Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood "If the Predators Don't Get You, the Alien Will!"

From Dark Horse Comics

Starting this December, a terrifying new series will once again pit the iconic Aliens and Predators against each other. From Dark Horse Comics comes Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood, written by Jeremy Barlow (Star Wars: Darth Maul, Kult), illustrated by Doug Wheatley (Star Wars: Dark Times, Conan: Road of Kings), and lettered by Michael Heisler (Halo: Escalation, Aliens: Dust To Dust) with the cover illustrated by Chun Lo!

Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood kicks off when Predators board a luxury charter spaceship, unleashing a path of terror and bloodshed. An adolescent girl and her younger "brother" are the last to survive, and begin a cat-and-mouse chase with the attackers. They hope for an escape, but they haven’t counted on the Alien...

Alien vs. Predator: Thicker Than Blood #1 (of four) goes on sale December 11, 2019, and is available for pre-order at your local comic shop.

When monsters collide:

Aliens vs Predator Requiem (2007)

Meet The (New) PREDATORS

Dark Horse Resurrecting Alien And Predator Comic Book Titles

Robert Rodriguez To Give Predator A Reboot

A New Aliens Story Featuring Characters from the Upcoming Game by Cold Iron Studios!

From Dark Horse Comics

Prolific Aliens writer Brian Wood (Aliens: Defiance, Sword Daughter), artist Werther Dell'Edera (Briggs Land, X-Force), colorist Michael Atiyeh (Anthem, Halo: Initiation), letterer Nate Piekos of Blambot, and cover artist Tristan Jones are bringing the terror of the xenomorphs to the printed page once again with Aliens Colonial Marines: Rising Threat.

Aliens Colonial Marines: Rising Threat delves into the formative years of the Colonial Marines. Tying into the events of the upcoming Cold Iron Studios videogame, this new series introduces Olivia Shipp, leader of a squad of battle-weary Marines who have defied orders to rescue the survivors of a refinery under siege.

Related: Dark Horse Presents 1998 Annual September 1998 Dark Horse Comics Grade NM

Aliens Colonial Marines: Rising Threat #1 (of eight) goes on sale September 18, 2019, and is available for pre-order at your local comic shop.

Praise for Aliens: Defiance:

"Aliens: Defiance continues to make its case as one of the best (potentially the best?) Aliens franchise comics. Great story, fantastic art . . . What more could you ask for in a comic?"—AiPT!

"If you’re not reading Aliens: Defiance at this point I'm leaving a facehugger under your tree for Christmas. Stay frosty!"—Hulking Reviewer

"It’s a stellar sci-fi horror comic in its own right, and it’s a hell of an Aliens one, too."—Comics: The Gathering

Brian Wood Returns to the "Aliens" Universe at Dark Horse for "Aliens: Resistance"

From Dark Horse Comics

Since 1979, Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien has spawned a cultural phenomenon and an enormous franchise that has branched out to sequels, spin-offs, merchandise, video games and, of course, comics. Following Brian Wood's 2016 critically-acclaimed miniseries Aliens: Defiance, Wood returns to pen the sequel story Aliens: Resistance.

Related: SFX Magazine Collection The 20 Shows That Shaped Sci-Fi Star Trek The X-Files Doctor Who Buffy Future Publications (UK)

Aliens: Resistance follows the events of the popular video game Aliens: Isolation which starred Ellen Ripley's daughter Amanda Ripley, fifteen years after the events of the original film. She fought for survival against the monstrous xenomorph aboard a remote space station while attempting to uncover the hidden secrets of her mother's disappearance from the insidious Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

Now, in Aliens: Resistance, Ripley is kept silent by Weyland-Yutani now that the xenomorph threat has been brought to light. But when Zula Hendricks, the Ex-Colonial Marine from Aliens: Defiance, arrives in need of Ripley's help to expose a sinister bio-weapons program, the duo teams up to lead a resistance against an upgraded arsenal designed to keep the darkest atrocities secret!

With an intense script by Brian Wood (Aliens: Defiance, Sword Daughter), cinematic art by Robert Carey (Power Rangers, Transformers), dynamic colors by Dan Jackson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Call of Duty: Zombies), letters by Nate Piekos (Stranger Things, Black Hammer) covers by Roberto De La Torre (The Invincible Iron Man, Ms. Marvel), and featuring the return of Aliens: Defiance alumnus Tristan Jones on variant covers, Aliens: Resistance is an action-packed blockbuster comics series not to be missed!

Aliens: Resistance #1 (of four) goes on sale January 23, 2019, and is available for pre-order at your local comic shop.

For the latest Alien franchise news and updates please visit http://AlienUniverse.com.

UFOs: How Aliens Should Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Well it looks like a senario from the sci-fi classic "The Day The Earth Stood Still" may come to pass yet. According to new documentary aliens from other worlds don't care much for nuclear weapons and our potential use of them on ourselves ... or possibly them.

I refer to Klaatu:

"... you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you."

From UK Progressive:

"Visitors from outer space obviously do not like nuclear stuff in the hands of humans. Otherwise, why focus on shutting down nuclear sites? Any force powerful enough to shut down nuclear weapon silos is so far beyond the capabilities of earthlings that they can dictate whatever they want. Still, why shut down missile sites? If “intention” is exposed by activity, then their message says nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons should go the way of the dodo bird."

