Predator #2: The Apex Predator Engages Stealth Mode

So here we are in issue two and I have to say I’m feeling like something is missing.. can’t quite put my finger on it, what IS it? Oh yes!!! Where the hell is the Predator? Admittedly last issue we had a generous amount of Predator presence, but that was only in flashback and the opening sequence introducing Theta. So now another issue goes by without the nemesis and titular character. With four issues to go I am feeling a little short-changed as regards the big guy. This issue there was only a few camera glimpses and the final panel in shadow. And that’s not all that’s missing. In comparison the first issue seemed jam packed full of action, with a sizeable portion of flashback and shedding light on our new female protagonist’s motivation and character development. As well as delivering some plot set up and a fair amount of peril. In contrast I have to say this issue seemed to be lacking in anything other than a hike across the wilderness and a last minute cliff hanger. Aside from a brief nightmare that fed into her insecurity of abandoning and losing her parents, something that did at least confirm her survivor guilt, this did nothing else in terms of plotting.

There was also the fact she showed mercy to those who would have done her harm, and I guess this may have been done to allow the reader to cheer her on knowing she had morals. But for me all it did was make her look a little lacking in ruthlessness. Something that won’t help her when she comes up against the threat she is set to face. It’s quite telling that from her minor interaction with the scavengers I managed to gain some insight into her morality and motives. Because there didn’t seem to be much else I could glean from the story so far. Other than the fact she grudgingly accepted she needed to keep Sandy and not trade in her old junker for a newer model. But as sparse as the storyline was this issue the art of Kev Walker did at least keep up a consistent quality, in comparison to the previous issue. With Frank D’Armata ensuring the colors are balanced in each scene change and the bleak exteriors are suitably muted, compared to the electronically lit control room of the Astar station. The aforementioned nightmare sequence was brief but visually jarring and served to at least fill in some of the lacking plot development, and the facial expressions in the interaction with the scavengers was engaging enough to draw the eye into the (limited) drama and threat.But even that could only sustain for a limited period and I felt I was running low on interest in what was happening. The discovery of the bodies at the station perked things up again and immediately my mind seized on this unfolding development, in the hopes we would soon see her come up against her quarry. But this was the point we are left hanging… just as much as the bodies Theta discovers. If I am going to re-engage in the story here and root for Theta, then the next issue needs to deliver the confrontation that was promised and so well depicted on the cover. And much like the interior art this issue Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho did most of the heavy lifting with that cover, giving a kinetic and stunning visual of Theta managing to hunt down the Predator. Which it has to be said….is more than we got to do. It’s a great shame because last issue I really bought into the adventure Ed Brisson was taking me on and I know he can do so much better.