John Arcudi
Writer, Freelance (Dark Horse/Marvel/Cracked)
Working on: *Predator*, *Terminator*, *The Mask*, *Homicide*
New York–based writer who came up through Marvel's Savage Tales before joining Dark Horse, Arcudi discusses the challenges of writing licensed movie properties like Predator and Terminator, particularly how to translate film monsters and pacing into comics form. He talks about his ongoing series Homicide, the upcoming The Mask mini-series tied to a New Line Cinema film deal, and his humor writing for Cracked, while reflecting on his unfulfilled screenwriting ambitions.
Mark Verheiden
Writer, Freelance (Dark Horse/DC/Marvel)
Working on: *Aliens*, *Predator*, *The American*, *Stalkers*, *Human Target* special
Verheiden traces his path from struggling Hollywood screenwriter to Dark Horse's go-to licensed-property writer, arguing that comics and film are fundamentally different media requiring different storytelling approaches. He explains how he differentiates Aliens (dark, thematic, inner monologue-driven) from Predator (action-oriented fun), describes his 14-issue maxi-series vision for the Aliens trilogy, and discusses his return to screenwriting with a Warner Bros. adaptation of The American, produced by Joel Silver.
Wendy Pini
Writer/Artist, WaRP Graphics / Father Tree Press
Working on: *ElfQuest: Kings of the Broken Wheel*, *Beauty and the Beast: Night of Beauty*
Richard Pini
Publisher/Editor/Writer, WaRP Graphics / Father Tree Press
Working on: *ElfQuest: Kings of the Broken Wheel*, *Xanth* graphic novel adaptations
The co-creators of ElfQuest discuss the new open-ended series Kings of the Broken Wheel (contrasting it with the tightly structured Siege at Blue Mountain), plans for computer-colorized video adaptations of the original series, and Richard's new project adapting Piers Anthony's Xanth novels into graphic novels with artist Dennis Fujitake. Wendy also discusses completing a second Beauty and the Beast graphic novel for First Comics, and both reflect on high-tech changes to their workflow including Mac-based scripting and computer lettering.
Karl Story
Inker, Freelance (Dark Horse)
Working on: *Aliens vs. Predator*
Florida-based inker who broke in through Dave Dorman and the Joe Kubert School, Story describes how landing the Aliens vs. Predator inking assignment impressed Randy Stradley at San Diego. He discusses his technical inking approach — combining Rotring rapidograph pens for mechanical detail with a large Raphael #4 brush for organic work — and his admiration for penciller Phill Norwood's production-design–quality backgrounds.
Randy Stradley
Editor/Writer, Dark Horse Comics
Working on: *Aliens vs. Predator*, *Dark Horse Presents*, editing Dark Horse licensed line
Dark Horse's founding editor recounts how he and Mark Verheiden came to comics after failing to break into film, how Dark Horse acquired the Aliens and Predator licenses (and then combined them on a whim by Chris Warner). He discusses the strengths and limits of adapting movie monsters to comics, Dark Horse's growing Hollywood relationships (including The Mask and The American film deals), and his personal ambition to move into film production.
Brief editorial riff introducing the issue's Aliens vs. Predator theme, written in DAK's characteristically tongue-in-cheek voice.
Includes a detailed letter from Kaye-Lynn Scott of Anaheim, CA advocating for the revival of DC's cancelled Infinity, Inc. and All-Star Squadron.