Check this out:



"There are many, many documentaries about UFOs but mostly ill conceived, unsubstantiated and horribly contrived. UAMN’s may be one of the only films that seems credible (hopefully, maybe) because of the quality of first-hand witness accounts and use of declassified military documents.

“UFOs and Nukes: The Secret Link Revealed” is a Robert Hastings film. He was born in Albuquerque, NM in 1950 at a military base where atomic weapons were engineered. His father served in the USAF. From 1966-67, the family stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. During one particular incident of UFO activity over a Minuteman missile site, Hastings personally witnessed five UFOs tracked on radar at base air control. That experience led to a lifetime of research. The film’s message comes thru very clearly. Humans should not be messing around with nuclear power. Didn’t Einstein also say that?

Hasting’s film is based upon declassified U.S. government documents and personal accounts of military officers, revealing that, as early as December 1948, UFOs began showing up at American nuclear laboratories, bomb storage depots, weapons tests grounds, and as time went on, intercontinental weapons missile sites."

ALIENS / VAMPIRELLA #1 (OF 6)

ALIENS / VAMPIRELLA #1 (OF 6)



Humans have begun to colonize Mars, but something ancient and sinister got there first. Now Vampirella is faced with a mystery only she can solve, and the bloody realization that some monsters should never be awakened.
Writer Corinna Bechko says, "I've loved Alien since I first saw it as a kid on a crummy old TV in a well-lit room and got scared half to death anyway. Now that I have the chance to add a little corner to that universe I couldn't be happier. And pitting such an implacable horror against Vampirella? That's a meeting that definitely produces very fertile story-telling ground. The Alien franchise has always thrived with strong women in the lead. Smart, self-assured Vampirella is a joy to write for, even when she may have met her match.

See Also: Terminator 2 Judgement Day Cybernetic Dawn / Terminator 2 Nuclear Twilight! #0, Malibu Comics

Terminator The Burning Earth #2, April 1990 Issue - Now Comics

Dawn: Three Tiers #1, June Issue - Image Comics

DYNAMITE ANNOUNCES FULL CREATIVE TEAM FOR ALIENS / VAMPIRELLA

From Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce the full creative team for Aliens / Vampirella, the upcoming horror crossover between their classic comic book heroine an the Xenomorph monsters from Dark Horse Comics' long-running comic book, based on the renowned film series. Corinna Bechko (Star Wars: Legacy) will steer the series with her scripts, while artist Javier García-Miranda will provide the atmophere and action. Also, artist Gabriel Hardman will provide the distinctive covers worthy of the tradition of horror excellence that both long-standing terror icons represent.

As established in Aliens / Vampirella #1, humans have begun to colonize Mars, but something ancient and sinister got there first. Vampirella, a supernatural exterminator, is faced with a mystery only she can solve... and the bloody realization that some monsters should never be awakened.

Bechko has been writing comics since her horror graphic novel Heathentown was published by Image/Shadowline in 2009. Since then, she has worked for numerous comics publishers including Marvel, DC, Boom, Dark Horse, and Dynamite on titles such as Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: Legacy, Savage Hulk, and Invisible Republic. Her background is in zoology. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a small menagerie.

Javier García-Miranda is a relative newcomer to the comic book industry, but has been making waves with his work on several Dynamite horror titles. He has illustrated Aliens / Vampirella's raven-haired heroine before as part of the anniversary Vampirella #100 celebration. In addition, García-Miranda chronicled the fall and resurrection of Chaos! Comics' resident bat-winged villainess in the Purgatori miniseries, and worked on Dynamite's premier bad boy in Evil Ernie (Vol. 2) #6.

"I couldn't be happier to be teamed with Javier," says writer Corinna Bechko. "His work has an energy that is necessary for this story, and he's great at creating a really creepy feel for the scenes that require it. Plus, both his Vampirella and his Xenomorphs are gorgeous."

Gabriel Hardman, cover artist for the entire Aliens / Vampirella series, is a prolific creator in the comic book industry, plus a frequent contributor to the film industry. A comic book writer and artist, he has worked on such titles as Kinski, Invisible Republic, Star Wars: Legacy, Planet of the Apes, and Savage Hulk. He also served as storyboard artist for the films Inception, Interstellar, Tropic Thunder, and X2.

Aliens / Vampirella #1 will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' July Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, corresponding to items shipping in September 2015. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Aliens / Vampirella with their local comic book retailers. Aliens / Vampirella will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

ALIENS / VAMPIRELLA CROSSOVER UNITES ICONIC HORROR CHARACTERS

From Dynamite Entertainment

Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce the upcoming 2015 crossover, Aliens / Vampirella, pitting the iconic horror heroine against the Xenomorphs popularized in eight feature films and numerous Dark Horse Comics series. Written by Corinna Bechko (Star Wars: Legacy, Savage Hulk), the sci-fi horror crossover marks the first time that the two comic book universes collide.

