QuoteSigned a contract for the PREDATOR tie-in antho with @TitanBooks coming Oct. 2017.
https://twitter.com/BryanThomasS/status/760500837642895360
Quote@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks new stories in the universe of the 1st three films and Dark Horse comics by @seananmcguire @TheKJA and more...
Nice, two anthologies coming! Glad to see the output isn't slowing down. Maybe we'll get an Ahab story.
Is this related to the new movie?
Truly exciting times to be a fan!
Quote from: Scorpio on Aug 02, 2016, 05:10:10 PM
Is this related to the new movie?
Apparently not. I'll copy up some more tweets in a second.
In regards to being directly related to The Predator -
Quote@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks @seananmcguire @TheKJA no. Fox does not want us doing anything with that. Separate rights
And other bits -
Quote@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks new stories in the universe of the 1st three films and Dark Horse comics by @seananmcguire @TheKJA and more..
@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks all prose. We have several past Predator novelists returning plus new people like @JonathanMaberry @daytonward etc
@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks 2 Perrys, Archer, @monsterhunter45 @wnwagner @jenniferbrozek myself @NeoEdmund1 @miragrant john shirley 17 altogether
@avpgalaxy @TitanBooks @monsterhunter45 there will be lots of variety to it for sure. @JRobinsonAuthor also, forgot him. Kaiju master...
No Jeff VanderMeer. Interesting collection of authors though. Nathan Archer (who did the first 2 Predator novelizations), both Perrys, John Shirley (I hear Rakai crying into his hands now!!!) Not instantly familiar with the other names though - Jeremy Robinson, Wendy N. Wagner, Jennifer Brozek, NEO EDMUND and Mira Grant.
Is this basically the Predator version of Alien: Bug Hunt?
With all new stories?
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Aug 02, 2016, 07:20:50 PM
Is this basically the Predator version of Alien: Bug Hunt?
With all new stories?
Yeah, exactly.
One story is set in Asia.
Quote@avpgalaxy we will likely have a story set in south Asia though. Fox has to approve pitches so details sekret for now.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 02, 2016, 07:21:24 PM
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Aug 02, 2016, 07:20:50 PM
Is this basically the Predator version of Alien: Bug Hunt?
With all new stories?
Yeah, exactly.
One story is set in Asia.
Quote@avpgalaxy we will likely have a story set in south Asia though. Fox has to approve pitches so details sekret for now.
OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!YES! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THESE!
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 02, 2016, 07:13:22 PM
(I hear Rakai crying into his hands now!!!)
I really don't care as much as I used to anymore.. I can only hope that Shirely is aware of the Yautja concept.. but if the Hish are back for good.. well, I guess Predator/Yautja fans like me are not the demographic. Not like I'm picking this up.
But you should ask if the Yautja or Hish version of the Predators are being used?
Also.. if the Hish are going to be used, are they going to be retconned as being the Super Predators?
I asked about Hish and Yautja but the answer wasn't conclusive.
Quotethere will be lots of variety to it for sure.
I suspect we'll see some sort of retcon of them with Shirley being involved which was why I asked. Not that I want it.
Not sure how much more I can say but I have heard some stuff about the kind of stories that are going to be in it and they sound like a nice mix of things playing on the films and the EU.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 03, 2016, 07:31:01 AM
I asked about Hish and Yautja but the answer wasn't conclusive.
I guess we'll wait and see...
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 03, 2016, 07:31:01 AM
I suspect we'll see some sort of retcon of them with Shirley being involved which was why I asked. Not that I want it.
I'm not sure if the authors have talked with each other but if I do know one thing about anthology stories-- they're generally unrelated to one another. Whether or not this will be the case for Predator, well.. again, remains to be seen but... You're right about one thing, I'm not too thrilled about Shirley being brought back for this, but I would like to think that he's aware of the Yautja concept now since he was made aware of it back in 2006.. but I just don't trust the guy with the Predator whatsoever but... I'm hoping that the Hish idea... is left behind.
If there is some sort of retcon, well.. I'm not going to get my hopes high as far as Predator is concerned. The least I can hope for is that the traditional Predators we know and love are the Yautja, where the Super Predators could be retconned as the Hish. But the realist in me says... that's gonna be too much to ask for. I've tried giving some of the new stuff a chance and learned if it's not one thing, it's another.
Noice. I'm actually really excited by the prospect of these anthology books.
Wonder if the reaction to Aliens: Bug Hunt spurred this decision at all?
Oh man if this ends up being a Lost Tribe anthology then I think I might pee a little.
Looking forward to this very much, will definitely be picking it up.
I should be able to make an official announcement of who is writing what at some point soon but I've heard a few extra details that have me quite excited! There's a lot of timeframe jumping. A story in WW1, one in Viking time, one in Nam, the Wild West, samurai Japan. Really excited for this!
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2016, 07:22:44 AMone in Nam
F*cking finally! This is something I've wanted for ages.
Happy about the historical settings
Viking time has me reminiscing about Aliens Stalker
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2016, 07:22:44 AM
I should be able to make an official announcement of who is writing what at some point soon but I've heard a few extra details that have me quite excited! There's a lot of timeframe jumping. A story in WW1, one in Viking time, one in Nam, the Wild West, samurai Japan. Really excited for this!
Hicks.... OMG........ *heart attack intensifies* SERIOUSLY CAN'T WAIT!
They got that right; seems it's gonna be a lot of variety.
BRING THE DEFIBRILLATOR, YOU'RE NOT DYING ON MEH
Any news on what the title is? Or is it just "Predator Anthology"?
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2016, 07:22:44 AM
A story in WW1, one in Viking time, one in Nam, the Wild West, samurai Japan. Really excited for this!
Oh God yes.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2016, 07:22:44 AM
I should be able to make an official announcement of who is writing what at some point soon but I've heard a few extra details that have me quite excited! There's a lot of timeframe jumping. A story in WW1, one in Viking time, one in Nam, the Wild West, samurai Japan. Really excited for this!
this sounds like i'm going to enjoy it :DDDD
Quote from: Kaltes on Oct 10, 2016, 06:31:44 PM
Any news on what the title is? Or is it just "Predator Anthology"?
I'm sure it'll get a proper title before release but we're probably a good while off.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 03, 2016, 07:31:01 AMI asked about Hish and Yautja but the answer wasn't conclusive.
What if the answer is "neither?"
Quote from: Local Trouble on Oct 11, 2016, 07:30:57 PM
What if the answer is "neither?"
I'd be cool with that. Just "Predators" works enough for me.
Quote from: Kaltes on Oct 10, 2016, 06:31:44 PM
Any news on what the title is? Or is it just "Predator Anthology"?
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 31, 2016, 07:22:44 AM
A story in WW1, one in Viking time, one in Nam, the Wild West, samurai Japan. Really excited for this!
Oh God yes.
Predator : Cunning Hunts
Quote from: RakaiThwei on Oct 11, 2016, 09:08:21 PM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Oct 11, 2016, 07:30:57 PM
What if the answer is "neither?"
I'd be cool with that. Just "Predators" works enough for me.
Personally I wouldn't mind if different authors (considering Steve Perry and John Shirley are attached) used their own respective terms like "Yautja" or "Hish" or just "Predators."
We've had Predators in WW1 before though (The Bloody Sands of Time), and partially in ancient Japan (Blood Feud).
Yeah, those were in comic form. I think a novel can explore it much more deeper with what goes on in a character's heads.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Oct 18, 2016, 05:01:16 PM
Yeah, those were in comic form. I think a novel can explore it much more deeper with what goes on in a character's heads.
Pretty much this.
Though I'd really like seeing an in depth Predator WW1 story.
Comics can and do often go deeper into people's heads. From memory, Bloody Sands of Time has a narration by the main guy.
Quote from: SM on Oct 18, 2016, 09:04:01 PM
Comics can and do often go deeper into people's heads. From memory, Bloody Sands of Time has a narration by the main guy.
True. Bloody Sands of Time is one of my favorite Predator spin-off stories.
Same here.
Quote from: SM on Oct 18, 2016, 09:04:01 PM
Comics can and do often go deeper into people's heads. From memory, Bloody Sands of Time has a narration by the main guy.
That's true, I think it depends on a person's preference as well as the comic or novel in question. Comics can certainly be very useful in helping people visualize what the world is like while novels try to guide you into imagining it instead which leads to everyone's own interpretation when reading a novel which I find fascinating. Sometimes when I re-read a page from a novel, something new pops up in my imagination that I never considered before. While in a comic, it's more fixed and linear.
I enjoyed Blood Sands of Time, it had a very good narrative story. Something like that also leaves a lot for you to imagine and speculate upon what isn't shown on panel which I also like.
A little info about Tim Lebbon's entry in this Anthology:
QuoteI'm writing a DevilDogs/Akoko Halley story for that anthology. It's set before the Rage War and takes place when she's a Captain, during her early life in the Colonial Marines.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 20, 2016, 08:13:43 AM
A little info about Tim Lebbon's entry in this Anthology:
QuoteI'm writing a DevilDogs/Akoko Halley story for that anthology. It's set before the Rage War and takes place when she's a Captain, during her early life in the Colonial Marines.
Oooh, sounds good. :)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 20, 2016, 08:13:43 AM
A little info about Tim Lebbon's entry in this Anthology:
QuoteI'm writing a DevilDogs/Akoko Halley story for that anthology. It's set before the Rage War and takes place when she's a Captain, during her early life in the Colonial Marines.
Super exciting!
I've been told to expect the cover and title for this anthology soon.
Oooh, that's good to know. Really looking forward to this.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 23, 2016, 10:45:22 AM
I've been told to expect the cover and title for this anthology soon.
Awesome!
We have a new Predator novel in Oct 2017 - "Predator: if It Bleeds" by Bryan Thomas Schmidt
https://www.amazon.com/dp/178565540X/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485123339&sr=1-9&keywords=movie+tie+in
I wonder what the story of that one will be.
I believe that's the anthology.
Did we hear the title revealed earlier or is this recent? I can't remember if we have heard it before but I have a deja vu feeling that we have. XD
I've seen it on Twitter, not sure if I've seen it here. It's the "If It Bleeds" one, though.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jan 22, 2017, 11:56:55 PM
I believe that's the anthology.
It is the anthology and yeah, that's the title. We should be seeing the cover sometime soon.
Thanks for the confirmation.
Nice, about as suitable title as any. Kinda ties into Bug Hunt for the Aliens book too, both being quotes from military guys about what they're facing.
Would anyone like to see characters from the movies appear, e.g. Dutch, Anna, Harrigan?
Quote from: EJA on Mar 04, 2017, 01:16:11 PM
Would anyone like to see characters from the movies appear, e.g. Dutch, Anna, Harrigan?
Ehhh... perhaps only in the capacity as a retelling of the events of a movie, from that character's perspective.
A story about what happened to Dutch following the first film that doesn't even feature Predators could be quite cool, and different. Plus you could slip Keyes in there, per the Predator 2 novelisation.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 05, 2017, 10:54:07 AM
A story about what happened to Dutch following the first film that doesn't even feature Predators could be quite cool, and different. Plus you could slip Keyes in there, per the Predator 2 novelisation.
The problem is, if the anthology is meant to be about Predators, having a story that doesn't feature any Predators in it is going to seem pretty out of place. It'd have been like if 'Prometheus' had been titled as an Alien film, and doesn't include any Aliens in it.
Who says the anthology has to be all about Predators?
The Aliens: Bug Hunt anthology is about the Colonial Marines, not the Aliens, and it's been confirmed there will be stories that don't feature any Aliens included. Frankly, that sounds to me like a huge breath of fresh air and I'm all the more excited for it. I'd be perfectly happy to see them include one or two Pred-less stories in this.
Well in that case, sure, I'd be down for it.
The sorta-problem is that Colonial Marines are interesting on their own, without needing Aliens to make them cool. Characters from Predator movies might not be able to hold up their own stories without Predators, similar to that idea Ridley Scott was floating around about Ripley going on Alien-less space adventures.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 05, 2017, 05:11:48 PM
Well in that case, sure, I'd be down for it.
The sorta-problem is that Colonial Marines are interesting on their own, without needing Aliens to make them cool. Characters from Predator movies might not be able to hold up their own stories without Predators, similar to that idea Ridley Scott was floating around about Ripley going on Alien-less space adventures.
What were these ideas? I'm curious to what he planned and what kind of adventures Ripley would've had.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Mar 05, 2017, 07:35:14 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 05, 2017, 05:11:48 PM
Well in that case, sure, I'd be down for it.
The sorta-problem is that Colonial Marines are interesting on their own, without needing Aliens to make them cool. Characters from Predator movies might not be able to hold up their own stories without Predators, similar to that idea Ridley Scott was floating around about Ripley going on Alien-less space adventures.
What were these ideas? I'm curious to what he planned and what kind of adventures Ripley would've had.
We honestly don't know, as far as I can recall the most detail he ever went into was literally "Ripley goes on space adventures" or something to that effect. This was well before Prometheus even entered production, circa 2008.
Here's a link I found from a google search:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sigourney-weaver-and-ridley-scott-considering-more-ellen-ripley/
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 06, 2017, 01:52:10 AM
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Mar 05, 2017, 07:35:14 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 05, 2017, 05:11:48 PM
Well in that case, sure, I'd be down for it.
The sorta-problem is that Colonial Marines are interesting on their own, without needing Aliens to make them cool. Characters from Predator movies might not be able to hold up their own stories without Predators, similar to that idea Ridley Scott was floating around about Ripley going on Alien-less space adventures.
What were these ideas? I'm curious to what he planned and what kind of adventures Ripley would've had.
We honestly don't know, as far as I can recall the most detail he ever went into was literally "Ripley goes on space adventures" or something to that effect. This was well before Prometheus even entered production, circa 2008.
Here's a link I found from a google search:
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sigourney-weaver-and-ridley-scott-considering-more-ellen-ripley/
Thanks for the link.
We'll be exclusively revealing the full line up of authors and cover art later today.
Noice, look forward to seeing both.
sweet!
Better than the Bug Hunt cover, looks good. :)
Yeah! Looks much better than the Bug Hunt cover but I still wish Titan would go back and use actual artwork. There's so many talented Alien and Predator artists out there. What I wouldn't give to see Tristan Jone's artwork on one of these covers.
Great list of authors though. Fantastic job having the Perry's back! I had though Nathan Archer was supposed to be writing a short so a little disappointed to not see his name there. Lots of great authors though. Really interested to see all these.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 10, 2017, 03:45:09 PM
Yeah! Looks much better than the Bug Hunt cover but I still wish Titan would go back and use actual artwork. There's so many talented Alien and Predator artists out there. What I wouldn't give to see Tristan Jone's artwork on one of these covers.
Great list of authors though. Fantastic job having the Perry's back! I had though Nathan Archer was supposed to be writing a short so a little disappointed to not see his name there. Lots of great authors though. Really interested to see all these.
I feel your pain, I just don't understand why they can't use actual original art. Titan is an odd company though imo.
Really excited to get both this and bughunt thats for sure.
Preordered. Can't wait! I wonder if Shirley will continue the Hish idea from FM or he'll switch to Yautja? Either way, can't wait to see what Father and Daughter Perry are gonna bring to the table this time!
Cool! I'm gonna buy this first days it's available!
We've reached a point in history where Hish nostalgia is a thing! :laugh:
Super excited to pick this up.
Edit - Sorry, i see the cover is already up. Thanks for the scoop!
For me, i am really looking forward to this.
Wonder if the novels will apply the method of the Star Wars post legends publications of meticulously crafting the novels to fall into cannon with the film series and avoid continuity errors and inconsistencies. To a degree it could be argued that its restrictive to allow creative opportunity rather than expanding.
Yautja. I had to pick for consistency.
If we do a sequel, Archer will be back. Complicated reasons.
Stay tuned soon for more exclusive info about the book and stories. And I get shat you are saying about artwork but I freaking love this awesome cover.
Teasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Nice.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
Teasers:
And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Wow.
Sounds great! I cant wait, im pumped for this.
A story with Harrigan and Garber is a great idea, looking forward to it.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
Teasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Referencing the old EU, I like it. ;D
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
Teasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Awesome! I am so excited for this novel! ;D
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:05:26 AM
If we do a sequel, Archer will be back. Complicated reasons.
Understood. Hope that's the case! It'd be amazing if you managed to get Jeff VanderMeer for one as well. His Predator novel is probably my favourite! Is there much interest in doing additional anthologies?
Quote from: JungleHunter87 on Mar 10, 2017, 07:43:24 PM
Preordered. Can't wait! I wonder if Shirley will continue the Hish idea from FM or he'll switch to Yautja? Either way, can't wait to see what Father and Daughter Perry are gonna bring to the table this time!
I know Bryan addressed this but I vaguely remember John Shirley talking about trying reconcile the 2 concepts when he actually heard about the Yautja. To be honest, it's probably a better move sticking with the Yautja as a lot of Predator fans are really drawn to that.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
Teasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Really curious to see where your story goes! Predator has never really had any flowing through-lines with the films so that'll be really fun to see a semi-sequel.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 11, 2017, 04:36:05 PM
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
Teasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Referencing the old EU, I like it. ;D
This is really interesting...between this and predator: hunters, it sure seems like fox is open to 're-canon-izing' old EU material. Consider me all for it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
There will be a sequel if the book sells well. I have several returnees from previous Predator novels lined up and plans to reconcile Hiss and Yautja too.
Meanwhile, I read all the novels, three graphic novel omnibuses, and several AvP novels and comics to prepare and we may miss stuff but I tried very hard for some continuity and to use my story to connect with the films. Perry and Lebbon connected with EU.
This book may yet include another surprise, pending agreement, as it is the 30th anniversary of the franchise...
Also Kevin J. Anderson wrote a comic and is revisting the theme though in a different setting and timeframe.
Xeno--I set continuity standards per provisions given by Fox and read everything I could find to edit for it. I also chose Yautja over Hiss because the former seemed to be used more often and I linked everyone to the online Predator wiki and language guides.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 12, 2017, 04:25:43 AM
Xeno--I set continuity standards per provisions given by Fox and read everything I could find to edit for it. I also chose Yautja over Hiss because the former seemed to be used more often and I linked everyone to the online Predator wiki and language guides.
If you need anyone for "fact checking" (or are looking for fun obscure stuff to use as springboards for story ideas), I'm at your disposal haha.
Maybe I should do a contest for fellow fans...will think of something. Meanwhile, Xeno, feel free to send me what you got at www.bryanthomasschmidt.net. Never know
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AMTeasers:
Besides Lebbon's prequel to Rage War, Steve Perry writes a sequel to his novel Turnabout. And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Ha! Awesome :)
YOOOOO! WWI, Vietnam, and 12th century Japan? Sign me up!
Hurricane Katrina? Gotta admit, its a random but curious choice of location to me.
I am excited for ALL of these settings, but especially the ones set in space!
I've always wanted a Predator 'Nam story, so I'm looking forward to that one in particular.
I just want to take a moment to thank all the people behind this novel very much for making it possible. I really appreciate that these stories are being made.
I am excited to see how the Yautja and Hish-qu-Ten get reconciled.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Mar 12, 2017, 10:48:54 PM
I am excited to see how the Yautja and Hish-qu-Ten get reconciled.
I'm also curious about that! Maybe "Super Predators are the Hish" will be made official canon.
Quote from: Mr.Turok on Mar 12, 2017, 03:52:42 PM
YOOOOO! WWI, Vietnam, and 12th century Japan? Sign me up!
Hurricane Katrina? Gotta admit, its a random but curious choice of location to me.
$20 it was the predators who broke the levees.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'd love to see a second anthology that's just tales about each of the Lost Predators from the end of 'Predator 2', maybe expand a bit on what some of the wacky skulls in the trophy case are.
There are 6 stories in the anthology set in space by Anderson, Mayne, Brozek, Maberry, Lebbon, and Shirley. My idea is that the Yautja and Hish may be tribes or some such.
Xenomrph, good sales and I will do another. I have another set of authors all lined up.
Hope it does well.
I'm much more excited for this (and Bug Hunt, the Aliens book) than the last round of novels purely because they promise to be so much more diverse.
I hope this does well! Thanks for sharing the information with us, Bryan.
Love it.
I just want to echo the thoughts of appreciation for taking the time to give us this extra information. Its very cool to hear from the real people behind these types of projects and get some behind the scenes info.
You're welcome. Been dying to talk about it with fellow fans and now I can. More to come. I have to reveal bit by bit.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 11, 2017, 08:14:35 AM
And my story stars Danny Glover's Mike Harrigan in Brazil and features Adam Baldwin's Garber too. ;D
Hell yeah, we need some more Harrigan.
Pre-ordered, looking forward to this immensely.
Just gotta wait until October...
Working on setting up some author interviews for both ALIENS: BUG HUNT and PREDATOR: IF IT BLEEDS here in the next few months. Stay tuned!
I am looking forward to the interviews!
I wonder if the authors may have a thread for them. Like Steve Perry had "Ask Steve Perry" and so did John Shirley with "Ask John Shirley", they are in the archives now and fans used to go to the threads to ask the authors questions which they would then answer and have a chat with the community.
Or will this be one where Corporal Hicks asks them questions and forwards some of our own questions as well? The type that is posted on the site news.
Either way, I am excited to hear what they have to say.
Quote from: Bryan Thomas Schmidt on Mar 19, 2017, 04:59:50 AM
Working on setting up some author interviews for both ALIENS: BUG HUNT and PREDATOR: IF IT BLEEDS here in the next few months. Stay tuned!
Thanks! Already Pre-ordered Bug Hunt myself.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Mar 19, 2017, 06:43:55 AM
Or will this be one where Corporal Hicks asks them questions and forwards some of our own questions as well? The type that is posted on the site news.
It'll likely be this one. I'll open the floor to questions in the Bug Hunt thread when we're ready to go. :)
Awesome, mate! :)
(THE ALIEN PREDATOR asked) "I wonder if the authors may have a thread for them. Like Steve Perry had "Ask Steve Perry" and so did John Shirley with "Ask John Shirley", they are in the archives now and fans used to go to the threads to ask the authors questions which they would then answer and have a chat with the community.
Or will this be one where Corporal Hicks asks them questions and forwards some of our own questions as well? The type that is posted on the site news."
I might be willing myself to do some kind of Ask thing but my authors will do short interviews, and I have to prescreen the questions for Fox but I believe Hicks said he'll let you all submit some.
I wonder if they'll be a tie in story to Predators in this.
You know I'd be very okay with that.
Same.
Also, I wonder what the story entitled "Indigenous Species" will be about.
There's one titled "Gameworld", could that be a Predators tie in story?
I Want Ahab short story.
How well do the stories mix with earlier Predator EU stories? There have been earlier stories set in World War I, the Civil War, and partially medieval Japan and the Vietnam War.
Oh boy. A sequel to a story in a book that I haven't read that is impossible to find for a decent price these days. Joy! Lol
Which?
I'm guessing he's talking about Turnabout, which is getting a sequel story in the anthology.
Quote from: BountyHunter on May 08, 2017, 11:51:45 PM
Oh boy. A sequel to a story in a book that I haven't read that is impossible to find for a decent price these days. Joy! Lol
I'm sure it'll get collected in an omnibus once Titan is done with Aliens. And I'm sure this story will stand on its own.
Turnabout isn't hard to find, is it? I thought it was South China Sea that was the pain.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 10, 2017, 09:03:57 AM
Turnabout isn't hard to find, is it? I thought it was South China Sea that was the pain.
Not as much as Flesh and Blood and South China Sea but it got more expensive.
Take a look at this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Predator-Turnabout-by-Steve-Perry-9781595820549-/172579609479?hash=item282e8bdb87:g:s58AAOSwOgdYy7oS
Thankfuly I got it for like 20 bucks.
And does Predator: If It Bleeds have a release date already?
Quote from: Samhain13 on May 14, 2017, 01:04:45 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 10, 2017, 09:03:57 AM
Turnabout isn't hard to find, is it? I thought it was South China Sea that was the pain.
Not as much as Flesh and Blood and South China Sea but it got more expensive.
Take a look at this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Predator-Turnabout-by-Steve-Perry-9781595820549-/172579609479?hash=item282e8bdb87:g:s58AAOSwOgdYy7oS
Thankfuly I got it for like 20 bucks.
And does Predator: If It Bleeds have a release date already?
Around october
Quote from: gantarat on May 14, 2017, 01:06:37 AM
Around october
Thanks. I kind of forgot about these new novels and just found out Aliens:Bug Hunt have been released. Time to get it.
Quote from: Samhain13 on May 14, 2017, 01:08:32 AM
Quote from: gantarat on May 14, 2017, 01:06:37 AM
Around october
Thanks. I kind of forgot about these new novels and just found out Aliens:Bug Hunt have been released. Time to get it.
