Predator Kills the Marvel Universe is packed with gasp-worthy moments, and it delivers on every one of them. Nearly two years in the making (23 months to be exact), Benjamin Percy has been building toward this epic, crafting what he calls the “Percyverse” as Predator has clashed with Wolverine, Black Panther, Spider-Man, and now…everyone else. Opening the hunt to the entire Marvel Universe allows for big swings, shocking deaths, and plenty of surprises. It’s a first issue that should please fans of all kinds, be it Predator movies, superhero comics, or violent action.
Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #1 opens on Rocket and Star-Lord in deep space. Peter is snoozing while Rocket pilots the ship, until they hear a distress signal. Fairly quickly, Percy gets all the Guardians of the Galaxy into the book, all reminiscent of the movie versions of the characters. If you’ve ever seen an Alien movie, you know that the distress signal is likely a death note.
That mission drives home that anyone can die, as gruesome deaths come fast and furious. Fans of the Guardians might not like it, but it’s a shock to the system and a reminder that this series is no-holds-barred, and many will be taken off the board. Oh, and the death of the Guardians is only the first seven pages.
Marcelo Ferreira draws the heck out of the issue, not skimping on gore and violence. Frankly, I was surprised this book wasn’t polybagged; it goes so hard with violence on the page. Ferreira continues to show a deft hand at drawing the likenesses of multiple heroes well, and maybe more importantly, making the Predator look formidable.
A key subplot may take the cake for best moment thanks to Ferreira. Many will gasp with delight when they see a Predator in this new way. It will certainly go down as one of the coolest reveals of the year. You can check it out below:
How flipping cool is this?
Credit: Marvel
Another element that works well is a Marvel supervillain playing a big role in the attack. Again, no spoilers, but it’s a fun and clever way to connect the alien race to an insider with good intel. It also makes Spider-Man a key hero at the end of all this.
Much of the rest of the issue is devoted to the Fantastic Four, who are on the moon chilling. Percy writes Reed very well here, as he comes off as a big brain with social skills that are a touch lacking. When it comes to violence, it’s not just gratuitous. There are well-thought-out ways for each character’s demise, although you’ll need to read the issue to find out who dies.
Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #1 is a brutal, thrilling opening chapter that spares no one, blending blockbuster-level spectacle with smart connections to the Marvel Universe. Benjamin Percy swings for the fences, and with Marcelo Ferreira’s art pushing the gore and tension to the limit, this debut promises a savage, unforgettable ride.
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