Writer Corinna Bechko says, "I've loved Alien since I first saw it as a kid on a crummy old TV in a well-lit room and got scared half to death anyway. Now that I have the chance to add a little corner to that universe I couldn't be happier. And pitting such an implacable horror against Vampirella? That's a meeting that definitely produces very fertile story-telling ground. The Alien franchise has always thrived with strong women in the lead. Smart, self-assured Vampirella is a joy to write for, even when she may have met her match."

"Aliens / Vampirella continues our string of successful crossovers with Dark Horse Comics. This is an incredible series -- featuring the iconic Vampirella against one of Fox's icons, Aliens -- and we're proud to have Corrina Bechko as the architect," says Dynamite CEO/Publisher Nick Barrucci.

"When I first heard about the Vampirella / Aliens crossover, I thought to myself, 'How is this going to work?' But then I read Corinna Bechko's outline for the series, and all my doubts were dispelled," says Dark Horse V.P. of Publishing Randy Stradley.

Vampirella is a raven-haired heroine who remains, even after 45 years of publication, one of the comic industry's leading ladies, due in no small part to Dynamite Entertainment's stewardship of the character. Since Vampirella's very healthy resurgence in 2010, Dynamite has published two volumes of a monthly series, several miniseries and one-shot specials, and crossovers with multimedia brands and comic book peers. The Vampirella franchise is a haven for writers and artists with a penchant for the macabre.

For over twenty-five years, Dark Horse Comics has been the comic book home to the Aliens franchise, expanding upon the universe of terror first introduced in the 1979 Ridley Scott-helmed sci-fi/horror masterpiece. Featuring the nightmarish extraterrestrials as imagined by H. R. Giger, the Dark Horse comics have enjoyed unprecedented success in both the hobby and mass markets. Throughout the years, the Xenomorphs have interacted with many staples of the comic book industry, including Batman, Predator, Terminator, Judge Dredd, Superman, and Green Lantern.

Aliens / Vampirella will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' Previews catalog, the premiere source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Aliens / Vampirella with their local comic book retailers. Aliens / Vampirella will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

Finally - ALIENS Action Figures from the Comic Books!

Source: Entertainment Earth

Aliens Genocide Xenomorph Warriors Action Figure 2-Pack:

Order yours for only $36.99!

Check these out! The Aliens Genocide Xenomorph Warriors Action Figure 2-Pack Aliens Genocide Xenomorph Warriors Action Figure 2-Pack brings us some of the first not-movie-specific creatures in years! With unique colors based on Dark Horse Comics' ALIENS: Genocide comic book, this pair is ready to fight pretty much anything nearby, be they tasty humans or vicious Predators. With extendable jaws, bendable tales, and collectible figures, how can you not want this set? Be sure to order yours before it sneaks up on you and implants an egg in your torso!

Unique action figures from the ALIENS: Genocide comic book series!
Each figure measures 9-inches tall. Amazing 2-pack comes with red and black Xenomorph Warrior action figures!
It's an amazing action figure 2-pack from the Alien universe!

Based on the classic Dark Horse Comic series from the early 1990s pitting 2 different classes of Xenomorph Warriors against one another, Aliens: Genocide - the 9-inch tall action figures in this 2-pack are simply stunning. This Aliens Genocide Xenomorph Warriors 9-Inch Action Figure 2-Pack includes both the more common or traditional black-colored Xenomorph as it clashes with the unique crimson red-colored Xenomorph in an Aliens Civil War. Both Warrior figures feature over 30 points of articulation and stand over 9-inches tall. They include extending inner mouths, bendable tails, and decoration that is exclusive and unique to this set and not available anywhere else. It'll be a great addition to your 7-inch scale Alien action figure collection!

Sigourney Weaver Believes Ripley Has Unfinished Business With ALIENS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last year or so you undoubtedly know that there is a new "Alien" prequel in the works and that Sigourney Weaver will not be reprising her role as Ripley in it.

That being said the 61-year-old actress still feels that her infamous character still has a place in at least one future film in the long-running sci fi/horror series. She believes that the only hurdle that could stand in the way of that happening is her age, "I could definitely kick that alien's ass again. While I can't speak for them, I think for Fox, once you're 60, you're not going to be starring in an action movie.

"I think it's too bad that that's the case. I would have liked to do one last story where we go back to the planet, where Ripley's history is resolved. But I do feel like her story is unfinished."

This is without a doubt one of the coolest quotes I have ever heard!

The only thing I have to say is that if an aging Harrison Ford can still play Indiana Jones and fight Ruskies then Sigourney Weaver can still kick the shit out of Aliens .... nuff said!

More Giant Monster And Alien Mayhem From SyFy

Source: NBC / Universal

Now that mega pythons and gatoroids have been tamed, the survival of the planet is threatened by a murderous giant sculpture and rampaging escaped aliens in the February Syfy Saturday Original Movies.

In Iron Invader, premiering Saturday, February 12, at 9PM (ET/PT), a meteorite crawling with space bacteria crash lands in a junkyard. The unusual combination of alien bugs and Earth garbage brings a huge metalwork to life. The ungrateful Iron Invader then goes on a killing spree. The movie stars Kavan Smith (Eureka, Red: Werewolf Hunter). Nicole de Boer (Dead Zone, Stargate: Atlantis) and Donnelly Rhodes (Battlestar Galactica, Tron: Legacy). Iron Invader is a production of Cinetel.

