An in-canon Predator comic series set only a few decades from today is a tantalizing concept, and writer Ed Brisson gets to tell it right now with artist Kev Walker. Predator has been an exciting first step for Marvel since acquiring the rights, and in the second issue, the main character, a human-hunting Predators, has her back against the wall. She’s literally defenseless standing feet from a Predator, but in Predator #3, out today, she has a fighting chance. Maybe!
Predator #3 opens on a very large base on a snow planet. It’s empty, very quiet, and a few bodies are hanging thanks to a Predator Theta has walked in on. Just as the scene’s silence takes effect, we see Theta narrowly block an attack from a Predator. The action is tense, following Theta’s narrow escape and last-ditch effort to stay alive. It’s done in a way to show Theta is fast thinking and skilled, but not at the expense of making the Predator look weak.
From there, the story focuses on Theta, who needs supplies for her ship. There’s a clock ticking as ships are arriving on the planet, and Theta needs to be gone before they arrive. That raises the anxiety of the reader and Theta while focusing on upkeep.
Close one!
Credit: Marvel
Much of the sci-fi elements in this issue are seen via the vehicles Theta uses and the spaceship’s interior. Kev Walker does a great job supplying plenty of detail with these elements, making things look realistic and usable. Walker humanizes Theta giving her a joyous smile when she finds alcohol or furious when she finds out she may be the cause of many innocent human lives. He’s also rendering her in a way that’s reminiscent of other sci-fi badasses like Ripley.
The latter detail continues to humanize Theta, who is on a revenge streak and realizes there are consequences to her actions. We’re three issues in, and it’s abundantly clear Brisson and Walker have a compelling and complete lead character on their hands.
The general pace of the story is even-keeled, but the plot doesn’t move too quickly. Generally speaking, Theta is doing some chores most of the issue, and while the creators use these activities to show Theta has a drinking problem and gets a bit more info on the Predators chasing her, it’s still slow moving. This series will likely read better in trade paperback as the last two issues feel more like parts of a more extensive sequence.
Predator #3 is an entertaining read, opening with action and keeping the intensity up as the clock is ticking. Theta is an intriguing character you’ll root for while multiple threats come crashing down right on top of her.
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