One of the most ambitious crossover titles ever, Alien vs. Predator combines two of the most iconic horror franchises ever made. Though AvP is known primarily for its films, the franchise actually started in the form of comic books six years before the first film's release.
With Marvel Comics relaunching both Predator and Alien comics this past September, speculation has grown among fans that AvP comics could soon receive similar treatment. Though the abysmal critical reception of both AvP films set a seemingly permanent stain, the franchise has numerous comics that are far better.
10 Humans And Yautjas Joined Forces In Life & Death
A four-issue series by Dan Abnett, Brian Albert Thies, and Rain Beredo, Alien vs. Predator: Life And Death was one of the last AvP comics published by Dark Horse Comics before the rights of the franchise went to Marvel. The comic centers around a group of Yautja and Colonial Marines combining their efforts to battle against a massive hoard of Xenomorphs.
The story climaxes with an epic, action-packed battle with Xenomorphs desperately fighting to retrieve something stolen from them. A portion of the Life And Death event, Alien vs. Predator: Life And Death was the culmination of three separate titles also written by Abnett.
9 Booty Features Pirate Predators
Initially printed as short serials for Previews Magazine, Aliens vs. Predator: Booty is a one-shot comic by Barbara Kesel, Ron Randall, and Chris Chalenor. A joint publishing effort by Dark Horse Comics and Diamond Comic Distributors, the story centers on a group of people posing as Colonial Marines.
Escaping on their ship after stealing a Xenomorph Queen, the ship is suddenly attacked by two pirate Predators who plan on taking the Queen for themselves. An important issue in the timeline of Alien comics, Booty builds on a story from one of the best Alien comics ever made: Aliens: Labyrinth.
8 Deadliest Of The Species Takes Place In The Future
Another great AvP comic published by Dark Horse Comics, Aliens vs. Predator: Deadliest of the Species is a twelve-issue series by Chris Claremont, Jackson Guice, Eduardo Barreto, and Gregory Wright. Set after the human race freed itself from a Xenomorph hoard running the planet, the story follows Caryn Delacroix, a genetically engineered wife created by a tech corporation.
A comic that stays true to the franchise, Deadliest of the Species builds upon themes previously introduced to both the Alien and Predator franchises; for example, greed and the suppression of human rights. The comic was reprinted in trade paperback form in 1997, adding original alternate covers by comic artist John Bolton.
7 The Franchise Started With Aliens Vs. Predator 1989
Published fifteen years before the release of Paul W.S. Anderson's Alien vs. Predator film, Aliens vs. Predator is a three-issue series by Randy Stradley, Phill Norwood, and Karl Story. The first entry in the Alien vs. Predator franchise, this comic is responsible for inspiring dozens of other comics and two major films.
Set on a Yautja Mother Ship, the story follows a group of Yautja harvesting eggs from a kidnapped Xenomorph Queen. Though this comic is notable for being the first piece of AvP media, it's also responsible for introducing many underrated aspects of Yautja lore.
6 Blood Time Introduced Top Knot To The AvP Franchise
Another great AvP comic written by Randy Stradley, Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Times is a comic short story with art by Phill Norwood and Frank Lopez. The story centers around Top Knot, the leader of a Yautja clan, who leads an initiation hunt with nine other Yautja.
With the hunt eventually devolving into a personal battle between two Yautja rivals, the comic displays the intricacies and extreme danger involved in Yautja hunting. With his significant presence throughout the comic, Blood Times helped establish Top Knot as one of the greatest characters in the Predator franchise.
5 War Was The First Epic Saga In The Franchise
A five-issue series, Aliens vs. Predator: War was made by a massive creative team of Randy Stradley, Chris Warner, Mike Hanley, Jim Hall, Mark G. Heike, and Chris Chalenor. The story continues the adventures of Machiko Noguchi, one of the main characters from the original Aliens vs. Predator comic, and Top Knot, one of the Yautjas from Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time.
Effectively the culmination of those two stories, War delivers incredible action on a grand scale, which is something the franchise has become known for. Like many great Alien and Predator comics published by Dark Horse Comics, War was adapted into a novel by the same name.
4 Eternal Takes Place In Tokyo
A four-issue series by Ian Edginton, Alex Maleev, Perry McNamee, and Dan Jackson, Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal was published in June 1998. Set in futuristic Tokyo, the story follows a reporter named Becka McBride. On the brink of a significant moment in her career, Becka is researching a man named Gideon Suhn Lee, who claims to be 700 years old.
According to Gideon, the usage of the best Yautja technology, as well as consuming Yautja flesh, has given him the gift of eternal life. Like other comics on this list, Eternal does a great job of combining excellent action with the exploration of previously established themes from the Alien and Predator films.
3 Duel Was The First AvP Sequel Comic
Published by Dark Horse Comics in March 1995, Aliens vs. Predator: Duel is a two-issue mini-series by Randy Stradley, Javier Saltares, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Jim Sinclair. The first AvP comic to serve as a direct sequel, Duel follows a platoon of Colonial Marines responding to a distress signal from the planet Ryushi.
Upon investigation, the Marines arrive at a colony called Prosperity Wells to find the whole place infested with Xenomorphs. Duel also featured characters who later appeared in the aforementioned Aliens vs. Predator: War.
2 Xenomorphs Joined Forces With The Yautja In Three World War
A six-issue series by Randy Stradley, Rick Leonardi, Mark Pennington, and Wes Dzioba, Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War is among the most action-packed comics ever made. Released in June 2010, Three World War served as the relaunch of Dark Horse Comics' Aliens vs. Predator comics, starting the franchise's next era following the release of the two films.
Featuring the return of Machiko Noguchi from Aliens vs. Predator: War, the story follows a group of Colonial Marines who visit Noguchi with an offer to join their mission. Refusing at first, Noguchi reluctantly joins the team after seeing footage of Yautja and Xenomorphs working together.
1 Fire And Stone Is The Best AvP Comic
Recognized by fans as the best Alien vs. Predator comic, Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone is a four-issue series by Christopher Sebela, Ariel Olivetti, and Nate Piekos. One of four titles in the Dark Horse Comics' Fire and Stone event, Alien vs. Predator: Fire and Stone was released simultaneously with Prometheus: Fire and Stone, Aliens: Fire and Stone, and Predator: Fire and Stone.
Set in the year 2219, the story follows a group of mercenaries suddenly attacked by a named Elden. As Elden unleashes a massive Xenomorph hoard on the mercenaries, a ship of Yautja is drawn to the conflict, which culminates in a chaotic three-way battle.