Directed by Jason Connery -- Sean Connery’s son -- Area 51 premieres Saturday, February 26, at 9PM (ET/PT). In the movie, the Air Force decides to allow a few reporters into the most secretive base on the planet, Area 51, but the visit turns into violent mayhem when one of the captive aliens leads an escape. Area 51 stars Bruce Boxleitner (Tron: Legacy, Babylon 5), John Shea (Lois & Clark: The Adventures of Superman, Mutant X) and Jason London (Dazed and Confused, MonsterWolf). A production of After Dark Films.

See Also: Its Debbie Gibson vs Tiffany (Oops) I Mean Mega Python Vs Gatoroid On SyFy / DESTINATION TRUTH Goes "Live" On St. Patrick’s Day / SyFy To Go Werewolf Crazy In October / The Return Of SyFy's CAPRICA Moved Up To October / THE CHEETAH WHORES Score A Hit For SHARKTOPUS And SyFy

MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES - Presented By THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Presented by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council.

Hosted by Academy Award-nominated effects artist Shane Mahan.

“It’s a perfect night for mystery and horror. The very air itself is filled with monsters.” – Elsa Lanchester as Mary Shelley in “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935)

Special effects makeup artist and on-set animatronic effects supervisor Shane Mahan hosts an evening exploring the evolution of creature technology in feature films and the fundamental role it plays in shaping monster movies.

Film clips will trace the evolution of creature technology, from “King Kong” (1933), “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (1954), “Horror of Dracula” (1958), “One Million Years B.C.” (1966), “Planet of the Apes” (1968), “The Exorcist” (1973), “An American Werewolf in London” (1981), “Aliens” (1986) and “Jurassic Park” (1993) through the digital age of “Zathura: A Space Adventure” (2005) and “King Kong” (2005).

The evening will include conversations with some of the films’ creative teams who will discuss the role art and technology play in shaping creature design in feature films. Check back for panelist updates.

Complementing the presentation will be a lobby display of historic and contemporary artifacts used to create the visually stunning effects for a range of aliens and creatures from classic monster movies.

Find Out More

See Also: Universal Monsters Select - Creature from Black Lagoon Figure / Creature From The Black Lagoon - Plush Doll - Hot New Toys! / Former Creature From The Black Lagoon Director Says Remake On Hold / Mark And Brian Gunn To Write MONSTER SQUAD Remake / Halcyon International Pictures Teams Up With Famous Monsters Of Filmland To Reboot Classic Universal Horrors / Famous Monsters To Bring Back The Creature, The Mummy, Frankenstein And Others To The Silver Screen? / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2009 / Universal Courting Carl Erik Rinsch To Direct "Creature From The Black Lagoon" / What Does Youtube Have Against The "Creature From The Black Lagoon"? / More Ultra-Rare Items From Classic Horror, Sci Fi And Monster Films Go On The Auction Block / Creature From The Black Lagoon - Funko Force Figure / Creature From The Black Lagoon Autographed 8x10 Photo By Julie Adams And Ricou Browning / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Gets A Bad-Ass Makeover? / Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical Opens At Universal Studios Hollywood / Gort And The Creature From The Black Lagoon Go To High School in "Go Mutants!" / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Musical / King Kong, Godzilla And The Creature From The Black Lagoon At The Rose Parade / The Most Talked About Stories Of 2008 / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2008 / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon - Update! / Life Magazine Discovers Rare Publicity Photos From Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Witch's Dungeon 40 Years Of Chills An Amazing Tribute To The Golden Age Of Horror / Creature From The Black Lagoon / The Creature No Longer Walks Among Us - Ben Chapman (1928 - 2008) / The Creature From The Black Lagoon Polystone Diorama / Universal Monsters Creature From The Black Lagoon Head Knocker

Celluloid Philosophers - Klaatu

"I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you."

- Klaatu (Michael Rennie) - The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

See Also: Celluloid Philosophers - Robert And William Shatner (Imaginary) / Celluloid Philosophers - Hexina / Celluloid Philosophers - Kirk, Spock And McCoy / Celluloid Philosophers - Major T. J. "King" Kong / Celluloid Philosophers - Elvira / Celluloid Philosophers - Varla / Celluloid Philosophers - The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy / Celluloid Philosophers - Ash / Celluloid Philosophers - Shaun / Celluloid Philosophers - Spock / Celluloid Philosophers - Jack Burton

Gort And The Creature From The Black Lagoon Go To High School in "Go Mutants!" / The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)(20th Century Fox) / Keanu Reeves - Taking On The Iconic Role Of Klaatu / The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)(20th Century Fox) / Klaatu Escapes!! / UFO Lands On Earth!! / Jennifer Connelly - An Abundance Of Talent Can Make The Earth Stand Still / The Day The Earth Stood Still - About The Production / The First Photos From The Day The Earth Stood Still / A New Promotional Banner For The Day The Earth Stood Still

James Cameron Had To Apologize To H. R. Giger Over ALIENS

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Letters of Note

Yesterday I posted a story featuring a memo from Paramount about actors that the studio was considering for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that I found on a wonderful blog called "Letters of Note".