Brace yourself. :P
Quote from: Samhain13 on May 14, 2017, 01:04:45 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 10, 2017, 09:03:57 AM
Turnabout isn't hard to find, is it? I thought it was South China Sea that was the pain.
Not as much as Flesh and Blood and South China Sea but it got more expensive.
Take a look at this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Predator-Turnabout-by-Steve-Perry-9781595820549-/172579609479?hash=item282e8bdb87:g:s58AAOSwOgdYy7oS
Jesus. You folk who got them for free off me best be happy. :laugh: I could have made a nice killing. :laugh:
Anyone aware of any updates?
Just wanted to let any of you attending San Diego Comic Con know about this. We plan giveaways and will have some swag.
Panel: Alien-Predator Extended Universe Panel, Sunday, 7/23/17, 3:45p.m. - 4:45p.m., Room: 5AB
Panel Description: 3:45-4:45 p.m. Alien-Predator Extended Universe: The Stories Continue--Editors-Authors Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger, Aliens: Bug Hunt) and Bryan Thomas Schmidt (Predator: If It Bleeds, The X-Files: Border Time) discuss the expanded universe literature past, present, and future, including their anthologies Aliens: Bug Hunt and Predator: If It Bleeds with author contributors and New York Times Bestsellers Alan Dean Foster, Scott Sigler, and Seanan McGuire. Q&A Moderated by Steve Saffel (Titan Books). Room 5AB
Hope to see some of you there.
Bryan
Great to hear! Glad there's a future ahead.
Check out @BryanThomasS's Tweet: https://twitter.com/BryanThomasS/status/881394580586889216?s=09
First sneak peek at a story from IF IT BLEEDS
(pic below from Hicks)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDtXqz-WsAECaTa.jpg:large)
Harrigan!
YES!
Excellent :)
Quote from: Xenomrph on May 10, 2017, 06:06:15 AM
I'm guessing he's talking about Turnabout, which is getting a sequel story in the anthology.
Yeah, I was talking about Turnabout. Not sure what happened, but my computer was showing my post as being right after the original post announcing the sequel story. Not way down the line like it is now. Lol. Must have had a glitch.
Rematch by Steve Perry is a direct sequel to Turnabout.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 01, 2017, 10:16:19 PM
Just wanted to let any of you attending San Diego Comic Con know about this. We plan giveaways and will have some swag.
Panel: Alien-Predator Extended Universe Panel, Sunday, 7/23/17, 3:45p.m. - 4:45p.m., Room: 5AB
Panel Description: 3:45-4:45 p.m. Alien-Predator Extended Universe: The Stories Continue--Editors-Authors Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger, Aliens: Bug Hunt) and Bryan Thomas Schmidt (Predator: If It Bleeds, The X-Files: Border Time) discuss the expanded universe literature past, present, and future, including their anthologies Aliens: Bug Hunt and Predator: If It Bleeds with author contributors and New York Times Bestsellers Alan Dean Foster, Scott Sigler, and Seanan McGuire. Q&A Moderated by Steve Saffel (Titan Books). Room 5AB
Hope to see some of you there.
Bryan
I'll be there 8)
Are you planning on doing a video or anything?
Jonathan wrote for PREDATOR: IF IT BLEEDS also and there will be giveaways.
If I can find someone to film it, I have permission to film the panel. Also, due to an issue at home, Alan Dean Foster is not going to be able to attend.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 11, 2017, 09:39:52 PM
If I can find someone to film it, I have permission to film the panel.
Fantastic! Would love to be able to see this. Unfortunately, there's a big swatch of ocean between us so I've yet to visit an SD or NY comic con yet. :'(
QuoteAlso, due to an issue at home, Alan Dean Foster is not going to be able to attend.
That's a shame. Hope he's alright. I'll add an amendment onto the news post on the main site.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 12, 2017, 08:05:35 AM
That's a shame. Hope he's already. I'll add an amendment onto the news post on the main site.
I hope he's alright as well.
ADF is fine. Health issue with family. I was asked not to say more so I will honor that.
Understood and glad to hear it.
Also really looking forward to hearing what comes out of tomorrow's panel!
Is it tomorrrow or Sunday?
Appologies, it's Sunday. SDCC starts tomorrow.
Sunday. If someone is attending and willing to film it, I have official permission to do so for you tube and avpgalaxy but I need a camera and operator.
Only fella I know who is going doesn't have his camera on him. :-\
Quote from: Whos_Nick on Jul 11, 2017, 08:42:27 AM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 01, 2017, 10:16:19 PM
Just wanted to let any of you attending San Diego Comic Con know about this. We plan giveaways and will have some swag.
Panel: Alien-Predator Extended Universe Panel, Sunday, 7/23/17, 3:45p.m. - 4:45p.m., Room: 5AB
Panel Description: 3:45-4:45 p.m. Alien-Predator Extended Universe: The Stories Continue--Editors-Authors Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger, Aliens: Bug Hunt) and Bryan Thomas Schmidt (Predator: If It Bleeds, The X-Files: Border Time) discuss the expanded universe literature past, present, and future, including their anthologies Aliens: Bug Hunt and Predator: If It Bleeds with author contributors and New York Times Bestsellers Alan Dean Foster, Scott Sigler, and Seanan McGuire. Q&A Moderated by Steve Saffel (Titan Books). Room 5AB
Hope to see some of you there.
Bryan
I'll be there 8)
So what's the gossip, Nick?
Made a splash at Fox's PREDATOR meetup and got interviewed for their new app. Mentioned avpgalaxy.net and promoed the book.
Fox execs came to the panel and were very pleased. Discussions today with Titan about more books, including a possible Harrigan novel from me.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 24, 2017, 06:43:59 PMDiscussions today with Titan about more books, including a possible Harrigan novel from me.
That could be really cool!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 24, 2017, 06:43:59 PM
Made a splash at Fox's PREDATOR meetup and got interviewed for their new app. Mentioned avpgalaxy.net and promoed the book.
Looking forward to it. And that's for the mention! :) The pictures are awesome too!
QuoteFox execs came to the panel and were very pleased. Discussions today with Titan about more books, including a possible Harrigan novel from me.
Oh, that could be really awesome! Is it related to the Harrigan story in If It Bleeds?
Looks like I'll have to get the app!
You can access the same content via the web too if you don't have the app available in your area. https://www.thepredator.fox/
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 24, 2017, 06:43:59 PM
Made a splash at Fox's PREDATOR meetup and got interviewed for their new app. Mentioned avpgalaxy.net and promoed the book.
Fox execs came to the panel and were very pleased. Discussions today with Titan about more books, including a possible Harrigan novel from me.
Damm that's great. It's nice to see the EU of the franchise still going for more.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 24, 2017, 07:12:50 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 24, 2017, 06:43:59 PM
Made a splash at Fox's PREDATOR meetup and got interviewed for their new app. Mentioned avpgalaxy.net and promoed the book.
Looking forward to it. And that's for the mention! :) The pictures are awesome too!
QuoteFox execs came to the panel and were very pleased. Discussions today with Titan about more books, including a possible Harrigan novel from me.
Oh, that could be really awesome! Is it related to the Harrigan story in If It Bleeds?
Yes totally
A little info on the panel:
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/24/keeping-the-alien-and-predator-shared-universe-going-at-san-diego-comic-con/#.WXaO8jVxBPo.twitter (https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/24/keeping-the-alien-and-predator-shared-universe-going-at-san-diego-comic-con/#.WXaO8jVxBPo.twitter)
Sounds like there are some cool ideas being floated for possible future Predator stories.
I would love a Harrigan book. Hope Titan Books gives us a Predator Omnibus: Vol 2 (collecting South China Sea and Turnabout).
More Omnibuses to come from Titan for sure.
Excellent. They need to reprint Turnabout and South China Sea. The price of them on the second hand market is ridiculous and they are must reads imho.
The plan is to reprint them all.
Good to hear that!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 25, 2017, 09:03:43 AM
The plan is to reprint them all.
And the villagers rejoiced!
(https://media.giphy.com/media/HRp6Nvgoagclq/giphy.gif)
That's great news. Those last couple have become pretty hard to people to get hold of. So with Aliens: Berserker recently reprinted and South China Sea and Turnabout getting reprints too, everyone who missed those hard to find ones will be happy. :)
I'll be chatting to Bryan for the podcast in a few weeks time. Just getting my questions together so as always, just wanted to offer you guys the chance to put any questions across!
Will any familiar Preds (Ahab, Kalakta, Jungle Hunter) be appearing?
Will other alien creatures or civilisations be mentioned that the Predators have interacted with?
Wait! More omnibus? Proceed mr. thomas and tell us!
Reprinting previously released books.
Will there be Hish in this volume, or is that being saved for a follow-up?
We used the term Yautja strictly. But I would like to define what the two terms mean as types of Predators in the future.
Don't worry, I've got a question about Hish and Yautja in there already. :)
Will be there story about people who try to catch/capture Predators or story that serve to be prequel 2018 movies ?
I got an advanced copy of this that I recently read. Review is on the way but I just wanted to say how much I really enjoyed the book. There wasn't a single short in the book that I disliked. My favourite would have to be S.D Perry's short about the Vikings.
You are so lucky.
Glad to hear it's better than the Aliens one, which was uneven to say the least.
Very nice! Glad to hear that it's good all around.
I gotta finish reading it lol been procrastinating
Someone owes me a podcast intv from SDCC...just saying
October can't get here quick enough!
For early, signed copies, find me at New York Comic Con Oct. 5-8 at Javits Center, the Titan booth. I kid you not.
Bit far for me to go (as in, across the Atlantic) but I'm sure they'll go fast!
Come on. If you start right now, you can swim it...
By that logic, if you go down to the beach, stick one in a dinghy and give it a push... ;D
Meet half-way? I'd be willing to join you in a peddleboat, HuDa.
You guys do that I might GIVE you signed copies. Once you get out of the hospital and can stand again on your own.
I think I'd expect a personal reading for that effort. :P
Damn, Hicks. You are so demanding... you hook me up with a time, I will read my story for you guys on webcam after the book release.
Hicks, I got an idea, we'll build a boat and Huda'll be the engine. We'll be there in no time!
Schematics for Huda engine below.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/0e/58/9d0e58cc6d0d779dee326a51c40cbde0.jpg)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 12, 2017, 09:20:17 AM
I got an advanced copy of this that I recently read. Review is on the way but I just wanted to say how much I really enjoyed the book. There wasn't a single short in the book that I disliked. My favourite would have to be S.D Perry's short about the Vikings.
This franchise still has hope...
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/predator-if-it-bleeds/
My spoiler-free review on the book.
Cool to hear that you enjoyed it so much. Can't wait to get my hands on this come October.
Look forward to giving that a read when I get a minute.
I think this is the 3rd time I've given out full marks.
I'm looking forward to reading it again with the book in my hands.
Great view! I can't wait to get it next month.
Personally i hope we get more Predator standalone novels from Titan.
Damm 10/10?
So I guess its on pair with Predator: South China Sea?
I'm glad that you like it so much. Hope I will as well. I really disliked a majority of Bug hunt.
Quote from: Samhain13 on Sep 18, 2017, 05:00:05 PM
Damm 10/10?
So I guess its on pair with Predator: South China Sea?
There's just such an amazing variety of stuff in here. All very well written. All all over the timeline and more than just simple hunts. I enjoyed every single one of these stories.
Oct can't come soon enough.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 19, 2017, 07:56:10 AM
Quote from: Samhain13 on Sep 18, 2017, 05:00:05 PM
Damm 10/10?
So I guess its on pair with Predator: South China Sea?
There's just such an amazing variety of stuff in here. All very well written. All all over the timeline and more than just simple hunts. I enjoyed every single one of these stories.
Wow, I can't freakin' wait man!
Preview is up.
https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=u3M3DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhh
Awesome!
Can't wait to get a physical copy in my hands! :)
Already looking forward to the sequel, We Can Kill It.
Actually, tentative title for a sequel is Eyes of the Demon. :P Go listen to the new podcast!
I hope you're being serious! :laugh:
(https://media.giphy.com/media/3ofT5WoNbCOwIafgBy/giphy.gif)
100%.
Nice!
I'll give the 'cast a listen when I'm home :)
We did consider PREDATOR: HUDAFUK but it got voted down by Fox. Sorry.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 03, 2017, 12:19:44 PM
We did consider PREDATOR: HUDAFUK but it got voted down by Fox. Sorry.
I bet you looked at the boardroom and asked them if CIA had them pushing too many pencils for voting that down.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/208381884/arnold_schwarzenegger.jpg)
Competition to win a copy of the book on here: http://www.comingsoon.net/horror/features/893225-win-a-copy-of-new-book-predator-if-it-bleeds Doesn't specify any location restrictions.
QuoteTo win your own copy of the book, email chris.alexander@shocktillyoudrop.com with the subject line "If it bleeds...kill it!" in the subject line. Three readers will be chosen at random, Good luck!
Talking PREDATOR with one of my writers for the antho, TV illusionist and bestselling author Andrew Mayne and friends.
http://weirdthings.com/2017/10/at-we-can-read-it/
Thanks for sharing! Will give this a listen shortly.
If you're heading near your local book shops, keep an eye out. If It Bleeds maybe out early in some places.
http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/fall-2017-book-tour-dates-infinite-stars-monster-hunter-predator-joe-ledger/ Here's where I'll be signing starting Wednesday through Thanksgiving, with more dates hopefully to come. Also, Hicks and I are working on a contest for signed bookplates here on the site, stay tuned!
:)
Be sure to post reviews up on Amazon too. :)
Did people get the book today? Anxious editor wants to know.
Got my copy this morning! Haven't had a chance to start in, but I did thumb through it looks great.
;D
Amazon claims it delivered my copy today, but I got nothin'. ???
Hicks, stop pranking people and give it back already.
Hudson, sir. He's Hicks.
I meant him. LOL
Got it delivered today- I'm enjoying it so far
Haven't picked it up yet, mostly because I'm a bit tight this week. Intend to sooner rather than later though!
My Kindle copy is ready to read but I'm just working through Berserker at the minute
I talk PREDATOR with a fellow fan on this podcast for AVP Underworld. https://soundcloud.com/hybridnetworkyt/predator-if-it-bleeds-interview-with-bryan-thomas-schmidt-avp-underworld
I just got my copy in the mail today, I'm planning on doing some reading over the weekend.
Despite my earlier comment about trying to save money, I walked past a Waterstones yesterday and caved :laugh:
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F2h6zvbm.jpg&hash=d2ccf6d6320cd67b0d81cae472416215812cbe9a)
Armed Yautjas are hard to resist. Enjoy!
I have started and enjoyed the opening story by Tim Lebbon. Nice to have a simple 'Predator on a space station' scenario and a good expansion of his Rage War character and universe.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 20, 2017, 01:24:50 AM
I talk PREDATOR with a fellow fan on this podcast for AVP Underworld. https://soundcloud.com/hybridnetworkyt/predator-if-it-bleeds-interview-with-bryan-thomas-schmidt-avp-underworld
Still love listening to you nerd out about this. Though someone needs to turn their phone off vibrate! :P
Really hope you get to put together some more books too. I'd really love to see that AvP anthology.
Nick's review.
Yes, I would love an AvP anthology.
Also, I saw the book in my local shop. Getting it ASAP.
QuoteStill love listening to you nerd out about this. Though someone needs to turn their phone off vibrate! :P
My phone was on skype with a headset, not vibrate. That was my pacemaker and natural enthusiasm. And don't you forget it, Hicksy.
Two stories in so far.
Enjoyed
Devil Dogs (even if I still haven't read the Rage War trilogy :laugh:) Was a bit of a simplistic tale that didn't cover any new ground, but it was entertaining, the characters were engaging and as usual Lebbon wrote it well. I really liked how the Predator was portrayed as spectacularly overpowering.
I initially feared
Stonewall's Last Stand was going to be a bit silly, focussing as it does on a real historical character, but I'm pleased to say those fears were quickly banished and it ended up being a bloody good read. Some wonderful imagery - I especially loved the bit where
Spoiler
one of Stonewall's men is decapitated by the Predator and as one of the others bends down to check on him the severed head blinks.
That was wonderfully gruesome. I also liked how the end tied into the real Stonewall's death (I checked!), that was a neat touch.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 21, 2017, 12:16:46 AM
My phone was on skype with a headset, not vibrate. That was my pacemaker and natural enthusiasm. And don't you forget it, Hicksy.
Pft. You maybe an author but I'm not buying that.
Glad to hear you're digging it, HuDa.
My God, you would mock my pacemaker?!! So cold hearted!! I am deeply offended for those who have one!
QuoteI initially feared Stonewall's Last Stand was going to be a bit silly, focussing as it does on a real historical character, but I'm pleased to say those fears were quickly banished and it ended up being a bloody good read.
Jeremy Robinson is good at this stuff. You should check out his other work.
Most of the authors took delight in historical research and finding ways to make things feel real with nuance and accuracy to actual events. That was a lot of fun to discover as I edited.
Picking this up from B&N this weekend, so happy! Have one book ahead of it, then diving right in.
From the second event on my book tour, a signing with three other Predator authors: Holly Roberds, Peter Wacks and David Boop. Julie Frost, my coauthor in the Monster Hunter Files anthology was also there. And a cosplayer showed up. We sold a ton of books.
Love it! Glad to hear it went well!
Also, tomorrow we'll be starting a competition to win a Predator: If It Bleeds bookplate signed by Bryan, Holly Roberds, Peter Wacks, and David Boop! It'll go up early tomorrow morning (BST)!
Second story with Stonewall Jackson I enjoyed a lot. Nice atmospheric tale.
Look forward to you all's Amazon and B and N reviews. Got a couple slams posted today. :(
Liked Lebbon's short story in this more than his novel trilogy
Interesting.
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/2017/10/23/avpgalaxy-competition-predator-bleeds-signed-bookplates/
Competition is now live!
Not a fan of Steve Perry's Turnabout sequel. Admittedly I haven't read the original story so I can't pass completely fair judgement, but I've tended to always steer away from his Predator stories as I'm not a fan of the whole 'Yautja' nonsense. People question why Ridley Scott needs to delve into the origins of the xenomorph and I feel the same applies with this obsession about Predator culture. They are far more scary and intimidating when all of that is kept a mystery. Stonewall's Last Stand was compelling because we didn't know what it was thinking or what it was doing, yet we knew it was there. In contrast I couldn't be more disinterested to learn that Predators can't be bothered to respect humans who are too old, Predators slashing car tyres and thinking about what they will tell the kids about their dead dad when they return home. It's too far removed from the creature in the original film for me.
Well, sorry you feel that way because the complicated back history is what makes them more interesting and compelling to me than xenomorphs and why I wanted to explore further details.
That's cool. I just prefer the notion of intergalactic samurai warriors. Bloody, cold and utterly mysterious. I also think the books tend to overplay the 'honour' aspect and exaggerate just how sporting the Predators really are. I don't mind a bit of Predator mythology, but I'd rather their actions infer their intentions and leave it largely up to the reader's interpretation as opposed to having it all spelled out and explained to us. But that's just me. I know the Yautja culture has its fans.
May Blood Pave My Way Home was enjoyable. Well-written characters in this one. I particularly liked the exchange between Pope and Private Steve at the beginning. The idea of the Preds hunting with the Indians to learn from them was also a nice touch.
In May Blood Pave My Way Home, were the human-sized predators midgets or children?
Even the teen preds in AvP 2004 were much larger than humans.
EDIT:
Read "Rematch"...not a fan at all. The predators are portrayed as extemely human-like and on top of that, they're too easily dispatched and as a result, come across as really weak.
I read predator stories hoping that my fave intergalactic hunter gets a chance to shine...either surviving or doing a lot of damage before falling. I don't read predator stories to read about how some old dude is awesome at shooting predators. It severely undercuts the power of the creature in my view.
I read all the graphic novel collections, all the novels, all the screenplays I could find, and rewatched the movies multiple times, including 2 AvP movies and 6 AvP novels. There are anthropomorphic aspects of the Predators portrayed all over the place. Some Predators are more ruthless, some more sporting, some more compassionate, some better at strategy, some not, some more emotional, some unemotional, etc. And I like that. But when it comes to an anthology, I needed that. If every story was what you describe, 17 stories would blend into one and it would be redundancy. Variety is the salvation of an anthology, and so exploring the aspects is key.
That said, I could not disagree with your assessment of said story more vehemently. But I would never expect every story to appeal to every reader either.
Bryan, not sure who you're replying to at this point...
This is just my feedback as a long-term fan (have been a fan since the 90s).
I'm OK with predators having human qualities...after all, they are intelligent tool-folk, just like us. I feel in Rematch, they're portrayed as TOO human. It's really an issue of degree, not of principle...and of course, this is based on my personal taste.
I greatly enjoyed Steve's novel AvP Prey. The predators in that are quite anthropomorphic and I'm totally fine with that. I think Rematch takes that a step too far by introducing what (to me) reads like a loving predator couple out on a romantic hunting safari.
Based on Turnabout, I also knew immediately that old man Sloane was going to easily out-maneuvre the predator couple. To me, it's really bad two predators feel utterly outmatched by a human with a gun.
That's just me. As an unabashed predator fan, I like it when my fave alien hunter is portrayed as...well...somewhat alien and extremely formidable (but not invulnerable of course).
I think Jeff Vandermeer's novel Predator South China Sea perfectly delivers the experience I want from predator fiction. Not surr if you've read it, but most people on this forum think it's the best predator novel out there.
Agreed about South China Sea. The Pred depicted there is highly formidable.
I was replying to happypred. And Turnabout is my favorite of the novels. I just think a variety of creatures is perfectly valid and interesting. Plus a prepared human facing a prrdator again has advantages. I read all the novels. There are several predators like you describe in this book though.
Enjoyed Stormblood. Nice setting for a Predator story.
Quote from: TheBATMAN on Oct 25, 2017, 07:09:08 AM
Enjoyed Stormblood. Nice setting for a Predator story.
Really unique setting! And the concept of
Spoiler
the Predator being on Earth to hunt something other than humans was a really refreshing idea, I thought!
There's a huge variety of shorts in If It Bleeds and that was something I really loved.
Keep those competition entries coming! You stand a chance to win a bookplate signed by Bryan, Holly Roberds, Peter Wacks, and David Boop!
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/2017/10/23/avpgalaxy-competition-predator-bleeds-signed-bookplates/
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 25, 2017, 05:18:01 AM
I was replying to happypred. And Turnabout is my favorite of the novels. I just think a variety of creatures is perfectly valid and interesting. Plus a prepared human facing a prrdator again has advantages. I read all the novels. There are several predators like you describe in this book though.
Ah, well...then it boils down to taste.
I thought Turnabout was so-so, but South China Sea was far superior.
As a fan, I can only tell you what works for me and what doesn't. Rematch failed for me and was my least favourite pick of the bunch. Maybe some other folks really like that type of story (I guess you'd be an example).
QuoteAh, well...then it boils down to taste. [/font]
Definitely. And nothing wrong with that. I appreciate the input because it will be kept in mind as I seek to do more in this universe. My own story likely has a creature more to your taste.
What a breath of fresh air "if it bleeds" is. Books in the Alien/Predator universe have been disappointing to say the least. Out of the shadows, Sea of sorrows and River of pain were awful. The rage war trilogy was a good science fiction story, a laughable Alien v Predator story.
Aliens Bug hunt was a joke.....right?
And Alien covenant origins was the worst thing i have ever read. Period.
So i didn't hold out much hope for If it bleeds. Imagine my surprise when i got to the end and bloody enjoyed the whole thing. Skelds keep, Three sparks and The pilot being particular favourites. I absolutely loved Tim Lebbons Devil Dogs. It had better predator stuff in it than the entire Rage War trilogy.
When it comes to the Predator i think show, don't tell works better. Im not a fan of predators with stupid sounding names talking about being unblooded or the thrill of the hunt. The whole Yautja thing has never worked for me. I like my Predator ruthless and mysterious. However, if a book is going to go down the Yautja route, at least give me some blood and guts, violent predators, interesting and varied settings and some good human characters. Im happy to say if it bleeds does just that.
We need more talent like this in books for the xenomorph side of things because i am sick and tired of the alien being nothing more than a cannon fodder space bug.
Predator if it bleeds is awesome. Anyone else think stonewalls last stand was reminiscent of "hell come a walkin"? Possibly my favourite Predator comic.
Derelict,
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Please also post your review at Amazon and B and N to help sell the book. Good sales means I can make more.
B
Ok so post a picture of your book anywhere but the store, even without yourself in it to win a signed bookplate. Surely we have more takers.
Everyone who has entered will receive a copy but we'll relaunch the competition shortly with Bryan's details above.
