I have a review of Dark Horse’s Predator Omnibus Volume 4 in this week’s Best Shots @ Newsarama, along with a review of Jesse Reklaw’s Slow Wave collection, The Night of Your Life.
While I think that’s the longest I’ve ever written about Predator comics, I realize it might not have been as helpful to consumers as it could have been, especially since the thing that defines Predator comics at this point in time—almost 20 years since Dark Horse’s first Predator miniseries, and after crossovers with everyone from Batman and Superman on down to Magnus Robot Fighter, The Darkness and Witchblade—is where and when the Predator fights are set, and who they’re against.
Nowadays, Predator comics are all about the high concept twist on the original alien-hunts-the-most-dangerous-prey-of-all set-up.
So I’ve developed this handy little guide to all of the stories contained within Predator Omnibus Vol. 4, which highlights the relevant information.
It’s worth noting two things in general about the collection. First, there are an awful lot of grizzly bears in it—North America’s one-time apex predators appear in three different stories. Second, while some of these stories are pretty fun and most have their moments, none quite rise to the level of John McTiernan’s 1987 masterpiece Predator.
But perhaps it’s unfair to judge any of these stories against the original film version. After all, Predator is one of the greatest achievements of Western culture; most works of art also fail to reach the high standards it has set.
Anyway:
Predator: Primal
By: Kevin J. Anderson, Scott Kolins and John Lowe
High concept: Predator decides to hunt the actual most dangerous game (that isn't a killer whale)...a pissed-off mother grizzly bear
Predator fights: A grizzly bear!!!
Bears: 3
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Every part in which Predator fights the grizzly bear, which is most of it.
Predator: Nemesis
By: Gordon Rennie and Colin MacNeil
High concept: Predator in Victorian England, shortly after the Jack the Ripper murders
Predator/s fight/s: Captain Edward Soames, special recruit of Mycroft Holmes and the Diogenes Club
Bears: 0
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Nothing in this story is that cool
Predator: Homeworld
By: James Vance, Kate Worley and Toby Cypress
High concept: Old, by-the-book Predator comes to earth to crack down on some young, upstart Predators; told through witnesses to the action being debriefed by shadowy, Men In Black, governmental types.
Predators fight: Civilians, sheriffs, a bison, each other, another grizzly bear
Fun fact: Do you know where the Predator species originally evolved from? Do you really know? A theory is offered herein.
Bears: 1
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Predator fights a bison using only his bare hands; flips it over his head; makes peace with it.
Predator: Xenogenesis
By: Ian Edginton, Mel Rubi and Andrew Pepoy
High concept: Predator in the future, fighting a covert Predator-Buster unit
Predator fights: Terrorist/pirates, a U.S. black ops team, the above-mentioned Predator-Buster unit and an immortal samurai warrior
Bears: 0
Fun fact: Predator are apparently really long-lived. Like, they can live to be 1,000. And if a human eats a Predator's heart, that human will also live for at least 1,000 years. It's basic science, really
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Nothing in this story is that cool
Predator: Hell Come A-Walkin'
By: Nancy Collins and Dean Ormston
High concept: Predator in the Civil War
Predator fights: Union soldiers, rag tag Confederate rebels, a cannon ball
Bears: 1
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Predator gets impaled by an American flag
Predator: Captive
By: Gordon Rennie and Dean Ormston
High concept: A scientist has a captive Predator he is studying in a heavily-guarded, remote desert base, outfitted as a sort of zoo-like habitat
Predator fights: Some guards
Bears: 0
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie:Nothing in this story is that cool
Predator: Demon’s Gold
By: Ron Marz and Claudio Castellini
High concept: Predator in South American jungles during World War II
Predator fights: Nazis
Bears: 0
Part that's almost cool enough to be in the movie: Predator rips a still-screaming Nazi captain’s head clean off his body, with the spine still attached
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
A strong criteria set.
Hey, Caleb -- Slightly off topic here, but I wanted to let you know that, based on your review, I got a copy of Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime for my baby daughter, Mighty Mite (who likes books and likes to make monster noises). She LOVES it! Thanks for reviewing that book -- it's a hoot! :-D
S.O.G.,
Cool. It is indeed a hoot.
Post a Comment