Predator: Life and Death has been announced by Dark Horse Comics. Comic Book Resources are reporting the announcement of a brand new four issue Predator comic series from Dark Horse Comics:
“Colonial Marines on the planet Tartarus battle extraterrestrial hunters over the possession of a mysterious horseshoe-shaped spaceship of unknown origin. The Weyland-Yutani rep wants the ship, and the marine captain wants to protect her crew. But neither objective is likely when a band of Predators attacks! Predator: Life and Death begins chapter one in a new story cycle involving Predators, Aliens, and the mysterious Engineers from Prometheus!“
Dark Horse announces Predator: Life and Death with cover art by David Palumbo.
Predator: Life and Death is being written by Dan Abnett with interior artwork being provided by Brian Thies. Many of you may recognize Dan Abnett as the name of the man who wrote Alien Isolation along with Dion Lay and Will Porter. Abnett and Lay also co-wrote the Alien Isolation comic that was released as a preview to the game.
Brian Thies has also worked with Dark Horse Comics previously, providing artwork for Star Wars: Legacy. He also worked for Marvel doing artwork for The Amazing Spider-Man.
Predator: Life and Death is a four part series which will begin Dark Horse’s 2016 efforts to further development the world of Aliens vs. Predator and Prometheus, following on from their recent massive crossover series Fire and Stone.
Predator: Life and Death is a 4 part series releasing in March 2016.
Fire and Stone was the first piece of expanded universe to feature the Prometheus franchise and that looks to be continuing with these new series. Comic Book Resources report that Abnett will be responsible for several new series that focus on Alien, Predator, Prometheus and Alien vs. Predator.
Dark Horse have also recently announced that their Free Comic Book Day 2016 offering will include a new Aliens story that ties into the upcoming series Aliens: Defiance: “2016 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Aliens film, and now there’s a new xenomorph tale of terror! Brian Wood (The Massive, Rebels, Demo) and Tristan Jones (Ghostbusters, TMNT) tell a story linked to the highly anticipated new series Aliens: Defiance, which hits stands April 27.”
The first issue of Predator: Life and Death will hit stores on the 2nd of March 2016. Thanks to community member Ultramorph for the news.
We have our first short preview of issue #1, courtesy of Previews World:
http://www.previewsworld.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK680001-700000/STK699022.pdf
I like the art quite a bit. Can't wait until March!
They also have an exclusive interview with Dan Abnett:
http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/977?articleID=173518
He addresses the Fire and Stone connection.
Spoiler
Because someone liked the look?
Wolf is on the cover of Predator: Incursion, it doesn't automatically mean he and his entire life's story are in the novel.
I'm not entirely opposed to the Kenner Predators having a cemented place in the rebooted canon. It's just a few that... I really have a hard time in digesting like Scavenger, Nightstorm, and Night Recon. I mean... I wouldn't mind Scavenger and Nightstorm if they were in their original incarnations and not the retconned newer incarnations where they're the Super Predators. Night Recon on the other hand is just too bizarre.
The Kenner Predators, some of them do have backstories which can fit in with the films, assuming we're to account with the NECA backstories but even then.. some of the backstories are off. Hive Wars Predator however, does fit in with the films.
So... I'm fifty-fifty on the Kenner Predators.
Good catch...man, I think the backstory of Hivewars Pred would make an excellent comic
Look at the leg armor too. The shin armor. It's similar too.
I am not really seeing a massive similarity...the top of the helmet though
http://www.comicbookresources.com/imgsrv/imglib/0/0/1/PredatorLifeDeath-2-b1e7f.jpg
http://www.poeghostal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/predator-hive-wars-poe-ghostal-review-6.jpg
http://www.actionfigurefury.com/wp-content/uploads/neca-predators-series-10-hive-wars-predator.jpg
EDIT
Issue #2 is up for pre-order on TFAW.
http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Predator%3A-Life-and-Death-2___497564
Funny, because all these years, in the groups I surrounded myself in... at some point, it did matter.
Then how come it feels like that?
If there's one thing I've learnt recently is that canon does not matter. It's fluid and it makes no difference to us. Just enjoy what you enjoy. No-one can take that away from you.