I only have a Kindle Copy :'(
That's fine. Send a picture of it on your Kindle. :)
All my pictures are the incorrect format
I've been meaning to send in a picture - I even have an idea for it worked out - but I just haven't had time, and the one chance this week I had I forgot to take the book with me lol.
Anyway, despite not having much time to even read the thing, I managed to get through a few more stories.
I've honestly never been the greatest fan of Perry Sr.'s writing style (I mentioned it when reviewing his early Aliens novels) and not much has changed. His story probably also would've been improved if I'd actually read Turnabout - my bad! Was enjoyable enough though. However, one thing that did genuinely bug me in this one was how the Predators in it suddenly lost the ability to see in infra red - a ghillie suit is just a set of overalls covered in bits of ragged cloth. Sure, it helps you hide from a human eye, but it does nothing to mask your body heat, and you'd be just as plainly visible to a Predator as if you were naked. So it made no sense that the Predators in the story repeatedly failed to see Sloane, at one point even when he was lying directly in front of them. I dunno, maybe I missed something not having not read Turnabout and they're actually in the future where ghillie suits are more hi-tech.
May Blood Pave My Way Home was neat, I really liked the idea of Predators fighting alongside native American Indians. The only issue I took was that the one-on-one combat scenes reminded me a little too much of Robert Rodriguez's God-awful Predators script - it was nothing overt, but once I got the idea in my head, I just couldn't get it out :laugh:
I thought the hurricane Katrina setting in Storm Blood was awesome. Not at all something I would've picked but it was a great concept. To be honest, I would've liked to see that setting play even more of a role in the story, rather than just being the backdrop, but it was still a cool choice nonetheless. I liked the way the story was written, with the documentary-style timestamps. The twist ending was bit on-the-nose but it did at least explain the Predator's (and the... can't remember its name, dog) actions throughout the tale. Only thing that confused me was whether the dog-beast was supposed to have been on Earth all along, or was something the Predator brought with it to hunt. The latter seems a bit like too much effort, but if it was the former you'd think someone would've noticed it (and I don't mean a team of loopy internet documentary makers) in this day and age.
Oh... I never found any entries amongst the comments.
HuDa, The dog-beast is a cajun legend that has supposedly been there all along and been responsible for myterious disappearances and destruction of man, property, and animals but is is a mythological creature.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 01, 2017, 01:31:45 AMHuDa, The dog-beast is a cajun legend that has supposedly been there all along and been responsible for myterious disappearances and destruction of man, property, and animaks but is is a mythological creature.
Ah, cool! I did consider after the fact if maybe it was something along those lines, but didn't get around to researching it.
Quote from: Russ840 on Oct 31, 2017, 04:50:47 PM
All my pictures are the incorrect format
Email them to me at corporalhicks@avpgalaxy.net, don't upload them on the boards.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 01, 2017, 01:31:45 AM
HuDa, The dog-beast is a cajun legend that has supposedly been there all along and been responsible for myterious disappearances and destruction of man, property, and animaks but is is a mythological creature.
That kind of stuff I find really interesting and appealing. I can't remember - did any of the comics do something similar?
Just sent them Hicks. Thank's dude. When is the comp draw taking place ?
Confirmed receipt. Not sure yet. I'm going to repost about it with new conditions shortly.
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I've been looking forward to this for ages and am glad to say I wasn't disappointed. Down to the last few stories now and have found something to enjoy in each of them so far.
I think my favourites would have to be "Stonewall's...", "Skeld's Keep" and "Three Sparks". The historical settings really add something and feel so vivid, in fact I'd be more than happy to read novel length stories set in these same eras. Special mention also to "Blood And Sand" which was unusual and nicely subtle for a Predator story. Hoping to see some fan artwork inspired by these stories start appearing on here soon to see other readers' takes on what some of these varied Predators would look like are.
Must say, the main selling point for this book in the first place for me was the prospect of an official Predator 2 follow up - and that's next up!
A triumph, well done to all involved.
Just finishes the whole thing...a mixed bag IMO but overall more good than bad. Will follow up with individual story reviews
Quotea mixed bag
Some happy predator you are :laugh:
QuoteMust say, the main selling point for this book in the first place for me was the prospect of an official Predator 2 follow up - and that's next up!
That's my story. 😓 No pressure now. Glad you enjoyed it so far!
Agh! I didn't realise this was worldwide! I always ignore the competitions because they're always UK only :P
NOT THIS time, Buddy. I am mailing to US winners personally.
What about us Australian fans?
I'll be mailing out for the rest of the world. Always do worldwide on the less heavy stuff, SiL! Only usually the figures and models that are UK only.
Ask Hicks. :shrug: Oh hey, he answered already.. See above.
Excellent read! Definitely one of my favorite predator novels.Amazon review completed.Check this out if you haven't.It's a killer!
Thanks for reviewing, Grey. Glad you enjoyed it.
Pressed on with a couple more last night.
Loved
Last Report of the KSS Psychopomp. Possibly my favourite so far. Loads of atmosphere, and the description of the abbatoir/trophy room the Predator had created was wonderfully gruesome - these stories are generally doing a good job of depicting effective gore when appropriate without it ever feeling too much. Also, I really liked the multi-cultural thing the Psychopomp's crew had going on. The Arabic captain in particular made me think of what's-his-face from the first Abrams
Star Trek movie who was in command of Kirk Sr.'s starship (I'm not a fan, can't remember names :P) In fact, I read all of Ahmed's lines in that actor's voice :laugh: Is it just me or did the Predator in this one feel like maybe it was a rogue bad blood?
Skeld's Keep was another good read. The Viking stuff could so easily have been cheesy but S. D. pulled it off (I actually missed her credit when I read it - poet - and didn't realise it was her until after I'd finished; if I'd known I would've had higher expectations). I'm not entirely sure "Grow some balls or f*ck off..." is authentic Viking dialect, but I got a good belly laugh out of it all the same :laugh: While it's not my favourite story of the lot, it did contain
by far my favourite moment from
any of the
Predator stories I've read so far, in this anthology or otherwise:
Spoiler
The bit where one of the Predators tore off a man's head with its bare hands and then threw it at another, knocking him down too. 10/10 :laugh:
Definitely liked Last Report From The KSS Psychopomp. It was just how I like my predators; ruthless and mysterious!! I also loved Stonewalls Last Stand, Tin Warrior, Three Sparks, The Pilot and Skelds keep! Each individual tale brings about its own predator with a unique personality(even if it's mysterious). Sometimes the alien felt more "human" with names and ranks, while other times they felt almost like a force of nature.Love love loved it! Hoping Eyes of the Demon becomes a reality!!!!!
So I am two stories in. Wow. So good so far.
I have not read the Rage Trilogy. How does the first story fit with that series?
Stonewall's story. Was awesome. Loved it. The predators are quite formidable so far.
Devil Dogs are the 39th spaceborne unit of marines led by Akoko Halley. This story seems to take place long before the General Akoko we know and love in Rage Wars. She's only a Major in this story. It seems that this story takes place well before the events of the rage war series and tells her story of the first time she encountered a predator. Hope this helps.
Thanks dude. I started Predator incursion but couldn't get into it. Perhaps I should retry
Quote from: GreybackElder on Nov 11, 2017, 03:36:18 PMThis story seems to take place long before the General Akoko we know and love in Rage Wars. She's only a Major in this story. It seems that this story takes place well before the events of the rage war series and tells her story of the first time she encountered a predator.
I've not read the Rage War either, but I did notice that the Predator short takes place before Lebbon's prequel from
Bug Hunt, unless she got demoted sometime in between - she's a Major in the
Bug hunt story but only a Captain in the Predator one.
The Rage Wars trilogy is a slow burn. Much of the first book sets up the plot, establishes mood, atmosphere and characters. It starts to pick up toward the end of incursion. Stick with it. You won't be disappointed!
Not bad after 3 weeks. Almost sold half the print run so may get to make another. Thanks for the encouragement and support!
I hope it sells out and brings some more interest to the predator series. Congratulations to everyone involved with if it bleeds!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 11, 2017, 06:24:25 PMNot bad after 3 weeks. Almost sold half the print run so may get to make another.
Considering how I've seen zero official promotion for this (here in the UK at least), that's good to hear!
Quote from: Russ840 on Nov 11, 2017, 05:45:06 PM
Thanks dude. I started Predator incursion but couldn't get into it. Perhaps I should retry
It feels completely different to the other entries but once you're used to it, you should be set. The Predators become far more formidable in the next 2 books too. Stick it through, try again and know it's a completely different feel.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 11, 2017, 06:24:25 PM
Not bad after 3 weeks. Almost sold half the print run so may get to make another. Thanks for the encouragement and support!
Congrats! I'm really glad to hear it's doing so well. I haven't enjoyed a Predator/Alien book as thoroughly as I have this one for a while.
So I have read Rematch.
Thoroughly enjoyed it . I had never read turnabout. Didn't bother me though. The Preds seemed to get a whipping but I didn't mind in the slightest. I was baffled by the lack of Infra red vision that the Preds seemed to display.
I have started Artemis ( Andy Weir's new novel ) this morning so I'll take a small break from Predators. I'm looking forward to coming back to it though.
Enjoy ARTEMIS. Just got my signed copy. I was Andy's editor on THE MARTIAN.
Wow. That's cool dude. I am liking the so far. Loved the Martian. Loving 'If It Bleeds' so far.
I have read up to Storm Blood.
I have been enjoying these very much and am delighted to see the Yautja occasionally speak in their language. Is this something that can be translated? I never read the older books that had their language in them (but I did buy the AvP novel reprint, I haven't gotten to reading it yet.)
I did like that in Rematch, they referenced the Xenomorphs when Nakande mentioned hunting "Kiande Amedha" (Hard-Meat). I also like the use of the term "ooman" across multiple stories, very good. :laugh:
One thing stood out to me though, and this is more of a continuity thing but I think I figured out a good reason behind it.
In the Rage War, it is mentioned that humans call them "Yautja" and those books have no connection to the ones done by Steve Perry where the Predators called themselves Yautja. Lebbon's Predators reacted either confused or amused when called that.
Yet in the Anthology, we got Lebbon's Predators who call themselves something else but it's translated as "Yautja", and we got Predators who call themselves verbally as "Ya-OOT-ja". (By the way, well done to the author for using the correct way to pronounce it. The "pronunciation" on the wiki always made me die a little on the inside.)
As was said in Rage War, the Yautja are not a unified race and there's not much contact with clans. They have different languages and dialects, like us. My theory is that we got "Yautja" from one of the clans and lumped them all under that name. Kalakta, Hashori and Yaquita's clans may have spoken a completely different language from the 'Yautja' clans, so they probably have never heard of the name.
Just look at how diverse we are when it comes to the name of our own species. I really like that the authors are treating the Predator species as individuals, and not some hive mind. This is why I welcome the diversity in these stories.
I was asked by Titan for continuity to use Yautja so that was a rule. How authors reconciled it with existing series was their call. I read Rage War and missed that so it is partially on me but also a Lebbon question. Sorry. So much to keep track of after reading every Predator novel and comic over 4 months consecutively.
As for the language, there is a wiki of it and I gave that link to my authors to use. Will try and find it to post here but that is where it came from.
These are my personal opinions of all the stories. These are not in-depth reviews...rather, just my brief thoughts on how much I liked each story.
Spoiler
DEVIL DOGS: Decent story. The Yautja in this story comes across as much deadlier than those in Predator Incursion, despite the powerful human weaponry of the 2600s. The actual plot is a bit forgettable. Haley deals with her substance addiction and psychological issues. Not bad, not great.
STONEWALL'S LAST STAND: Decent story. Reminded me of Hell Come A-Walkin' in a good way.
REMATCH: I didn't like some aspects of Turnabout. This was worse IMO for the reasons explained above.
MAY BLOOD PAVE MY WAY HOME: Good story. Interesting premise with human-sized predators (presumably adolescents or pre-adolescents) engaging in gladiatorial combat with Buffalo Soldiers. Nice little twist at the end. Liked it.
STORM BLOOD: Decent story. The choice of prey was interesting. I was expecting predator vs. national guard . . . thankfully, that wasn't the case.
LAST REPORT FROM THE KSS PSYCHOPOMP: Utterly forgettable with disjointed writing. Silly dialogue, forgettable action, forgettable characters. I think this writer is new and it shows.
SKELD'S KEEP: A gem. Simple, effective, and flavourful. Reminded me of Aliens Stalker in a good way. The human characters are actually pretty cool. Vikings come off as hardened warriors and truly worth prey. The predators do stumble but they're novices. I do like how the novices in this story are not your typical Unblooded Yautja, but are rather freshly Blooded Yautja who have a bit more skill than total amateurs.
INDIGENOUS SPECIES: Decent story. Not bad, not great. Reminded me of the ranchers on Ryushi. The predators come across as powerful hunters, but the human element is a bit lacklustre. Nothing too memorable, just a serviceable story.
BLOOD AND SAND: Absolutely terrible. Predator meets Grapes of Wrath meets domestic abuse. Little kids wondering around in the desert.
I appreciate that the writer was trying something new, but it didn't work for me at all. The childish tone (written from the kiddy protagonist's perspective) was a chore to slog through and unintentionally comical.
TIN WARRIOR: Decent story showcasing a resourceful predator antagonist/anti-hero. Reminded me of Predator Captive in a good way.
THREE SPARKS: Good story. We've always wanted predator vs. samurai...well, now we have it (in addition to some comic book scenes IIRC). My only gripe is I don't think a Yautja hunter would avoid close combat with samurai and opt to spam plasma bolts...merely because it lost a finger in a previous duel. Perhaps this hunter was young or simply less faithful to Yautja notions of sportsmanship.
THE PILOT: A gem. Well-written and a cool twist. Some of you might have seen the twist from a mile away, but it pleasantly surprised me. This is the kind of team-up I'll get behind.
BUFFALO JUMP: Forgettable. Nothing really stood out. Predator meets the Wild West, but nothing really popped for me.
DRUG WAR: A lot of running, shooting...not much substance. The flamboyant Brazilian character felt pointless and absurd. Garber was wasted. I know writers aren't trying to win the Nobel Prize for Literature with predator fiction...but this felt like a bunch of action with no brain...coasting on fans' nostalgia for Predator 2. I mean, it's serviceable but I expected more.
RECON: Decent story. Suitably intimidating predator slaughtering VietCong freedom fighters and American invaders alike (Hehe...see what I did there?). Not bad, not great...but still entertaining.
GAMEWORLD: A gem. Well-written with a memorable human protagonist and even a memorable human antagonist. The author has some skill and is good at writing combat. This feels like the least phone in entry. A nice combination of the captive concept with the Predator father-son duo concept. Well-executed. A slight gripe is it could have done without the Yautja-on-Yautja slapping and hugging.
There you have it. Predator If It Bleeds is a decent first (hopefully not last) anthology. Would like to hear other posters' thoughts on any of the individual stories.
Well, thanks, I guess. That was disappointing. Hope others enjoy it more.
Got through a few more myself. I seem to be making slow going of this, but that's due to the fact I'm currently in one of my don't-feel-like-reading moods, not a reflection on what I think of the book :)
That said, Indigenous Species might have been my least favourite so far. Not sure why, but I just never bought into the scenario it was painting. In a way it kinda reminded me of the woeful Darkness Falls from Bug Hunt - don't get me wrong, it was nothing like as terrible as that, but I definitely got hints of a similar vibe here. I just thought it was a little immature. Still, it's the only one so far I've been outright disappointed by.
Blood and Sand was a big improvement. Not much story but very well written and I thought the child characters were really well-realised. Not entirely sure how a child managed to outrun a Predator at the end, but ultimately the quality of the writing was enough for me to overlook it.
Loved Tin Warrior. Just a cool set-up and satisfying execution. Liked how single-minded the Predator was once it got off the leash. The author even managed to pull off the bit where it hijacks a Stryker.
If anything, I thought Three Sparks was even better than the previous story. As happypred mentioned, Predators vs. samurais is one a lot of people have been clamouring for, so I'm really glad it didn't wind up being a disappointment. Loved the main character, and the sort-of twist at the end where the shogun bases the entire concept of ninjas on the Predator Hiroto killed was an amusing little detail.
The book is really on a roll at this point, because The Pilot was excellent. Contender for the best so far in my eyes. Great setting, great characters, little bit of mystery and some very welcome (and genuinely funny) darkly comic touches. An unorthodox Predator story with a fantastic (and, again, darkly humorous) ending.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 21, 2017, 10:08:30 AM
Loved Tin Warrior. Just a cool set-up and satisfying execution. Liked how single-minded the Predator was once it got off the leash. The author even managed to pull off the bit where it hijacks a Stryker.
I don't think I've ever disliked the idea of Predator's using our weaponry and tech. I kinda like the idea of a Predator snapping up a rifle when his own kit has been damaged.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 21, 2017, 12:16:28 PM
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 21, 2017, 10:08:30 AM
Loved Tin Warrior. Just a cool set-up and satisfying execution. Liked how single-minded the Predator was once it got off the leash. The author even managed to pull off the bit where it hijacks a Stryker.
I don't think I've ever disliked the idea of Predator's using our weaponry and tech. I kinda like the idea of a Predator snapping up a rifle when his own kit has been damaged.
I remember Big Mama using a pulse rifle in the Deadliest of the Species comic, and when she picked up a Colonial Marine, pulled the pins on his grenades and threw him at her pursuers. That was so cool to see.
I too like the idea of them sometimes using our own tools on us. We do it with their stuff so why not the other way around?
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 21, 2017, 10:08:30 AMThe book is really on a roll at this point, because The Pilot was excellent. Contender for the best so far in my eyes. Great setting, great characters, little bit of mystery and some very welcome (and genuinely funny) darkly comic touches. An unorthodox Predator story with a fantastic (and, again, darkly humorous) ending.
Aye, I absolutely loved it..."Ping" is a really cool way to introduce that character. I was genuinely impressed
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Nov 21, 2017, 11:11:59 PM
I remember Big Mama using a pulse rifle in the Deadliest of the Species comic, and when she picked up a Colonial Marine, pulled the pins on his grenades and threw him at her pursuers. That was so cool to see.
Honestly, I'd been thinking of Briggs' AvP. I'd forgotten about DotS. Thankfully.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 22, 2017, 08:49:26 AM
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Nov 21, 2017, 11:11:59 PM
I remember Big Mama using a pulse rifle in the Deadliest of the Species comic, and when she picked up a Colonial Marine, pulled the pins on his grenades and threw him at her pursuers. That was so cool to see.
Honestly, I'd been thinking of Briggs' AvP. I'd forgotten about DotS. Thankfully.
I also don't remember much of DotS, aside from the plot being confusing as hell. That moment I described was some of the cool things that happened during that comic series.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Nov 21, 2017, 11:11:59 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 21, 2017, 12:16:28 PM
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 21, 2017, 10:08:30 AM
Loved Tin Warrior. Just a cool set-up and satisfying execution. Liked how single-minded the Predator was once it got off the leash. The author even managed to pull off the bit where it hijacks a Stryker.
I don't think I've ever disliked the idea of Predator's using our weaponry and tech. I kinda like the idea of a Predator snapping up a rifle when his own kit has been damaged.
I remember Big Mama using a pulse rifle in the Deadliest of the Species comic, and when she picked up a Colonial Marine, pulled the pins on his grenades and threw him at her pursuers. That was so cool to see.
I too like the idea of them sometimes using our own tools on us. We do it with their stuff so why not the other way around?
That's also done in Sandy Scofields " Big Game." ' they reached Mathews body. He had been riddled pointblank by an M-16...killed by Chaney's gun. The creature had done that on purpose, toying with them, letting them know that it knew that they nearby.'pg: 155.
I love the idea of a predator doing anything and everything to survive.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Nov 20, 2017, 01:23:19 AM
I have read up to Storm Blood.
I have been enjoying these very much and am delighted to see the Yautja occasionally speak in their language. Is this something that can be translated? I never read the older books that had their language in them (but I did buy the AvP novel reprint, I haven't gotten to reading it yet.)
I did like that in Rematch, they referenced the Xenomorphs when Nakande mentioned hunting "Kiande Amedha" (Hard-Meat). I also like the use of the term "ooman" across multiple stories, very good. :laugh:
One thing stood out to me though, and this is more of a continuity thing but I think I figured out a good reason behind it.
In the Rage War, it is mentioned that humans call them "Yautja" and those books have no connection to the ones done by Steve Perry where the Predators called themselves Yautja. Lebbon's Predators reacted either confused or amused when called that.
Yet in the Anthology, we got Lebbon's Predators who call themselves something else but it's translated as "Yautja", and we got Predators who call themselves verbally as "Ya-OOT-ja". (By the way, well done to the author for using the correct way to pronounce it. The "pronunciation" on the wiki always made me die a little on the inside.)
As was said in Rage War, the Yautja are not a unified race and there's not much contact with clans. They have different languages and dialects, like us. My theory is that we got "Yautja" from one of the clans and lumped them all under that name. Kalakta, Hashori and Yaquita's clans may have spoken a completely different language from the 'Yautja' clans, so they probably have never heard of the name.
Just look at how diverse we are when it comes to the name of our own species. I really like that the authors are treating the Predator species as individuals, and not some hive mind. This is why I welcome the diversity in these stories.
Very interesting observation! It does seem that the name Yautja was something that the predators call themselves in the expanded universe(minus forever midnight in which they called themselves hish-qu-ten). However in the rage war trilogy it seems that the name yautja was something humans called the predators. I wouldn't be surprised if different 'races' of predators call themselves different names. It's always fun to speculate. I might have to disagree a little with how unified the predators are in the rage wars. While they are nomadic and have little contact with other clans I do believe they are unified under Kalakta. He spoke for all yautja civilization. They followed his orders. The ceasefire and then the order to withhold info about the Drukathi from humans. They also followed him into battle on the Macbeth. Anyhoo it's fun to speculate and this is only my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs! Heyyyy Does anyone else think that Kalakta is the Elder from P2??
Quote from: GreybackElder on Nov 22, 2017, 09:41:40 PM
That's also done in Sandy Scofields " Big Game." ' they reached Mathews body. He had been riddled pointblank by an M-16...killed by Chaney's gun. The creature had done that on purpose, toying with them, letting them know that it knew that they nearby.'pg: 155.
Yeah, that was something I really enjoyed in Big Game. I do think I'm going to have to go back and punish myself by re-reading DotS, though. I only read it once and that was in spits and spats because I couldn't really get into it at the time.
Quote from: GreybackElder on Nov 22, 2017, 09:41:40 PM
Very interesting observation! It does seem that the name Yautja was something that the predators call themselves in the expanded universe(minus forever midnight in which they called themselves hish-qu-ten). However in the rage war trilogy it seems that the name yautja was something humans called the predators. I wouldn't be surprised if different 'races' of predators call themselves different names. It's always fun to speculate. I might have to disagree a little with how unified the predators are in the rage wars. While they are nomadic and have little contact with other clans I do believe they are unified under Kalakta. He spoke for all yautja civilization. They followed his orders. The ceasefire and then the order to withhold info about the Drukathi from humans. They also followed him into battle on the Macbeth. Anyhoo it's fun to speculate and this is only my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs! Heyyyy Does anyone else think that Kalakta is the Elder from P2??
Yeah, lots of Predators were following Kalakta, but not all of them.
I remember a passage in the book mentioning that despite the ceasefire, there were still "reports of Yautja attacks, which shows that like us, not all of them followed one leader."
My thought is that Elder Kalakta was such a respected individual, that a huge collection of clans agreed to fight under his leadership and follow his orders such as withholding information on the Drukathi.
And coming in February... Predator: If It Bleeds https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538534061/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kk0fAbP3FZC1P. on audiobook
Bryan, I've noticed that this book is very well edited and have yet to see any spelling errors. Well done to you and the authors.
Aliens: Bug Hunts had more errors in spelling than I am used to when it comes to novels. There was one story where a character is cocooned and suddenly in the same sentence, he's now running at full speed and with a grenade in his hand out of nowhere without even breaking out of his bindings. :-\
But this book on the other hand hasn't disappointed in any way whatsoever. I am really glad I got the opportunity to read it. I have just finished The Pilot and loved it. Another story with a badass captive Predator. The twist was epic.
Three Sparks made me imagine the story in the cartoon style of Samurai Jack, a favourite show of mine. I also really liked Tin Warrior and Skeld's Keep. Basically all of them so far. ;D
Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Nov 23, 2017, 10:11:16 PM
Bryan, I've noticed that this book is very well edited and have yet to see any spelling errors. Well done to you and the authors.
;
Aliens: Bug Hunts had more errors in spelling than I am used to when it comes to novels.
Well, thanks.
