April 2007, ISBN 1-59307-735-1) [1]
Other series have thrown extra combatants into the mix:
- Aliens vs. Predator/Witchblade/Darkness:
- Mindhunter (by David Quinn, Mel Rubi, and Mike Perkin, Dark Horse Comics, 4-issues miniseries, 2000, tpb, 96 pages, 2001, ISBN 1-56971-615-3)
- Overkill (by Paul Jenkins and Clarence Lansang, Top Cow, 2-issue mini-series, 2000)
- Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator
- Superman & Batman vs. Aliens & Predator (by Mark Schultz and Ariel Olivetti, 2-issue mini-series, January 2007)
[edit] See also
- Aliens vs. Predator, a novel series
- Aliens, a comic series
- Predator, a comic series
[edit] External links
- Dark Horse Comics's Aliens vs. Predator section
- AVPVM: Browser based MMORPG set in the AVP universe
- Predator comic books
- Alien vs. Predator Hub Comics Section