Today, I decided to 'browse' the site once more, and I can across a real gem from James Cameron, where the film maker eats a real slice of 'humble pie' in regards to his use of H.R. Giger's creation in the hit film "Aliens".

It seems that Cameron figured that since Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox had used the artist's creation in the classic scifi/horror film "Alien" that he wouldn't have to worry about a copyright issues when it came to making any potential sequels. That, however, wasn't the case, at least in Giger's eyes anyway. It seems that the artist was a bit 'bent-out-of-shape' by the fact that Cameron didn't inform him that he was going to use the design again in another film.

Apparently Giger was so upset by this, that he had his lawyer write Cameron a 'nasty-gram' to let him know about it.

In response, the film maker composed this rather classy and honest letter to Giger's representation Leslie Barany explaining that in the haste of putting the movie together he and his staff just plain forgot to contact the artist about using his monster design in yet another movie.

Basically, Cameron figured that if it was cool to use the design in "Alien", then certainly it would be okay to just keep on using it in "Aliens".

Well, we all know what happens when we assume? Right?

Anyway, Giger and his attorney didn't go after Cameron for damages. They just wanted a 'heads-up' next time.

Here is a transcript of the letter, along with a copy of the real thing:

AMERICAN GOTHIC PRODUCTIONS, INC.

February 13, 1987

Mr. Leslie Barany
[redacted]
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Barany:

I regret that the intense pressure to complete "ALIENS" did not afford me the time to reply to your letter of 3/11/86, which was on behalf of your client, Mr. H.R. Giger.

In that letter you describe Mr. Giger's 'initial sense of disappointment' at not being contacted for "ALIENS" in view of his, quite correct, intense sense of authorship of the creatures and designs. Ironically, it was the production design of "ALIEN", with its bizarre, psycho-sexual landscape of the subconscious as created by Mr. Giger, that initially attracted me to the project of a sequel. However, having been a production designer myself before becoming a director, I felt I had to put my own unique stamp on the project. Otherwise, it would have had little meaning for me a that point in my career, when I had a number of original concepts and creations which I could have pursued, with equal financial reward and an even greater degree of authorship.

I found that creating a sequel can be an uneasy exercise in balancing creative impulses, the desire to create a whole new canvas, with the need to pay proper hommage to the original. Mr. Giger's visual stamp was so powerful and pervasive in "ALIEN" (a major contributor to its success, I believe) that I felt the risk of being overwhelmed by him and his world, if we had brought him into a production where in a sense, he had more reason to be there than I did.

Because 20th Century Fox liked the story I presented to them, they gave me the opportunity to create the world I had seen in my mind as I wrote. I took that opportunity, and enlisted the aid of special effects designers, sculptors and technicians with whom I had worked before which, of course, is a natural course when one must guarantee a schedule and budget.

An additional deciding factor was Mr. Giger's conflicting involvement in "POLTERGEIST II" which unfortunately did not utilize his vision nearly as well as "ALIEN".

I offer all this commentary by way of apology and explanation in the hope that Mr. Giger can find it possible to forgive me for abducting his 'first-born'. If so, there may come a time when we can collaborate in mutual respect on some completely new and original project where the only limitation is his superb imagination.

I am, first and always, a fan of his work (a signed litho of the alien egg commissioned during "ALIEN" is one of my prized possessions).

Sincerely,

(Signed)

JAMES F. CAMERON

JC:lw



See Also: Alien Prequel Coming At Ya In 3D! / Monster Uber Geekdome- Ultraman Collages, Playing Cards & Alien vs Pooh / Aliens - Classic Alien Warrior 7-Inch Action Figure / Sigourney Weaver Has No Interest In Alien Prequel / Sigourney Weaver Is Ready For Another Encounter With Aliens / Dark Horse Resurrecting Alien And Predator Comic Book Titles / Aliens vs Predator Requiem (2007)

Daleks The Greatest Monsters Ever? Proof Positive That The Brits Don't Know Their Creatures

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: SFX Magazine

You have to give the fans over in the UK a lot of credit. They have helped to turn the long-running sci fi series "Doctor Who" into a national treasure. They support fantasy series based on character and plot development over ones with razzle-dazzle special effects, and they 'get' a lot of sci fi stuff that gets 'lost' on American audiences (like Babylon 5 for example).

I should also note for the record that three of the top sci fi/fantasy television series in the world right now, those being "Doctor Who", "Torchwood" and "Being Human" are produced in the UK.

Yes, they sure know and love their sci fi over on that side of the Atlantic, but when it comes to monsters, well that's where the Brits seem to get a little 'lost'.

Let me explain.

In a recent poll put on by the UK fantasy entertainment magazine SFX the fans in the UK voted the Daleks (from Doctor Who) as their "Favourite Monster, Supernatural Beings or Fantasy Creature".

That should really come as no surprise, due to the fact that the Daleks, like the series they come from, "Doctor Who" is so beloved in it's native country.