Jonathan is by his own admission no copyeditor whereas I am, but errors always slip through and his book had production errors introduced that he never had a chance to catch. It is unfortunate. The 2nd printing of Bug Hunt fixed all that and if I find errors in If It Bleeds, we will do the same. I expect a second printing by Feb or March.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 23, 2017, 09:50:59 PM
And coming in February... Predator: If It Bleeds https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538534061/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kk0fAbP3FZC1P. on audiobook
Hot damn! Might be my first audiobook purchase!
Multiple readers it says, but it could be a full cast production like they have done with some of the novels. Trying to find out but holidays...
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 23, 2017, 10:11:55 PM
Well, thanks.
Jonathan is by his own admission no copyeditor whereas I am, but errors always slip through and his book had production errors introduced that he never had a chance to catch. It is unfortunate. The 2nd printing of Bug Hunt fixed all that and if I find errors in If It Bleeds, we will do the same. I expect a second printing by Feb or March.
Thanks for explaining that. As a hobby writer, I understand that errors can very easily slip through. I have yet to notice anything in If It Bleeds. :P
Both of these anthologies are good (but I do prefer the Predator one as a fan. ;D) I hope to see more of these books, maybe even an AvP anthology if you people get any ideas to write one.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 23, 2017, 10:11:55 PMThe 2nd printing of Bug Hunt fixed all that and if I find errors in If It Bleeds, we will do the same.
I didn't realise they'd done a second printing. Would actually be tempted to pick one up, just because some of the errors in that Burke story were
so egregious I'd be curious to see how it has been altered for a corrected version. As Alien Predator says, other errors aside, there seemed to be a big jump in the story that would require some filling out to actually fix it.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 24, 2017, 03:10:32 AMMultiple readers it says, but it could be a full cast production like they have done with some of the novels. Trying to find out but holidays...
Great to hear they're doing an audiobook, even better to hear there's a chance it'll be another drama! That really would be excellent; although I have issues with both of the books that Audible have adapted so far, the dramas themselves were very well done indeed and immensely enjoyable. Would rock if there was something similar done for this.
Needless to say, hope you can get back to us once you know more :)
QuoteI hope to see more of these books, maybe even an AvP anthology if you people get any ideas to write one.
That pitch and a pitch for a second Predator antho have been submitted.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 24, 2017, 03:56:12 PM
QuoteI hope to see more of these books, maybe even an AvP anthology if you people get any ideas to write one.
That pitch and a pitch for a second Predator antho have been submitted.
Excellent! I hope it gets a greenlight. I'd love to read more of these.
You can. happypred is banned for lack of tact and writing reviews that insult me and my authors. No more books for him. ;D
An AVP anthology would be awesome. Hope it gets the go-ahead!
I'd definitely be interested in seeing what kind of variety could be pulled off in that! Could be an interesting opportunity for more Alien hybrids too.
I wonder if an entire anthology of AVPs might not get a bit samey... I think I'd personally prefer to see the odd crossover thrown into future Predator/Alien anthologies (assuming there are some).
I'm sure they would throw in different time periods and settings to keep it fresh. And like Hicks said, we could get some more cool xeno hybrids, so I'm down for it.
It would be pretty cool to get stories with returning characters like Machiko Noguchi, too.
Some time in between Prey and War could be a playground for some interesting Machiko stuff.
Maybe do a backstory for Ash Parnall and Big Mama while they're at it. :laugh:
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 27, 2017, 02:32:03 PM
I wonder if an entire anthology of AVPs might not get a bit samey... I think I'd personally prefer to see the odd crossover thrown into future Predator/Alien anthologies (assuming there are some).
What I was thinking is that they could do an anthology where they pit Aliens and Predators not only against each other in various environments, but also against other things.
There could be an entire short story on just the Predator hunting some random thing and it's done in his point of view. We got a cool glimpse of this in Indigenous Species but from a human point of view as they watch Predators hunt Gruzzlies. An AvP anthology could explore more prey.
Same with Aliens, it can pit them against other types of creatures, not just humans and Predators.
So in a way, it's still "Aliens vs Predator" technically as Predators are still hunting various "aliens" and Aliens are still fighting various "predators." :P
Also why not throw in Engineers if possible? Have a Predator encounter one of them. Or even the Drukathi from Tim Lebbon's Alien and AvP novels.
Just some ideas I thought up. How cool would it be to have Predators hunt Aliens in Engineer and Drukathi ruins? With the narration of the novel explaining Yautja history with these other civilisations. I loved Kalakta's descriptions of the Drukathi and how immensely advanced those aliens were/are to the point that even the Yautja were wary of them.
And if we throw in Engineers. Why not have short stories of Predators hunting other Engineer creations like Ahab did in the Fire and Stone comics?
These panels alone could be an amazing short story for an AvP anthology.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PRFS-4-PG-01-3ad5f.jpg)
I'd be more than down for a story about all of Ahab's adventures before Fire and Stone, or even something after Life and Death. Galgo would be a cool recurring character, as well. Him and Ahab meeting under less friendly circumstances would be cool.
the art in predator fire & stone was my favorite from that series
I think Bryan mentioned in our podcast that they couldn't go after the existing Predator characters. Whether that extended to the Predator's themselves, I'm not sure. But f**k yes! I would 100% love a short about Ahab!
I am nearly finished, only one more story left. I enjoyed this book a lot.
Drug Wars was excellent, well done, Bryan. ;D I liked how Harrigan was portrayed here. I also liked the little thing between him and Fernando, where Fernando assumed everyone from L.A. is a movie star, and didn't recognise Harrigan because "he hasn't seen his movies".
It was a nice nod to the fact that Harrigan's in a movie and portrayed by a movie star named Danny Glover.
Also, seeing as "come with me if you want to live" has been quoted, that means Terminator is an in-universe entertainment franchise.
Dutch must've heard "you look and sound like Arnold" at some point in his life. :laugh:
Quote
What I was thinking is that they could do an anthology where they pit Aliens and Predators not only against each other in various environments, but also against other things.
My first preference is to do another Predator only antho, in which case I will compile a primer on existing Predator characters. But I also pushed for A v P v Terminators. We shall see.
In the meantime, I have been invited to guest host Fox Studio's official PREDATOR app. More soon. #intheworks
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Nov 28, 2017, 04:40:42 AM
My first preference is to do another Predator only antho, in which case I will compile a primer on existing Predator characters. But I also pushed for A v P v Terminators. We shall see.
I'm unsure if you're pulling our leg here... :P
QuoteIn the meantime, I have been invited to guest host Fox Studio's official PREDATOR app. More soon. #intheworks
It's about time they actually did something with that!
Dead serious on both counts.
Hmmmm. I think AvPvT might be a harder sell. The last attempt didn't go down too well.
Still better than Terminator Genisys.
Why should the comics people.have all the fun? I will do it better. I am actually also waiting for approval on a Terminator anniversary anthology, similar to IF IT BLEEDS. But we shall see. I proposed it to Titan. No idea if it went past them or if Cameron would even allow it.
A terminator anthology would be sick.
I've just binged all the Terminator movies and the Sarah Connor Chronicles a few days ago and now this get announced?
Hell yeah! I hope this becomes approved.
I hadn't even realized Titan had the Terminator rights. I guess the stars are aligning just the right way.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Nov 28, 2017, 04:55:21 PM
A terminator anthology would be sick.
I'd love a Terminator anthology. Shit, I've been kicking around stories I'd want to see in such an anthology for years now.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 28, 2017, 01:11:15 PM
Hmmmm. I think AvPvT might be a harder sell. The last attempt didn't go down too well.
Ugh. Every time it turns into a three way conflict the Alien basically gets shafted, typically by trying to collapse them into one of the other threats rather than be their own thing. The Alien-Terminator hybrids were terrible.
Nothing is announced. I proposed the ideas but no one has accepted them yet which means they may well not happen. Just saying I would love to do it. We shall see what time brings. But I want you to know I am working on cool stuff in many forms. This is me just wishful thinking at this point.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Nov 28, 2017, 05:01:58 PM
I hadn't even realized Titan had the Terminator rights. I guess the stars are aligning just the right way.
It is on a per movie basis often. They did for Terminator Salvation and have a whole series of novels. Not sure about the others. But I pitched it anyway because it would be awesome.
Bryan, would love it if a new Pred anthology revisits characters like Top Knot (War), Bakuub (Hunter's Planet), Light-Stepper/Blue (Blood Time/Duel)
Quote from: happypred on Nov 29, 2017, 08:32:42 AM
Bryan, would love it if a new Pred anthology revisits characters like Top Knot (War), Bakuub (Hunter's Planet), Light-Stepper/Blue (Blood Time/Duel)
We don't acknowledge Hunter's Planet. :P But yeah, it'd be really cool to revisit some existing Predator characters from the EU.
I think the short story tie-in that would have me giggling most like a schoolgirl would be something linked to the Concrete Jungle video game, be it a tale featuring Scarface or even one of the human characters from the game (although if it was the latter it'd probably have to be a prequel, on account of them all being butchered by the end of the game :laugh:)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 29, 2017, 08:38:05 AM
We don't acknowledge Hunter's Planet. :P
Why? It was pretty well-written IMO, better than most franchise fiction I've read...don't see how it's worse than War
All I can do is mention this to some of my writers and provide info on the various characters and where to read their prior appearances. But it will be up to them whether they use them or not. I can use one but to require it of others might create a mutiny.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Doesn't mean we can't hope ;D
Quote from: happypred on Nov 30, 2017, 05:04:52 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 29, 2017, 08:38:05 AM
We don't acknowledge Hunter's Planet. :P
Why? It was pretty well-written IMO, better than most franchise fiction I've read...don't see how it's worse than War
I remember it being awful. It's on the list to re-read though, to freshen up the ol' memory.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 30, 2017, 10:29:03 AM
I remember it being awful. It's on the list to re-read though, to freshen up the ol' memory.
Probably give it a re-read.
There were cybernetically augmented xenomorphs...so what? It was an interesting idea and executed fairly well. People are always talking about weaponising them. They actually do it here.
I honestly don't think the quality of the prose was below War or even Prey.
If Tim Lebbon gets to write again in another Predator Anthology, I'd love to see him revisit his Predator characters such as Elder Kalakta, Hashori or Yaquita.
We've seen Akoko Halley revisited twice in both anthologies, which helped give us extra insight into her character. Alien Bug Hunts also featured some other Marines we later see in Rage Wars.
I'd love to see more developments on his Predators.
Will we ever get to see Predators hunt other sapient species in an Anthology? The authors can make up one. That'd be so cool to see. I loved that weird machine techno-sentient seen in Bug Hunts which was attacking a human ship and the Colonial Marines had to fight it off.
Did you get to read Predator: South China See, Bryan? It's a very good book and sometimes the Predator remembers past hunts it has done which involves not just strange animals but also weird intelligent aliens.
Some examples are:
- This intelligent amphibian species that lives on the back of a huge parasite.
- A lumbering plant-fungus alien, the Predator took its hoverboard to use in future hunts such as the one its done in the story of the book.
- An armoured worm it has hunted on a world half a galaxy away.
There's also a scene where the Predator takes a break from its hunts and goes into its ship to watch other Predators hunting in real-time, recorded from their masks. He watched them on his screens in his ship as entertainment, here's some off the top of my head:
- Two hunters were hunting an intelligent humanoid species.
- A female was hunting a multi-headed reptilian beast on a planet with a green star.
- Several Predators climbed a huge sky blocking worm to reach its eyes.
- A whole clan was hunting a Godzilla sized offspring from a continent sized creature.
I also recall there were hunts in space, where Predator motherships would hunt living organic space ships.
There's huge potential in some epic short stories when it comes to this alien and I am excited to read more of them.
Damn, I can't wait for SCS to show up in an affordable collection!
I have read all of the books and comics except a few crossovers like Archie. I read the AvP novels but not the comics.
I would love a story featuring a really old Predator. Not just an Elder, but an actually elderly Predator. The only story that has really done that was Homeworld.
I don't think Bryan likes South China Sea that much.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 01, 2017, 03:04:11 AM
I would love a story featuring a really old Predator. Not just an Elder, but an actually elderly Predator. The only story that has really done that was Homeworld.
logan in space
Quote from: happypred on Dec 01, 2017, 03:41:19 AM
I don't think Bryan likes South China Sea that much.
How about you let me speak for myself.
South China Sea rules, it's my favorite Predator book and I'm really hoping it gets reprinted in the near future so more people can read it.
Bryan, there are some neat AvP comics out there that are worth a read. 'AvP: Duel' has the only Predalien in all of the comics and is one of two side-sequels to the original AvP comic/novel. AvP: Eternal is a really cool Predator story (and a large inspiration for the Predator: Concrete Jungle video game).
I think it'd be pretty cool to see a Predator anthology centered around the Lost Tribe from 'Predator 2' - a story about each of the Predators we see at the end of the movie, giving each of them a bit of backstory and personality. It could also be an opportunity to give some backstory to some of the crazy extraterrestrial skulls in the trophy case, as well.
All the stuff you guys want would take volumes. I will be glad if I get one or two more books.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 01, 2017, 04:10:02 PM
All the stuff you guys want would take volumes. I will be glad if I get one or two more books.
Swing for the fences!
But yeah, my thought was that a Lost Tribe short story anthology would be its own dedicated volume.
Push for that Terminator crossover! I'd love to see what you'd come up with.
Got my signed book plate today. Thanks to all involved. I think I'll be buying a print copy for the shelf now. Just so I can stick the book plate in.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 01, 2017, 05:04:54 PM
Push for that Terminator crossover! I'd love to see what you'd come up with.
Right now I am focused on finishing the last two signing dates this weekend, then Pred app next week amd.then publishing shuts down for the holidays. By January we will have official salew numbers and I can push them on some proposals when they return. So I expect no new developments for a few weeks. We shall see. But all things discussed are in the pike, so to speak.
In the pipe, five-by-five? :laugh:
pike, pipeline, tomato, tomahto... Yautja, Hish...
Hish confirmed for next anthology
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 02, 2017, 01:44:30 AM
pike, pipeline, tomato, tomahto... Yautja, Hish...
2017 and Hish nostalgia is kind of a thing.
Blackstone Audio says this is releasable. So...here is the breakdown for the audio book of PREDATOR: IF IT BLEEDS.
We're releasing the book on 2/27/18. This is a multi-narrator project with each story being read by a different narrator (all of whom are thrilled to be part of this compilation!)
Here's the cast list for you:
Introduction- Tom Taylorson
Devil Dogs- Nicol Zanzarella
Stonewall's Last Stand-Tom Taylorson
Rematch- Traber Burns
May Blood Pave My Way Home- Bradford Hastings
Storm Blood- Bahni Turpin
Last Report from the KSS Psychopomp- Emily Sutton-Smith
Skeld's Keep- Ulf Bjorklund
Indigenous Species- James Patrick Cronin
Blood and Sand- Andre Eiden
Tin Warrior- Scott Brick
Three Sparks- Feodor Chin
The Pilot- John Pruden
Buffalo Jump- Mark Bramhall
Drug War- Dan John Miller
Recon- Peter Berkrot
Gameworld- John McLain
Available as both MP3 and WMA versions on CD as well as via Audible. Predorder here:
Blackstone: https://www.blackstonelibrary.com/catalog/product/view/id/248755/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Predator-If-Bleeds-others/dp/1538534061/ref=la_B004FRQ7XS_1_27?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512275515&sr=1-27&refinements=p_82%3AB004FRQ7XS
Quote from: Whos_Nick on Dec 02, 2017, 06:27:21 AM
Hish confirmed for next anthology
This is not legally binding... ;D
Signing today
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 01, 2017, 08:02:25 PM
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 01, 2017, 05:04:54 PM
Push for that Terminator crossover! I'd love to see what you'd come up with.
Right now I am focused on finishing the last two signing dates this weekend, then Pred app next week amd.then publishing shuts down for the holidays. By January we will have official salew numbers and I can push them on some proposals when they return. So I expect no new developments for a few weeks. We shall see. But all things discussed are in the pike, so to speak.
Thats great news and I can't wait to pick up the audiobook.Since everyone has weighed in on what they'd like to see in the next anthology; I'd love to see a predator rise to the rank of elder. Or perhaps see a predator hunt in the ocean or an environment unlike anything we've seen. Thanks again Bryan Thomas Schmitt for expanding the predator mythos. Happy holidays.
Quote from: GreybackElder on Dec 03, 2017, 04:18:59 PM
Or perhaps see a predator hunt in the ocean or an environment unlike anything we've seen.
Have you read the comic series 'Predator: Hell or Hot Water'?
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 03, 2017, 01:15:10 AMBlackstone Audio says this is releasable. So...here is the breakdown for the audio book of PREDATOR: IF IT BLEEDS.
Great news!
And Rudolph never knew what happened to his old friend...a new crossover is born.
I'd buy that. :P After the Storm story in If It Bleeds, I'd be interested in seeing more stories with the Predator taking on various fantastic creatures.
Yeah, Predator vs. Yeti could work.
It's a bit of a stretch if you want to stay true to "the lore", but you could probably write a story revealing that The Mothman is actually a Predator.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 05, 2017, 09:30:28 AM
It's a bit of a stretch if you want to stay true to "the lore", but you could probably write a story revealing that The Mothman is actually a Predator.
I remember Predator: Nemesis (I think it was that one) which was set in Victorian London. They toyed around with the fact that the Predator was actually the Spring Heeled Jack killer. A blade wielding murderer who was said to be able to leap great heights in Victorian urban legends.
Speaking of Mothman. I can imagine the Jersey Devil also being a Predator. They've always been called demons and devils in past and present settings anyway, so it'd fit.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 05, 2017, 05:06:52 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 05, 2017, 09:30:28 AM
It's a bit of a stretch if you want to stay true to "the lore", but you could probably write a story revealing that The Mothman is actually a Predator.
I remember Predator: Nemesis (I think it was that one) which was set in Victorian London. They toyed around with the fact that the Predator was actually the Spring Heeled Jack killer. A blade wielding murderer who was said to be able to leap great heights in Victorian urban legends.
Speaking of Mothman. I can imagine the Jersey Devil also being a Predator. They've always been called demons and devils in past and present settings anyway, so it'd fit.
Yeah, I liked how Nemesis tied the Predator to Spring Heeled Jack. One of the AvP stories from the AvP Annusl comic tied the Alien and Predator to the legend of St George and the Dragon.
Predators being tied to mythology and folklore is reasonably common in the comics (and I love it). One of the Dark Horse Presents shorts ties them to Japanese Oni, Big Gane ties them to Native American folklore, etc.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 01, 2017, 11:34:14 AM
Quote from: happypred on Dec 01, 2017, 03:41:19 AM
I don't think Bryan likes South China Sea that much.
How about you let me speak for myself.
Please speak...did you like it?
If you liked it, you prob would've said it by now
If you weren't a big fan, you'd stay silent
Just my reasoned guess
I have stated my opinion of it before in this thread. It is a solid entry in the Predator books. But I liked Turnabout, Cold War, Forever Midnight and Concrete Jungle more, for example. I thought Big Game and Flesh and Blood were weakest.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 06, 2017, 06:17:12 AM
I have stated my opinion of it before in this thread. It is a solid entry in the Predator books. But I liked Turnabout, Cold War, Forever Midnight and Concrete Jungle more, for example. I thought Big Game and Flesh and Blood were weakest.
You did? I must have missed it.
I remember you said Turnabout is your fave. I think Turnabout is generally well-written, but I dislike its handling of the predators.
Cold War and Concrete Jungle are badly written, very pulpy...and I'm glad the quality has somewhat improved from that time. I did enjoy those books when I was a kid.
Writing was weaker but I enjoyed the characters and story far more in those. Besides, based on your review trashing many of my writers, including me, we clearly have very different taste in writing styles. I happen to love pulp style storytelling.
What's your opinion on the Hish, Bryan? How would you say they fit with the Yautja?
I imagine the gender changing is probably a result of them genetically modifying themselves. I love the concept of the "Kill Gland".
Can't forget the "Flesh Locks" and hover boards! :laugh:
All joking aside, it would be cool for the Hish to come back and for the concept to get reconciled with the Yautja.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 06, 2017, 06:14:13 PM
What's your opinion on the Hish, Bryan? How would you say they fit with the Yautja?
You could go a lot of ways with the Hish. If I do another antho, I'd like to establish them as different races or classes of Predators. To me that makes the most sense based on what they did in Predators and some of the comics. And I would rather unite existing canon as logically as possible to tie things better together than contradict it.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 06, 2017, 07:14:09 PM
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 06, 2017, 06:14:13 PM
What's your opinion on the Hish, Bryan? How would you say they fit with the Yautja?
You could go a lot of ways with the Hish. If I do another antho, I'd like to establish them as different races or classes of Predators. To me that makes the most sense based on what they did in Predators and some of the comics. And I would rather unite existing canon as logically as possible to tie things better together than contradict it.
I'm glad you try to unite things as logically as possible. There's lots of rich lore to explore.
The richness of the lore is a big part of what I love about it. Arguing whose version of predators is right or better is a petty waste because like humans, individuals will vary greatly, and to me that just makes it both more realistic and interesting. Plenty of room for variety. I also want to add that I appreciate those of you who may disagree with my taste but can still do so with respect. It is really impossible to please everyone with every story or decision, so I don't even try but I do hire the best writers I can and push them to give me their best.
Exactly, the Predators are a species of individuals, so there's lots of room to explore the diversity that each of them would have.
I remember reading somewhere that Hish clans would fight because of disagreements in their culture, even something really trivial like how to take a trophy properly and this is something that has destroyed entire alliances between clans who tried to join together. We see differences in the movie 'Predators' between two clans and how they're implied to be in a blood feud.
I love this diversity. I love how Rage War says they got different languages like we do, they got difference accents and dialects like we do.
Another thing I picked up in Rage War was how Kalakta's clan had a bit of Celtic roots in their mannerisms which Isa Palant noted. Our languages have roots in older languages. The Predators have hunted here for a very long time and some may have been observing and picking up certain quirks and nuances that they liked and took home.
We even see this with "ooman", they must've liked the sound of the English word for 'human' and have adopted it into at least one of their languages. Others would have an entirely different name for us just how we have very different names for ourselves in different languages.
Have you played the AvP2010 game? In the Predator campaign, you hear bits of their language and it's incredibly alien to listen to. It's a lot like Rage War, where it's said humans cannot physically replicate some of their words, only Synthetics could do it due to being able to contort their throat muscles to do so.
Sadly, I have yet to play any Predator related games.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 06, 2017, 10:23:53 PM
Sadly, I have yet to play any Predator related games.
You're missing out, 'Predator Concrete Jungle' is a good time and arguably does the best job out of any Predator related media to really flesh out an interesting "Predator character". It's also got a ton of fun easter eggs, it's a hoot. Seeing a story in a future anthology that referenced it or somehow tied into it would be a blast.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 06, 2017, 08:31:54 PM
Exactly, the Predators are a species of individuals, so there's lots of room to explore the diversity that each of them would have.
I remember reading somewhere that Hish clans would fight because of disagreements in their culture, even something really trivial like how to take a trophy properly and this is something that has destroyed entire alliances between clans who tried to join together. We see differences in the movie 'Predators' between two clans and how they're implied to be in a blood feud.
I love this diversity.
Ditto, it's really refreshing in a landscape of Star Wars/Star Trek sci-fi where every member of a given species is expected to act in a certain manner, and breaking from species tradition is portrayed as a "big deal". Even just within just the first two Predator movies we see that Predators all look unique, with their own styles of armor, weapons, masks, even skin coloration and patterns.
It gives authors a lot of freedom to change up Predator behavior and make them unique without feeling like they're immediately "breaking canon" or something, although I think the Hish stuff kind of stretched it for people. Even then it really wasn't because of the Hish behavior, but more of the descriptions of their biology which didn't seem to jive with earlier portrayals.
I have no game console and a simple laptop. Not even sure I can play CJ but will investigate.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 06, 2017, 12:09:06 PMBesides, based on your review trashing many of my writers, including me, we clearly have very different taste in writing styles. I happen to love pulp style storytelling.
Don't think of it as "trashing"...think of it as one Predator fan giving you honest criticism with zero sugar-coating.
I praised what I thought was good and criticised what I thought was lacking...in a few cases very lacking.
South China Sea is generally regarded as the best Predator novel by the fanbase on this forum...so I'm not the odd one out here. Other writers dipping into the universe may (or may not) wish to take note of what makes South China Sea so well-liked. It's a good benchmark. You are of course free to ignore or try something radically different.
You could state your opinions without insulting writers and the editor. You just choose not to have tact. And I bring it up because if you want to interact with other creatives, it is worth working on. I can give reviews without being insulting and still be honest. So could you. Some writers would not be as nice as I am. Thankfully, you are a minority it seems in your opinions and lack of tact. Though happy seems a bit of a misnomer. Please take the hint. Not going to discuss it further.
