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Predator #1
- Writer:
- Ed Brisson
- Artist:
- Kev Walker
- Letterer:
- VC's Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist:
- Leinil Francis Yu, Sunny Gho
- Publisher:
- Marvel
- Price:
- $4.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-08-10
- Colorist:
- Frank D'Armata
The success of Dan Trachtenberg's Prey has breathed new life into the Predator franchise just in time for the release of Marvel's new series. While the recent film explored the iconic monster's past, author Ed Brisson is teaming up with artist Kev Walker, colorist Frank D'Armata, and letterer Clayton Cowles to dive headfirst into its future. Predator #1 is a thrilling, beautifully drawn the first issue that will have fans on the edge of their seats.
Predator #1 begins with two powerful warriors fighting to the death in an alien landscape and maintains its fast, exciting pace from there. Set in the year, 2056, the first issue introduces readers to Theta, a young woman searching the galaxy for the Predator who killed her family. Over the years, she's become a formidable warrior and developed a system for hunting the Predators. But the years have taken their toll on her ship, and trouble is on the horizon.
By beginning the series with a mostly wordless five-page fight scene, Brisson establishes an action-packed pace that hooks the audience immediately. From there, he reveals more about Theta's tragic childhood to bring emotional stakes to the excitement. It's easy to root for Theta, but it's clear that she's every bit as dangerous as the predators. By comparing her childhood to her violent adulthood, Brisson adds new dimensions to the action hero while bringing the reader up to speed quickly. Her friendship with the AI in her ship is charming, but it also underscores her lonely lifestyle.
Walker's artwork is perfect for a futuristic Predator story. The initial fight scene is tense, well-choreographed, and absolutely brutal. His pacing and use of shadows are reminiscent of Mike Mignola's action sequences in Hellboy. Walker blends horror aesthetics with his sci-fi sensibilities to create a vision of the space-age future that feels lived-in while also building a sense of dread. His drawings of Theta's ship have as much personality as the titular monsters or Theta herself. The run-down interiors reflect the harsh effect the years have had on the hero and her home.
D'Armata's colors add to the ominous tone of Walker's art. The Predator is often accompanied by a green haze, which also helps to denote a flashback. These subtle changes in the comic's palette give Brisson and Walker room to focus on keeping things exciting without alienating the reader. Similarly, Cowles' lettering helps to build the world of Predator #1 in a lot of subtle but exciting ways. The font he uses to represent an alien language is visually engaging and utterly confounding, and the word balloons and fonts he uses to represent the predators' disturbing sounds stand out on each page.
The end of Predator #1 leaves Theta in a bad situation on an unfriendly planet. Fans are sure to be anxious to see where she goes next and to learn more about her plans for the predators. Brisson and Walker's take on the classic franchise seems to represent a lot of love for the source material and a genuine desire to cast the Predator in a fresh, exciting light. This first issue will be a joy to read for new readers and longtime fans alike.