In the mid-1980s, producers Walter Hill and David Giler commissioned Vancouver-based science fiction author William Gibson to write a sequel to Aliens. The screenplay was never produced, but last year Dark Horse Comics began publishing William Gibson’s Alien 3, a comic-book adaptation by Vancouver comic artist Johnnie Christmas.
To celebrate the release of the series in book form, both Gibson and Christmas will discuss the adaptation and sign copies of their work Aug. 15 at VFS Café (390 W. Hastings St.) from 7 – 9 p.m. Find out more about the event and the book below.
After the release of James Cameron’s Aliens, the blockbuster follow-up to Ridley Scott’s 1979 science-fiction/horror hybrid Alien, the franchise producers were looking for new ideas. They approached Gibson, whose short stories and 1984 novel Neuromancer had provided much of the blueprint for the then-new SF subgenre cyberpunk.
Gibson’s screenplay, which underwent three drafts, was never used; instead, director David Fincher used a hybrid of later drafts by different writers. But the science-fiction author’s effort found renewed life on the internet.
The script follows familiar characters and places from the first two movies. But, as Dark Horse’s description reads: “not all is the same in this horrifying Cold War thriller!”
It goes on to say, “After the deadly events of the film Aliens, the spaceship Sulaco, carrying the sleeping bodies of Ripley, Hicks, Newt, and Bishop, is intercepted by the Union of Progressive Peoples. What the UPP forces don’t expect is another deadly passenger that is about to unleash chaos between two governmental titans intent on developing the ultimate Cold War weapon of mass destruction.”
Gibson and Christmas (co-creator of Margaret Atwood’s Angel Catbird series of graphic novels and creator of Image Comics’ Firebug) will take part in a moderated discussion of the work followed by a signing. VanCAF partner, Pulp Fiction Books will be on hand selling copies of Alien 3 and other works by the two creators..
This event is being held in partnership between the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, Pulp Fiction Books and Penguin Random House.
