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Following on from their adaptation of William Gibson’s original Alien 3 script (check out our podcast review here), and their upcoming adaptation of Dan O’Bannon’s first draft of Alien, Dark Horse Comics are now turning their sights on Predator and adapting Jim and John Thomas’ original Hunters draft of Predator!

“There's excitement in seeing what might have been. The bones of Predator are there, but the original idea was so different and in some ways, much deeper than what the movie became — and we lean hard into those differences. Turn all of that over to a pair of dynamic artists like Patrick Blain and Andy Owens, and the results are spectacular. Predator fans are going to lose their minds!”

Aliens vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood scribe Jeremy Barlow will also be penning the five issue adaptation, and is joined by Patrick Blain and Andy Owens for the art, both of whom are new talent to the Alien and Predator franchises.

Judging from the cover art, this take on the Predator will not be using Steve Johnson’s previous Predator design but a completely new take on the creatures. The first issue is due to hit shelves on the 10th of June! You can also check out the Hunter script in our downloads section!

Make sure you stick with Alien vs. Predator Galaxy for the latest Alien and Predator comic and novel news! You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to get the latest on your social media walls. You can also join in with fellow Alien and Predator fans on our forums!

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(https://media.giphy.com/media/xT0xeGWDzEfcsd8QzC/giphy.gif)

THAT

IS FREAK'N

AWESOME!!!

I was actually wondering if they'd be doing this considering the Alien ones.

(https://i.imgur.com/ZGrjRIQ.jpg)

I think it's kinda surprising to do this without using Johnson's old design, but that was done for Predator as we knew it, not Hunter.

Is this going to include the idea of ​​an intergalactic hunting club? All that of a space bus with alien hunters of all races making a stop on Earth to leave the Predator  ???

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 19, 2020, 06:01:23 PM
I think it's kinda surprising to do this without using Johnson's old design, but that was done for Predator as we knew it, not Hunter.

Still pretty exciting  8)

Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Feb 19, 2020, 06:07:51 PM
Is this going to include the idea of ​​an intergalactic hunting club? All that of a space bus with alien hunters of all races making a stop on Earth to leave the Predator  ???

I can't remember if that was in Hunters or not. Gonna have to have a re-read later.

Holy shit.

So F-img awesome. I'll be going through that script later. 

Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Feb 19, 2020, 06:07:51 PM
Is this going to include the idea of ​​an intergalactic hunting club? All that of a space bus with alien hunters of all races making a stop on Earth to leave the Predator  ???

Although I'm actively always researching to be strictly a complete Predator 2 historian rather than Predator, I do not believe the hunting party ever made it into a completed script draft. However, we should see the Predator's ship in the jungle this time though!  :)

---

Avp Thicker than Blood
Predator Hunters III
Predator Hunting Grounds
Predator Stalking Shadows
Predator The Original Screenplay

Wow, what a stretch of months. We're just rolling in Predator content!

Oh that's hilarious!  My hat's off to Dark Horse on being creative.

Ooh, this is going to be interesting. More commandos and 100% more scenes of people almost falling off cliffs.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 19, 2020, 06:09:58 PM

Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Feb 19, 2020, 06:07:51 PM
Is this going to include the idea of ​​an intergalactic hunting club? All that of a space bus with alien hunters of all races making a stop on Earth to leave the Predator  ???

I can't remember if that was in Hunters or not. Gonna have to have a re-read later.

Really? cos I dig the idea.

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 19, 2020, 06:45:26 PM
Although I'm actively always researching to be strictly a complete Predator 2 historian rather than Predator, I do not believe the hunting party ever made it into a completed script draft. However, we should see the Predator's ship in the jungle this time though!  :)

Thanks for answering. I wish it had ended in the script though  :laugh: 

Gremlins?  :o

Honestly, if they really wanted my attention they would at least reveal who the cover artist is. Considering that the internal art is done by unseasoned artists. The front cover sold this news, but ultimately we will have to see how the internal art turns out.  :-

Wow, this is really interesting! Was not expecting something like this at all.

I just checked out Patrick Blaine's work and he is pretty good.

He also provides the upcoming variant cover for Predator Hunters III issue 3.