It's been a hard couple years for me as an AVP fan to be onboard with the rebooted canon. So I'm trying to be optimistic but it's been very hard for me. So you'll have to forgive my outlook on current projects. NECA has done so far, a good job in revising the original Kenner designs but some of them they should've left alone such as Scavenger and Nightstorm. As for Spike Tail, I will admit that is a good redesign.
I'm just wanting something that is more in line with the films, and some of the Kenner designs are, but some of them... I just feel aren't and I don't want those that I feel aren't in line with the movies to make an appearance. The Kenner toys and comics were a part of my childhood, but looking back, I most certainly wouldn't want some of them cemented in canon.
Hive Wars, Lava Planet, Cracked Tusk, Renegade, and... MAYBE Spike Tail, I could see fitting in and wouldn't mind.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYn2lwPUwAAOQSN.jpg:large
Also, based on what Randy Stradley said, I imagine that this particular miniseries will stand pretty much apart from too much Fire and Stone stuff. Maybe just a reveal at the end of issue 4 that
Spoiler
I hope you're right about that.
The Kenner Predators, I have mixed feelings about. Some can fit in the context of the films but most are just REALLY outlandish like Stalker, Nightstorm, Night Recon, Clan Leader. They're great as toys though.
Unlikely. The artist probably just likes aspects of the design.
http://www.poeghostal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/predator-hive-wars-poe-ghostal-review-6.jpg
http://www.actionfigurefury.com/wp-content/uploads/neca-predators-series-10-hive-wars-predator.jpg
And now I know who you are, friend request incoming.
Are they canonizing them now along with their wonky backstories?
Spoiler
http://www.comicbookresources.com/imgsrv/imglib/0/0/1/PredatorLifeDeath-2-b1e7f.jpg
Indeed...one vision holding it all together to avoid the "too many cooks" problem
Wouldn't mind consistent art either (if it is good)
With all those creative minds behind the series...expected a lot more
Very cool news...I like some degree of connection among stories. Thanks
I hope Mooneyham and Ferreyra do the art for some of the series after Predator. They knocked it out of the park on Prometheus and Predator. It would be cool to have Agustin Alessio back, as well.
Doing some browsing, and it seems that Tartarus is probably a Warhammer reference on Abnett's part.
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Tartarus
Randy Stradley has addressed whether this is a FaS sequel on Facebook.
Well...March is coming along soon. Guess we won't have to wait too long. Really hope the interior art is good.
EDIT: Brian Thies' work looks mediocre...
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/8c/01/9b8c01770a08a8aee7a1dbea6958e7eb.jpg
But Mooneyham's sketching and actual F&S art are leagues apart
http://pre05.deviantart.net/1fd7/th/pre/i/2010/120/5/2/predator_by_mooneyham.jpg
http://cdn.felixcomicart.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_591/0301152102481xu3exNqok.jpg
It seems like Dark Horse is playing this one a bit closer to the chest than they did with Fire and Stone. I don't know whether that's just an attempt not to get us over-hyped, or if it's because they have some surprises up their sleeve. Probably a bit of both.
Not until Blomkamp's movie happens.. And he did say that Ridley and Blomkamp have the final word.
Assuming that movie ever happens now that Ridley went George Lucas on us.
....Damn it, I posted in the wrong thread!!
How is this relevant to Predator: Life & Death?
The full list of books he mentioned as research: Predator: Incursion, Alien: River of Pain , and the novelizations of Aliens, A3, and Resurrection. So, can we all agree that Alien 3 and Resurrection aren't getting retconned?
https://twitter.com/TRexJones/status/683140103657635840
Also, I kind of love how Predator: Life and Death seems to be adhering to the history Lebbon set up in Incursion, with the Marines starting to have run ins with the Predators, and W-Y aggressively going after alien tech. Serious props if Abnett mentions ArmoTech.
Incursion was among my favourite books so this is great news.
Maybe because Incursion has some
Spoiler
I hope Ahab shows up, even if it's just a cameo. I'm still sticking with my theory that Tartarus just might be LV-223.
I know it's an Earth animal, but the idea of convergent evolution is fascinating, and it'd be interesting to explore the idea that the Predators are this one in a billion chance that happened to form.
