Predator joins Marvel's comic lineup in July with the release of a new series, and a grim variant cover shows one of the merciless yautja hunters atop Avengers Tower holding the severed head of Iron Man.

The cover, illustrated by David Finch, does not appear to reflect the actual events in Predator #1, which takes place in the near future and features a protagonist named Theta stalking a predator who killed her family. Written by Ed Brisson (Deadpool: Black, White & Blood, Sinister War) and illustrated by Kev Walker (Savage Avengers, Timeless), the issue promises a "violent, heartbreaking and unforgettable new chapter in the Predator saga not to be missed," according to Marvel previews.

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Predator 1 David Finch variant

Marvel acquired the licenses to both Alien and Predator in July 2020. While the company's new series may not feature the predator interacting with heroes like Iron Man, other variant covers unveiled in May 2021 saw the alien warrior battling the likes of the Fantastic Four, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Mighty Valkyries, Miles Morales, Peter Parker and Spider-Woman.

These variants were originally meant to coincide with the publication of Predator #1, which was intended for 2021 but delayed for a year -- likely as The Walt Disney Company, Marvel's parent company, settled a copyright lawsuit with Jim and John Thomas, the screenwriters behind the original 1987 Predator film and its 1990 sequel, Predator 2.

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"I've been obsessed with Predator since first seeing the film at the drive-in theater as a kid," Brisson said of the upcoming first issue. "I can still remember sitting there in horrified fascination and then acting out the movie for my classmates the following week at school. I bought the VHS and wore the hell out of the tape. Getting to write the characters launch for Marvel is a dream come true. When they offered me the gig, I already had a million ideas ready to go."

He continued, "Not only am I excited to write a Predator book, but I'm doubly excited to be working with Kev Walker on the series. The pages he's turned in so far and mind-blowing. He's delivered awe-inspiring alien planets; huge, blood-pumping action scenes: and devastatingly emotional beats all in the space of the first issue. I really think we're making something quite special here.”

Predator #1 goes on sale July 6 from Marvel. Aside from David Finch's variant, the issue sports a main cover by Leinil Francis Yu, as well as a variety of other variants featuring the work of famed artists like Inhyuk Lee, Peach Momoko and Ron Lim.

Source: Marvel