REVIEW: ‘Predator (2023),’ Issue #1

Predator (2023) #1 is written by Ed Brisson, penciled by Netho Diaz, inked by Belardino Brabo with Victor Nava, colored by Erick Arciniega, and lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles. It’s published by Marvel Comics. Awakening on a strange planet, a collection of people learn that they’ve been forcibly kidnapped by the alien hunters known as the Yautja. The survivors band together in order to fight against the Yautja, learning in the process that they’re all warriors from different nations. But that’s not the only secret surrounding their situation.

Predator (2023) #1 hits the ground running, or rather falling, as the very first page features a group of soldiers literally plummeting from the sky. As far as opening pages go, I can’t think of a better way to hook your audience. And the comic doesn’t let up from there. Whole sequences feature the captives fighting against Predators, as well as the other predators that litter the planet. In fact, this entire issue is a gigantic homage to Predators, which in my opinion is one of the most underrated Predator movies. Brisson’s clearly done his research, as the story makes references to the past Predator films. And fans of the previous Predator miniseries will definitely want to pick this series up.

Since this is a Predator story, the art is chock full of gore and violence that you wouldn’t normally see in a mainstream Marvel comic. That’s thanks to Diaz, who goes all out with his illustrations. Whole pages feature people being impaled or having their heads sliced off. One unfortunate soul is cleaved in half, with blood spraying from his leaking wounds. But one of the more striking images Diaz puts on the page features a Predator glaring at his prey as it runs off, blood dripping down its cracked helmet. At that moment, he captures the ferocity and inhumanity that’s made these creatures a staple of the horror/action genre.

Brabo, Nava, and Arciniega bring the scenery to life, surrounding the characters in an environment that’s at odds with the dangers they’re facing. The planet the soldiers find themselves on is a world ripe with lush green trees and a brightly shining sun. But thanks to the inkers, shadows lurk around every corner, hinting at the darkness lying beneath said paradise. And splashes of crimson litter the page in the previously mentioned fight sequences. As for lettering, Cowles once again gives the Predators jagged black word balloons that make their dialogue stand out, even when they’re using their cloaking devices. It has the unsettling effect of making every one of their words sound like nails being dragged down a chalkboard.

Predator (2023) #1 delivers a new challenge for the Yaujta, paying homage to one of the most underrated Predator films in the process. This comic not only captures the vibe of the best Predator films, but it also manages to push the story forward in bold and unexpected ways. I definitely hope that future licensed comics under Marvel’s umbrella, including Alien and the upcoming Planet of the Apes series, take these kinds of bold swings. It’s the sole reason why I often check out comics like these.

Predator (2023) #1 is available wherever comics are sold.