I wonder, which race is older? Both are truly ancient and predate the human epoch, even Rage War touches on the idea that a Predator space habitat is older than humanity itself, the audio diaries of AvP2010 also say how the Predator ruins predate modern hominids. And we know that Engineers predate us too.
I have this feeling that Engineers are a bit older. But as far as the galaxy's concerned, these two may be the eldest race, maybe alongside the Dog-Aliens from the new novels.
I just love this idea of us being this relatively new and young species, we're like little toddlers just stepping outside for the first time...
Maybe Ahab becomes obsessed with finding out more about the Engineers? That'd be a cool arc...and would show a different side of his race
I don't think he means towards your worry of the Predators and Engineers - he's talking about the Prometheus/prequel series. And the questions have been asked - they've been asked for a long time, since as far back as Alien. The answers (Prometheus) was just poor.
Whilst I can see why Engineers creating the Predators would make sense, I don't want to see that being the case either. I'd be interested in seeing some history between the 2 but it would seem from Fire and Stone that if there was any background between the 2, it's in the long forgotten past.
As long as they don't attempt a Predator origin story, like whether or not the Engineers created them... as long as they don't touch that, whatever..
I have to ask, how do you know this?
I think it has worked in the past (Prey, Hunter's Planet, War, Duel, Civilised Beasts). I've rather enjoyed all of those comics/novels
Predator Life and Death might turn out to be a great melding of Predator and Prometheus. I'm reserving my judgment.
The films haven't worked out...but with the quality of directors and writerd on board...what did you expect?
Good to see that you agree with me for the most part but I still think that the idea of Engineers creating Predators is an awful and very harmful thing to the Predator mythology. I also understand why you view as each franchise having their own canon and continuity, something which I in a way view as well but differently and am championing a way for each canon and continuity to be organized and assigned. Remember my Multiverse idea? That was the whole reasoning behind the idea, to categorize, assign and organize it. But we're not talking about that now, but I do see your view point and understand it.
Let me say that I used to enjoy Prometheus but ever since it's introduction to the franchises, and while the movie contributed quite a lot of possibilities-- it also took something away from the previously established material. We gained something, but we also lost something. I'm not sure if anyone would understand that. Like as if all of it was made pointless.
I believe that AVP works as it's own franchise with it's own side-canon and continuity as well as a concept of it's own but when Prometheus is introduced to it, the concept is diluted and Prometheus takes over the center stage.
That's true! Peanuts - the perfect botanic organism. It's just as gastronomically delicious as it is instantly lethal (to some people), and you can find its betulaceae traces everywhere in factory made foods, especially in candy and baked goods, which makes it a a nut unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality, which is an interesting combination of elements making it a tough little son-of-a-bitch (to some people).
I mean, you have freaking Conan the Barbarian, Apollo Creed & Jesse "The Body" Ventura going all Hollywood cocky macho American on a bunch of unsuspecting ruskies and South Americans in the jungle, mowing them down like they were fighting children, lifting cars with their hands, blowing shit up, using superior weaponry and taking their Russian/S.American targets by surprise and stealth - just like the Predator does later on against Dutch and his elite special forces unit. The reason Dutch survived is because he knew that he couldn't fight the Predator on the creature's own terms, he had to admit to himself that he in fact was the prey. A weak, tiny and unimpressive individual compared to the Predator. So just like Mculay Culkin in the HOME ALONE movies, Dutch had to become inventive and fight the Predator from an underdog perspective.
There probably is, or was, or will be, but the Alien does a pretty good job considering how well-adapted it is to the harsh indifference and hostility of space. It needs no technology to survive, only needs hosts, and if there are none around it can wait forever if it has to. The cold vacuum of space is like second nature to the Alien, and extreme heat only seems to merely annoy the beast. It's a primordial super organism - fire and ice (or fire and stone if you want). Hence the perfect organism remark by Ash. It's the purest form of survivor, especially considering that it doesn't have any moral obligations etc. Opportunistic yet equipped with endless patience. It's design and existence in that sense makes it flawless and really, really frightening. It's here to outlive us all.
