After remaining quiet for a couple of years since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the Predator franchise is back with a bang, enthralling movie-going audiences with a riveting experience in Prey. As pop culture laps up the latest addition, comic book fans are reminded of Dark Horse Comics’ legendary line of comic books on the Yautja. Fortunately, Marvel is publishing a thrilling new Predator series with an offbeat premise where hunters have become the hunted. But the Yautja are still the most feared apex predators on every planet they land upon for a reason. Written by Ed Brisson with artwork from Kev Walker, colors by Frank D’Armata, and letters from VC’s Clayton Cowles, Predator #4 is the heart-stopping stand-off fans have been waiting for.
Set in the year 2056, Predator #4 continues Theta’s misadventures on the icy planet of Tusket as the renegade Predator hunter makes a narrow escape from the local Astar outpost. But as she tries to escape, two Yautja aircraft appear out of nowhere and start raining missiles down upon her. The situation turns so grave that Theta has to go on the counteroffensive while keeping her ship on auto-pilot. After a brief mid-air gunfight, the battle shifts to the ground on the rocky plains. Two foes, human and Predator, stand face-to-face against each other in a deathmatch, both seeking revenge for their fallen families and comrades. But only one will prevail.
The first few issues have been ripe with suspense and introspection, giving readers an exhaustive look into the past and present through flashbacks and expository narration. Theta has proven herself as a badass protagonist while also showing her empathetic side. In this issue, she makes her stand as a warrior. Predator #4 is raw action, which is the best type of Predator book. From the Yautja taking a hail mary run at Theta’s ship to a new adversary stepping up through the fire and smoke, the stakes keep getting higher. Brisson does not let his foot off the gas at any moment, keeping up the pressure until the duel comes to its natural, brutal conclusion. Time and again, Theta shows her ingenuity, but certain things cannot match raw strength.
Despite its hectic pacing, the story never goes into the spine-ripping territory, with the gore toned down to cater to all readers. Walker fills the panels with complex mechanical details. The Predator inspires both awe and fear. Colorist Frank D’Armata uses Walker’s inks as cover to create a dark atmosphere, only applying white tones disguised as spatial lighting to demarcate the characters from the heavy shadows in the background. The abundance of muted tones everywhere doesn’t match the high-octane nature of the story. Luckily, when green Yautja blood splatters all over the panels, things start to look a little more lively.
Predator #4 is end-to-end action with one elaborate scene that lasts most of the book. The Predators are known for their stalking and recon, but Theta forced them to reconsider their approach. The result is a narrative soaked in fire and blood. In the final moments, a new contender enters the battlefield, prepared to shake things up. Predator #4 leaves fans with several tantalizing questions and the promise of more bloodthirsty action on the horizon.
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