Fair enough, but let's take a look at the rest of the list:

Behind those nasty trash cans bent on universal domination are -

2 Lorne (Angel)
3 Aliens (The Alien franchise)
4 Death (Discworld)
5 Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings)
6 The Shadows (Babylon 5)
7 Gizmo (Gremlins)
8 The Thing (The Thing)
9 Aslan (The Chronicles Of Narnia)
10 Predators (The Predators franchise)
11 The Borg (Star Trek)
12 Pilot (Farscape)
13 The Cybermen (Doctor Who)
14 Godzilla (Godzilla)
15 Ludo (Labyrinth)
16 Pinhead (Hellraiser)
17 Nibbler (Futurama)
18 The Great Dragon (Merlin)
19 Frankenstein’s Monster (Frankenstein)
20 Slimer (Ghostbusters)

Now, that's a very interesting list, don't you think?

Now, the parameters of this poll were that the 'monsters' could be either from movies or TV, literature, mythology, or the paranormal realm.

Here's what is missing from the list, and would certainly be on a list compiled by US fans:

Dracula, The Wolfman, Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Klingon's, King Kong, Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster (and she's a local gal in the UK) The Yeti, The Raptors from Jurassic Park, Chewbacca, The Cylons, The Mummy, Grey Aliens and a lot of other creatures that aren't coming to mind right now.

Now, I should point out that in 2005 SFX published their own list of top monsters, which had some odd entries in it to, like "Audrey II" from "Little Shop of Horrors" and the Rancor and Sarlacc from "Return of the Jedi", but overall was a little more 'right on' when it came to movie monsters.

The top three there = 3. Godzilla 2. The Thing 1. Alien(s)

Okay, you won't get any arguments outta me for either "Godzilla" or "Alien", but "The Thing" (the John Carpenter movie version not the superhero from Fantastic 4)? WTF?

Oh, and let me state for the record that the monsters from "Jedi" are cool, but not two of the greatest movie monsters ever.

In the end, I really don't think that the fans over in the UK get monsters, or really understand them. I honestly got a good feel for this back in the late 90s when UK fans used to repeatedly bash me for being a "Godzilla" fan on MSN groups.

Actually, I'm kinda surprised that they have seemed to have warmed up to the monster over the past decade, after the razzing I used to take.

You also have to admit that the UK hasn't produced very many good 'original' movie monsters. I mean "Gorgo" was good, but then there are the awful "Konga" and "Queen Kong" on the opposite side of the spectrum.

They did make a couple of good dinosaur films over in the UK back in the 70s, plus the Hammer horror films were great, so I don't understand the fans in the UK have such a different (I didn't say bad) take on monsters.

Different strokes for different folks I guess?

"Audrey II"? Really ...... wow, that one still gets me.

Don't Loose Your Head Over The SPACE BUGS Infestation

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Jesse Blanchard / Robert Hood / Avery Guerra

It has been said over a billion times, if you ever want to be really good at something, you need to practice, practice, practice.

If you want to be good at football? You need to practice. If you want to be good at baseball? You need to practice. A good writer? Practice. Painter? Practice.

Practice, practice, practice ....... okay, I know you all get it.

But, what do you do if you want to be a better movie maker?

You can't exactly go out and make a movie every day. That costs a lot of money.

Do you film your wife, or life partner, doing naughty things with a handi-cam?

No, um ....... well, maybe, but film makers never really talk about that stuff. No, you make short films in preparation for filming the 'really big one'.

Well, at least that's what you do if you a film maker with as long a list of credentials as Jesse Blanchard, who has made over 43 films in eight years including the documentary, and film festival fave, "The Ranch", and one of George Romero's favorite zombie flicks, "Run For Your Life."

The 'big one' that is looming just over the horizon for Blanchard is the 3D monster film "Chompers 3D", but in preparation, practice if you will, he has just completed the short film, "Space Bugs", a great little sci fi/horror about alien insects that come to Earth to feed on people, and cause their heads to pop like a ripe pimple.

I know ...... eeeeewwwww!

Here Blanchard gives us a little history on how "Space Bugs" came to be:

Mutant Bugs attack Portland, Oregon. A young girl rushes home to warn her husband. Will she get there in time?

The original idea for Space Bugs was a ticking time bomb that shoots down from space and latches onto someone’s arm. The Hero then spends the next three minutes running through total chaos trying to get the thing off of him. However, I couldn’t connect with a 3D person to do the effects I wanted. So, I tweaked the idea into Space Bugs so that I could produce the bugs without any 3D work.

Originally, I was going to use LED lights for the bugs. I ordered a whole bunch from China and got heaps of hearing-aid batteries to power them. I was really excited about this approach and planned on throwing them past the camera and pulling them around on wires. But, another failure. The LEDs were not bright enough. I could either see them or light the set and see my actors. So, back to the drawing board.

Eventually, I ended up using a whole bunch of tricks including homemade ooze covered light bulbs, flares, flashlights, and one shot with LEDs.

The Bugs’ point-of-view shots were a ‘homage’ (rip-off) of Sam Raimi’s monster cam from the Evil Dead series. I tried to one up him by mounting the camera on a board two storeys in the air. This end shot flying into the house took a long time to get right. And I’m certain the neighbors were a little confused seeing me running over and over again at a house with my camera on top of a 16ft board.

