'Predator Vs. Judge Dredd Vs. Aliens' Comic Book Series Coming To Shelves In July

Since we're unlikely to get a sequel to the 2012 sci-fi comic adaptation Dredd starring Karl Urban, we'll have to take solace in a new Dark Horse Comics title featuring the one-man judge, jury and executioner. In a new four-issue series, we'll see Judge Dredd crossing over with two of the biggest sci-fi franchises that he's encountered before.

Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens will see Judge Dredd pitted against the tactical, nearly unbeatable Predators, as they both try to survive an onslaught by the galaxy's ultimate killing machines, the xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. For those who don't know, this isn't the first time Judge Dredd has met either of these creatures. Find out more about Predator vs Judge Dredd vs Aliens after the jump.

You may not know this, but Judge Dredd has actually met both the Predators and Aliens in two different comic book series previously. There was Predator vs Judge Dredd in 1997 and then in 2003 there was Judge Dredd vs. Aliens. So this crossover with all three of these iconic sci-fi characters was long overdue.

Predator vs Judge Dredd vs Aliens comes from New York Times best-selling and Eisner Award–winning John Layman (Chew, Mars Attacks: Occupation) with panel artwork by Chris Mooneyham (Five Ghosts, Predator: Fire and Stone) and cover art by Eisner Award winner Glenn Fabry. Here's a taste of the first cover and a couple panels from the inside:

Our friends at io9 had the chance to speak with John Layman about this cool crossover comic series, and here's how he set up the beginning of the story:

"We open the book with a crashlanded predator, and instead of being the hunter, as usual, the predator is the prey. He's crashlanded in a jungle overgrowth in the middle of the Cursed Earth, where he is pursued by an Island of Dr. Moreau group of man-animal hybrids, creations of a crazed genetic engineer. And this crazed scientist recovers not just the predator, but some of the predator's hunting trophies—including a Xenomorph skull, and the Xenomorph's DNA contained therein. You can probably see where this is headed, but add to it Dredd chasing the robot leader of an apocalypse death cult, and everybody on a collision course. Then shit gets nuts!"

This is one of those scenarios that would be cool to see played out on the big screen, but a deal would have to be worked out between Lionsgate and 20th Century Fox to make that happen. Sure, it would probably be silly, but it would also be an absolute blast. It's actually sad that in the near future we'll be getting both a reboot of Predator and the Prometheus sequel/Alien prequel called Alien: Covenant, but Judge Dredd is just left sitting in a corner all by himself.

Anyway, the first issue of Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens hits shelves on July 27. For more details, you can check out the full press release about the comic below.

Announced today at Emerald City Comicon, three of the universe's most feared figures cross paths this summer in the ultimate science-fiction crossover: Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens!

Written by New York Times best-selling and Eisner Award–winning author John Layman (Chew, Mars Attacks: Occupation) with stunning interior artwork by Chris Mooneyham (Five Ghosts, Predator: Fire and Stone) and iconic covers by Eisner Award winner Glenn Fabry, this series will be the wild ride of the summer for readers everywhere!

"Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens is just the sort of concept that would have Teenage John Layman wetting his pants with excitement...just at the possibility of reading it. Here, many, many years later, Old Man Layman is writing it, and it's still every bit as thrilling," remarked writer John Layman.

The crossover pits the legendary lawman Judge Dredd against the universe's supreme hunters, the Predators, as they both try to survive an onslaught by the galaxy's ultimate killing machines, the Aliens!

Judge Dredd and Judge Anderson have tracked a criminal cult across the Cursed Earth and into the Alabama morass, where a mad genetic scientist with destructive designs has acquired the best genes that evolution has to offer—a xenomorph skull!

A Predator, attracted to the warm climate and superior prey, has declared hunting season as he calls for backup. All paths will cross in a mind-blowing sci-fi showdown with the fate of the Earth at stake!

"This really is a dream-come-true project for me. I got to work on Aliens once before—a super cool experience, and one that was always on my creative bucket list. Dredd's been on the bucket list as well, and you throw Predator into the mix, and it's a trifecta of awesome. I'm loving every minute of this project so far," added Layman.

Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens #1 (of 4) is in stores July 27, 2016.  Preorder your copy today at your local favorite comic shop.