Marvel Comics acquires rights to Alien/Predator franchise

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**Azreal13**

In a major surprise move, Marvel Comics has acquired the rights to the Alien and Predator franchises, which were formerly housed at Dark Horse Comics. That means that Marvel will be in charge of creating the next wave of comic book stories based on the Aliens and Predator movie franchises, which will exist in their own continuity and "expand on the characters and settings of the various Alien and Predator movies," IGN reports. Marvel has not announced any official comic titles or creative teams for this new Alien and Predator universe, but we did get some teaser concept artwork from acclaimed artist David Finch:

Here's what David Finch had to say about getting to draw both the Alien "Big Chap" Xenomorph and this Iron Man-killing Predator:

"Alien and Predator are the two of the most identifiable, iconic characters of all time, and I love them for that. 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."

Despite the very triggering image of the Alien Xenomorph holding Iron Man's head, there is one big caveat in IGN's report: "To be clear, the Predator teaser isn't meant to suggest the two franchises will be integrated into the Marvel Universe (as was the case when Marvel reacquired the Conan license in 2018)."

Of course, it's not at all ruled out that both Xenomorphs and the Predator species could one day be integrated into the Marvel Comics Universe - or be featured in something like an "Alien vs. Predator vs. Avengers" crossover event. Clearly Marvel is gathering these fun toys of fandom together to do fun things with them, and fans are already buzzing with ideas about just how much fun these franchise can be together.

In case there's any confusion: the rights to the Alien and Predator comics does not indicate anything about the movie franchises somehow being integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Disney acquired both Alien and Predator as part of the Disney-Fox merger, the MCU movies are a much different and separate entity. However, the Alien and Predator comics were popular staples of Dark Horse for years, and fans wished that there could be much closer integration between the acclaimed comic stories and the lackluster movies both franchises put out after their original heyday - including the infamous AVP crossover films. Under Disney / Marvel, maybe that dream of great Alien/Predator comic stories becoming movies can finally happen!

Here's what Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski had to say about the new Alien/Predator additions:

“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! 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! As a visual medium, comics are the perfect place to build on those moments, and we here at Marvel are honored to begin telling these stories for fans everywhere. As our release schedule continues to return, we can’t wait to share more in the coming months!”

**Overread**

Well that's a surprise!

And darn it I'd not bought the digital versions of predator comics yet.

I just hope they keep all the stuff around, I was very sad to see that when the Conan licence reverted away from DH all the recoloured versions of the comics went as well and they've focused now on re-releasing the originals without the new colours.

**Turnip Jedi**

Well that was unexpected although is this just a case of the Dark Horse license lapsing and the Mouse keeping it in house ?

I was under the impression Marvel comics are somewhat frugal and this would be quite spendy voodoo accountancy aside, admittedly dont watch /read any comics news as its largely infested with funts and fools so might be out of date

**BobtheInquisitor**

I can’t wait to see what narratives we get out of the Marvalien-verse...’s culture war critics.

**Necros**

Just comics, or movies too?

**Azreal13**

Disney has Fox, so they already had them.

**Lance845**

I was waiting for this to happen since the fox acquisition.

It was a matter of time before the licenses to Dark Horse ran out and why would Disney re-up it when they have their very own comic studio?

The Art in the promo images looks good. I hope we get some good stories out of it. Or at least some more cohesive direction for the stories.

Dark Horse just made a vast collection of completely disconnected and often contradictory stories some of which are amazing and others are full on duds. They never really got support from the fox for creating a cohesive canon. Now Marvel with 20th Century can do that under the guidance of the Mouse.

**Voss**

Interesting easter eggs in the art, though who knows if it really means anything.

The Iron Man (robot) head is obvious, but Preddy is also on top of the Fantastic Four building (you can see the upper third of the 4 and the circle)

Alien seems to be on the Guardians of the Galaxy ship- at least going by the cassette player. Though I don't actual know if comics-verse Guardians has the same crew and the same backstories- they didn't used to (for what little that is worth in the ever changing landscape of comics).

**AegisGrimm**

Well this sure is confusing in light of my issue of Batman vs. Predator.

At least this might bode well for getting good movies, instead of the crap put out lately.

**Azreal13**

The Iron Man (robot) head is obvious, but Preddy is also on top of the Fantastic Four building (you can see the upper third of the 4 and the circle)

Don't think it's a four.

**Alpharius**

It's definitely the "A" in Avengers.