As for SCS, so? Others like it, I am well aware. You asked my opinion. Now that part you asked with more pinache and tact. See? You got it in ya. Thank you.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 07:37:27 AM
You could state your opinions without insulting writers and the editor. You just choose not to have tact. And I being it up because if you want to interact with other creatives, it is worth working on. I am nicer than many about such things. Thankfully, you are a minority it seems.
As for SCS, so? Others like it, I am well aware. You asked my opinion. I don't need to be told what I should note. Jees.
I am not telling you to do anything. Please read my post more carefully.
Where did I insult you personally or one of your writers? Quote me please, and I'll apologise if I actually threw an insult. My comments were limited to my own opinion on the quality of the writing.
I agree that tact is very important...I am very tactful with my boss for obvious reasons. I don't have to be tactful in an online review. To put things in perspective, my review of If It Bleeds is less scathing than many reviews of the The Justice League. I don't think I ever resorted to personal insult.
My advice to you...please grow some thicker skin. It is worth working on. It's not very becoming to lash out simply because your anthology got a mixed review from me. I actually said in the end that I hoped this wouldn't be the last anthology, i.e. there is room for improvement but more is welcome.
EDIT: Here's my full review for everyone to see and judge. Yes, it's blunt but if you all think it's insulting, perhaps I am the one in the wrong...
Quote from: happypred on Nov 21, 2017, 06:44:34 AM
These are my personal opinions of all the stories. These are not in-depth reviews...rather, just my brief thoughts on how much I liked each story.
Spoiler
DEVIL DOGS: Decent story. The Yautja in this story comes across as much deadlier than those in Predator Incursion, despite the powerful human weaponry of the 2600s. The actual plot is a bit forgettable. Haley deals with her substance addiction and psychological issues. Not bad, not great.
STONEWALL'S LAST STAND: Decent story. Reminded me of Hell Come A-Walkin' in a good way.
REMATCH: I didn't like some aspects of Turnabout. This was worse IMO for the reasons explained above.
MAY BLOOD PAVE MY WAY HOME: Good story. Interesting premise with human-sized predators (presumably adolescents or pre-adolescents) engaging in gladiatorial combat with Buffalo Soldiers. Nice little twist at the end. Liked it.
STORM BLOOD: Decent story. The choice of prey was interesting. I was expecting predator vs. national guard . . . thankfully, that wasn't the case.
LAST REPORT FROM THE KSS PSYCHOPOMP: Utterly forgettable with disjointed writing. Silly dialogue, forgettable action, forgettable characters. I think this writer is new and it shows.
SKELD'S KEEP: A gem. Simple, effective, and flavourful. Reminded me of Aliens Stalker in a good way. The human characters are actually pretty cool. Vikings come off as hardened warriors and truly worth prey. The predators do stumble but they're novices. I do like how the novices in this story are not your typical Unblooded Yautja, but are rather freshly Blooded Yautja who have a bit more skill than total amateurs.
INDIGENOUS SPECIES: Decent story. Not bad, not great. Reminded me of the ranchers on Ryushi. The predators come across as powerful hunters, but the human element is a bit lacklustre. Nothing too memorable, just a serviceable story.
BLOOD AND SAND: Absolutely terrible. Predator meets Grapes of Wrath meets domestic abuse. Little kids wondering around in the desert.
I appreciate that the writer was trying something new, but it didn't work for me at all. The childish tone (written from the kiddy protagonist's perspective) was a chore to slog through and unintentionally comical.
TIN WARRIOR: Decent story showcasing a resourceful predator antagonist/anti-hero. Reminded me of Predator Captive in a good way.
THREE SPARKS: Good story. We've always wanted predator vs. samurai...well, now we have it (in addition to some comic book scenes IIRC). My only gripe is I don't think a Yautja hunter would avoid close combat with samurai and opt to spam plasma bolts...merely because it lost a finger in a previous duel. Perhaps this hunter was young or simply less faithful to Yautja notions of sportsmanship.
THE PILOT: A gem. Well-written and a cool twist. Some of you might have seen the twist from a mile away, but it pleasantly surprised me. This is the kind of team-up I'll get behind.
BUFFALO JUMP: Forgettable. Nothing really stood out. Predator meets the Wild West, but nothing really popped for me.
DRUG WAR: A lot of running, shooting...not much substance. The flamboyant Brazilian character felt pointless and absurd. Garber was wasted. I know writers aren't trying to win the Nobel Prize for Literature with predator fiction...but this felt like a bunch of action with no brain...coasting on fans' nostalgia for Predator 2. I mean, it's serviceable but I expected more.
RECON: Decent story. Suitably intimidating predator slaughtering VietCong freedom fighters and American invaders alike (Hehe...see what I did there?). Not bad, not great...but still entertaining.
GAMEWORLD: A gem. Well-written with a memorable human protagonist and even a memorable human antagonist. The author has some skill and is good at writing combat. This feels like the least phone in entry. A nice combination of the captive concept with the Predator father-son duo concept. Well-executed. A slight gripe is it could have done without the Yautja-on-Yautja slapping and hugging.
There you have it. Predator If It Bleeds is a decent first (hopefully not last) anthology. Would like to hear other posters' thoughts on any of the individual stories.
I am done discussing it. Obviously "a bunch of action with no brain" was not meant as insulting.
I have a plenty thick skin. As evidenced by the fact I have gracefully accepted without comment every other review but yours. I am kind and respectful and try to express my opinions so that they are also. I merely offered the advice you should try the same. Because we are all fans here. Opinions do not have to be expressed in rude ways to be honest or direct. I will move on now. No further discussion is warranted. And I have said all I have to say on that matter.
To everyone else, my apologies for not just letting it lie. Finding this forum and interacting with you all has been a blessing and encouragement. I take what you say very seriously, even if I disagree. And I have discussed elements of it with my editors, writers, etc for future projects. So thank you.
__________________________________________
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 08:43:00 AM
I am done discussing it. Obviously "a bunch of action with no brain" was not meant as insulting.
I'm sure you feel differently (as is your prerogative)...but it's very disappointing to me that you can't take criticism unless it's softened with sufficient "tact", which is a subjective standard.
Is "a bunch of action with no brain" an unfair assessment of that story? That is what it feels ike to me. Perhaps I'm missing the cerebral aspects of the story (no sarcasm). Anyone with a different opinion. Again, would love to hear counter-positions.
QuoteI have a plenty thick skin.
No, you really don't...but you're not alone.
Comeon, happy, stop being obstinate. It's general politeness to actually have tact during conversation, especially when discussing a subject with someone that actually had a hand in working on it. It's attitudes like that that often given fandom a bad rep. Tone it down.
I will move on, Hicks, as promised. Now, you all mentioned the named Predators you would like to see return in more stories. What about human characters?
I would've said Garber, but you've already done that lol. Looking forward to giving your story a read!
May not be done with Garber...or his relatives...
I'd love to see OWLF expanded on some more in some fashion.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 07, 2017, 09:23:16 AM
Comeon, happy, stop being obstinate. It's general politeness to actually have tact during conversation, especially when discussing a subject with someone that actually had a hand in working on it. It's attitudes like that that often given fandom a bad rep. Tone it down.
Hicks, I'll leave Bryan to his own devices. Fans should certainly refrain from personally attacking authours, but I don't think we should water down our genuine criticisms of their work. An online review shouldn't have to pull its punches for fear that it might offend the authour/editor. Too much "tact" will nullify the core criticisms.
Enforcing a minimum level of "tact" is an exercise in controlling tone. As you are a mod, I'll respect your call in this area.
So that people don't think that I'm saying the anthology is bad overall, here is the position I stand by:
Quote from: happypred on Nov 02, 2017, 05:01:15 AM
Just finishes the whole thing...a mixed bag IMO but overall more good than bad .
Quote from: happypred on Dec 07, 2017, 10:16:09 AM
Too much "tact" will nullify the core criticisms.
No, it really wouldn't. And I feel sorry that you even feel way.
Quote from: happypred on Dec 07, 2017, 10:16:09 AM
Enforcing a minimum level of "tact" is an exercise in controlling tone. As you are a mod, I'll respect your call in this area.
You're right, it is an exercise in controlling tone. I want an environment that people would be interested in getting involved with. Not to look like just another place where rude fanboys exist. But thank you, I'd like to see you respect that call in all areas of this forum.
Anyway, I think enough have been said on how I expect people to conduct themselves and interact with others.
Hicks, what is the correct amount of tact and how that affects the underlying message is deeply subjective. As you've made your call, I'll show myself out. I hope you guys have a fruitful discussion going forward...no malice on my end.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 07, 2017, 10:00:21 AM
I'd love to see OWLF expanded on some more in some fashion.
This is a very good idea.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 05:53:34 AM
I have no game console and a simple laptop. Not even sure I can play CJ but will investigate.
I believe the game was console-only, unfortunately.
Another option (while perhaps not as engaging as playing the game yourself) is a Let's Play on youtube:
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 09:28:20 AM
I will move on, Hicks, as promised. Now, you all mentioned the named Predators you would like to see return in more stories. What about human characters?
To be honest, while interesting and engaging human characters are important in Predator stories, I can't really think of many I'd want to see revisited in future stories, but that's more of a testament to how human characters are often handled in Predator media. The recent 'Predator: Hunters' comic had a grab-bag of survivors from prior Predator comics and I thought that was a neat fist-bump for long-time readers of the comics. There's a bunch of human characters who I'd like to see maybe make a cameo or have a name-drop, but I don't know that they could support their own "sequel" story.
I know that's pretty much a non-answer, I just see it as an inherent problem of making stories that focus on returning characters - it's a balancing act where you have to come up with a contrivance to have the character face Predators again and that can be easier with some characters than others. The 'Turnabout' sequel in 'If It Bleeds' works because the Predators have a grudge against a skilled opponent, but the "grudge, rematch" premise can get played out real fast.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 09:55:21 AMMay not be done with Garber...
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3f/90/f0/3f90f015db398c0d4b2d1c617ba6498f--iconic-movies-new-movies.jpg)
I can think of a few characters from Predator stories I'd like to see expanded upon with stories
not featuring actual Predators, but I'm not sure that would fall into the remit of a
Predator anthology. Kinda like that Royce prequel comic where he's just being a merc in Africa before he's captured and taken to the planet in the third film. I'd really like to see more stuff like that - cool stories featuring characters we know, but without the stretch of them running into Predators time and again.
I would love a follow up on Dutch but I am sure that's not possible.
Perhaps a story about Nolan and his time on 'Gameworld'. Show his decent into madness, all his previous kill, scavenging from others and perhaps some cool alien species.
Bryan. I am just really happy you went there with Harrigan and seem to want to further that. Can't wait to get the your story in 'If It Bleeds'
Broken Tusk adventures in his youth would be great. I know not a Human. ;)
I actually think the door for Dutch might be opening again and I'd love to explore him. I tried to get one of my writers to take on Nolan this time but they wanted their own idea so I may take that on if I get to do another antho.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Dec 07, 2017, 12:19:04 PM
I can think of a few characters from Predator stories I'd like to see expanded upon with stories not featuring actual Predators, but I'm not sure that would fall into the remit of a Predator anthology. Kinda like that Royce prequel comic where he's just being a merc in Africa before he's captured and taken to the planet in the third film. I'd really like to see more stuff like that - cool stories featuring characters we know, but without the stretch of them running into Predators time and again.
Quote from: Russ840 on Dec 07, 2017, 12:41:11 PM
Perhaps a story about Nolan and his time on 'Gameworld'. Show his decent into madness, all his previous kill, scavenging from others and perhaps some cool alien species.
I second the idea of more Predators related stories. A different continuation of Royce and Isabelle after the events of Predators would be nice too. I wasn't really a fan of the sequel comic.
*shudders in memory of the four armed Predator*Quote from: Russ840 on Dec 07, 2017, 12:41:11 PM
Bryan. I am just really happy you went there with Harrigan and seem to want to further that. Can't wait to get the your story in 'If It Bleeds'
If you enjoyed the tone of Predator 2, you should dig it!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 12:43:08 PM
I actually think the door for Dutch might be ooening again and I'd love to explore him.
That'd be brilliant!
Quote
I believe the game was console-only, unfortunately.
All right. Who wants to have me over to play... lol
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 12:43:08 PM
I actually think the door for Dutch might be ooening again and I'd love to explore him. I tried to get one of my writers to take on Nolan this time but they wanted their own idea so I may take that on if I get to do another antho.
I really hope you get picked up for that 2nd Anthology.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 07, 2017, 12:44:19 PM
I second the idea of more Predators related stories. A different continuation of Royce and Isabelle after the events of Predators would be nice too. I wasn't really a fan of the sequel comic. *shudders in memory of the four armed Predator*
Lol. It was not the best.
Fingers crossed for January. Also Fox is hosting me for a Live AMA Q and A on the Predator app at 12 pm CST U.S. on Dec. 15. They seem pleased with the book and want to share content via the Pred app, giveaways, etc. so that may open doors. Fingers crossed.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 12:45:31 PM
Quote
I believe the game was console-only, unfortunately.
All right. Who wants to have me over to play... lol
I got you covered, haha.
If you get to do a Dutch story in the future, bonus points if you connect it back around to his brother Schaefer from the early Predator comics - his storyline kind of trailed off in the comics and never really got resolved.
Yeah, both Schaefers are worthy of more story.
You could tie up both of their loose ends in one go.
Totally. Russ, how are you liking Artemis?
Really liking it. Not quite as strong as 'The Martian' but still a very good read. Thank you for asking. I should be finished that and 'If It Bleeds' by now but I am getting behind due to the arrival of my little boy. :D. Very tired :-[
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 03:56:39 PM
Yeah, both Schaefers are worthy of more story.
On that note, how much collaboration/communication has there been between you and your writers and, say, the comic writers at Dark Horse, the Bug Hunt authors, etc, to make sure no one is stepping on each other's toes? Shared universes are super cool and I'm a huge sucker for inter-connected narratives across titles or media (but not at the expense of each individual story's narrative, of course) but I know that can take a lot of coordination so everyone is on the same page.
Oh, I just thought of a really cool setting.
Seeing how the Predator is such a flexible and versatile character who can fit in any setting or crossover and make it good.
Why not have a story of one hunting during prehistoric times? Like have them hunt Neanderthals and note differences among the human species. A good setting would be during or just after the Toba Eruption 75,000 years ago, there'd be so many different species of human to hunt in a very deadly environment ravaged by a super volcano.
Kinda like how one of the stories here took place during Hurricane Katrina. When Toba exploded, it nearly rendered humanity extinct. That'd be a cool setting, and because anatomically modern humans also existed in those times, making a character in that setting shouldn't be too tricky.
If you find any authors who are huge paleo enthusiasts, they should give this a try. :P
Speaking of which, I think someone noticed one of the skulls in the camp in "Predators" looked like it belonged to Homo erectus or another one of these really archaic hominins. It really gives you a glimpse on how old the Yautja are and for how long they've been doing this. Rage War loved reminding us of this fact that Predators are primordial beasts. ;D
With Disney buying Fox, am I the only one looking forward to the inevitable Captain Jack Sparrow v. Predator crossover?
Quote from: Xenomrph
On that note, how much collaboration/communication has there been between you and your writers and, say, the comic writers at Dark Horse, the Bug Hunt authors, etc, to make sure no one is stepping on each other's toes? Shared universes are super cool and I'm a huge sucker for inter-connected narratives across titles or media (but not at the expense of each individual story's narrative, of course) but I know that can take a lot of coordination so everyone is on the same page.
Zero. I read all the comics and novels, watched the movies, even screenplays and did my best to coordinate. No further contact was offered.
Even jokes about the Disney thing make my skin crawl.
Then you're welcome.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 10:12:39 PM
With Disney buying Fox, am I the only one looking forward to the inevitable Captain Jack Sparrow v. Predator crossover?
Quote from: Xenomrph
On that note, how much collaboration/communication has there been between you and your writers and, say, the comic writers at Dark Horse, the Bug Hunt authors, etc, to make sure no one is stepping on each other's toes? Shared universes are super cool and I'm a huge sucker for inter-connected narratives across titles or media (but not at the expense of each individual story's narrative, of course) but I know that can take a lot of coordination so everyone is on the same page.
Zero. I read all the comics and novels, watched the movies, even screenplays and did my best to coordinate. No further contact was offered.
Welp.
I dunno about anyone else, but one of my "dream" jobs for years now would be to act as loremaster for the Alien/Predator franchises, similar to what Leland Chee does for Star Wars. Not so much telling authors what they can and cannot write, but more of keeping authors informed of what's already been done, what's in progress, encouraging cross-media cohesion, etc.
It is a shame there the wasn't more coordination, but I think they only reason we saw that with the comics and novels back during Fire and Stone was because two of the writers (Roberson and Golden) are personal friends.
Why do you think I hang out here? You are my lore masters...
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 11:43:17 PM
Why do you think I hang out here? You are my lore masters...
Sure, but we don't work for Fox or know other projects that are in development, let alone how to contact those people.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's super awesome that you're interacting with the community and getting feedback and answering questions, and I wish more people did that.
Here I am trying to give you your dream and you do me like that. smh. :)
My dream job is to be a Colonial Marine stationed on Arcturus. Nothing can possibly go wrong with that.
(https://pre00.deviantart.net/e57a/th/pre/i/2012/337/d/1/thumbs_up_for_the_watchers__by_pedrotpredator-d5mzk4i.jpg)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 08, 2017, 02:18:13 AM
Here I am trying to give you your dream and you do me like that. smh. :)
Oh well in that case,
THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE
THAT'S more like it. lol :laugh:
To echo some of the replies already posted, I'd love to see the development of the OWLF team. Perhaps, even a prequel with Keyes. Was the team ever successful? Do they have predator tech? A ship?
I only recall seeing OWLF in Predator 2. Is that correct? Did they appear anywhere else?
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 09, 2017, 05:38:34 PM
I only recall seeing OWLF in Predator 2. Is that correct? Did they appear anywhere else?
I don't think they're mentioned by name, but it can be inferred in the 'Predator: Race War' comic is that the otherwise unnamed "Blondie" character is Peter Keyes. That said, it's more likely that Blondie is Claude Loudermilk, from 'Predator: Bad Blood'.
Either way it'd be trivially easy to say that the task forces in both Race War and Bad Blood were OWLF, even if they're not mentioned by name as such.
Xenopedia claims the OWLF get a name-drop on the video screens in 'AvP: Requiem', but I can't personally confirm that. Having said that, I know that originally Robert Joy's character of "Colonel Stevens" was originally meant to be Garber, with Adam Baldwin returning to play him. Stevens could very well be OWLF, I don't think there's anything to really contradict that - even the AvPRequiem trading cards mention that Stevens is "a man who knows his aliens", implying prior exposure or knowledge.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 09, 2017, 08:54:22 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 09, 2017, 05:38:34 PM
I only recall seeing OWLF in Predator 2. Is that correct? Did they appear anywhere else?
I don't think they're mentioned by name, but it can be inferred in the 'Predator: Race War' comic is that the otherwise unnamed "Blondie" character is Peter Keyes. That said, it's more likely that Blondie is Claude Loudermilk, from 'Predator: Bad Blood'.
Either way it'd be trivially easy to say that the task forces in both Race War and Bad Blood were OWLF, even if they're not mentioned by name as such.
Xenopedia claims the OWLF get a name-drop on the video screens in 'AvP: Requiem', but I can't personally confirm that. Having said that, I know that originally Robert Joy's character of "Colonel Stevens" was originally meant to be Garber, with Adam Baldwin returning to play him. Stevens could very well be OWLF, I don't think there's anything to really contradict that - even the AvPRequiem trading cards mention that Stevens is "a man who knows his aliens", implying prior exposure or knowledge.
You beat me to it! I
just clicked "Reply" and was about to type my response to Bryan, but you totally ninja'd me.
Yes, you're correct.
The story in "If It Bleeds" that has a captive Predator and a suit made from reverse-engineered tech. Could these people be connected to OWLF? I know it wasn't mentioned, but I got that kind of impression.
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 09, 2017, 08:57:34 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 09, 2017, 08:54:22 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 09, 2017, 05:38:34 PM
I only recall seeing OWLF in Predator 2. Is that correct? Did they appear anywhere else?
I don't think they're mentioned by name, but it can be inferred in the 'Predator: Race War' comic is that the otherwise unnamed "Blondie" character is Peter Keyes. That said, it's more likely that Blondie is Claude Loudermilk, from 'Predator: Bad Blood'.
Either way it'd be trivially easy to say that the task forces in both Race War and Bad Blood were OWLF, even if they're not mentioned by name as such.
Xenopedia claims the OWLF get a name-drop on the video screens in 'AvP: Requiem', but I can't personally confirm that. Having said that, I know that originally Robert Joy's character of "Colonel Stevens" was originally meant to be Garber, with Adam Baldwin returning to play him. Stevens could very well be OWLF, I don't think there's anything to really contradict that - even the AvPRequiem trading cards mention that Stevens is "a man who knows his aliens", implying prior exposure or knowledge.
You beat me to it! I just clicked "Reply" and was about to type my response to Bryan, but you totally ninja'd me.
Yes, you're correct.
The story in "If It Bleeds" that has a captive Predator and a suit made from reverse-engineered tech. Could these people be connected to OWLF? I know it wasn't mentioned, but I got that kind of impression.
I haven't read 'Predator: Hunters' yet, do the OWLF get a mention or anything in that series?
No mention of OWLF in 'Hunters'.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 09, 2017, 09:02:40 PM
Quote from: The Alien Predator on Dec 09, 2017, 08:57:34 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 09, 2017, 08:54:22 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 09, 2017, 05:38:34 PM
I only recall seeing OWLF in Predator 2. Is that correct? Did they appear anywhere else?
I don't think they're mentioned by name, but it can be inferred in the 'Predator: Race War' comic is that the otherwise unnamed "Blondie" character is Peter Keyes. That said, it's more likely that Blondie is Claude Loudermilk, from 'Predator: Bad Blood'.
Either way it'd be trivially easy to say that the task forces in both Race War and Bad Blood were OWLF, even if they're not mentioned by name as such.
Xenopedia claims the OWLF get a name-drop on the video screens in 'AvP: Requiem', but I can't personally confirm that. Having said that, I know that originally Robert Joy's character of "Colonel Stevens" was originally meant to be Garber, with Adam Baldwin returning to play him. Stevens could very well be OWLF, I don't think there's anything to really contradict that - even the AvPRequiem trading cards mention that Stevens is "a man who knows his aliens", implying prior exposure or knowledge.
You beat me to it! I just clicked "Reply" and was about to type my response to Bryan, but you totally ninja'd me.
Yes, you're correct.
The story in "If It Bleeds" that has a captive Predator and a suit made from reverse-engineered tech. Could these people be connected to OWLF? I know it wasn't mentioned, but I got that kind of impression.
I haven't read 'Predator: Hunters' yet, do the OWLF get a mention or anything in that series?
Not really.
But
Spoiler
one of the characters does seem to be someone who gives off an OWLF vibe. She also has some captured and reverse engineered Predator technology that her assembled team of survivors from previous Predator encounters use.
Bonding
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 07, 2017, 03:56:39 PMYeah, both Schaefers are worthy of more story.
Just gonna throw in my usual "
Please give the guy a first name!" bit here :laugh:
They both have first names.
Really? I don't ever recall Detective Schaefer being given one.
Pretty sure he was. Will have to go look.
Yeah I don't recall Det. Schaefer getting a first name.
Edit-- Xenopedia doesn't have a first name for him.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Dec 10, 2017, 05:54:41 PM
Really? I don't ever recall Detective Schaefer being given one.
We've been over this, HuDa! His name is Fred.
I genuinely thought you were joking lol. Where's that from?
I was joking, mate. :P I can't remember him ever receiving a name, either. Unless it's in Dark River as I've not read that many times.
I'd be okay with his name officially becoming Fred because of this thread. :P
He doesn't feel like a Fred to me but will make a note of it...
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 11, 2017, 02:03:10 AM
He doesn't feel like a Fred to me but will make a note of it...
You could always name him Damon.
I have no attachment or association with that name whatsoever.
Spoiler
I am a bold-faced liar
Or John. Firstly, it's the archetypal action hero first name (McClane, Matrix, Rambo) but secondly, it's the name of the composer of Predators, in the same way that Alan is name of the composer of the first two movies :P
Quote from: SiL on Dec 11, 2017, 08:32:43 AM
Or John. Firstly, it's the archetypal action hero first name (McClane, Matrix, Rambo) but secondly, it's the name of the composer of Predators, in the same way that Alan is name of the composer of the first two movies :P
That's clever, I like it :D
Quote from: SiL on Dec 11, 2017, 08:32:43 AMOr John. Firstly, it's the archetypal action hero first name (McClane, Matrix, Rambo) but secondly, it's the name of the composer of Predators, in the same way that Alan is name of the composer of the first two movies :P
f**kin' touche-A.