The lead charector will  be Native American and have a lot of flash backs of his cultures manhood trials that end up helping him survive. If memorie serves. This is a cool idea.

Wow this is crazy! Super cool  news

Quote from: Fiendishly Inventive on Feb 19, 2020, 09:06:38 PM
Gremlins?!

(https://i.imgur.com/MDUS0Kf.png)

Hi. Very interesting.  Was not expecting this too. Cover ... Yeah .... Gremlinish .....as a fan of the best wood hunter , very excited. Just don't want to see J C Vandame in it ( just kidding Jean Claude ....)
And , who know , if it's good , ( it will be ) why not to consider a good prequel with Jim Hopper in it
S Black just lost his cell phone ...... Don't call him.
Can't wait for this comic book     Thomas brothers , I salute you
Regards

Gremlins!  ;D

Quote from: PVC on Feb 20, 2020, 08:09:17 AM
Hi. Very interesting.  Was not expecting this too. Cover ... Yeah .... Gremlinish .....as a fan of the best wood hunter , very excited. Just don't want to see J C Vandame in it ( just kidding Jean Claude ....)
And , who know , if it's good , ( it will be ) why not to consider a good prequel with Jim Hopper in it
S Black just lost his cell phone ...... Don't call him.
Can't wait for this comic book     Thomas brothers , I salute you
Regards

Hmm. Bringing up the Thomas Brothers, I would truly love to know their thoughts about this... good, bad or indifferent.

Now this is exciting news  ;D

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 20, 2020, 01:13:25 PM

Quote from: PVC on Feb 20, 2020, 08:09:17 AM
Hi. Very interesting.  Was not expecting this too. Cover ... Yeah .... Gremlinish .....as a fan of the best wood hunter , very excited. Just don't want to see J C Vandame in it ( just kidding Jean Claude ....)
And , who know , if it's good , ( it will be ) why not to consider a good prequel with Jim Hopper in it
S Black just lost his cell phone ...... Don't call him.
Can't wait for this comic book     Thomas brothers , I salute you
Regards

Hmm. Bringing up the Thomas Brothers, I would truly love to know their thoughts about this... good, bad or indifferent.

I would love to know their thoughts on everything past Predator 2. The only time I really heard anything from them was their excellent audio commentary for Predator 2 and their very small appearance in the making of from the original film. Have they ever talked about any Predator related stuff anywhere beyond that?

Maybe they could make a foreword for this comic.

Quote from: Katanu on Feb 20, 2020, 05:40:37 PM

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 20, 2020, 01:13:25 PM

Quote from: PVC on Feb 20, 2020, 08:09:17 AM
Hi. Very interesting.  Was not expecting this too. Cover ... Yeah .... Gremlinish .....as a fan of the best wood hunter , very excited. Just don't want to see J C Vandame in it ( just kidding Jean Claude ....)
And , who know , if it's good , ( it will be ) why not to consider a good prequel with Jim Hopper in it
S Black just lost his cell phone ...... Don't call him.
Can't wait for this comic book     Thomas brothers , I salute you
Regards

Hmm. Bringing up the Thomas Brothers, I would truly love to know their thoughts about this... good, bad or indifferent.

I would love to know their thoughts on everything past Predator 2. The only time I really heard anything from them was their excellent audio commentary for Predator 2 and their very small appearance in the making of from the original film. Have they ever talked about any Predator related stuff anywhere beyond that?

Maybe they could make a foreword for this comic.

They both seemingly have become somewhat of a recluse in the public eye. Especially John.

---

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 19, 2020, 06:01:23 PM
I think it's kinda surprising to do this without using Johnson's old design, but that was done for Predator as we knew it, not Hunter.

So I'm going through the ol' Predator archives, and these early Hunter storyboards with Matheny / pre-Dutch that were up for sale back in the day at the Propstore of London still featured the original Predator old Boss Films design. That rat head. Even those legs. So it would appear that's the design they still should be going with here.

