Predator 2 #2 - Dark Horse Comics

PREDATOR 2 No. 1, June 1991

“Created by a different team” to that which drew, coloured, and lettered its opening instalment, this official comic book adaption of “Predator 2” probably pleased the majority of its audience in June 1991, courtesy of “Dark Horse Comics” proud presentation featuring a number of plot clarifications which weren’t shown in the motion picture. Indeed, considering just how much clearer it is that the titular antagonist purposely stalks the different members of Detective Mike Harrigan’s team, this thirty-two-page periodical’s narrative may actually be seen by many a bibliophile as being somewhat superior to the storyline seen on the silver screen.

For starters, there is little doubt “the killer from outer space” is proactively following both Leona and Jerry when they take the Metro to Vernon Station. Admittedly, this journey is a little contrived in Franz Henkel’s script, suggesting that the squad’s veteran policeman orders them to go their separate ways simply to give Special Agent Keyes’ boys the slip should they “be around.” But the move does provide artist Mark Bright with an opportunity to proficiently pencil a couple of splendid-looking panels showing the extra-terrestrial killer watching the pair from afar.

In addition, this publication also strongly suggests that the head of the Other Worldly Life Forms (OWLF) team operating in Los Angeles is actually trying to save the metropolis from being blown up by the Yautja’s devastating self-destruct device, rather than cynically hoping to weaponize both the alien and its highly advanced technology. This change in motivation debatably brings a lot more pathos to Peter Keye’s character than is seen during the movie and adds an extra element of bravado to his death when he stops the Predator from filleting Harrigan in a slaughterhouse; “I’m not through with you, god dammit!”

Perhaps this comic’s most significant difference though, lies with just how much more talkative and personal the “city hunter” becomes once it goes “one-on-one” with Mike. Quite possibly the extra-terrestrial’s taunts are noticeable due to Henkel’s truncation of the pair’s lengthy celloid chase and pulse-pounding bout of pugilism. However, the creature’s persistent use of Danny’s voice recordings to goad his opponent makes their fight much more personal and resultantly bitter.

Script by: Franz Henkel, Pencils by: Mark Bright, and Inks by: Randy Emberlin