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The Alien franchise has grown so much since the first installment, as now it really delves into the flexibility and adaptability of the Xenomorphs’ biology. This has led to interesting hybridizations using Xenomorph DNA and/or the original substance behind their existence, the Black Goo. However, before all that high-concept Xeno-splicing and alien-mutation, there was one type of Xenomorph hybrid that was way simpler to create, and was one that had a shocking secret purpose in relation to the normally horrific nature of the franchise.

While many Alien fans are familiar with the most infamous Xenomorph hybrids in the franchise, Alien Resurrection’s Ripley 8 and her ‘child’, the Newborn, there are many others that only exist in the realm of the comics. One of the most noteworthy was a synthetic/Xenomorph hybrid named Elden, who was injected with the Black Goo and turned into an elevated lifeform with the ability...

It’s no secret–especially to Predators–that Alien’s Xenomorphs are one of the deadliest creatures in their fictional universe, though what many may not know about the chitinous cretins is that they have a secret talent, one that actually has nothing to do with killing.

Since the first installment of the Alien franchise, Xenomorphs were described as the ‘perfect organism’, as they are biologically adaptable, they have no moral hang-ups about killing, and their entire form is one giant weapon. Even if someone manages to kill one, the Xenomorphs' acid blood becomes a very real danger that an ignorant assailant may not be aware of. These creatures were seemingly created to kill, as everything about them–right down to how they’re born–is dangerous on a cosmic scale. Even Predators recognize this, which is why killing Xenomorphs is such a point of pride, and, in fact, a...

The first Alien film redefined the Sci-Fi/horror subgenre and launched a franchise that is still going strong to this day. What it also did was establish some firm rules within the franchise itself–even if they were unspoken–but Alien’s most twisted storyline broke one of its most important: Xenomorphs don’t mess with cats.

The Alien/cat rule is one that came about as a result of Jones the Cat being one of the two survivors of the Xenomorph’s attack on the Nostromo. Despite the fact that the Xenomorph was killing everything that moved on the ship, Jones was inexplicably safe, even when the Xenomorph was killing someone within the cat’s line of sight. Jones’ continued safety carried over into the next film, which began a trend that would remain true in not just the movies, but also in Alien comics as well. At least,...

Alien’s Xenomorphs are some of the most resilient and versatile creatures in their established universe, which is why entities like Weyland-Yutani and even the Predator species are obsessed with them. However, it seems Xenomorphs aren’t actually as strong as everyone thinks they are, as they have one glaring weakness the franchise just keeps ignoring.

Upon the creature’s introduction in 1979’s Alien, the Xenomorph was immediately regarded as the ‘perfect organism’. According to the synthetic Ash, who was fed this information from Weyland-Yutani itself, the Xenomorph can adapt to anything, doesn’t have any moral hangups relating to the brutal nature of its own existence, and is nearly unkillable. This sentiment continued to ring true throughout the subsequent installments in the franchise, as Xenomorphs proved time and again how deadly they are, with the essence of their original creation–the Engineers’ Black Goo–explaining exactly why that is.

Predators have been hunting Xenomorphs for eons within the extended Alien continuity, but even they don’t know their secret weakness–one that doesn’t even require them to fire a single shot, or brandish a single blade.

Yautja hunt Xenomorphs as a part of their religion, in a ritualistic hunt known as the Blooding Ritual. Most Alien vs Predator stories center around the Blooding Ritual–which dictates a Predator kill a Xenomorph in order to be considered a mature member of the clan–including the 2004 film, and that’s because Predators have no real reason to kill Xenomorphs other than to prove their mettle to the rest of their species. However, if things do get out of hand during a hunt and the Xenomorphs actually manage to conquer the Predators, the Yuatja will use their wrist bombs to eradicate any living Xenomorph in the area. Unfortunately, this also kills...

Predators are expert Xenomorph killers, but there was one aspect of nearly every single one of their hunts in an Alien or Predator storyline that left many fans puzzled: why do Predators fight Xenomorphs hand-to-hand when they have long-range weapons like plasmacasters? Well, one Alien comic actually details why that is perfectly, as it has everything to do with the Xenomorphs’ hidden weakness.

The Yautja species have made killing Xenomorphs a part of the Predator religion. In order for a Predator to be considered a fully mature member of its clan, it must undergo the Blooding Ritual, which dictates that they kill a Xenomorph (or wipe out a small hive) and then brand themselves with the mark of their clan with Xenomorph blood. This ritual is so intrinsic to the Yautja, that the Predators seed planets with Xenomorph life after kidnapping a Queen and spreading her eggs across the cosmos...

A teaser trailer for Christmas With the Dead arrived wrapped in a nice lil' bow and we have it for you inside.  Executive produced by Joe R. Lansdale (and based on his story), the film is directed by Terrill Lee Lankford, screenplay by Keith Lansdale: It stars Damian Maffei (Closed for the Season), Brad Maule (General Hospital), and Chet Williamson.  Look for it on the film festival circuit!

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In 1964, Slim Williamson bought tiny Nashville-based indie label Chart Records for $350, and for the next 14 years, Chart released records by novelty acts like Jim Nesbitt and Junior Samples and young talent like Lynn Anderson and Billy “Crash” Craddock, in addition to hundreds of here-and-gone singles and albums by country and rock artists that Williamson and his son Cliff (often wrongly) had pegged for success. For the LP Invariable Heartache, Lambchop frontman Kurt Wagner joins alt-country singer Cortney Tidwell—daughter of Chet Williamson and troubled Chart star Connie Eaton—to take a trip through the Chart catalogue, from ...

Let’s face it ... Technology is changing the landscape of how film, music, and literature are being presented to the marketplace. Netflix is doing the bulk of its business via streaming (either through its website or on various other consoles such as the Xbox 360 and the PS3). Services like Rhapsody and iTunes are making downloading music quick, easy, and affordable.

Recently Amazon reported that eBooks for the Kindle, Nook, or eReader outsold printed books for the first time in history. Without question, all of these new modes of distribution are the wave of the future. One company, Crossroad Press, has positioned itself at the forefront of the eBook and audiobook market in a big way by gathering together an impressive list of titles by such respected authors as Skipp & Spector, Tom Piccirilli, Chet Williamson, Al Sarrantonio, Melanie Tem, Elizabeth Massie, Brian Hodge, David Whitman & Weston Ochse, and Crossroad Press owner,...