Marvel Comics has announced that it has acquired the publishing rights to the Alien and Predator franchises. Dark Horse Comics previously published lines of Alien and Predator comics, but now Marvel will be the exclusive home of these adventures that will continue to expand on the feature films.
With the announcement comes two teaser posters by artist David Finch, featuring Alien's "Big Chap" Xenomorph aboard the Guardians of the Galaxy's spaceship and a Predator leaving its mark on Avengers headquarters, and Iron Man in particular.
"Alien and Predator are the two of the most identifiable, iconic characters of all time, and I love them for that," Finch told IGN. "But mostly, it’s being fortunate enough to be a kid when they were new. I’ve seen every movie they’ve ever been in, and I cannot wait to see them wreaking havoc in the Marvel Universe. I drew my pictures of them with a massive smile on my face.”
"There's nothing more thrilling than a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat, and Alien and Predator have delivered that time and time again!" Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski said in a statement. "I can clearly remember where I was when I saw each of these modern masterpieces for the first time, and reveling in how both masterfully weave extraterrestrial dread and drama into some of the most iconic scenes we've ever seen on film. And it’s that legacy that we’re going to live up to!”
"The incredible legacies of both franchises offer some of the most compelling and exciting worldbuilding in all of science fiction. It is a thrill and an honor to be able to add to that mythology and continuity with all-new stories set within those universes," editor Jake Thomas added.
Dark Horse was the previous home to Alien and Predator comics, with Alien debuting in 1988 followed by Predator the next year in 1989. The publisher also use to release Star Wars comics, though that ended when Marvel reacquired the license in 2015, leading to a new line of Star Wars storylines set in the time between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. Another recent franchise to move to Marvel was Conan the Barbarian in 2018, with the character slowly integrated into the main Marvel Universe.
As of now, there is no word on if Alien or Predator will join the Marvel Universe in the comics.