It would be interesting to see what happened if an Alien was introduced to the Black Goo, or if the Black Goo is intact synthesized Xenomorph essence, further developed by the Engineers to be used in various different ways, one of the working as a terraforming and even evolutional accelerant? In ALIENS: F&S the Aliens that touched the goo seemed unharmed and unchanged, except for the one morphed together with-you-know-who.
Yes, those are scary in their own way (including the peanut), but they can't be compared to the parasitic nature of the Alien combined with its ability to survive in extreme temperatures, environmental conditions and the vacuum of space. It's acidic blood, its intelligence, its possible hive mind, its ability to morph living matter (egg-morphing), the DNA reflex, genetic memory, multiple reproductive systems, its patience, hive construction abilities etc. makes it into a completely different (i.e. bigger) threat than sharks, t-rexes, poisonous spiders etc.
We've got (or had) something worse or about as bad as the Xenomorphs right here. We have polar bears, and great white sharks, anacondas, crocodiles, poisonous spiders, peanuts. We used to have T-Rexs. Fortunately they're regional. I have no doubt there is worse stuff out there though.
It reminds me of my friend's saying when I told him about the Engineers in the AvP expanded universe, and he said "there's always a bigger fish in the sea".
Come to think of it, that's a scary thought in a universe like Alien... makes you wonder, is there something worse than a Xenomorph out there? Probably a good thing that we haven't discovered it!
I know!
Personally I think it works better for the movie to have an alien that has a very human body as it plays well with the concept and message of the movie - there is always someone bigger and stronger than you, so don't be a cocky macho a-hole and use your brain, drop the ego and work with what you have. If the Predator would've looked more alien than it does all of that would've been lost in translation so to speak. It would've been more of a man vs. space invader blob kind of thing.
It gets annoying when you mix the Predator universe with the Alien universe and the Prometheus add-on, as there are all of a sudden three race that have the exact same physique etc.
I understand that you as a Predator fan don't like it, but it does make sense since humans, Engineers and Predators have the exact same body structure, proportions etc. - we even have the same kind of five-fingered hands!
That theory is not even a theory - it's pure speculation as there obviously is no verifiable data to compare and process i.e. it is NOT science, it's just a bunch of hypothetic assumptions tossed around based on well-educated guesses.
And as I wrote:
"I know about the theory you mentioned, but it has also been criticized and questioned, and to be fair there is no way to prove it until we actually run into two or more sentient intelligent alien species in order to compare and verify. Until then it's just pure speculation.
What we do know though is that an highly intelligent organism needs at least fine motor skills and at least one highly flexible and exact body-part (i.e. limb, trunk, tendrils, tentacle) free and available at all times to pick up things to use and fiddle with. With that said we could have a quadruped (or six-legged, or eight-legged...) creature with a set of arms, tendrils, or tentacles on the back, or the head even. Or why not an octopus-like organism able to erect itself to fully stand up when on land? Or a worm or snake-like organism with a set of "tongues" or retractable filaments able to grapple, carry and manipulate things with, or a fully mobile mollusk creature or crustaceanesque many armed intelligent organism - or something completely out of the box. Maybe a really large amoeba creature able to form and manipulate its body-mass to do the same things we can do with out arms and hands?"
The Engineers have black blood, and we have no idea what their blood is capable of.
Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. I don't think that the AVP crossover work or will ever work, and the implementation of Prometheus really messed things up even more. That's why I always see the movies of each franchise as the "canon" of each respective franchise. What happens in a Alien/Prometheus movie doesn't effect or direct the Predator universe, and vice versa. AVP to me is just a separate crossover pulp sci-fi franchise that has no bearing on the original franchises and their universes. Comics, games, novels etc. are comics, games, novels etc., they're EU - not movies. And so far we haven't seen anything from AVP or EU spill over to the movies. And personally I hope that they will keep it that way.
I don't like the idea that the Engineers created us as I find the whole Ancient Astronaut concept lazy and stupid. But if the Engineers and the Predators indeed live in the same universe together with us, it becomes painfully obvious that the three of use look pretty much the same, and since the Engineers are known for fiddling with life it's not that farfetched that they had something to do with the Predators as well, unless their is a forerunner race to the Engineers that created both the Predators and Engineers and the Engineers just picked up from where the their creators left...
No we don't, but it looks like we're getting one anyways.