(https://i.ibb.co/YWH88ZH/IMG-20200220-131459.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/gtXbsGk/IMG-20200220-132719.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/BG5szVt/20200220-132904.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/vLWRPGd/20200220-132831.jpg)

(https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/ckeditor_assets/pictures/2967/content_predator-original-design-3.jpg?1395801040)

Super cool news! This and Alien: The Original Screenplay will make great companion pieces. Unexpected for sure, but very, very welcome!

While it is mildly surprising they don't seem to be going with the Boss Film design, it makes sense since by the time that came about things were likely closer to what the final film ended up as than the version of the script they're basing this off of.

I've never read any of the early Predator drafts, but I'm assuming this will be more like the small, simian-like creature with prehensile feet that could climb and swing through the trees easily before they decided they wanted something bigger to look more physically intimidating?

Also was it something from the original script or just an idea that John McTiernan had about the team originally getting to the drop zone via a C-130 rather than choppers and getting buzzed by Peruvian Migs, which caused the pilot to want to turn back until Dutch held a gun to his head and forced him to keep going as planned, eventually running through the plane an grabbing a parachute as he jumped out?

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 19, 2020, 06:45:26 PM

Avp Thicker than Blood
Predator Hunters III
Predator Hunting Grounds
Predator Stalking Shadows
Predator The Original Screenplay

Wow, what a stretch of months. We're just rolling in Predator content!

And Archie Vs Predator 2 concluded last month. In terms of releases this is the most Predator content released in a single year since the 90's! I'm loving it!

Quote from: Xiggz456 on Feb 20, 2020, 07:12:17 PM

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 19, 2020, 06:45:26 PM

Avp Thicker than Blood
Predator Hunters III
Predator Hunting Grounds
Predator Stalking Shadows
Predator The Original Screenplay

Wow, what a stretch of months. We're just rolling in Predator content!

And Archie Vs Predator 2 concluded last month. In terms of releases this is the most Predator content released in a single year since the 90's! I'm loving it!

Good catch!

Quote from: Kailem on Feb 20, 2020, 07:11:20 PM
While it is mildly surprising they don't seem to be going with the Boss Film design, it makes sense since by the time that came about things were likely closer to what the final film ended up as than the version of the script they're basing this off of.

I don't know.... the storyboards say Matheny, not Dutch. That's pre-Schwarzenegger. That's 1985.

Looking forward to digging into this when it hits the shelves.

The artwork I was checking out by Andy Owens seems promising.

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 20, 2020, 06:34:43 PM
So I'm going through the ol' Predator archives, and these early Hunter storyboards with Matheny / pre-Dutch that were up for sale back in the day at the Propstore of London still featured the original Predator old Boss Films design. That rat head. Even those legs. So it would appear that's the design they still should be going with here.

(https://i.ibb.co/YWH88ZH/IMG-20200220-131459.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/gtXbsGk/IMG-20200220-132719.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/BG5szVt/20200220-132904.jpg)
https://i.ibb.co/vLWRPGd/20200220-132831.jpg

https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/ckeditor_assets/pictures/2967/content_predator-original-design-3.jpg?1395801040

Looks like I completely missed these storyboards. That's a good catch. Hmmm, makes the choice more odd. Unless they're going shapeshifter from the novel?

I don't think it was ever a shape-shifter in the script. The earliest draft I read said the Predator had a human-like face under a mask.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 21, 2020, 09:13:29 AM

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 20, 2020, 06:34:43 PM
So I'm going through the ol' Predator archives, and these early Hunter storyboards with Matheny / pre-Dutch that were up for sale back in the day at the Propstore of London still featured the original Predator old Boss Films design. That rat head. Even those legs. So it would appear that's the design they still should be going with here.

(https://i.ibb.co/YWH88ZH/IMG-20200220-131459.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/gtXbsGk/IMG-20200220-132719.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/BG5szVt/20200220-132904.jpg)
https://i.ibb.co/vLWRPGd/20200220-132831.jpg

https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/ckeditor_assets/pictures/2967/content_predator-original-design-3.jpg?1395801040

Looks like I completely missed these storyboards. That's a good catch. Hmmm, makes the choice more odd. Unless they're going shapeshifter from the novel?

Quote from: SiL on Feb 21, 2020, 10:45:38 AM
I don't think it was ever a shape-shifter in the script. The earliest draft I read said the Predator had a human-like face under a mask.

