A crossover I’ve been dreaming about for years is finally here in the form of Predator vs. Spider-Man, and it doesn’t hold back when it comes to violence. Written by Marvel’s resident gore and horror expert Benjamin Percy, with the go-to for macabre artistry Marcelo Ferreira penciling. In an era of Marvel when violence is more extreme than ever, fans are in for a treat with Predator vs. Spider-Man #1 out in comic shops this week.
Something Spider-Man fans will appreciate right off the bat is how Percy pairs MJ and Peter together like they never split up. Mixing things up a bit, Jameson is Peter’s boss, and the two are trying to get his website as many clicks as possible. Thanks to these details, there’s a classic feel but also a bit of an extra element of pressure due to Peter going the extra mile when investigating. Instead of simply snapping pictures, we see him disguise himself to check out a murder scene. An interesting wrinkle we rarely see.
Much like the Predator films, heat is a big part of the narrative, with a heatwave hitting New York. Color artist Frank D’Armata makes you feel the heat with scorching hot yellows and oranges. The city is baked in these colors, adding a layer of tension.
Love the webs!
Credit: Marvel
As far as setup, the story opens with an investigator casually chewing ice while observing three bodies hanging and skinned. She’s not phased in the slightest and soon realizes parts of the body are missing. Are they trophies or something more?
Before we know it, Spider-Man is rushing to get this info to Jameson but is delayed by some criminals. This is the usual Parker luck, although it leads to even more bodies and the notion of a serial killer running amok in the city. Other elements are well set up, like Mary Jane’s state, which drives the cliffhanger hard, and the introduction of a classic Spider-Man villain who enters the tale.
Regarding Predator, fans get some of the most gruesome gore ever in a Marvel comic, and this isn’t even a Red Band book! On the very first page, we see a skinned head missing a jaw, and sharp ribs jutting out as sticky blood drips off them. Marvel already spoiled a scene with Predator holding up someone’s face and peeking through. It’s pretty awesome to see in a Spider-Man comic, and Ferreira doesn’t disappoint.
Ferreira is also very good at rendering Spider-Man, who is quite sharply detailed and inked well by Jay Leisten. There’s a thicker line to everything, giving things more weight. Ferreira is also very good at drawing Spider-Man’s webs, giving them their own life. This is the kind of art you’ll linger on, like when Spider-Man scoops up some kids, and each one has a different expression to take in.
Regarding the “vs.” in the title, fans will need to wait a bit longer. This is more of a murder mystery out of the gate than a fight comic. Plenty here proves we’re in for a real treat, be it the art or the adult approach.
Predator vs. Spider-Man #1 is a blood-drenched mystery with teeth, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown. A dream crossover that lives up to the nightmare, Percy and Ferreira deliver a suspenseful, slow-burn opener that respects both franchises while raising the stakes with gruesome flair. If this issue is any indication, the eventual clash will be nothing short of epic.
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