Predator Tested By Fire and Stone

by Vince Brusio

Dark Horse presents a new series this fall featuring the sci-fi horror celebrity, Predator! We spoke with writer Joshua Williamson about the new Predator series, Predator: Fire and Stone (AUG140010), set to hit comic shops October 22nd.

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PREVIEWSworld: How did this crossover project get underway? What was the catalyst for making Fire and Stone a solid knockout for Dark Horse?

Joshua Williamson: It started with Mike Richardson and Dark Horse. On my end, we had been talking about doing an Alien book for a few years, something closer to the first classic Alien film. So they knew I was already interested in this universe. After Prometheus came out, they knew that fans wanted more. The idea of doing a crossover with Alien was too good to miss, and Dark Horse, who is known for doing this kind of thing, wasn't going to do a half measure - and tossed AVP and Predator in there.

During the meetings we talked about each book’s role in the story and it became clear that I was most interested in Predator. It was the book that most matched my style.

PREVIEWSworld: How does the story reflect on previous AVP continuity?

Joshua Williamson: For Predator we focused mostly on the first two movies with some of the third Predators. We didn't want to be too tied down by what had come before, but we didn't want to ignore it. Our story takes the best bits and moves forward. I looked at a lot of the Predator comics, even Batman vs Predator, and dived into the mythology and came back up with a lot of cool elements to inject in my issues.

PREVIEWSworld: What gave you inspiration for the stories? Can you tell us how the separate stories connect past how they both involve the Perses?  I’m sure readers would appreciate help in connecting the dots so as to better understand the carnage that’s ahead of Fire and Stone.

Joshua Williamson: Moby Dick was a big inspiration for the Predator series, alongside the original movies, and then with room full of great creators. We had these meetings about every six weeks where we broke down how our stories were being told, and so much great stuff came from that experience.

I don't want to give away too much, but Predator takes place after Prometheus, Aliens, and AVP. But all three of those books have an impact on Predator.

PREVIEWSworld: Without spoiling anything, can you each tease something about your new respective stories? Or maybe you’d like to say something on a more personal note. You know, something like you admit checking into therapy after submitting your scripts because the horrors you conjured gave you nightmares at night.

Joshua Williamson: I do have nightmares nearly every night, and I get all of that out in my writing. But, back to Predator. Our story is about being careful what you wish for. The name of our Predator is AHAB, and his mission is one last great hunt. There is something he has been hunting for years and he’s finally on its trail. What that thing is... well, you have to read Predator: Fire and Stone #1 to find out.

PREVIEWSworld: How can readers contact you online?

Joshua Williamson: They can always reach me at my Twitter account which is @Williamson_Josh.