The more I think of it, I'm probably confusing the issue. Storyboards, concept art, Boss Films work, none of that should be applicable here. This is just an adaptation of the written page, the original script and its words and descriptions therein. Nothing external outside that script should/would be relevant.

In regards to its content, do I believe every version of the Hunter/Predator scripts are in public circulation?  No, not at all, right?  So probably in the formerly Fox library there are versions out there that perhaps reference the hunting party, the Predator bleeding orange versus green, shapeshift ability to appear like other animals, etc. everything we heard about and/or read in the novel. Suddenly I don't want to look into this further, and I'm just plain excited what we may discover within each issue!  :o

Also:
I wonder if this will stay "20th Century 'Fox' Uncovered", or change to 'Studios' :

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/predator-the-original-screenplay-cover-art.jpg)

I finished reading the 'Hunter' screenplay.

I really enjoyed the nuances.

Some good descriptions in there for the creature. 3 fingers, toes, semi translucent skin, orange blood and so on.

The final battle seems to be really long in this screen play. I could see it taking up the entirety of Issues 4 and 5.

Was there shapeshifting in the draft you read Russ?

No. Not that I noticed. I did breeze over familiar story beats from the film but I was sure to read everything from the 'Hunter's' point of view and there was no mention in those.

His cameo was interesting though. It's still tech but it's like a sheath suit that is more akin to a chameleon as opposed to bending light. There is a great bit with a butterfly at the point he first appears.

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 21, 2020, 02:14:17 PMThe more I think of it, I'm probably confusing the issue. Storyboards, concept art, Boss Films work, none of that should be applicable here. This is just an adaptation of the written page, the original script and its words and descriptions therein. Nothing external outside that script should/would be relevant.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Likely nothing that was developed outside of the original script is going to play a part in what we're going to see.

It would be cool to see a version that used the original suit design as well though, possibly adapting a later draft. Maybe something for down the road if this does well?

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Feb 21, 2020, 02:14:17 PMAlso:
I wonder if this will stay "20th Century 'Fox' Uncovered", or change to 'Studios' :

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/predator-the-original-screenplay-cover-art.jpg)

Hopefully 20th Century Fox. It's still too early for the "Studios" part to be as recognisable to most people. That and just for old time's sake.

The earliest draft I've read is the one on AvPG from July 1985 with Matheny, human-faced Hunter, and a whole bunch of commandos who get wasted in the guerrilla camp attack:

https://www.avpgalaxy.net/files/scripts/predator-1985-07-27.pdf

Interestingly the Smart Disc makes its appearance here (and is the weapon used to kill the Hunter).

Cool cool cool

Hoping it's completely over the top.

50 bonus points for having a guy named Blaine doing the art.

To be honest, the one early Predator script I've read didn't really differ much from the finished film, so it'll be interesting to see what they come up with for this.

The 1985 draft is substantially different. Same framework, but a lot of changes. Different characters, more characters, deaths swapped around (Blain has Dillon's death), stuff like that.

The extra mercs didn't really do shit though. Pretty sure they didn't even get any dialogue before they're killed off.

Mostly I remember the elaborate action scene in the canyon and the vastly expanded final duel between Dutch and the Pred as being the only notable differences.

The log bridge is a whole set piece and takes place earlier, some characters are completely different, different deaths; a ton of superficial changes throughout. Pretty sure one of Matheny's men survives even, or Anna is a dude.

Spoiler

Anna dies, Billy escapes in her place.

[close]

Stuff like that's fairly superfluous though. The basic framework's the same, even if the fates of different characters are moved around a bit.

So it's mainly up to the presentation then.

Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 01, 2020, 05:31:33 PM
Stuff like that's fairly superfluous though. The basic framework's the same, even if the fates of different characters are moved around a bit.

When you put enough of those little changes together it makes for a substantially different experience all over, though.

Solicitations are out.
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/2003/19/darkhorsejune.htm

PREDATOR: THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #1

Jeremy Barlow (W), Patrick Blaine (A), Andy Owens (I), Candice Han (C), Diego Galindo (Cover), and Marc Borstelmann (Variant Cover)

A team of military specialists are on a rescue mission in the jungles of Central America. The details of the mission are classified, but the team soon uncovers a trail of lies and deceit. Something is observing them -- tracking their every move. The hunt has begun!

