Comics have expanded a great deal beyond “the big two” over the past decade or so. From Marvel’s offshoot, Icon, and DC’s Vertigo imprint, other independent publishers like Valiant, IDW Publishing, Image, and Dark Horse are also making bold statements in comics. The latter is probably most famous for its licensed content; publishing comics from a wide range of pop culture hits like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Star Wars, Mass Effect, Plants vs Zombies, Predator, and Aliens. IDW is another brand that is notable for its licensing as well, with titles like Star Trek, Archie, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony.

Despite the last two publishers having quite a library of originals as well, some of their team-ups are downright outlandish combinations fans didn’t realize they needed. Take for instance their mid-summer release that pit legendary Judge Dredd against both Predators and Aliens.

Dark Horse itself is teaming up with fellow publisher IDW (again) to bring fans another blockbuster sci-fi combination. Bleeding Cool, via a panel at MCM London Comic Con, confirmed that IDW announced their Star Trek: The Next Generation series will be joining forces with Dark Horse’s Aliens for a miniseries titled “Acceptable Losses.” Chris Cerasi, IDW’s Editor, had this to say about the news:

“We’re beyond excited to team up with Dark Horse for this unique miniseries. With Scott [Tipton] and David [Tipton] writing and J.K. [Woodward] handling art, the blending of the Star Trek and Aliens worlds is guaranteed to be a fun, scary, thrill-a-minute ride!”

aliens marines ripley e1461703023870 Star Trek: The Next Generation & Aliens Crossover Series Announced
Before IDW picked up the license, DC had a Star Trek: The Next Generation comic for about 12 years from the mid ’80s to the late ’90s. IDW bought the rights from CBS in 2006 and has continued to publish Star Trek ongoings ever since. There are now several different arcs, including a series set in the continuity established in the 2009 film.

Dark Horse began publishing Aliens comics back in 1988. Their scores of volumes since then include a veritable who’s who of big names — including Batman, Superman, and the Terminator — that have tried their hand against the galaxy’s most famous Xenomorphs.

This sure to be fun cross over will be penned by Star Trek writing team Scott and David Tipton, with returning Star Trek artist J.K. Woodward. For all the boldly going through space that Star Trek is known for, it’s about time the Enterprise crew run into some familiar, and terrifying, faces.

The Star Trek: The Next Generation/Aliens crossover, “Acceptable Losses,” is set to hit comic stands in April 2017.