Det. Schaefer does have a first name.
It's
Spoiler
Detective. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
His first name is Nick. Cuz I said so.
I believe someone from the Hybrid Network may have brought Bryan out before we could.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 12, 2017, 08:27:40 AM
I believe someone from the Hybrid Network may have brought Bryan out before we could.
What do you mean?
Nick, who does the A/P videos on Hybrid Network.
Oh okay, I'm unfamiliar with Hybrid Network.
Nah, it just sounded better than Aaron to me. Sorry, Hicks. We shall see. Just signed another contract with Titan unrelated but this bodes well for other future opportunities. Stay tuned.
And Friday...
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 12, 2017, 10:59:30 AMJust signed another contract with Titan unrelated but this bodes well for other future opportunities.
Able to say what it is?
INFINITE STARS 2 a second historic space opera antho
Not something I'm familiar with, but having just looked it up, looks really interesting!
Congrats on the new commission.
Stuff I read for researching IF IT BLEEDS. I also read 2 screenplays for the first two films, watched all 5 Pred films, read BUG HUNT and some ALIEN books, assorted crossover comics, and a PREDATORS graphic novel.
Did you check out Predator Omnibus Volume 4? It's has some of the best Predator comics.
It is there on top just barely on screen.
Nice! What did you think of Homeworld?
I don't remember specifically by title. I read them all in 3 months a year ago. Gotta review.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Dec 17, 2017, 10:08:49 PM
It is there on top just barely on screen.
Not saying you didn't read Predator volume 4, but the half-visible omnibus at the top of your pic is AvP Omnibus volume 1.
I can't help it if I'm detail oriented! That's what you pay us for, anyway. ;)
1-3 are full visible below it. I know what is there. I put it there just for this photo. AvP vol 1. 4 is just offscreen then. I did not even know I owned any AvP omnibuses. Some stalker fan musta broke in and left it. Do you have an alibi?
If you have AvP volume 1 and haven't read it, I highly recommend it.
You should see if Chris Claremont wants to write a follow up to Deadliest of the Species if you wind up doing an AVP anthology.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 18, 2017, 02:45:54 PM
You should see if Chris Claremont wants to write a follow up to Deadliest of the Species if you wind up doing an AVP anthology.
That would be worth it just to re-canonize the old Aliens comic invasion of earth, because DotS directly references it. :P
Well that and DotS was such an insane fever dream that I've re-read it like 3 times and can still hardly remember anything about it other than it being crazy (and the albino hybrid thing, and I think an AI called Toy was the bad guy?). Seeing Claremont do a follow-up 20+ years later would be interesting, if nothing else.
It would also have the bonus of featuring a female Predator, Big Mama.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 18, 2017, 03:57:22 PM
It would also have the bonus of featuring a female Predator, Big Mama.
One of two in all the comics that I'm aware of - the other is in the Witchblade/Darkness/Aliens/Predator crossover. Not the only one in the overall EU, though - South China Sea mentions one, and Steve Perry's Turnabout follow up in 'If It Bleeds' has one, too.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Dec 18, 2017, 04:14:25 PM
Quote from: Ultramorph on Dec 18, 2017, 03:57:22 PM
It would also have the bonus of featuring a female Predator, Big Mama.
One of two in all the comics that I'm aware of - the other is in the Witchblade/Darkness/Aliens/Predator crossover. Not the only one in the overall EU, though - South China Sea mentions one, and Steve Perry's Turnabout follow up in 'If It Bleeds' has one, too.
Also the Rage War has Hashori of the Widow Clan, Yaquita of the Wounded Clan and also mentioned a once captured Yautja named "Eve" by the scientists.
I wasn't aware of that, I haven't been on an AvP "kick" long enough for me to read through that trilogy yet.
Sorry if I spoiled that. It's been out for a while and I thought you read it but forgot to mention the females.
Nah I wouldn't consider that a spoiler, and even then the statute of limitations on spoilers has long since passed. It's my fault for not being up-to-date. :P
Just a quick note to wish you all a haopy nrw year and thank you for the support and friendship in 2017! It has meant a lot to me.
Thanks, Bryan! It's been great having you on here and thanks for the work you did putting together one of my favourite entries into the A/P EU for a while! Looking forward to what the future brings.
Thank you, Bryan.
Happy new year to you and everyone else here. May it bring us all good health and great success and more Predator.
Yeah, it's great to have someone on the "inside" on here to discuss their project.
Good luck with If It Bleeds II in 2018 :P
And good luck with If It Bleeds III through XI in 2019 ;D
Ha. Fingers crossed. But so far no green light on a sequel.
Fingers crossed as well, Bryan. From a fan here in Singapore.
So I recently finished this book.
I gotta say that I had a great time reading it. There wasn't a story that I didn't get enjoyment out of.
Bryan. I really enjoyed your story. Love old Harrigan and chuckled at the 'Lethal Weapon' gag you snuck in there :laugh:. Shame about Garber though.
Like I say, great stuff. I'll prob purchase my self a hard copy for my shelf now (as I am a Kindle man). I already bought a copy and sent to a friend of mine.
Here's hoping for a follow up book.
New PREDATOR fiction in the works... meantime
Available Sunday!! Predator: If It Bleeds https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538534061/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g-OHAbZFP9BJT
That's great news man. Congrats on getting it green lit.
That is awesome news! Just reading If It Bleeds and its great.
Finally scored a copy and almost finished, loved it totally so far. Good work to you and to all the other authors!
Dunno if I'll try the audio version, but certainly curious. :)
Will be interesting hearing the Predator voices and conversation in the Audio version. At least one of the stories had that.
Any news on whether they'll be another Predator Omnibus collection or If It Bleeds Vol 2?
I cannot officially confirm or deny a volume 2 but I can say the narrator who did my story did a great Predator voice. I have yet to hear the full audiobook.
The audio version isn't out until the 27th on my side of the pond. I've not really picked up the audio book versions of the novels (outside the audio dramas) but I think I might branch out and start picking them up.
Finally got to finish this. I was a great read and I think I liked the historical stories more than the future ones. The New Orleans flood story was a bit confusing with the "found footage" concept not translating well to a book. Also, the Harrigan story was a disappointment with not much being done with Harrigan and Garber. It was great to see things from the Predators perspective in some stories. The Predators don't get killed as much as usual, so that's a plus.
Quote from: Wweyland on Mar 01, 2018, 03:53:14 PMThe New Orleans flood story was a bit confusing with the "found footage" concept not translating well to a book.
Yeah, I thought that too. First time around I really struggled to work out what was going on is some parts, but I re-read it a second time and it made a lot more sense.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 01, 2018, 04:31:21 PM
Quote from: Wweyland on Mar 01, 2018, 03:53:14 PMThe New Orleans flood story was a bit confusing with the "found footage" concept not translating well to a book.
Yeah, I thought that too. First time around I really struggled to work out what was going on is some parts, but I re-read it a second time and it made a lot more sense.
I will probably revisit some of the stories to get a better picture. HuDaFuk, just curious - did you get my PM? It's fine if you ignored it, I am just wondering if the PM system works.
I did, sorry, I've been crap at both replying to emails and doing stuff on the wiki lately. I'll send a reply now!
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 01, 2018, 07:12:26 PM
I did, sorry, I've been crap at both replying to emails and doing stuff on the wiki lately. I'll send a reply now!
Thanks and no problem with the long delay!
Thanks all!
If any of you enjoyed my Predator story and want to read more action with humor, I have a new novel free online
Read Simon Says for free on Inkitt. https://www.inkitt.com/stories/mystery/206224?utm_source=shared_ios
Would it be possible for Titan to release a Mass Marker Paperback of If It Bleeds?
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Mar 02, 2018, 07:47:57 AMIf any of you enjoyed my Predator story and want to read more action with humor, I have a new novel free online
Read Simon Says for free on Inkitt. https://www.inkitt.com/stories/mystery/206224?utm_source=shared_ios
You had me at "Lethal Weapon and Miami Vice" :laugh:
Will definitely give that a look when I get a minute.
Got around to starting this recently. Been listening to the audiobook on walks. Am up to Tin Warriors, and so far everything has been spectacular. Gonna be honest that the "yautja" stuff never really clicked with me (firm believer in keeping aliens alien, and not showing their inner thoughts) but this anthology has been so great that the concept has kind of grown on me.
Bug Hunt audiobook comes out at the end of the month and if the stories are as good as this I'm in for a treat.
If It Bleeds is a complete winner IMHO. Bug Hunt not so much. There's about a third genuinely great stories. 1 I just really hated and the rest were just ok or meh.
Have finished this up, and man, I don't think there was a single clunker of the bunch! There were a few I was less taken with than others, but overall, I can't really complain about much of anything in this anthology. Good shit. :)
Here's hoping they put out an AvP anthology, or at least more Alien and Predator anthologies, of similar quality :)
Ya it was a solid collection of stories. I liked it so much I bought a copy for my Dad and he liked it so much that he bought book 1 of the "Rage War". I'm all for an AVP anthology but I do wonder how they would handle the canon of it all. Would they pull a "Bug Hunt" and add a disclaimer that some stories aren't canon (though not specify which stories aren't) or keep it consistent with the "current" EU with stories taking place primarily in the 2200's or later (Fire & Stone, Life & Death, or the Rage War trilogy).
While I'd very much like them to stick to their stricter approach to canon they've adopted in recent years, as long as the quality is good I can't really be mad :)
I'd be absolutely okay with the Bug Hunt approach, especially if they don't say which stories are canon and which aren't. That gives fans free license to pick and choose which ones they feel are "canon".
Why would anyone want such a thing?
Quote from: Local Trouble on May 27, 2018, 11:13:10 AM
Why would anyone want such a thing?
Feeedom of choice is pretty sweet.
I'm not into that idea honestly, but I'm thankful for the way Fox loosely handles it's stories in terms of what's canon or not. It's a nice situation where those of us with brains can just ignore the bad or schlocky stuff.
Quote from: The Old One on May 27, 2018, 04:53:05 PM
It's a nice situation where those of us with brains can just ignore the bad or schlocky stuff.
You just described the freedom of choice. :) Especially considering that the definition of "bad" is subjective and fluid, and some people don't mind (or even like) schlocky stuff.
Quote from: The Old One on May 27, 2018, 04:53:05 PM
I'm not into that idea honestly, but I'm thankful for the way Fox loosely handles it's stories in terms of what's canon or not. It's a nice situation where those of us with brains can just ignore the bad or schlocky stuff.
Canon and bad stuff aside, make sure you're having fun. Some stuff might not fit well in the universe, but being entertained and having a good time should be goal #1.
Well, in terms of recent stuff, Dead Orbit and The Cold Forge were good, hope they keep somewhat on that level of quality. Quality stories and art make me have a good time more than anything where Alien is concerned.
Hey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure. Also, no mass market it planned at this time that I know of. They used B format trade which is smaller than usual trade paperbacks and just above mass market size.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 03:08:24 AM
Hey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure. Also, no mass market it planned at this time that I know of. They used B format trade which is smaller than usual trade paperbacks and just above mass market size.
An AVP anthology? This is God's work that you're doing Bryan. Bless you. ;)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 03:08:24 AM
Hey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure. Also, no mass market it planned at this time that I know of. They used B format trade which is smaller than usual trade paperbacks and just above mass market size.
Exciting!
Is there a chance in hell that smaller time authors might be at all considered? And by that I mean would it be possible for me to pitch something for either of those?
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 03:08:24 AM
Hey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure. Also, no mass market it planned at this time that I know of. They used B format trade which is smaller than usual trade paperbacks and just above mass market size.
Thanks Bryan. I totally would buy a love a new Predator anthology (or new stories for that matter).
I prefer Mass Paperback books because they take less space on my bookshelves. The B-Format trade size for If It Bleeds is a little larger than Mass Paperbacks.
Quote from: felix on Jun 05, 2018, 05:08:39 AM
I prefer Mass Paperback books because they take less space on my bookshelves. The B-Format trade size for If It Bleeds is a little larger than Mass Paperbacks.
I really like the larger size of the anthology. I've got the rest of Titan's stuff in the this size and hope they continue to produce them in that format.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 03:08:24 AM
Hey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure. Also, no mass market it planned at this time that I know of. They used B format trade which is smaller than usual trade paperbacks and just above mass market size.
Fantastic! Glad to hear it and good luck! It's a shame Titan are dragging their feet, though. It seems like If It Bleeds was received really well and their last Alien novel is getting tonnes of love too.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 03:08:24 AMHey all. I have pitched both a second Predator antho with new authors and an AvP antho. Titan are dragging their heels, but given sales of the first in both print and audio, one will eventually happen in Predator for sure.
Yeah, this is great to hear!
This is exciting.
That sounds great, looking forward to it.
Quote from: HybridNewborn on Jun 05, 2018, 03:39:08 AM
Exciting!
Is there a chance in hell that smaller time authors might be at all considered? And by that I mean would it be possible for me to pitch something for either of those?
Not really. Full up already and Titan and Fox want people with pro credits to their name.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 08:38:10 PM
Quote from: HybridNewborn on Jun 05, 2018, 03:39:08 AM
Exciting!
Is there a chance in hell that smaller time authors might be at all considered? And by that I mean would it be possible for me to pitch something for either of those?
Not really. Full up already and Titan and Fox want people with pro credits to their name.
Fair enough! Will just have to get more published in the mean time :)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 05, 2018, 08:38:10 PM
Not really. Full up already and Titan and Fox want people with pro credits to their name.
Is that your author list for both Predator and AvP?
Yes unless someone drops out.
Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing that list get released.
Expect news post SDCC
Hope it's that Terminator crossover!
I'm hoping for another Predator antho or a AvP antho. That's enough of a crossover for me.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jun 30, 2018, 10:06:13 PM
Expect news post SDCC
Fantastic! Looking forward to it!
https://youtu.be/CUzoHnybeSg. Full SDCC 2018 panel
I am quietly hoping for more Predator books in 2018.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 22, 2018, 10:01:07 PMhttps://youtu.be/CUzoHnybeSg. Full SDCC 2018 panel
Thanks for sharing that, I was hoping to check it out.
Quote from: felix on Jul 23, 2018, 08:22:28 AM
I am quietly hoping for more Predator books in 2018.
One arrives July 31. The other Sept 14. Others to be announced.
Thanks!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 25, 2018, 06:28:08 AM
Quote from: felix on Jul 23, 2018, 08:22:28 AM
I am quietly hoping for more Predator books in 2018.
One arrives July 31. The other Sept 14. Others to be announced.
I'm sat here thinking "that's not a lot of time to write one" then it clicked! :laugh:
2019 announcements on books pending. :)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 29, 2018, 08:11:09 AM
2019 announcements on books pending. :)
Looking forward to it!
Thanks for keeping us posted :)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 29, 2018, 08:11:09 AM
2019 announcements on books pending. :)
Awesome. Can't wait to hear what's coming.
Looking forward to it!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 29, 2018, 08:11:09 AM
2019 announcements on books pending. :)
That's agessss away!
But seriously, glad to hear. :) Looking forward to it.
Really great, we need more Predator books!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Jul 29, 2018, 08:11:09 AM2019 announcements on books pending. :)
Nice!
And as Hybrid says, thanks for dropping in to keep us informed!
Is IF IT BLEEDS all short stories?
16 short stories with past, present and future encounters with predators. There's even a sequel story to Predator 2
Quote from: YTL_Hunter_H2 on Aug 04, 2018, 10:39:52 PM
Is IF IT BLEEDS all short stories?
Yup, quality is mixed...from bad to mediocre to genuine gems.
There wasn't a single one I disliked in the anthology. Loved them all.
Compared to Aliens: Bug Hunt, If It Bleeds was excellent.
There were one or two in If It Bleeds I wasn't so keen on, but yeah, on the whole it was really good and vastly superior to Bug Hunt.
It was a mixed bag for me. There were a few I disliked, a bunch of decent stories, and 1 or 2 stories I really enjoyed.
It was much better than bughunt, which I thought was mostly rubbish.
Quote from: 426Buddy on Aug 06, 2018, 04:16:18 PM
It was a mixed bag for me. There were a few I disliked, a bunch of decent stories, and 1 or 2 stories I really enjoyed.
It was much better than bughunt, which I thought was mostly rubbish.
Glad I didn't buy Bughunt...sounds extremely disappointing
Share your opinion almost exactly regarding If It Bleeds...though we may differ on which stories were bad, OK, good
I'm going to pick it up this weekend. Only author I'm familiar with is S.D Perry.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 06, 2018, 07:47:20 AM
There wasn't a single one I disliked in the anthology. Loved them all.
Which is why you are my favorite.
What?
Yes and all different takes, fun and unique.
Some of you seemed pleased at the idea of my doing more but based on some of these latest reviews, I wonder why bother. No pleasing some of ya. I worked hard on IF IT BLEEDS and I wouldn't publish anything I thought was unworthy or bad. I am glad at least some people here were happy and seem worthy of my efforts. FOX and TITAN are happy for sure. Because I researched my ass off and I think there is a lot more room for variety in Predator stories than some of you seem to. And that is what I will be aiming for in future books. Just because you dislike something doesn't make it bad Maybe try to keep that in mind.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 01:01:29 AM
Yes and all different takes, fun and unique.
Some of you seemed pleased at the idea of my doing more but based on some of these latest reviews, I wonder why bother. No pleasing some of ya. I worked hard on IF IT BLEEDS and I wouldn't publish anything I thought was unworthy or bad. I am glad at least some people here were happy and seem worthy of my efforts. FOX and TITAN are happy for sure. Because I researched my ass off and I think there is a lot more room for variety in Predator stories than some of you seem to. And that is what I will be aiming for in future books. Just because you dislike something doesn't make it bad Maybe try to keep that in mind.
Bryan, it was golden, all of it. Don't let anyone tell you different.
Thanks but nothing's perfect. However, attracting creatives with any talent requires allowing some new with the old so people should try and get over the common urge to shirk new and try to enjoy it. No antho will have every story appealing to everyone bit this one has been successful enough Fox and Titan want to be back in the new Predator fiction game and I'd consider that a good thing. That said, as Aaron can attest, I am working hard to get some coveted fan wish list stuff in next round...stay tuned.
I didn't see anything overly negative written above. Seems like everyone here enjoyed it for the most part.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 01:01:29 AM
Some of you seemed pleased at the idea of my doing more but based on some of these latest reviews, I wonder why bother. No pleasing some of ya. I worked hard on IF IT BLEEDS and I wouldn't publish anything I thought was unworthy or bad. I am glad at least some people here were happy and seem worthy of my efforts. FOX and TITAN are happy for sure. Because I researched my ass off and I think there is a lot more room for variety in Predator stories than some of you seem to. And that is what I will be aiming for in future books. Just because you dislike something doesn't make it bad Maybe try to keep that in mind.
You can't please everyone so don't worry, If It Bleeds was one of the most well received books in the predator franchise, and next to the Alien anthology everyone seem to prefer yours. The critics are a minority and are only related to some of short histories.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 02:03:07 AM
That said, as Aaron can attest, I am working hard to get some coveted fan wish list stuff in next round...stay tuned.
Great, the movies aren't doing it for me and it doesn't seem like I will get any other alien-predator related game for a while, so the novels are what is keeping me interested in the franchises.
Quote from: 426Buddy on Aug 08, 2018, 02:59:03 AM
I didn't see anything overly negative written above. Seems like everyone here enjoyed it for the most part.
Call something "bad" and it is very negative. It also elevates your opinion above just personal opinion and taste. There is no bad. Just stuff you like and stuff you don't. And it insults me and my writers, so I do take it as very negative and unnecessarily so. It goes from an opinion to an insult, and we can critique without insulting.
And before you tell me I am too sensitive keep in mind I am pointing this out as kindly as possible because I like this group generally. And if you want to interact with more creators on here like me, you should learn to critique without insult or it will not be well met. I would love to bring some others in here but am hesitant.
I DO appreciate much helpful critique and info fans have given me on here though. It will make future works better and am already incorporating it into what I have in the works. I think most of you will be pleased when that is revealed.
That said, I shall move on and drop it.
Can't wait to hear what's coming.
Hope we gets some more of Harrigan in what ever it is that you are up to Mr Thomas.
I am hoping to do a whole Harrigan novel.
I am now hoping that as well :laugh:
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 09:03:04 AM
I am hoping to do a whole Harrigan novel.
That would be amazing. I guess Garber is out of the picture though.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 09:03:04 AM
I am hoping to do a whole Harrigan novel.
anything you can share about it?
Quote from: Samhain13 on Aug 08, 2018, 03:25:55 AM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 08, 2018, 02:03:07 AM
That said, as Aaron can attest, I am working hard to get some coveted fan wish list stuff in next round...stay tuned.
Great, the movies aren't doing it for me and it doesn't seem like I will get any other alien-predator related game for a while, so the novels are what is keeping me interested in the franchises.
I will ditto this as well :) I think lately, the novels and written works have far outperformed what the movies are providing. Really looking forward to what comes our way in the future.
I cannot say much til approved. Hoping to hear something in the next couple months.The plan is for every survivor of Predator 2 to show up and maybe even Dutch...Garber is dead from my earlier story, but expect him to show up again in the next antho im a story that takes place earlier.
Meanwhile, Fox invited me to the L.A. premiere of P4...then...
Oh lawd.
Holy crap. Arnold at a con...
https://www.alamocitycomiccon.com/
That describes fandom. :laugh:
Heh no doubt! How many times gave we had that discussion, A?
But this came today so yay!
Nice! Enjoy.
Indeed! Hoping to see something show up in my inbox soon!
I hope so too and I hope more news from me follows.
And I just got confirmation. Titan wants another antho but we have to work on some details before I can say more so stay tuned.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 22, 2018, 09:01:39 PM
And I just got confirmation. Titan wants another antho but we have to work on some details before I can say more so stay tuned.
Fantastic news! Hopefully that's an easy sort.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 18, 2018, 12:24:38 AM
I cannot say much til approved. Hoping to hear something in the next couple months.The plan is for every survivor of Predator 2 to show up and maybe even Dutch...Garber is dead from my earlier story, but expect him to show up again in the next antho im a story that takes place earlier.
Meanwhile, Fox invited me to the L.A. premiere of P4...then...
Glad to have you on here, Bryan. If it Bleeds was great imo, and that seems to be the consensus.
What are the odds of seeing a Lone Ranger prequel story focusing on Jerry Lambert??
[/quote]
What are the odds of seeing a Lone Ranger prequel story focusing on Jerry Lambert??
[/quote] Thanks for the kind words. Unlikely. They want stories with yautja in them. But we shall see what writers pitch and Fox approves.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 22, 2018, 09:01:39 PM
I hope so too and I hope more news from me follows.
And I just got confirmation. Titan wants another antho but we have to work on some details before I can say more so stay tuned.
Awesome 8)
What are the odds of seeing a Lone Ranger prequel story focusing on Jerry Lambert??
[/quote] Thanks for the kind words. Unlikely. They want stories with yautja in them. But we shall see what writers pitch and Fox approves.
[/quote]
All good! Fox/the publisher already has my $$ whatever it ends up being.
Excellent news concerning the new book.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 27, 2018, 02:10:43 PMUnlikely. They want stories with yautja in them. But we shall see what writers pitch and Fox approves.
You could remind them that some of the best stories in
Bug Hunt didn't have the Alien in them... :P
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
Exactly why Predator needs an expansion of a universe beyond the titular beast.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
A sequel to Bug Hunt? Very interesting!
Quote from: Wweyland on Aug 28, 2018, 02:51:27 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
A sequel to Bug Hunt? Very interesting!
Solid!!! I hope they continue the story of the three elite marines that get sent to Fury 161 ten years after Alien 3 and find a nest.
Quote from: Denton Smalls on Aug 28, 2018, 04:28:06 PM
Quote from: Wweyland on Aug 28, 2018, 02:51:27 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
A sequel to Bug Hunt? Very interesting!
Solid!!! I hope they continue the story of the three elite marines that get sent to Fury 161 ten years after Alien 3 and find a nest.
Agreed, that was the most interesting story, although it did not directly reference Xenomorphs. Maybe the livestock of Fury 161 evolved and want revenge.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PMThat was technically a Colonial Marines antho.
There were also stories that didn't feature any Marines ;)
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PMThey are doing a sequel to it also.
That's interesting. It was a bit all over the place to say the least, so I'm kinda surprised they're having another go at it. Glad they are though. Hopefully the next one will be a little tighter.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PMThis is indisputedly a predator antho.
