Summary
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Predator vs Black Panther #1!One of the standout aspects of thePredatorfranchise is the absolutely iconic and utterlybadass design of the Predator itself. The helmet/mask, wrist gauntlet, and plasma cannon all come to mind when thinking about the Predator’s appearance, not to mention the horrifying sight of the creature’s natural face. And now, the Predator looks cooler than ever with an all-new cybernetic design.
InPredator vs Black Panther#1 by Benjamin Percy, Chris Allen, and Sean Damien Hill, a Predator and his clan are heading to Earth to steal enough vibranium to make the strongest suits of armor (and weapons) in the whole galaxy, and use their newfound strength to rule over the entire Yautja species. This missionputs the Predators in direct conflict with Black Panther, and will lead to an epic showdown between these deadly warriors.
Before heading to Earth to face off against Black Panther in an attempt to steal Wakanda’s vibranium, the leader of this Yautja clan decided on this course of action because of a power struggle between him and his older brother. This Predator’s father is the leader of their species, and he decides to make the older brother his heir after a battle between the siblings’ respective clans. And during that battle, readers get a full view of never-before-seen Predator armor worn by both brothers, one with a badass cybernetic appearance.
PREDATOR VS. BLACK PANTHER First Look Pits T’Challa Against an Army of Yautja
Predator vs. Black Panther #1 preview reveals a new look for Black Panther and the hunter-warrior Predators. Blood will spill in August of this year.
Predator is Embracing a Sci-Fi Cyberpunk Aesthetic (& It’s Awesome)
The new Predator armor is complete with a multi-eye helmet, each eye glowing red through the slits, cascading down the face. The armor itself also seems more technologically advanced as opposed to the usual plated steel and mesh, with exposed electrical cables seemingly powering added hydraulics, with more neon red light shining from different points in the armor to indicate a steady electrical current.
These new suits aren’t the only thing that scream ‘cyberpunk’ in this comic’s portrayal of Predator society, as the Yautja’s entire home base looks like it was pulled straight out ofBlade Runner. A pyramid design with streaks of red neon litter the Predator’s orbital space station located above their homeworld, with a sleek black exterior and a high-tech interior, highlighting the neo-tech nature of the Predator’s new aesthetic. Of course, the Yautja haven’t abandoned the more primitive aspects of their culture, but they’re definitely including the technologically advanced aspects like never before - including and especially with this new armor.
The Predator’s Cyberpunk Armor Establishes a New Class of Yautja
There are no two Yautja that look the same in thePredatorfranchise, and that’s deliberate. Every unique set of armor identifies each Yautja, both as individuals and as a member of a certain caste. Since both of these Yautja brothers wore this cyberpunk armor, and they were effectively ‘princes’ under their ‘king’ father, it can be assumed that this specific armor is indicative of a new class of Predator established by their father, one that has put a heightened focus on cybernetics as opposed to the classic design, which is much more primal.
Predator vs Black Pantherisn’t just giving fans an epic crossover between a classic Sci-Fi ‘monster’ and an iconic Marvel hero, it’s also an exciting expansion ofPredatorlore. Little is known about the significance of this armor within the established Yautja caste system, but what is immediately obvious is how cool it looks, giving thePredatoran all-new cyberpunk edge.
Predator vs Black Panther #1by 20th Century Studios is available now.
Predator
Predator is an action sci-fi franchise created by Jim and John Thomas, beginning with the original film released in 1987. The franchise follows a warrior alien race known as the Yautja who travel the far reaches of space looking for worthy prey to hunt, constantly bringing them to Earth due to the sheer amount of conflict harbored on it. The series has spun off into comic books and animated features and has even enjoyed several crossover events via film and video games with the Aliens franchise.
