Creating an iconic movie monster is no easy feat. But when a creature features an incredible design by FX wizard Stan Winston, awesome high-tech weaponry, a unique moral code, and is pitted against one of the most charismatic action stars in the world on their initial outing, the character will definitely make a lasting impression. In 1987, Predator became an instant classic. The success of the film led to a number of sequels video games, and comics.
This month, the Predator returns to film and comics in a major way. The 20th Century Studios film, Prey premiers on Hulu on Friday, Aug. 5, and Marvel's brand-new Predator series from writer Ed Brisson and artist Kev Walker debuts on Wednesday, Aug. 10. CBR spoke with Brisson about the series, his protagonist, her vendetta against the Predators, the time period the story is set in, and his experience collaborating with Walker on a sci-fi story.
CBR: The Predator has captured the imagination of filmgoers and comic readers for 35 years. Why do you think that is? What is it about the concept that you find especially appealing as a fan and a writer?
Ed Brisson: There's a line from King Willie in Predator 2 that, I think, sums it up perfectly: "There's no stopping what can't be stopped, no killing what can't be killed." That's the Predator. An unstoppable, unkillable force trained to be our better, to be at the top of the food chain. It's up to humanity to prove that we can beat the unbeatable. That we can be better. We can be greater than the greatest. Something I think that the sequels do well (though, the original is absolutely the best of the bunch) is show that it doesn't necessarily take Arnie-style brawn to defeat these monsters. Sometimes, it just takes wits and will.
Over the years, fans have learned a lot about The Predators' culture, especially in Shane Black's The Predator (2018). Which aspects of Yautja society are you especially interested in exploring in this story?
Our protagonist, Theta, has been hunting Predators for about 15 years by the time that we join her. Each battle, each kill, is another opportunity for her to learn about these monsters, who they are, where they come from, and what drives them. Something hinted at in the films that we're diving into here is the idea that the Predators have hunting routes -- that they visit hunting grounds in intervals when the conditions are right. Theta managed to discover data on these hunting routes and has been following them, trying to track down the Predator who killed her family and the rest of their crew 15 years earlier.
When does your story take place?
The story takes place in 2056. We wanted to tell a story where Earth has just begun to explore further and further reaches of space. Beyond anything we're capable of now, but maybe just.
What else can you tell us about Theta?
She's a 27-year-old who was orphaned by a Predator attack 15 years earlier that she feels a certain amount of guilt for, as though maybe she is partially responsible. The Predator killed her parents and wiped out the entire research crew they were part of, leaving a 12-year-old Theta stranded and alone on an alien planet.
The ship -- The Sandpiper -- was intended to bring her back to Earth, but Theta managed to override it and instead has been out in space, alone, for a decade and a half, studying and, eventually, hunting Predators. The idea behind the book was to flip the dynamic. Rather than being the hunters, the Predators are the hunted. But, do not think for a second that it makes them any less dangerous.
Who is the supporting cast of your Predator story?
Theta is largely alone in the story. Her family's gone, and she's been adrift in space, surviving on her own since she was about 12 years old. Her only companion is Sandy, the ship's AI.
What's it like collaborating with a legend like artist Kev Walker on a big sci-fi action property like Predator?
Kev has been absolutely incredible. Beyond just his art, which, you know, is legendary, like you said. Kev really likes to dig his fingers deep into the world and often has a billion ideas on how things might work, alternate approaches, etc. He's invested on a level that you don't see often, and it shows in the book.
What else can you tell us about the ship you and Kev designed? Did you get to create some alien worlds together as well?
The Sandpiper is a research vessel owned by Astar Industries, the corporation that Theta's parents had been working for before meeting their end at the hands of a Predator. It's meant to be an exploratory ship that doubles as a living center while stationed on alien planets. The crew of The Sandpiper had been looking for other terrestrial planets as their key mission, but [they] were primarily just exploring the universe and learning. It's not a warship, it's not built nor meant for battle. Theta has been piloting the ship for about 15 years now, following the hunting paths of the Predators that she's encountered, but that's come at a toll on the ship. So maintenance and repairs are an issue.
As to alien worlds, we do get to see a few, which is something we haven't really seen much of in the Predator films to date (though, I guess we did get a little taste of it in Predators). We wanted to make it interesting, but as though it fits within the existing mythology.
Finally, films like Predator 2, AvP, and Prey show that the Yautja have been visiting Earth for a very long time. That means this is a book with huge story potential. Can you talk at all about where you'd like to take the book after this initial tale?
I could, but I'm going to let folks see how the first arc plays out before teasing anything just yet. I'm proud of how the book came together and thrilled that it's finally coming out. I can't wait for readers to get their hands on it.
Predator #1 is due out on Wednesday, Aug. 10.