Adapted from the 1984 screenplay Hunters by James E. Thomas and John C. Thomas, before it became the 1987 film Predator.

32 pages, $3.99, in stores on June 10.

Quote from: felix on Mar 19, 2020, 09:49:54 PM
Solicitations are out.
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/2003/19/darkhorsejune.htm

PREDATOR: THE ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #1

Jeremy Barlow (W), Patrick Blaine (A), Andy Owens (I), Candice Han (C), Diego Galindo (Cover), and Marc Borstelmann (Variant Cover)

A team of military specialists are on a rescue mission in the jungles of Central America. The details of the mission are classified, but the team soon uncovers a trail of lies and deceit. Something is observing them -- tracking their every move. The hunt has begun!

Adapted from the 1984 screenplay Hunters by James E. Thomas and John C. Thomas, before it became the 1987 film Predator.

32 pages, $3.99, in stores on June 10.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/2003/19/predator1b.htm
(http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/2003/19/predator1b.htm)
Well, that certainly is an interesting interpretation. I guess I can see the resemblance with the original storyboard sketches...maybe.

Wow! Thanks for posting this Wysps!

I don't see any Predator tech there. Hmm...

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comicscontinuum.com%2Fstories%2F2003%2F19%2Fpredator1b.jpg&hash=c89674fa9428612955c7bb2bb65f06a6cae713d0)

The original creature didn't really have any tech, except a spear.

The smartdisc, in the early script. The wrist-blades were au naturel originally though.

I don't recall the disc in the early script on here, just the spear. Could be forgetting it though.

It's what Matheny uses to kill the Predator in the climax (At least, it's described as "spinning like a discus").

Doesn't he just lob the spear at it, like in the novel?

Page 115, I linked the script in the previous page. It's described as spinning like a discus.

Fair enough. In the novel it's the spear, which is probably why I remembered it that way.

I really want to read that one day. Doesn't it mind-control animals, too?

Not only can it can control them (at one point it uses a bird as a scout), it can physically mimic them (it turns into a jackal just by studying a tuft of its hair).

I'm not sure I could really recommend reading the book to anyone (it's pretty whack, and not in a good way), but there's definitely some crazy shit in it, especially regarding the Predator itself.

Quote from: SiL on Mar 20, 2020, 11:08:52 AM
Page 115, I linked the script in the previous page. It's described as spinning like a discus.

I remember that!

Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 20, 2020, 10:12:03 AM
The original creature didn't really have any tech, except a spear.

I'm not just talking weapons, but it had suit tech. It had some sort of translucent bio suit.

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Mar 20, 2020, 11:21:32 AMI'm not just talking weapons, but it had suit tech. It had some sort of translucent bio suit.

Did it?

Maybe I'm getting confused between script and book again, but I thought it had chameleon-like skin rather than stealth tech.

Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 20, 2020, 11:24:07 AM

Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Mar 20, 2020, 11:21:32 AMI'm not just talking weapons, but it had suit tech. It had some sort of translucent bio suit.

Did it?

Maybe I'm getting confused between script and book again, but I thought it had chameleon-like skin rather than stealth tech.

Here it is:

(https://i.ibb.co/8bSCy8s/Screenshot-20200320-072925-Drive.jpg)

Perhaps there is also a draft I haven't seen where it's actually his skin?

I think the book took a shitload of creative liberties that were never in the script. He always wore tech -- in fact he wore a mask originally, then lost it, then got it back as the script developed.

It's possible the script was written based on a draft of the script plus concept art, and then the author was given license (Like how Alan Dean Foster never saw the finished designs for the Alien, and describes it with eyes in the novel).

I genuinely look forward to this.

An update from Dark Horse Comics website.

They removed a pre-order for its first issue.

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/1ec437928f41fe02e9b96046104ba6ee/tenor.gif)

That Gif says everything

Anyone know whats going on? It looks like new issues are coming out of other series, why has dark horse sidelined its ongoing series?