There have been many comics based on the Predator franchise. While the canonicity of these stories is questionable, many ideas introduced in the comics made their way into the movies. Most of these ideas center around the culture of the Yautja – the alien race defined by their love of the hunt and honor. Predator: Badlands #1 draws deep from this lore. However, this prequel to the movie of the same name also holds up on its own terms.
Produced in association with director Dan Trachtenberg, Predator: Badlands #1 was written by Ethan Sacks. It features art by Elvin Ching and Orin Junior. The plot centers around Dek, a young Yautja ready to undergo the rites that will prove his worth as a hunter. However, Dek is constantly dismissed by his father, who sees him only as a runt unworthy of dying at his hand.
Thankfully, Dek does get some support from his older brother, Kwei. This leads to his being given a test to prove his worth. Dek is tasked with recovering a power core from an alien ship on the moon of Pelkonen IV. However, the ship is not as derelict as reported, and Dek soon finds himself fighting for his life against the ship’s automatic defenses.
Predator: Badlands comic enjoyable even ignoring the movie
As a prequel, Predator Badlands #1 is a solid work, full of intense action. The story showcases Dek’s natural cunning, which is honed by his encounter with an artificial intelligence with its own mission. This accordingly showcases just how Dek first discovered his talent for improvising weapons based on what he had on hand.
Beyond developing Dek’s character and setting up his circumstances in Predator: Badlands, the prequel comic manages another equally difficult trick. Namely, it works just as well independent of the film that it sets up. One can easily enjoy this comic without having seen the latest Predator movie. Or indeed any Predator movies. The story of a son trying to win a father’s approval is universal and relatable, though the comic draws deeply on the established lore of the Yautja culture. It is also a ripping yarn, with vivid visuals throughout, courtesy of the art team.
Fans of the Predator franchise will find Predator: Badlands #1 to be most satisfying. This comic functions just as well as a prequel as it does as a stand-alone story. It is well worth the effort of hunting down.
Grade: 8/10
Predator: Badlands #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
