When Disney merged with 20th Century Fox, the House of Hosue acquired a long list of iconic film and TV franchises. Among them was Alien and Predator, with the latter rebooted as a critically acclaimed Hulu movie titled Prey.
As for Alien, we have a TV series on the way from Noah Hawley and a movie heading to theaters later this year, Alien: Romulus, directed by Evil Dead helmer Fede Alvarez.
Today, we've learned (via ComicBookMovie.com) that Marvel Comics will deliver the crossover we've all been waiting for by bringing us a battle for the ages when the Aliens and the Avengers face off in the pages of Aliens vs. Avengers from the creative team behind Secret Wars: Jonathan Hickman (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Esad Ribić (Eternals).
This is the latest comic in Marvel's 20th Century Studios imprint (Wolverine can currently be found clashing with the Predator), and the first official crossover between Marvel and Aliens.
The four-part epic is set in a new timeline many years in the future and features older, grittier versions of Marvel characters. It also will be the first time readers will see certain parts of Alien lore in the Marvel Universe, such as the home of the Engineers. In what sounds like an unmissable series, Xenomorphs reach Earth, and the perfect organism meets a planet of superhumans. But who will be first to fall?
"Probably one of the coolest things about the project is how we've found really fun ways to 'Avengerize' Aliens and 'alien-up' Avengers," Hickman says. "I think fans will be surprised at how elegantly some of those things fit together. It really turned out to be a chocolate-and-peanut-butter situation."
Marvel editor Sarah Brunstad adds, "Hickman and Ribić are storytelling masters, and they bring a cinematic quality to this that seamlessly merges the high action and soap opera that Marvel fans expect with the deep terror and cosmic awe that the Alien universe so inspires. Watching them cut loose across the entire lexicon of these two great franchises is jaw-dropping."
Hickman's masterful storytelling combined with Ribić’s breathtaking artwork will deliver an unforgettable reading experience for fans when it hits stands on July 24, just ahead of the premiere of 20th Century Studios' highly anticipated Alien: Romulus movie.
Check out the Aliens vs. Avengers cover below and head to the comments section to let us know who you think will emerge triumphant.
ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #1 (OF 4)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art and Cover by ESAD RIBIĆ
On Sale 7/24