Well if it's of similar standard to the first, I'll look forward to it!
Quote from: Wweyland on Aug 28, 2018, 05:05:00 PM
Quote from: Denton Smalls on Aug 28, 2018, 04:28:06 PM
Quote from: Wweyland on Aug 28, 2018, 02:51:27 PM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
A sequel to Bug Hunt? Very interesting!
Solid!!! I hope they continue the story of the three elite marines that get sent to Fury 161 ten years after Alien 3 and find a nest.
Agreed, that was the most interesting story, although it did not directly reference Xenomorphs. Maybe the livestock of Fury 161 evolved and want revenge.
Babe the ox is pissed he didn't make the theatrical cut.
Nobody else interested in an expansion of a universe beyond the Predator creature?
To step out of Val Verde, into a futuristic Los Angeles and who knows what that's progressed to.
One can add creatures while still including the titular beast. But based on fan reaction and reviews, the beast is the draw.
I'm not talking about the creatures, more so the living-breathing environment.
If I had my way Predator would be dropped into a variant of Cyberpunk.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
That was technically a Colonial Marines antho. They are doing a sequel to it also. This is indisputedly a predator antho.
Thanks for keeping us appraised of all the awesomeness Titan has in store for us! Could you perhaps give me a range of the number of copies "If It Bleeds" sold (I majored in Business so I kind of nerd out on sales data... specifically when it comes to franchises I nerd out on). Also do you know if we'll be getting the DH Press Predator novels in an omnibus?
No idea about the DH novels. I have no definitive numbers but my bookscan says 9600 paper copies of IF IT BLEEDS have sold since October, which us a strong showing for an anthology. But they would be quicker to greenlight if it had been higher. So mid-range for publishing media titles.
Thanks Mr. Schmidt! 9600 is nothing to scoff at. I once saw an article on Publishers Weekly that said only 2% of books sell over 5000 copies (it was an older article so I'm not sure what the current market looks like). Here's to hoping you get over 10k sold come October!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Aug 28, 2018, 09:43:00 PM
One can add creatures while still including the titular beast. But based on fan reaction and reviews, the beast is the draw.
Add creatures such as other intelligent life forms, or animals to hunt/be hunted by?
The first would be considerably more difficult than the latter, especially if you want to associate with Alien.
Which is a universe that is more Dark Souls, full of ruins, strange structures and inhuman remains rather than sentient beings.
You'd have to really, really go abstract if you want their inclusion to be worthwhile so I'm not just asking-
"Why aren't these just humans with cybernetics or humans that generationally were changed by a planet's gravity?"
With that in mind, I'd much prefer to see the Predator hunting monsters both mundane like a giant insect and extreme like a Dune worm or
something akin to the world serpent from ancient mythology.
& Again, I feel the world of the human beings in Predator needs expansion
in that way I can look at an environment from an Alien film and in many ways it stands on it's own two feet even without the creature itself.
They've already shown other intelligent species on the Predator side in the printed media. In particular, I wouldn't mind hearing about those guys from Fire and Stone, or something similar.
I wonder if Bug Hunt sold better than If It Bleeds.
Quote from: Wysps on Aug 29, 2018, 11:40:55 AM
They've already shown other intelligent species on the Predator side in the printed media.
In particular, I wouldn't mind hearing about those guys from Fire and Stone, or something similar.
Couldn't they essentially just be humans in a narrative sense? If so what's the point?
Does it make sense to have Star Trek style Aliens that are humans all but name just with a different culture in this universe?
As R.S would say:
"I don't think so."
No, on the Predator side we've been introduced to other intelligent alien species that don't resemble humans, if that's what you're referring to (i.e. not Engineers).
But to add to that, I will say that a pain point for me in science fiction is aliens that are basically humans with blue skin or tails/cat ears/etc. I've never understood how that amounts to creativity in any way, but there's something for everyone I guess. I didn't like The Arrival, but I appreciate the risk it took in portraying an intelligent species that far from human form.
I'm not talking just physically but behaviourally.
For instance, the space opera Mass Effect- most of the species that aren't the Rachni, Reapers, Geth are essentially just humans
with different morphology, with culture derived from one of humanity's own.
That kind of thing doesn't belong in AVP IMO
I see where you're coming from. Certain races have already been shown to exist though. It's whether the writers want to take the time to "uncover" said alien race(s) in their stories. Also keeping in that that this is the Predator side, not AVP or Alien. Some continuity is useful, but just like Drukathi in the Rage War comics, authors will include elements to their stories that they deem necessary to propel their own narratives, and not necessarily what fits best with the Alien canon.
Just finished!! This was the best anthology in the history of anthologies!! Roll on the next one, and the AvP one, and more after that!!
Thanks. May get 1 more antho but the movie's lackluster reception throws future fiction into question.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 18, 2018, 05:45:56 PM
Thanks. May get 1 more antho but the movie's lackluster reception throws future fiction into question.
Damn that sucks to hear. :'(
That does suck. I really meant me some Bryan edited Predator stories.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 18, 2018, 05:45:56 PM
Thanks. May get 1 more antho but the movie's lackluster reception throws future fiction into question.
Ugh. Well, that would be expected but still very unfortunate :-\ I truly hope that ends up not being the case.
Alien seems to be surviving Covenant, hopefully Predator will survive a poor performance of the The Predator.
I think it's a completely different situation in all honesty- no matter how much they want to be connected they have very different lineages, box office popularity and academic interest.
I'd love an AVP prose anthology.
Just repeating what Titan told me. Their license is up soon and depends how Disney treats it and if they gauge it as cost effective to continue. But we were to discuss new projects this week and they put it off.
I hope Disney doesn't do anything rash. The expanded universe is the last place for these franchises to go if the films keep disappointing at the box office.
I am also hoping the Expanded Universe continues into 2019 and beyond.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 20, 2018, 11:41:44 PM
Just repeating what Titan told me. Their license is up soon and depends how Disney treats it and if they gauge it as cost effective to continue. But we were to discuss new projects this week and they put it off.
Is that both Alien and Predator?
Yeah, here's hoping Titan gets to keep the licence. I've generally really enjoyed their output.
What was the deal with the Star Wars novels when that went over to Disney? Did they change publishers at all?
I've been loving the original Titan novels, it's really been a breath of fresh air for both the Alien and Predator franchise these past few years. Not all of them were perfect, but I consistently enjoy the novels more than the recent movies, most of the comics and even some of the games. I mean, the most recent novels have really done it for me, The Cold Forge is one the best things I've read in a while and going through the Pred anthology now, I can say it's fantastic.
Just because the movies have bad/lazy writers and the movies don't perform as well as the studio hoped they would, doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with the novels. The good novels (and other EU material) shouldn't suffer because the movies keep making stupid decisions.
Was very happy to hear we're getting an Alien Isolation novel, hope it's done well. If we could get just one more novel/antho, I'd really like to see an AVP anthology given a try where both species are treated respectfully. If a predator hugs an alien, pred becomes mince meat. If an alien is faced by a pred at long range, alien is roasted. A lot can be done by just thinking of specific situations where one has an advantage over the other and vice versa, not to mention the numbers of each species and the skill level of the individuals.
I hope Disney doesn't do anything rash. Whatever the future of these franchises may be, I've really enjoyed Titans run so far.
Quote from: The Old One on Sep 18, 2018, 09:08:52 PM
I think it's a completely different situation in all honesty- no matter how much they want to be connected they have very different lineages, box office popularity and academic interest.
I can understand that you believe this but it is naive. The films bring the audience and grow it. No films, no future audience growth and no growth potential, no market interest because Titan wants titles that grow and keep selling. They are not interested in a passionate but stagnant fanbase but a growing one.
Just so there's no misunderstanding: I was comparing Alien to Predator in reply to the Moderator, and pointing out how there's a clear separation in the amount of fiction being produced for one rather than the other, in general- not specifically novels.
Quote from: Still Collating... on Sep 21, 2018, 10:45:34 AM
I've been loving the original Titan novels, it's really been a breath of fresh air for both the Alien and Predator franchise these past few years. Not all of them were perfect, but I consistently enjoy the novels more than the recent movies, most of the comics and even some of the games. I mean, the most recent novels have really done it for me, The Cold Forge is one the best things I've read in a while and going through the Pred anthology now, I can say it's fantastic.
Just because the movies have bad/lazy writers and the movies don't perform as well as the studio hoped they would, doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with the novels. The good novels (and other EU material) shouldn't suffer because the movies keep making stupid decisions.
Was very happy to hear we're getting an Alien Isolation novel, hope it's done well. If we could get just one more novel/antho, I'd really like to see an AVP anthology given a try where both species are treated respectfully. If a predator hugs an alien, pred becomes mince meat. If an alien is faced by a pred at long range, alien is roasted. A lot can be done by just thinking of specific situations where one has an advantage over the other and vice versa, not to mention the numbers of each species and the skill level of the individuals.
I hope Disney doesn't do anything rash. Whatever the future of these franchises may be, I've really enjoyed Titans run so far.
Same, the quality of what Titan's been producing is just amazing. It would be shame for even the license itself to transfer to someone else. I wish there was more we fans could be doing to promote these titles, other than just buying the books and reading them.
Quote from: The Old One on Sep 21, 2018, 11:28:02 AM
Just so there's no misunderstanding: I was comparing Alien to Predator in reply to the Moderator, and pointing out how there's a clear separation in the amount of fiction being produced for one rather than the other, in general- not specifically novels.
ah sorry. I missed the moderator post.
AVP anthology next please.
I don't know if that's probable or profitable.
Quote from: The Old One on Sep 27, 2018, 11:34:16 AM
I don't know if that's probable or profitable.
Only one way to find out!
Quote from: The Old One on Sep 27, 2018, 11:34:16 AM
I don't know if that's probable or profitable.
Money aside, it's just the right thing to do. ;D
The right thing to do is often expensive and unpopular.
Deep Sigh
Quote from: Frosty Venom on Sep 27, 2018, 05:21:59 AM
AVP anthology next please.
Due to the film's failure, I will be lucky to get to do another Predator antho. An AvP antho is a nonstarter atm. I asked.
^ I don't fully understand this, though. I was under the impression that the first Predator antho got rave reviews and sold pretty well without even being attached to a movie; why would the movie's failure (and even then, it's not the flop people were fearing) mean anything on the novel side of things, especially since they wouldn't connect anyway?
EDIT: Oh, and just for completion's sake, I'm gonna go full fangirl for a second - IF IT BLEEDS WAS ORGASMICALLY GOOD HOLY SHIT.
Thanks. Because the single biggest PR source are movies. Without them, no fanbase. An alienated fanbase may not buy books. I don't fully understand the psychology of it myself because my book sold over 10k copies in less than a year bur both my novel and 2nd pred antho are in jeopardy atm.
You had a new predator novel coming out ? Sorry if it's obvious I legit just made this account and didnt go through the other pages yet
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 03, 2018, 01:50:23 AM
Thanks. Because the single biggest PR source are movies. Without them, no fanbase. An alienated fanbase may not buy books. I don't fully understand the psychology of it myself because my book sold over 10k copies in less than a year bur both my novel and 2nd pred antho are in jeopardy atm.
Please direct me to the license-holders, that I might tie them to a chair and jam money down their throats until they produce both of those things.
Seriously, though - I'm sorry to hear that; it really sucks. :( Here's hoping they see the light.
Quote from: Naginata on Oct 03, 2018, 03:15:33 AM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 03, 2018, 01:50:23 AM
Thanks. Because the single biggest PR source are movies. Without them, no fanbase. An alienated fanbase may not buy books. I don't fully understand the psychology of it myself because my book sold over 10k copies in less than a year bur both my novel and 2nd pred antho are in jeopardy atm.
Please direct me to the license-holders, that I might tie them to a chair and jam money down their throats until they produce both of those things.
Don't make it so easy. They need to behave themselves first. Then just tease them with a good Jackson. When they start begging, you might slap them across the face with it. If they like it, do it some more. If they don't like it, give em the "hard currency". And go deep. ;D
Nothing says love like a liberty dollar from the bottom of grandma's change jar.
Any of you who wish can reach them via the contact link at www.titanbooks.com. I encourage you to do so. https://titanbooks.com/contact/form/
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Oct 03, 2018, 04:19:23 AM
Any of you who wish can reach them via the contact link at www.titanbooks.com. I encourage you to do so. https://titanbooks.com/contact/form/
Email sent!
The fate of Predator novels.
Email, people.
So I said I was a fan of the recent predator literature and asked when the next novel/anthology was coming out. Here was my response:
QuoteThank you for your email. I'm so pleased to hear you've been enjoying our books! Please do keep an eye on our website and social media pages for any updates regarding Predator fiction.
I will mail them! I will do so every day if that has to be done so wonders like 'If it bleed' can be published.
I remember reading avp and predator novels when I was a kid, and this anthology flew me back to that age. It was so good.
Okay, I'll stop now ;D But I'll send a mail.
And @ BryanThomasS: just such a great work, keep it going!
Sent!
Thanks all. Once will be enough for now. Every day might get them irritated.
Will be talking to Saffel next week, as another project is due in. Hopefully, we can discuss.
I contacted them asking about a possible AVP anthology and they just put me onto the AVP omnibus and The Rage War :|
I've already read these, this was not my inquiry...
Also sent them an email via that form. I hope the expanded universe doesn't slow down - it's always had a slower output compared to Alien but the recent stuff has been great and I'd hate to see it stop.
Sent them one as well :)
Just sent a message!
Thanks for the link! Will be sending of an email as well!
Quote from: Stitch on Oct 03, 2018, 06:46:37 PM
So I said I was a fan of the recent predator literature and asked when the next novel/anthology was coming out. Here was my response:
QuoteThank you for your email. I'm so pleased to hear you've been enjoying our books! Please do keep an eye on our website and social media pages for any updates regarding Predator fiction.
I got the same response, verbatim.
It's a little discouraging when they're sending out form-letter responses, it gives the impression that they're not actually reading our messages.
:laugh:
Hobbit Wolf- from MonsterArts!
That's a rather plush chair Chief is sitting on.
Emotional support chair.
I'm late to this party (got this book for Christmas nearly a year ago), but I'm joining it nonetheless. I think I'll post my response to this book in here, story by story, instead of finishing it and summing up the whole thing. My delay in reading it is that, following the Bug Hunt anthology, I did not have much faith in more Alien and/or Predator short stories, but everyone responded to this anthology with more enthusiasm than with Bug Hunt, so I'm going to give the book the benefit of the doubt to start with. There are a couple stories which require the reading of Turnabout and also the Rage War trilogy for more context, so I'll have to read those books before getting to the stories in If It Bleeds. That being said, the first story I'm reading is:
"Drug War"Of anything in the book, a true follow up to Predator 2 is maybe what I was looking forward to the most when I heard about it. We still have never had a true "Predator 3" which directly follows the events of either of the first two films in the series. However, this story remains largely unsatisfying. Much of the piece is focalized through a protagonist other than Harrigan named Fernando, who along with the other new characters, is forgettable and uninteresting. His distinguishing trait seems to be that he quotes American action films in poor English.
The returning character, other than Harrigan, is Garber, from the OWLF team in Predator 2 (played by Adam Baldwin). In the film, Garber is a morose, imposing body guard, but now, somehow, he's become a verbose arms salesman. Not what I would have expected for him, and also not executed in a way which I felt was very believable. I just didn't believe it was him speaking any time I read sections with his dialogue. He was like a wind up toy who wouldn't shut up, which contrasted starkly with his presence in the film. I was particularly unsatisfied when Harrigan confronts him initially:
Pg. 358
Quote
"Holy shit!" Garber exclaimed, spotting something through his weapons's scope.
"What?" Harrigan asked.
Garber looked at him, recognition dawning in his eyes. "Harrigan? LAPD?"
"Retired two years now," Harrigan replied with a nod. "Garber?"
Garber grunted and handed him the weapon, pointing high on the hillside where a building burned.
Likewise, I also found Harrigan's presence in the story to be inhabited in a similarly flat and unsatisfying way. There's a noticeable lack of interior access to any specific or substantial memories recalling his prior encounter with the Predator in Predator 2. His best friend was murdered along with another member of his detective team. The other member of his team, Leona (who in the story is referred to as Leon), was traumatized to the point of fainting. I would imagine that there would be quite an emotional impact to Harrigan experiencing another encounter with a Predator, but he doesn't seem to mind much. What about the time when he left King Willy moments before a Predator came and killed him? Why doesn't he think about that at all? Is his memory that short sighted? The moment when Harrigan does recall these prior people and events, we pass over it all so quickly that it becomes an afterthought:
Pg. 370
Quote
It was all too familiar, Harrigan's memory flashing back to images of Los Angeles--gang wars, the streets, Leon Cantrell, Danny Archuletta, Jerry Lambert, even his old Captain Pilgrim. Archuletta and Lambert had been killed by a Predator in LA years ago during Harrigan's last encounter with one.
The misnaming of a character aside, what about Deputy Chief Heinemann? If the authors of this story had read the Predator 2 novelization to gain more insight into the characters of Predator 2, then this guy wouldn't have been left out. All of these additional characters feel absent from this story. Heinemann, Cantrell, and Pilgrim all survived the events of the movie. Where are they now and what are they doing? Why aren't they part of this? The missed opportunity to follow up directly with characters from the movie contributed to my overall unsatisfied response to the piece.
Honorable mention goes to this use of figurative language:
Pg. 361
Quote
They stuck out like a bad perm in a sea of salon-styled hair.
@Hudson
I share your disappointment. There's a lot of great stories in this Anthology, and the one I was looking forward to the most was the biggest disappointment.
When ex-cop Harrigan spoted ex-owlf Garber at a gun show so many years later, and being so much older, how I craved for them to call a truce, grab a beer together, and talk. There's only a few people in the world who can have a conversation about a Predator, who can talk about what happened in LA. Who can truly understand what was gained and what was lost. There's stuff both probably have kept burried deep inside for a long time. And to explore none of this, and instead opt for a backstory on a comic relief character named Fernando who wants to be a movie star, was such a missed opportunity. It still makes me sad. :'(
It wasn't quite was I was hoping for either, but let's not piss on it too much. Bryan was nice enough to join us here, so let's try not to run him off with excess negativity. :)
I'm late to this, but I thought I'd add my two cents anyway! I really enjoyed this anthology. I've read a lot of Predator books, and my personal problem with them is that they tend to get bogged down in the full-length plot about the usual soldiers or colonial marine characters, and frankly that's just not what I'm here for. The short story format works well by focusing on the human/pred encounters - the good stuff. Some of the stories are mediocre, but most are good, and I really appreciated the variety of settings and situations we got, as well as the several stories that gave us a big chunk of predator perspective. That's hard to come by in pred content and I was thrilled to see it. (Yeah, I'm one of those fans who loves delving into Predator culture and their personalities as individuals.) Skeld's Keep was the shining stand-out for me, and Three Sparks is also great. I dig the historical settings, as well as alternatives to the usual "mysterious predator hunting humans" formula, and I'd love to see both explored more in future pred content.
"Last Report from the KSS Psychopomp" by Jennifer Brozek
I went to this one next because the title sounded interesting (although I would've gone with
Final Report of the KSS Psychopomp). I assumed it'd be something futuristic/spaceship-related, and I was right. We follow, I believe, a salvage team as they investigate a particular area of space to make claims on old spaceships. If I'm missing out on details, it's because the stakes are established in kind of a blurry, foggy way.
The story begins with dialogue, heavily used, so it took a while for me to ground myself spatially. I generally didn't have much to go on in terms of what anything looked like or what anyone looked like. The setting and characters' physical traits remained nebulous to me throughout. This doesn't "make things open to interpretation for the reader;" it leaves the details shrouded in vagueness. A piece of writing is an idea communicated to the mind of a reader. Stephen King writes this himself in his own craft book
On Writing, and he's a genre writer so there's not really a genre-based defense against this criticism. If writing is telepathy, I need to have the author's idea thoroughly cultivated on the page via words, not implications, so I can absorb that idea in the way they described it. Anything else is an excuse to not do the hard work of conveying concrete images in writing.
I also am not sure who the main character is meant to be, or who's meant to be focalizing the story. There are tiny bits of interior access, indicating an omniscient narrator, but this was pretty distancing whereas close access to one person would've been more compelling and engaging. Main thing about the story was that I just didn't care. The writing didn't teach me what or who to care about at the beginning of the story, or why. I only know that the people alive at the end are the most important because they survived. And when the Predators appeared, I was similarly underwhelmed. Here is a paragraph on the physical description that probably won't blow you away:
pg. 171
QuoteThe blurred air solidified into a humanoid creature at least two meters tall. It had reptilian skin, a broad chest, clawed hands, and a huge head with dangling appendages. Most terrifying were its red eyes and mandible mouth. It was covered in armor, weapons, bones, and other unidentifiable things. It flared its lower mandibles.
The preceding paragraph could be describing almost any creature in any universe. I emboldened a particular phrase which was a pretty obvious cop out. Instead of describing any specific visual details, giving us any type of image at all, Brozek's description amounts to "it couldn't be described." That's a cop out for a writer.
Overall it was an unaffecting, unsatisfying story. I'll probably move on to SD Perry's story next.
QuoteWhen ex-cop Harrigan spoted ex-owlf Garber at a gun show so many years later, and being so much older, how I craved for them to call a truce, grab a beer together, and talk. There's only a few people in the world who can have a conversation about a Predator, who can talk about what happened in LA. Who can truly understand what was gained and what was lost. There's stuff both probably have kept burried deep inside for a long time. And to explore none of this, and instead opt for a backstory on a comic relief character named Fernando who wants to be a movie star, was such a missed opportunity. It still makes me sad. :'(
I'm assuming the missed opportunities stem from the editor/publisher soliciting people who aren't really that interested in this universe, and who were given maybe a week to write one draft of their contribution.
==========
Rematch by Steve Perry
This was a pretty decent story for the most part, certainly my favorite in the book of the three I've read so far. If felt satisfying as a follow up to Perry's novel, Turnabout, in that he continued to be successful in the way he captures a variety of interior voices while writing in third person, which I think is a fairly advanced technique. It was fun to return to Sloane and Mary Collins again, and the new characters introduced felt like they fit into the same tone, the same world that Perry created for Turnabout. It was a true, satisfying sequel. I also really enjoyed the parallel of a man/woman partnership of hunters as Sloane and Collins represent a human man/woman partnership. It was a cool comparison, contrast.
My only gripe with the story is that halfway through it converts to mostly uninteresting physical action and then dialogue paced very quickly without balance of interior access/physical description. The final scene also ends on a line that serves as more of an eye-wink style punchline rather than a true closing to the narrative, which is cute, but hollow.
We need a volume 2.
ASAP
It's the literary community that's keeping these universes alive, not to mention entertaining. The books are running laps around the films.
And yes, rematch was my favorite by far. Well grounded, but still exciting.
Agreed. Rematch was aces!
Ironically Rematch was one of my least favourites in the collection. I don't think I get on well with Perry, Sr.'s style and prose.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 12, 2019, 09:16:33 AM
Ironically Rematch was one of my least favourites in the collection. I don't think I get on well with Perry, Sr.'s style and prose.
One criticism or at least observation I have with him is that he describes everyone peeing at some point. He's totally fixated on it. He did it for nearly every character in Turnabout and then even I think in Rematch. There's at least one really awkward moment in Nightmare Asylum where this comes up too.
???
lol wut.
Quote from: Hudson on Mar 14, 2019, 02:13:53 PM
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 12, 2019, 09:16:33 AM
Ironically Rematch was one of my least favourites in the collection. I don't think I get on well with Perry, Sr.'s style and prose.
One criticism or at least observation I have with him is that he describes everyone peeing at some point. He's totally fixated on it. He did it for nearly every character in Turnabout and then even I think in Rematch. There's at least one really awkward moment in Nightmare Asylum where this comes up too.
"When you gotta go, you gotta go".
Quote from: Huggs on Mar 11, 2019, 11:51:28 PM
We need a volume 2.
ASAP
It's the literary community that's keeping these universes alive, not to mention entertaining. The books are running laps around the films.
And yes, rematch was my favorite by far. Well grounded, but still exciting.
Trying to get one made. I have been on it for two years, authors all lined up, but Titan freaked out when the movie failed. We shall see. Writers have to have a year to write stories. Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually interested in contributing, his people approached me, but negotiations are complicated. If it goes, the next volume will have a direct sequel to the original with Dutch, a prequel story for Dutch and team, female predators, and another Predator 2 sequel along with a bunch of stuff.
