The Predator is back.
In 2022 Marvel grabbed the reins to the “Predator” comic book franchise and licensing rights from Oregon-based Dark Horse Comics and injected the storied sci-fi property with latest creative blood from author Ed Brisson (“Iron Fist,” “Ghost Rider”) and artist Kev Walker (“Dr. Strange,” “Doctor Aphra”).
That propulsive reboot series centered around a young girl named Theta whose parents were slaughtered by the Predator, a notorious apex alien killer, an evil act which set in motion a destructive cycle of vengeance and violence as she hunted down the fierce creature responsible as an adult woman looking for blind retribution.
Now Marvel returns to that tense story arc to disclose Theta’s galactic plight in a four-issue series arriving February of 2024 titled “Predator: The Last Hunt,” with Brisson back to craft the survival storyline aided by artist Francesco Manna (“Carnage”).
Related: The Predator franchise is due for an enormous comeback following the success of ‘Prey’
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Following previous acclaimed installments, Brisson will proceed the saga of original character Theta and her one-woman rampage across the spaceways to slay the deadly Yautja! The brand new arc will leave readers on the sting of their seat as Theta’s journey takes her to dark latest depths of Yautja brutality…
“For years, Theta has hunted and killed Predators in her seek for the one which killed her parents. Now she’s on a mission to free the human captives from the Predators’ game preserve. But when a Super Predator is on the loose, even a seasoned hunter like Theta can develop into prey.”
Besides that relaunch book adding to the “Predator” mythology last 12 months, Marvel also delivered a killer crossover in the shape of a “Predator versus Wolverine” miniseries that premiered this past September. “Predator: The Last Hunt” explores more of Theta’s dark quest to avenge her mother and father’s deaths.
“I’m incredibly excited to be continuing my work on ‘Predator,'” Brisson said. “It is a book I really like dearly. I’m pleased with the work we have done prior to now two volumes and think readers will probably be excited to see where we’re headed on this third volume. The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Theta has been carrying loads of guilt over the events of the last arc and has made it her mission to seek out the Predator Stasis Farms and free the tons of (hundreds?) of prisoners being held for the Predators’ hunting pleasure — at the identical time, her 20 plus years of Predator hunting is all coming to a head as she suddenly finds herself within the crosshairs because it becomes clear that her mission could also be a trap.
“Thrilled to be working with Francesco Manna again! He and I first worked on a two-part ‘Old Man Logan’ story way back in 2018 and I have been on the lookout for any excuse to work with him ever since. He’s been absolutely knocking it out of the park. Now we have a fun surprise in store for long-time fans of the ‘Predator’ comics, but that is about as much as I’ll say on it for now!”
Marvel Comics’ “Predator: The Last Hunt #1” touches down on Feb. 21, 2024