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Aliens vs. Predator 2, originally titled Aliens vs. Predator II, is a 14-part comic book short story that was first published by Dark Horse Comics in the promotional publication Dark Horse Insider, Vol. 2 #1-14 from January 1992-February 1993. Originally published in black and white, the story was written by Randy Stradley, illustrated by Chris Warner, lettered by Steve Dutro, and edited by Bob Schreck and Kris Young. Issue #1 of Dark Horse Insider also featured an Aliens cover by Arthur Suydam, while issue #8 featured a Predator cover by Dave Dorman. The comic served as a prequel to the four-issue series Aliens vs. Predator: War.

In the Aliens vs. Predator comics line, Aliens vs. Predator 2 was preceded by Aliens vs. Predator (1991 short story), and was followed by Aliens vs. Predator: Deadliest of the Species. The non-Dark Horse comic Illegal Aliens was also released concurrently, although it is not considered a part of the line.

Aliens vs. Predator 2 has since been adapted as part of two different novels — first as part of the otherwise original story Aliens vs. Predator: Hunter's Planet by David Bischoff, published in 1994, and later as part of the novel Aliens vs. Predator: War by S. D. Perry, published in 1999.

Plot[]

It's been two years since the Ryushi incident, and Machiko Noguchi has since joined Predator Top-Knot's clan. They are now on a world dominated by xenomorphs in a mission to capture a Queen. Machiko is being bullied by a hunter she calls "Shorty", who mimicks Machiko's voice mocking her. Machiko takes a little revenge on him by saving his life, which is a major insult in the Yautja culture. The hunters capture the Queen, but she tries to free herself and kills a hunter called "Three Spot". Machiko controls the situation, but disobeys Top-Knot in the process. The Queen again frees itself inside the ship, and Shorty closes the hatch trapping Machiko in the hold with it. Machiko barely escapes the enraged Queen.

Reprint History[]

The short story was first reprinted in somewhat confusing fashion in Dark Horse International's various United Kingdom-based Alien magazines — parts 1, 3 and 5 were printed in Alien3 Movie Special #1-3, while the remaining parts of the story (2, 4 and 6-15) were published concurrently in Aliens magazine, Vol. 2 #3-14.[1]

In January 1994, the story was adapted as a 15-card trading card-format comic, called simply Aliens vs. Predator, as part of the Aliens/Predator Universe trading card set from Topps. This version of the comic featured completely new artwork to fit the format by Chris Warner and was colored by Brimstone, while the text portion was provided by Jerry Prosser.[2]

In May 1995, the original story was collected and released as issue 0 of Aliens vs. Predator: War, for which it was colored by James Sinclair and edited by Edward Martin III and Bob Cooper. It has subsequently been integrated into the full Aliens vs. Predator: War series and has been collected alongside it ever since.

Trivia[]

  • Although initially released as Aliens vs. Predator II, the comic actually changed its title to Aliens vs. Predator 2 starting with its third installment, first published in Dark Horse Insider, Vol. 2 #3. For the comic's reprinting in Alien3 Movie Special/Aliens magazine, both titles were used — the story is typically listed as Aliens vs. Predator 2 in the contents, while the title Aliens vs. Predator II is used at the beginning of each installment.
  • With its original title of Aliens vs. Predator II, the story is one of only two Aliens, Predator, Aliens vs. Predator and Prometheus comics to use roman numerals in its title, the other being Predator: Hunters II.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. "Hasslein Blog - The Alien/Predator Comic Strips, Part One". Retrieved on 2015-06-12.
  2. Aliens/Predator Universe trading cards — 71. Credits (1994), Topps.
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