I made Space Bugs completely on my own including all of the writing, shooting, editing, and effects. I’m practicing for my next feature Chompers 3D which will be much more ambitious, much more fun, and whole lot scarier.

Here is the finished product:



And here are some concept drawings of the "Space Bugs":

A Brand New Poster For Seiji Chiba's 'Alien vs Ninja'

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: JoBlo / Twitch / Avery Guerra

There is a natural evolution in sci fi, first there was cowboys vs dinosaurs, then came Bigfoot vs The Six-Million-Dollar Man, naturally after that Vikings vs Aliens, and now, logically, we have Alien vs Ninja.

It all ties together very nicely.

Honestly, I wonder why no one has come with the idea before? It seems like such a slam-dunk, like when Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen put cowboys and dinosaurs together for the 1969 film, "Valley of Gwangi", two box-office faves in one movie. Kinda like chocolate and peanut butter in a REESE'S Peanut Butter Cup.

"Your peanut butter is in my chocolate!" "Your cowboys are in my hidden dinosaur valley!"

"Your Alien monster is in the land of my forefathers, which dishonors them!"

Aliens and Ninjas.....an idea that is long overdo for sure.

Well, leave it to the Japanese to beat us to the punch on this one. Director Seiji Chiba is promising more over-the-top action, much like "Tokyo Gore Police" or "Robo-Geisha", this time though, possibly aimed at an American audience.

Indeed, the new Japanese production company, Sushi Typhoon, has gone out of their way to market 'AvN' towards the English speaking fans on this side of the Pacific, including creating an account on Twitter.

Here is the synopsis:

Once upon a time in Japan, there was a band of great Ninja warriors led by Yamata called Iga Ninja. One day they witness a flash in the sky and a roaring giant ball of fire crashes into the distant forest. The warriors rush into the deep woods in an attempt to identify the mysterious fireball. There, instead of finding predictable enemies, they are stunned to face never-seen-before creatures with claws and fangs, the aliens!

The hungry brutal aliens start to savage and feast on the Ninja warriors, leaving only a few to survive. Yamata and his warriors swear to avenge their comrades' deaths and risk their lives to challenge the aliens. However, none of the Ninja weapons, neither their swords nor their throwing stars, has any affect on the alien warriors. Now the Japanese greatest Iga Ninja face the biggest challenge ever!

From the brand-new poster, below, we can see that the Aliens in question more resemble Godzilla than the little grey dudes that kidnap people at night.

Which certainly will make for a better movie. The little grey guys wouldn't last long versus ninjas.

Masanori Mimoto, Shuji Kashiwabara, Donpei Tsuchihira, Mika Hiji, Yuki Ogoe and Ben Hiura all star in film, which is scheduled to be released later this year in Japan.

Look for an American studio to swoop up the rights for "AvN", so that they can make an "Alien vs Predator vs Ninjas" movie or something.

Aliens - Classic Alien Warrior 7-Inch Action Figure

Source: Entertainment Earth

Bring Home One Awsome Figure! $14.19
(Click Here For More Info)

Aliens Classic Alien Warrior 7-Inch Action Figure Description:

They mostly come out at night... mostly.
Can't get enough Aliens?
This will send chills down your spine!
It's almost too realistic!

Over 20 years after the original release of Aliens, fans still can't get enough of the unforgettable watershed movie! This startling, 7-inch rendering of one of the horrifying stars of this cinematic masterpiece is made of plastic and nicely articulated. In 1986, audiences were terrified by James Cameron's follow-up to the original sci-fi / horror classic. Today, this Alien will bring chills to your spine once more as you gaze into the intense detail of the almost-too-real action figure!



The Alien, also called the Xenomorph,is a fictional endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species that is the primary antagonist of the Alien film series. The species made its debut in the 1979 film Alien, and reappeared in its sequels Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), and Alien Resurrection (1997). It has also appeared in the series' two spinoffs Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), as well as the series' subsidiary literature and video games.

Unlike many other recurring enemy extraterrestrial races in science fiction, the aliens are not an intelligent civilization, but predatory creatures with no higher goals than the propagation of their species and the destruction of life that could pose a threat. Like wasps or termites, aliens are eusocial, with a single fertile queen breeding a caste of sterile warriors.

The aliens' biological life cycle, in which their offspring are violently implanted inside living hosts before erupting from their chests, is in many ways their signature aspect. Their design deliberately evokes many sexual images, both male and female, to illustrate its blurring of human sexual dichotomy.

The alien design is credited to Swiss surrealist and artist H. R. Giger, originating in a lithograph called Necronom IV and refined for the series' first film, Alien. The species' design and life cycle have been extensively added to throughout each film.

See Also: Sigourney Weaver Has No Interest In Alien Prequel / Sigourney Weaver Is Ready For Another Encounter With Aliens / Dark Horse Resurrecting Alien And Predator Comic Book Titles / Aliens vs Predator Requiem (2007)

Coming Soon - The Fourth Kind - In Theaters November 6th

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Universal / Getty Images

Like I have stated in prior articles, now that summer is over, the major movie studios are starting to release information on their upcoming projects for the fall and holiday seasons. Mixed in with a batch of stuff I got from Universal is film that I thought looked pretty cool called "The Fourth Kind." It looks like something that will be right up the ally of fans of "The X-Files."