For those of you who enjoyed If It Bleeds, If anyone is interested, I have an action packed novel with snarky humor kinda like 48 Hours or Lethal Weapon meets Bosch and Asimov's City Of Steel about a tough, Luddite Kansas City cop forced to team with an android to solve his partner's murder. I think my Predator fans will really enjoy it. Here's information AND you can read a 3 chapter preview. https://boralisbooks.wordpress.com/simon-says/
Quote from: Uncanny Antman on Jan 13, 2019, 09:47:22 AM
It wasn't quite was I was hoping for either, but let's not piss on it too much. Bryan was nice enough to join us here, so let's try not to run him off with excess negativity. :)
Those who choose to be rude and insulting show their ignorance and I employ the ignore feature. I just don't have time for it. They lose the privilege of interacting with me. I worked hard, my writers worked hard, we wrote our visions and Fox approved. No one is going to like everything but we earned our spots in this and no one else is doing what I am doing trying to keep this alive. So if they can't be gracious but are ingrates, I don't bother with them. I am fighting hard to keep more Predator books coming and believe me, right now I am losing. This kind of vocal negativity is one reason why. The number one reason I came on here was to find out what fans really want and try to provide that in the future. But the criticism and comments that are useful are productive and not rude and disrespectful,
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
If it goes, the next volume will have a direct sequel to the original with Dutch, a prequel story for Dutch and team, female predators, and another Predator 2 sequel along with a bunch of stuff.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/d5Z2e8llsfnYxE3bj4/giphy.gif)
Just take my money man. That sounds great.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Those who choose to be rude and insulting show their ignorance and I employ the ignore feature. I just don't have time for it. They lose the privilege of interacting with me. I worked hard, my writers worked hard, we wrote our visions and Fox approved. No one is going to like everything but we earned our spots in this and no one else is doing what I am doing trying to keep this alive. So if they can't be gracious but are ingrates, I don't bother with them. I am fighting hard to keep more Predator books coming and believe me, right now I am losing. This kind of vocal negativity is one reason why. The number one reason I came on here was to find out what fans really want and try to provide that in the future. But the criticism and comments that are useful are productive and not rude and disrespectful,
I think the good news is, unless I missed something, while there was some discussed criticism, It appears for the most part everyone hasn't been rude or insulting or disrespectful or ignorant or ingrates since your last appearance.
We all have our favorites and least favorite stories, some we may find thrilling, some we may find disappointing, but I think it's safe to say we're all definitely grateful for this Anthology as well as all your, and the others', hard work. I even personally posted an Audiobook CD review series on several stories in another thread. Lots of great stuff and fun was had!
And I think it's safe to say we all appreciate your interaction and your efforts to get another Anthology created. Cheers!
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually interested in contributing, his people approached me, but negotiations are complicated. If it goes, the next volume will have a direct sequel to the original with Dutch, a prequel story for Dutch and team, female predators, and another Predator 2 sequel along with a bunch of stuff.
(https://m0.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/01161947/Oh-hell-yeah.gif)
All of that sounds fantastic.
Quote from: Huggs on Sep 20, 2019, 02:31:54 AM
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Huggs on Mar 11, 2019, 11:51:28 PM
We need a volume 2.
ASAP
It's the literary community that's keeping these universes alive, not to mention entertaining. The books are running laps around the films.
And yes, rematch was my favorite by far. Well grounded, but still exciting.
Trying to get one made. I have been on it for two years, authors all lined up, but Titan freaked out when the movie failed. We shall see. Writers have to have a year to write stories. Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually interested in contributing, his people approached me, but negotiations are complicated. If it goes, the next volume will have a direct sequel to the original with Dutch, a prequel story for Dutch and team, female predators, and another Predator 2 sequel along with a bunch of stuff.
https://m0.joe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/01161947/Oh-hell-yeah.gif
Has Arnold Schwarzenegger ever written fiction before? Or is there another path to contributing I'm unfamiliar with. Maybe allowing his likeness on the cover or something?
Anything from Arnold would be welcome.
Looking forward to it, here's hoping it's written well above all else and that's not a doubt of talent, but even a good artist is capable of bad work, I've just learned to be cautious.
This is great news indeed!
Another Predator 2 sequel? I'm intrigued.
Would this be Harrigan again, I wonder.
If Titan had cold feet allowing the move ahead with Harrigans War, could the short story perhaps feature some of what was planned for our favourite lieutenant?
*edit- sorry I should have 'quoted'.
I was replying to Brian. If he is willing to share such information at this time.
Harrigan's War is still around but held up in the same process. I cannot reveal any more details than I have until Fox signs off on story ideas and such. They could kill any of the stories, even the ones mentioned, so I have to keep it close to the vest, Tony, sorry. I know you reporters want all the juice though. ;). As for the rest, I want you to know that I have enjoyed coming in here and interacting with most of you and I have listened and made notes. The parameters for future fiction I am responsible for will take in mind what you most want to see as much as possible. There is a balance between Fox, Titan, and author's vision that is very hard sometimes to find but I do try and encourage people to deliver the things fans want because ultimately that is how we succeed. And I have certainly heard the constructive criticisms and will make use of them. But again, we can't please everyone and every story is not going to be for every person. But more predator, as far as I am concerned as a fan, is always better than no more predator. I hope most of you agree.
As far as I'm concerned, the books are the best thing coming out of these franchises. The anthologies give us an eclectic mixture of short stories. The reduced length of these narratives (I believe) keeps things fresh, and everything just seems tighter and more entertaining. I wasn't slogging through endless pages of "filler" in If It Bleeds. I really enjoy this style. It's also like getting years worth of novels all at once, which is really fantastic. As a fan, I couldn't hardly ask for more.
But I will. ;D
I'm still hoping we one day see an Alien story in the form of the WWZ novel. An after action report. A collection of debriefings and interviews post-infestation.
And an AVP anthology someday would be a dream come true.
Regardless, these anthologies were and are still a great idea. As a fan, I enjoy them immensely, and they're giving me everything the movies are not. If Titan or anybody else bucks because of a movie, that a shame. Because as far as I'm concerned, it's the books and the stories you guys make happen that are still delivering the positive experiences I expect from these franchises.
Thanks for all the awesome details about the possible sequel Bryan. Still consider If It Bleeds as the best Predator book.
Huggs, I keep pitching an AvP anthology and getting nowhere. They do keep Alien and Predator stand-alone separate. There is no mixing allowed. So the Predator anthos can't use any Xenos and vice versa. As for action reports, the aforementioned new Predator 2 sequel, if it happens, will be like that in some ways.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 20, 2019, 06:34:53 PM
Huggs, I keep pitching an AvP anthology and getting nowhere. They do keep Alien and Predator stand-alone separate. There is no mixing allowed. So the Predator anthos can't use any Xenos and vice versa. As for action reports, the aforementioned new Predator 2 sequel, if it happens, will be like that in some ways.
It's all good. We really appreciate what you do Bryan. You guys are keeping these beasts alive.
Awesome news about the P2 sequel too.
Quote from: Huggs on Sep 20, 2019, 06:44:16 PM
\It's all good. We really appreciate what you do Bryan. You guys are keeping these beasts alive.
I hope so. Because some of the criticisms of myself and my authors are not very kind. Frankly, to talk like I don't know what I'm doing or to insult writing styles is really unnecessary and just out of line. You don't like their voice and style, fine, but calling people bad writers is really not okay. I know most of you refrain from such and I appreciate it. The others just get muted, but still it is frustrating. I worked my butt off, did tons of reading—almost everything out there predator and avp and wikis and screenplays—watched all the films, even many fan made ones, consulted with fans and Hicks here and others. So the effort and time is a lot and I can accept not everyone likes every result but to insult the work and craftsmanship is really not cool. I am actually trying to do something good to the best of my ability. Many challenges. No one cared if I brought back old writers but I knew the fans did so I am doing that too in both volumes. Because I get it. I am a passionate fan too.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 20, 2019, 07:02:32 PM
Quote from: Huggs on Sep 20, 2019, 06:44:16 PM
\It's all good. We really appreciate what you do Bryan. You guys are keeping these beasts alive.
I hope so. Because some of the criticisms of myself and my authors are not very kind. Frankly, to talk like I don't know what I'm doing or to insult writing styles is really unnecessary and just out of line. You don't like their voice and style, fine, but calling people bad writers is really not okay. I know most of you refrain from such and I appreciate it. The others just get muted, but still it is frustrating. I worked my butt off, did tons of reading—almost everything out there predator and avp and wikis and screenplays—watched all the films, even many fan made ones, consulted with fans and Hicks here and others. So the effort and time is a lot and I can accept not everyone likes every result but to insult the work and craftsmanship is really not cool. I am actually trying to do something good to the best of my ability. Many challenges. No one cared if I brought back old writers but I knew the fans did so I am doing that too in both volumes. Because I get it. I am a passionate fan too.
Here, here! These creators aren't making corporate CEO bucks either, and if you've ever tried to write a story or drawn a comic or had to be in charge of herding a bunch of creative cats together on a common project then you'll understand there's no such thing as "lazy" or "phoned-in" with any of this stuff. The art they're producing often comes from a place of love, talent, hard work and heartfelt fandom, and We are the ones they're creating these works for, so lets not forget our respectful pleases and thank-you's when we're sharing thoughts in a forum specifically intended for people to gather and share our common love and appreciation for this very particular niche.
I mean, I think it's understandable, I think the psychological complexity inherent, especially in this particular fandom, are a huge draw for passionate people with remarkable powers of perception and critical analysis. Who wouldn't want to participate in that? But it's worth considering what benefit the weight of expressing our harshest criticisms brings to this franchise we all love, and if those benefits are out weighed by the potential damages brought about by expressing them. I may never be a fan of Archie vs Predator, but who am I to yuck other people's yums? Tribalism can turn into a seriously harsh mistress, and there is a difference between tactful courtesy and censorship.
In other words, kiss the cook, especially if you're never the one doing the cookin'. Rant accompli. Thanks again, Bryan!
Raksbooks has the PREDATOR: IF IT BLEES audiobook for $5, 80% off if anyone wants it. https://raksbooks.com/product/predator-if-it-bleeds-audiobook-by-bryan-thomas-schmidt-editor/
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Huggs on Mar 11, 2019, 11:51:28 PM
We need a volume 2.
ASAP
It's the literary community that's keeping these universes alive, not to mention entertaining. The books are running laps around the films.
And yes, rematch was my favorite by far. Well grounded, but still exciting.
Trying to get one made.
For what it's worth, I'd love to see an anthology centered around the Lost Predators from 'Predator 2', giving them little backstories and personalities. Maybe some of them hunted some of the crazy creatures we see mounted on the trophy wall inside their ship, etc.
I don't see it likely they'd do a full anthology on that but a story or two is certainly possible. Can't remember if anyone pitched one for the second volume I am working on or not but it was in my list of possibilities on the guidelines I sent writers.
I wish an AVP anthology was feasible. Fox needs to allow these things.
Big fan of If If Bleeds, appreciate ya work Bryan Thomas.
Quote from: Frosty Venom on Sep 21, 2019, 04:32:46 AM
I wish an AVP anthology was feasible. Fox needs to allow these things.
Has the idea been officially shot down?
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 21, 2019, 03:54:18 AM
I don't see it likely they'd do a full anthology on that but a story or two is certainly possible. Can't remember if anyone pitched one for the second volume I am working on or not but it was in my list of possibilities on the guidelines I sent writers.
In my head I'm sort of picturing something like the old Star Wars "Tales from Jabba's Palace"/"Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina" short story anthologies, where the authors picked random background characters and told little stories about them; sometimes the stories' plots intersected, most times they didn't, but the unifying theme was that they were all present in the Cantina or Jabba's Palace during the brief events in the movies.
I think it would be neat to see a series of stories about the Lost Predators as a way to give them all some degree of personality and individuality outside of just their appearance, and as an opportunity to showcase different Predator hunting tactics, methodologies, environments, etc.
I understand if it's not feasible as a full anthology, though.
Quote from: BryanThomasS on Sep 19, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Huggs on Mar 11, 2019, 11:51:28 PM
We need a volume 2.
ASAP
It's the literary community that's keeping these universes alive, not to mention entertaining. The books are running laps around the films.
And yes, rematch was my favorite by far. Well grounded, but still exciting.
Trying to get one made. I have been on it for two years, authors all lined up, but Titan freaked out when the movie failed. We shall see. Writers have to have a year to write stories. Arnold Schwarzenegger is actually interested in contributing, his people approached me, but negotiations are complicated. If it goes, the next volume will have a direct sequel to the original with Dutch, a prequel story for Dutch and team, female predators, and another Predator 2 sequel along with a bunch of stuff.
For those of you who enjoyed If It Bleeds, If anyone is interested, I have an action packed novel with snarky humor kinda like 48 Hours or Lethal Weapon meets Bosch and Asimov's City Of Steel about a tough, Luddite Kansas City cop forced to team with an android to solve his partner's murder. I think my Predator fans will really enjoy it. Here's information AND you can read a 3 chapter preview. https://boralisbooks.wordpress.com/simon-says/
Quote from: Uncanny Antman on Jan 13, 2019, 09:47:22 AM
It wasn't quite was I was hoping for either, but let's not piss on it too much. Bryan was nice enough to join us here, so let's try not to run him off with excess negativity. :)
Those who choose to be rude and insulting show their ignorance and I employ the ignore feature. I just don't have time for it. They lose the privilege of interacting with me. I worked hard, my writers worked hard, we wrote our visions and Fox approved. No one is going to like everything but we earned our spots in this and no one else is doing what I am doing trying to keep this alive. So if they can't be gracious but are ingrates, I don't bother with them. I am fighting hard to keep more Predator books coming and believe me, right now I am losing. This kind of vocal negativity is one reason why. The number one reason I came on here was to find out what fans really want and try to provide that in the future. But the criticism and comments that are useful are productive and not rude and disrespectful,
As long as the female predators don't have breasts then I am all for their inclusion.
Also I got to say it is great that you would come here to see what fans would like to see and expect, as well as interact with us. I feel there is a balance to makng a good product for the franchise, one that can grow and add new things but doesn't stray from the lore and also one that is aimed at the relevent democraphs but doesn't pander too much to fans, as not everyone is on the same page on what they want or expect an d lot of desires by some fans can be a little.....out there. :laugh:
The problem I feel with some studios today is that they are not satisfised with having a fanbase or certain demographic/audience, they want to reach all types of audiences and so the product is diluted so that it can reach a "wider audience". It just doesn't work well. AVP for example, they wanted to reach a wider audience and so they took all the blood and gore from it, Alien and Predator are R-rated movies and some fans expect a certain amount of violence from these two franchises.
Quote from: The Cruentus on Sep 21, 2019, 10:35:46 AM
As long as the female predators don't have breasts then I am all for their inclusion.
What a strange thing to draw the line against in regards to inclusion, considering how
extremely humanoid the Predator body and musculature is. If it's revealed that the male Predators assumingly have something that resembles male genitalia under their codpiece, would you be equally against it?
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Sep 21, 2019, 12:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Cruentus on Sep 21, 2019, 10:35:46 AM
As long as the female predators don't have breasts then I am all for their inclusion.
What a strange thing to draw the line against in regards to inclusion, considering how extremely humanoid the Predator body and musculature is. If it's revealed that the male Predators assumingly have something that resembles male genitalia under their codpiece, would you be equally against it?
To be fair, "BOLT SOME TITS ON IT!" is one of the laziest ways to indicate gender when designing an extraterrestrial species, and makes it really, really easy to sexualize them.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 21, 2019, 01:06:20 PM
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Sep 21, 2019, 12:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Cruentus on Sep 21, 2019, 10:35:46 AM
As long as the female predators don't have breasts then I am all for their inclusion.
What a strange thing to draw the line against in regards to inclusion, considering how extremely humanoid the Predator body and musculature is. If it's revealed that the male Predators assumingly have something that resembles male genitalia under their codpiece, would you be equally against it?
To be fair, "BOLT SOME TITS ON IT!" is one of the laziest ways to indicate gender when designing an extraterrestrial species, and makes it really, really easy to sexualize them.
True. And even "male" Predators have been sexualized by fans in unauthorized fiction and art, so I would imagine the females even more so. That's inevitable. But officially there's tactful ways of doing so, rather than giving a male Predator basically a man's body with protruding crotch, only to ridicoulusly make a woman Predator with say the anatomy of a spider.
(https://c8.alamy.com/comp/E1WAGR/muscular-toned-athletic-woman-basketball-player-E1WAGR.jpg)
Just give the females a different bone structure, no boobs since we don't need any more rule 34 than has already been made. Same way as the Predators we have seen resemble the body structure of male humans, do the same with the female predators.
(https://fairplayforwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/male-female_skeleton.png)
And I don't think its necessary to mention whenever its a male or a female, doesn't feel much relevant to the story. If its novel sure one can refer to the Predator as he or she on its POV, but in like a movie or a game, just the apperance should be enough to notice. Another idea that I heard here is giving the females a different shaped head/forehead.
I think Cool Props nailed the female head on the left.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/46985256_940912442766328_6797063965311500288_n.jpg)
I've always been a fan of the idea that Predator females are, at first glance, visually indistinguishable from males.
Those are honestly some of my favorite sculptures.
That's pretty much what I expect the females to look like in the face. A little slender in the face compared to the males with maybe some alterations to the mandibles. Maybe some differences in the frill but yeah that sculpt is spot on. I'd love to see that on film, in a comic, or make its way into a game.
Good stuff.
As for body type, an athletic or body builder type would make sense. They're humanoid enough that I'd buy the female looking as if it could be played by a seven foot tall actress. I'm not sure how I feel about giving them breasts but defined pecs would work, enough that it's suggestive of it but not large enough to be what they are. Although I'd be amused in that every time they show up the chest is covered and we are just as in the dark as we are with what's under the male's crotch gear. Otherwise while in gear they'd be indistinguishable at a glance.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, - who says the Predator in the second film wasn't female? The bone structure of its head was subtly but noticeably different from all the others we've seen.
But yeah, the boobs look f*cking sucks. It's lazy, makes no sense (most female species on Earth don't have pronounced breasts, why the hell would aliens? Oh, and good luck suckling with dem mandibles!) and more often than not it just leads to stupid, sexualised fan-porn.
Meh....Surely you've stumbled across Sonic porn. Any media will be turned to creepy fan porn. Sad but true.
Also, there are phoned in and lazy creators. I'm not saying anything about the "If it Bleeds" crew, but there are some hacks out there. This affects all media.
Quote from: razeak on Sep 22, 2019, 01:31:00 PM
Meh....Surely you've stumbled across Sonic porn. Any media will be turned to creepy fan porn. Sad but true.
This 100 times over. You do a female Predator tactfully or not, with breasts or not, either way it's unfortunately going to happen... like it already has with the perceived 'male' Predator even though we have no idea what's really under the codpiece.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 21, 2019, 01:06:20 PM
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Sep 21, 2019, 12:08:28 PM
Quote from: The Cruentus on Sep 21, 2019, 10:35:46 AM
As long as the female predators don't have breasts then I am all for their inclusion.
What a strange thing to draw the line against in regards to inclusion, considering how extremely humanoid the Predator body and musculature is. If it's revealed that the male Predators assumingly have something that resembles male genitalia under their codpiece, would you be equally against it?
To be fair, "BOLT SOME TITS ON IT!" is one of the laziest ways to indicate gender when designing an extraterrestrial species, and makes it really, really easy to sexualize them.
I go back and forth on this. On one hand, considering how human-looking they already are (and if we are to assume that there's male anatomy under that cod-piece and not some sort of cloaca), then yes – it wouldn't be too far fetched to give the females breasts. I mean, we're already half-way there, right?
On the other hand, breasts really are a mammalian feature. If the females have them, then they should also be using them for feeding purposes, unless they're vestigial. When I see a Predator, the first thing that comes to my mind is not "mammal" :-\ Of course, this is an alien species so anything's possible. Why confine ourselves to that dimorphism when there's so many other possibilities?
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Sep 21, 2019, 02:15:48 PM
I think Cool Props nailed the female head on the left.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/46985256_940912442766328_6797063965311500288_n.jpg)
This, different musculature like Samhain suggested or feathers/patterns/texture would be great.
Rematch featured a female predator.
Any other examples across the EU?
I can't think of any, exclusively.
Off the top of my head, Deadliest of Species, The Rage Wars, Prey.
Ah, thanks Hicks!
Yeah, Prey I was 50-50 on. It's been 20 years since I read that, man. Haven't touched Rage Wars (not sure if I want to but that's on me, not the writers.)
As for Deadliest of the Species, true. Though I like to consider I have completely wiped that one from my memory!
If my memory serves me correctly, both The Rage Wars and DoTS show the females with no discernible physical differences, though in temperament the females are more, I'd say, aggressive?
Don't remember the ones in the Rage War acting much different from males, in Incursion they all appear to be more agressive due to the situation. I never finished DoTS.
Quote from: Tony Pope on Sep 23, 2019, 10:55:48 PM
Rematch featured a female predator.
Any other examples across the EU?
I can't think of any, exclusively.
Its only briefly mentioned but in South China Sea on one of the monitors on the Predator ship:
"A young female predator stalked a huge purple saurion with 3 heads under a yellow sky."
Predators do livestream across the Galaxy through their helmets in the novel. ;D
That's Right!
It's been ages since I read that book.
f**king Awesome novel!
(VanderMeers City of Saints & Madmen was good also).
Quote from: Samhain13 on Sep 24, 2019, 05:27:24 PMIts only briefly mentioned but in South China Sea on one of the monitors on the Predator ship:
"A young female predator stalked a huge purple saurion with 3 heads under a yellow sky."
Predators do livestream across the Galaxy through their helmets in the novel. ;D
"Hey yo, what is going on guys, Hunt3r4Realz here comin' atcha LIVE with another stream from across the galaxy, and tonight I'm going to be hunting a purple saurion with 3 heads so don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe if you like what you see, I'd really appreciate it!"
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 24, 2019, 08:08:29 AM
Off the top of my head, Deadliest of Species, The Rage Wars, Prey.
Do you mean AvP: Prey? They get mentioned in the novel, but not "shown".
There's one in Steve Perry's story in 'If It Bleeds', but I don't remember her getting a physical description.
They're also mentioned in everyone's favorite Predator novel, Forever Midnight (and I think Flesh and Blood as well).
I believe one shows up in the Witchblade/Darkness/Aliens/Predator crossover as well.
On Steve Perry's story in 'If It Bleeds' there is a Predator couple, I don't think the female is described as being physically different than the other one.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 25, 2019, 10:22:07 PM
They're also mentioned in everyone's favorite Predator novel, Forever Midnight (and I think Flesh and Blood as well).
I see what you did there. And I had completely forgotten about those two.
In Forever Midnight its not like in the other histories. The "Hish"'s bodies changes their sex at random, I think there is a part where the clan leader is worried since his best bro is about to turn female and he gets moody during that phase. Its hilarious.
On Flesh and Blood despite being called Hish, there is no mention of them being hermaphrodites. Most of them are reffered as males I think, but I remember it was mentioned there was a young teen female on the second hunting pack that arrives later on the story.
Yeah, Forever Midnight isn't the greatest certainly.
It is a thing unto itself :D (And one that I kind of pretend doesn't exist lol)
I only recently read that for the first time. I really liked the beginning aboard the ship, but once they get down to the planet... man, does it take a turn :laugh:
In Rage War, I believe the humans are only guessing which yautja are female and which are male?
I'm fairly sure the main Predator character is female and explicitly says so.
There are two: Hashori and Yaquita. There's also "The Widow Clan". Several references to females.
I recall gender was described from a limited human perspective but it's been a while
So now the new Stephen King's horror anthology is called If It Bleeds as well:
https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2019/10/03/stephen-kings-next-book-awesomely-titled-if-it-bleeds
That's gonna cause some confusion.
I doubt it honestly.
So,
this new Anthology (of which I'm sure we're all looking forward to) addresses the prospect of a Predator 2 sequel.
We've already had 'Drug War' also future efforts allude to the possibility of 'Harrigans War' and baring in mind the recently unveiled Stalking Shadows promises a true Pred 2 continuation.
But, I do ask of YOU out there "what in your mind constitutes as necessary for a Predator 2 sequel?"
Or, what would you like to see?
Personally,
I felt that the movie ended just fine. "Don't worry, asshole. You'll get another chance!"
I am using Tony Pope in a soon upcoming (personal) endeavour, yet perhaps wouldn't go so far to consider it 'continuity' of that films purpose. I am pouring my f**king heart and bleeding soul into it, though would not rush to outline the work as specifically aligned with P2.
I realise that another thread may have been appropriate for this discussion and I am not anticipating response from anybody In Particular though speak up and speak out, if at all.
It's just a question...
Have at it!
A story from the POV of OWLF post-Predator 2 could be cool, but might stray a little too close to Hunters and Hunted to be doable.