Disney shopping for twentieth Century Fox in 2019 led the X-Males’s movie rights again to Marvel, however that wasn’t all it did for the venerable writer. Fox was the studio that made the Predator, Alien, and Planet of the Apes films, that means that Marvel Comics would have entry to all of those. This has led to incredible crossovers, with among the greatest creators within the historical past of the comedian business attending to pit Marvel’s biggest superheroes towards these basic film monsters. The Predator crossover comics have been particularly good; Predators have all the time been formidable, so having them combat Marvel heroes has been plenty of enjoyable. and the most recent sequence pits the Yautja towards New York Metropolis’s most harmful vigilante, the Punisher.
The Punisher and the Predator are an ideal pairing and Predator vs. Punisher #1 does a incredible job of kicking off this story. Written by Frank Tieri with artwork by Jesus Saiz, I vibed with this comedian instantly. It’s a incredible kick-off to this newest crossover extravaganza, taking the story we anticipate to get – Frank Citadel and a Predator going at it – and taking a roundabout but entertaining option to get there. Whereas it’s not some good instance of the comedian artwork that might be talked about for generations, it’s every thing it advertises itself as: superior.
Score: 4 out of 5
| Execs | Cons |
| Tieri provides readers the sort of motion they crave whereas additionally establishing a cool story general | The plot is a bit of easy and formulaic |
| Saiz’s artwork provides the story a cinematic really feel that works with Tieri’s plot | |
| This e-book felt like the right first reel of a Predator/Punisher crossover film |
Tieri Balances the Need for Violence and Plot Properly
Frank Tieri is a kind of writers who’re a assured good time. He is aware of the right way to write thrilling, action-packed books that go away readers begging for extra, with underrated runs on Wolverine and the Punisher. He was a terrific alternative for this e-book, and never simply due to his historical past with the Punisher’s adventures. He’s precisely the sort of author you need for one thing like this. He is aware of his method round an motion scene and he will get to create an enticing plot that anybody can take pleasure in. He brings all of that to this primary problem, an thrilling little yarn that provides readers a plot price caring about in addition to the crossover Predator violence they crave.
The problem kicks off with a flashback, taking us again into the previous of Silvermane (I simply wish to add that whereas I’ve all the time identified who Silvermane was – thanks Wizard Journal! – that is the primary time I’ve learn an precise comedian with him in it, so I used to be fairly glad proper off the bat), a protracted forgotten gang chief villain, and his first encounter with the Predator. It’s a good way to kick off this story and it simply will get higher from there. The plot itself is straightforward – Punisher decides to assault a sit-down between the Owl and Jigsaw, one brokered by Silvermane, however the Predator has the identical concept, resulting in a giant combat and the start of a five-way battle between Punisher, Silvermane, Jigsaw, the Owl, and the Predator. Tieri might have given us one thing a bit of less complicated and it nonetheless would have been good, however he went that further mile to present this sequence a shine that solely he might.
Saiz’s Pencils Convey the Blood-Soaked Items
Jesus Saiz’s artwork type has grown by leaps and bounds through the years. He began out with a extra conventional type, however that has shifted, particularly since he began coloring his personal pencils. His work is the definition of polished in 2026; he provides readers life like figures with beautiful element and deft character performing. He’s even capable of give his work a sense of motion which may appear not possible for his type. Saiz labored on the maligned Punisher as chief of the Hand sequence, so he will get the right way to do nice Punisher artwork and this problem is filled with that.
One of many issues that struck me as a I used to be studying this e-book was simply how cinematic all of it felt and Saiz’s artwork is a key a part of that. This story seems like Tieri writing his good Punisher vs Predator spec script and Saiz’s artwork makes it right into a completed product. He makes the pages really feel like the massive display screen, his web page layouts and shot placement actually promoting each scene. I believe that there is perhaps some individuals on the market who suppose that Saiz isn’t the best individual for this story, however these individuals haven’t seen the care he places into drawing Predators uncloaking. He’s bringing a degree of care to the imagery that you simply don’t all the time get and it’s incredible.
Predator vs. Punisher #1 is principally what you’d get in the event you made an R-rated crossover film between the 2 properties. Tieri builds a superb plot, with Silvermane’s need for revenge the icing on the cake. Saiz is ready to take that story and convey it to life flawlessly, giving it a stream and realism that makes it really feel so very cinematic. I like the truth that Marvel took the licensed character crossover tie-in comedian and it took it to new degree by placing A-list creators on them, with Predator vs. Punisher #1 being a superb instance of why it really works to effectively.
Predator vs. Punisher #1 is on sale now.
Do you suppose the Punisher has an opportunity towards the Predator? How stoked are you to learn a Silvermane comedian within the yr of our lord 2026? Pontificate within the remark part under.