But at the end of the day, I'm not sure there will be a lot of crossover (or any?) with the 'regular' Marvel Universe.

**AduroT**

I’m sure there will be non-canon crossovers. It would be such a huge waste not too. As the article mentions, when they got Conan he was inserted into the main universe and has been included in a “Savage Avengers” team. (Incidentally him interacting with Doom and Strange was amazing)

**Mr Morden**

Should be fun

**Kid_Kyoto**

Azreal13 wrote:
Disney has Fox, so they already had them.

Ah, now it all makes sense.

Since the 90s Marvel has avoided doing licensed books like GI Joe and Transformers since they didn't own the properties for toys, movies etc which is where the real money is. So this has me confused. Now it all makes some sense.

Does the Mouse also own Conan?

**Mad Doc Grotsnik**

Yup. Marvel owns Conan, so Disney owns Conan.

**Matt Swain**

Disney won't stop till it owns every entertainment franchise on earth.

Whatever happene dto anti monopoly laws?

**Voss**

Matt Swain wrote:
Disney won't stop till it owns every entertainment franchise on earth.

Whatever happene dto anti monopoly laws?

Nothing. Here's a giant pile of comic and movie companies:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Comic_book_publishing_companies_of_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_film_production_companies

Way too many exist for any claim of 'monopoly'

**Alpharius**

I think Matt Swain might be a big proponent of Disingenuous Hot Takes.

Anyway, remember that time a comic book company used Aliens to seriously kill off a lot of their characters?

No, Marvel won't be doing that, but still...good times?

**AduroT**

Alpharius wrote:
I think Matt Swain might be a big proponent of Disingenuous Hot Takes.

Anyway, remember that time a comic book company used Aliens to seriously kill off a lot of their characters?

No, Marvel won't be doing that, but still...good times?

Oh, I expect Marvel Will do that, just in a non-canon alternate world thing like DC’s DCeased.

**princeyg**

Hands up, who wants to see Kraven the hunter vs Predator happen? (I would also not be averse to Punisher).

While I really dont think its a good idea to put them in main continuity (superpowers kinda wreck the terror of xenomorphs) one off crossovers would be cool after all, we have already had two fun ones in Batman and Dredd both going up against the predator.

Certainly think the best approach would be to focus on non-powered characters (anyone who remembers the abomination of superman vs aliens will understand ....)

**AduroT**

I never finished Supes vs Aliens. Not from lack of interest from what I recall, just that I missed the later issues of it.

Kraven vs Predator would be quite cool though. Punisher would be interesting. Like he wouldn’t care that the Predator was off killing criminals and I could see him witnessing it and giving it a pass, then some cops or other non-evil group get caught in a crossfire or wrong place wrong time and he realizes his error and goes after it.

**Kid_Kyoto**

If Disney owns AvP outright we may see them in the main continuity, I hope not, but we may.

Not only do I remember when they used Aliens to kill off Stormwatch, I even remember the short lived Dark Horse book Agents of Law. For the the final issue (I think it only lasted 6 or so) they were like @#$% it, Predator comes in and kills everyone. #$%^ you if you bought this book fanboy.

**Nevelon**

Does this mean the xenomorph queen is now a Disney Princess?

**LordofHats**

Well they can't do it any worse than the last couple of hooliogans... Which is what I thought about Star Wars.

**Turnip Jedi**

Nevelon wrote:
Does this mean the xenomorph queen is now a Disney Princess?

did you just assume a xenomorphs gender with outdated imperialist titles entirely in human terms, not cool brah not cool

**Overread**

Queens can't be princesses at the same time - so clearly the queen is a queen. Ripley though is now a Disney Princess?

**Kid_Kyoto**

Nevelon wrote:
Does this mean the xenomorph queen is now a Disney Princess?

Well no, she's a queen.

The facehugger is a princess

**Alpharius**

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Not only do I remember when they used Aliens to kill off Stormwatch...

Ha!

Yes, that's the one I was talking about - I remember being quite surprised when this happened, back in the day...

**Kid_Kyoto**

Alpharius wrote:
Kid_Kyoto wrote:

Not only do I remember when they used Aliens to kill off Stormwatch...

Ha!

Yes, that's the one I was talking about - I remember being quite surprised when this happened, back in the day...

I used to collect Stormwatch so trust me when I say... nothing of value was lost.

**Ahtman**

Finally we can get the PG kid friendly xenomorphs the cartoon (and toys) promised us on the big screen.