Milla Jovovich stars as a psychologist who begins to gather information on alien abductions by putting her patients through hypnosis.

Here is the synopsis:

1n 1972, a scale of measurement was established for alien encounters. When a UFO is sighted, it is called an encounter of the first kind. When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind. When contact is made with extraterrestrials, it is the third kind. The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document...until now.

Structured unlike any film before it, The Fourth Kind is a provocative thriller set in modern-day Nome, Alaska, where, mysteriously since the 1960s, a disproportionate number of the population has been reported missing every year. Despite multiple FBI investigations of the region, the truth has never been discovered.

Here in this remote region, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) began videotaping sessions with traumatized patients and unwittingly discovered some of the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented.

Using never-before-seen archival footage that is integrated into the film, The Fourth Kind exposes the terrified revelations of multiple witnesses. Their accounts of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details, the validity of which is investigated throughout the film.

"The Fourth Kind" will hit theaters on November 6th.

Oh, and before I forget, "The Fourth Kind" is not the sequel to Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci fi classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Though both films do have aliens in them.

It's Hot Rod Girls And Rat Rod Rockers To The Rescue!

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Go-Kustom Films / Avery Guerra

For awhile now I have been writing a lot about "Killer Biker Chicks", a film that hearkens back to the days of Russ Meyer sexploitation. Essentially a film about a bunch of sexy ladies who go one a murder spree....because they can.

Today, I'm going in somewhat of an opposite direction, writing about a bunch of sexy, tattooed, hod rod girls who save the world from aliens and Russian mobsters.

Film maker and musician D.A. Sebasstian has just released his first feature, "Hot Rod Girls Save The World", produced by his Washington based Go-Kustom Films. A film filled with hot rods, hot chicks, rockabilly, zombies and aliens. What else could you want?

Here's the film's synopsis:

When big city newspaper reporter Vanessa Trojan (Lindsay Calkins) goes to a small backwater town, named Anywhere, Washington, to do a feature article on two female Street Racing icons, she doesn’t realize that this will be the last article she ever writes. When the icons- the always talkative Jo Leene Dodge (Melene Marie Brown) and permanently mute Betty Petty (Kimberly Layfield) take Vanessa to a rukus rockabilly house party, a strange light appears from the sky, and people start to feel sick. The party ends in a vicious brawl between Jo Leene and jealous rival Vikki Lee (Heather Lewis).

The next day Jo Leene is accused of killing Vikki Lee, who has disappeared with only her severed fingers found on the seat of her wrecked car. As more people turn up missing or murdered Anywhere’s only detective- Detective LLoyd (Jimmi Davies) soon realizes that this is not a simple murder case, but something much, much bigger.

As the girls, aided by Betty’s blind punk rock grandma (J Maki) struggle to discover what is happening to Anywhere, an alien boy (David Nance) suddenly appears and may actually hold the key to all the carnage.

Hot Rods, Hot Dames, Half Zombies and Aliens all converge on the small town as it quickly falls into campy B-Budget movie chaos. Can the Hot Rod Girls Save The Town? Can They Save The World? Find out- in the Black & White, Lo-Fi, “Sure to be a drive-in classic” film by musician turned writer/director- D.A. Sebasstian.

Features music by D.A. Sebasstian & The Inner Demons, Drag Strip Riot, The Wages Of Sin, Flathand 5, The Bad Things, Invisible Surfers, Psycho Charger, Faith & Disease & Kill Switch...Klick.

That film is now for sale through the Go-Kustom Films website - Here

Sabasstian has just begun production on "Rat Rod Rockers!" starring Hot Rod Heidi (photo above), Asia Devinyl (2nd photo below) and Teri Aslett. No zombies or aliens this time around, but there is more rockabilly, hot rods and hot chicks!

Here's the skinny:

Aided by the Russian Mob, a gang of ruthless moonshine running thugs takes control of a small North Western town.

No one is safe.
Can they be stopped !?!
Can anyone stop the Rat Rod Rockers !!!

I bet a bunch of sexy hot rod girls can!

Bridget Moynahan Joins The Cast Of Battle Los Angeles

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Variety

Actress Bridget Moynahan has just signed on to star opposite Aaron Eckhart in the upcoming alien invasion film, "Battle Los Angeles".

The film, which being described as a west coast, "Cloverfield", follows a group of marines who attempt to defend the city of Los Angeles from an alien attack. From that it can be assumed that the action will be documented by a mounted camera on one of the marines, "Cloverfield" style.

"Battle Los Angeles" is being directed by Jonathan Liebesman from a script penned by Chris Bertolini. Filming is set to begin later this fall for a 2010 release.

Interestingly enough, though the film is set in Los Angeles, it is actually being filmed in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, Louisiana. Columbia pictures has set up production offices in both cities in preparation for filming in the fall. The studio cited both the poor economic conditions in California and new film making tax incentives in Louisiana for the reasons for the relocation of the project.