REVIEW: ‘Predator vs Wolverine,’ Issue #1

Predator vs Wolverine #1 is published by Marvel, written by Benjamin Percy, art by Ken Lashley, Greg Land, and  Andrea Di Vito, inks by Jay Leisten, colors by Juan Fernandez and Frank D’Armata, and letters by Cory Petit. The man who is usually the one hunting finds himself the prey, across various points in history.

This is a book that doesn’t just want to show a fight, but multiple, across several points of time. Percy’s structure is brilliant to show this, beginning in media res. Wolverine is bloodied and brutalised, and that is only the first taste of what is to come. Predator vs Wolverine #1 uses multiple periods of Logan’s life, going all the way back to the turn of the century. Wolverine is a man with seemingly infinite opportunities, and we get to drop into a moment in his life and see the Predator’s impact within it.

Percy excellently rises up the levels both beings face, using the familiar hierarchy of beast that the Predator movies also enjoyed. Whilst the comic jumps between the moments in time, it’s extremely easy to follow. There is a small sub-plot within Predator vs Wolverine #1, but it merely serves the purpose of drawing Logan into violence and a century-long mission for vengeance. And when that violence comes, it is magnificent. There are tons of action scenes, with a variety in time, circumstance, and results. The individual skirmishes make the comic feel faster than if it had built up to a larger but singular fight. This is a double-sized issue as well, meaning there is even more action than in other comics.

Whilst this comic focuses on the action, the script itself is also fantastic. Found primarily in the narration, which is written from Wolverine’s point of view, it’s beautifully descriptive. The injuries sustained are described, sometimes detailing beyond what is even seen in the issue itself. Wolverine’s narration is always gruff and honest, reminiscent of prose. And usually, it is a running commentary on how he is tracking someone, finding his prey. But in this comic, he’s having the same thoughts about himself. The comic brilliantly depicts just how varied the man’s life has been, often silently. That is something the figures have in common, they aren’t talkative. When noises are made by the Predator, they are skin-crawling and sinister.

The art is something of a collection of brutality from a variety of artists. Up first is Lashley, who gets to set the scene and provide an example of the kind of gruesomeness that will be on display. From the first page, there are actually chunks missing from Logan, instantly giving a warning to the faint-hearted.

In the first jump in time, Land takes over with Leisten on inks. What’s fascinating about this part of the comic is it really is young Wolverine, with the man looking like a child compared to the man he would later become. The extra inks seem to make the damage look even worse. It is at this part of the comic where the fighting gets most intense. The Predator looks phenomenal across all of the art, as does its cloaking and thermal vision. 

By the end of the comic, Di Vito has penned the last few pages as the setting changes again. This time, there are some ridiculous classic outfits that are awesome to behold. The variety in artists makes each separate segment of time seem like its own chapter.

The colors are terrific. They also change with the artists, as D’Armata works on the bulk of the issue with Land and Leisten, whilst Fernandez is on the first and final chapters. Most of the pages exist in gloom and darkness, although the stark white of the snow frequently covers the panel. The colors come to life for the thermal imagery, replicating the effect perfectly. What’s interesting is that even with all the hacking and slashing, it’s not a bloody comic. When it is, it is shown as black (or bright green), as red may have been too overpowering perhaps. The lettering is clear and easy to read. 

Predator vs Wolverine #1 is filled with glorious violence. Two of the most bloodthirsty characters in fiction are brought together to do what both of them do best. Skipping between points in time is a nice tough, longer history for the Predators within this universe. Comics don’t get more hardcore than this. Each fight is just as thrilling as the last, and the quiet periods in between either take Wolverine to the next one or stoke the fire of rage to make him fight harder next time, as the artists delight in illustrating the amazing carnage.

Predator vs Wolverine #1 is available where comics are sold.