Ever since Predator became a Marvel property, Ed Brisson has been tearing it up on not one, but two story arcs. The second story arc comes out this week in trade paperback continuing the development of Theta, a human who hunts Predators, but with a sci-fi twist. The introduction of a planet that Predators use to train is introduced, and with it, a creative way to bring fresh game to hunt.
Predator Vol. 2: The Preserve is aptly named, as it opens with humans falling from the sky to an undisclosed planet. All we know is that it’s very far from Earth. As soon as the humans land, they’re on the run from a group of Predators hunting them. Mixed in with intense gory action is the slow reveal of where, and more importantly when, these people are from.
This collection could be broken up into two chunks. The first is Theta dropping in to help these shocked survivors and the violence that takes place to save them. The second half is set on Theta’s ship as characters double cross and plot against her. It appears under desperate times people do the worst things.
If you like gore, you’re going to love Netho Diaz’s art. Characters are sliced in half, aliens are blown up, and heads are exploded. It’s actually impressive how much blood and guts are in this book since it’s a Marvel title. Diaz also captures each of the humans well, with different body shapes and looks that help distinguish them.
The violence in this book doesn’t hold back.
Credit: Marvel
Distinguishing the characters is a big part of the fun of this book as Brisson reveals they’re from different times. The potential to explore the shock someone from the ’80s would have meeting something from 2040 is compelling enough, but throw them into a hunt and it’s a lot to keep up your interest. Brisson leans into the torture they’re going through mentally which is only making matters worse since some of them literally are tortured when Predators and alien beasts attack them.
The second half of this book unfortunately drags, as the danger of Predators falls away when the crew escapes the planet. The drama between them isn’t the most compelling either, especially since it’s obvious some are far more misguided than others. It takes place over two and a half issues but feels much longer. Either getting the pursuing Predator into the ship sooner or having a direct confrontation sooner would have helped pump up the entertainment value.
If you love blood, guts, and alien monsters, definitely pick up Predator by Ed Brisson Vol. 2: The Preserve. It’s filled with action, at least the first half, while adding to the compelling narrative of Theta and her ongoing mission to seek vengeance on Predators.
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