Predator [2023] #3 - Marvel Comics

PREDATOR No. 3, July 2023

Predominantly focusing upon the mini-series’ large cast of characters interacting with one another, as opposed to depicting a ton of Predator-lead violence, Ed Brisson’s narrative for Issue Three of “Predator” must surely have had the majority of its audience literally frothing at the mouth with the sheer boorishness of some of the survivors Theta Berwick saves in this comic. Indeed, the atmosphere of treacherous injustice towards the Sandpiper’s badly wounded ‘skipper’ is truly palpable once the likes of Other Worldly Lifeforms Program (O.W.L.F.) trooper Isla becomes progressively resentful that her military organisation haven’t benefitted from the Yautja hunter’s collection of alien artefacts and equipment.

To make this soldier and her husband-in-crime, Lucas, even more dislikeable though, the pair’s pathetic justification to seize Sandy and release the cowardly Kiyoshi Yaksubo from confinement is apparently because they fear the deadly extra-terrestrials are heading for Earth. This concern simply doesn’t stand up to any scrutinization whatsoever, as the fact that the Predators have already kidnapped humans such as club doorman Allen, shows that they have already visited the planet. Instead, the entire argument just comes across a poor excuse for Isla to vent her fear and frustration at being cryogenically frozen for approximately forty years at the person who actually snatched her from the jaws of certain death.

Setting aside all the irrational squabbles and distinct split straight down the middle of the strangers’ loyalty to Berwick, 'A Wolf In Wolf's Clothing' is also notable for its depiction of the “powerful alien animal pack” fleetingly first seen in Nimrod Antal’s 2010 science fiction action film “Predators”. These River Ghosts appear truly savage creatures under Brisson’s penmanship, who despite being completely unarmed are still clearly quite capable of tearing down a fully-armed Yautja if they have enough numbers; “ Let’s get you outta ‘ere while the beasties are busy with one another.”

Masterfully managing to maintain an incredible atmosphere of tension and suspense throughout all this twenty-page-periodical’s dialogue-driven scenes are Netho Diaz’s pulse-pounding pencils. Coupled with Belardino Brabo’s ostentatious inks and Erick Arciniega’s moodily dark colour choices, these layouts do a grand job in showing the Jekyll to Hyde transformation in Isla’s physical demeanour as she plots with his partner to despicably betray their unconscious liberator.

Writer: Ed Brisson, Pencilier: Netho Diaz, Inker: Belardino Brabo, Colorist: Erick Arciniega