Predator Kills The Marvel Universe asks a simple question: what happens when the universe’s greatest hunters stalk Earth’s mightiest heroes? Writer Benjamin Percy delivered four issues of brutal, consequence-ridden violence, with multiple heroes falling to the Predators’ advanced technology and Kraven the Hunter’s methodical planning. Seeing our heroes struggle against this overwhelming threat is an irresistible premise. Issue five had one job – deliver the chaotic bloodbath we all wanted. It succeeds and fails in equal measure.
The Resistance Fights Back: Stark Tech and Wakandan Might
Our remaining heroes finally find a way to turn the tide of battle. Tony Stark reveals a fully stocked armory, complete with Iron Man armor for him, Wolverine, and Spider-Man. They suit up, using Stark’s technology to counter the Predators’ futuristic advantages. Meanwhile, Black Panther joins the fight as he and his allies arrive in New York, rushing to take on the aliens who stole their Vibranium. The intensity is palpable as blood and destruction swallow the streets of New York.
Wolverine vs. Graveyard: A Masterclass in Sci-Fi Gore
Seeing Wolverine confront the fearsome Predator, Graveyard, is what these kinds of books are all about. It’s a brutal one-on-one between two vicious warriors. Pencilers Marcelo Ferreira, Daniel Piccicotto and Brent Peeples nail the design of Graveyard. His helmet is littered with razors, resembling an alien Shredder, while the twisting chords of his backpack reflect his sci-fi origins. The lights on his helmet and armor bleed bright pinks, which Colorist Frank D’Armata sensibly uses to up his intimidation factor. Wolverine soon gains the upper hand, and D’Armata paints the scene in neon greens as the doomed Predator’s blood flies. It’s a vivid and satisfying ending to a tense fight.
Invisible No More: Sue Storm’s Cathartic Revenge
Sue Storm ends up stealing the show. We watched helplessly as the rest of the Fantastic Four was slaughtered in the first issue, with Reed even dying in her arms. It looks like she may be following him to an early grave while in the clutches of the Predator King, but this is Sue Storm we’re talking about. She pounces when her opponent underestimates her, and soon her force fields are taking out her enemy. Ferreira, Piccicotto, and Peeples render the Predator King’s demise in stunning detail, with panic plastered across his face as it bulges due to Sue’s powers. His body erupts in a shower of gore, sparing nothing as Letterer Clayton Cowles wraps the scene in a perfectly placed SPLAAAK. It’s a cathartic win for a character who suffered so much.
Pay What You Want!
The Sidelined Heroes: Why Spider-Man and Black Panther Deserved Better
While it was great to see those characters get their moment, we missed seeing others like Spider-Man and Black Panther get theirs. Each of them had their own Predator miniseries preceding this event, so keeping them in the background was a waste. In particular, Black Panther only appeared for about two pages. The Yatjua were able to make significant progress on Earth due to Vibranium they recovered from Wakanda, so T’Challa had personal stakes to stop them. I would’ve liked to have seen him get that opportunity.
A Hunt Cut Short: The Disappointing End of Kraven the Hunter
Where this issue really fumbled the ball was with its portrayal of Kraven the Hunter. He was the main catalyst for this story, joining the Yatjua after Predator versus Spider-Man to teach them the weaknesses of Earth’s heroes, and every clue had us hurtling towards his inevitable confrontation with Spider-Man. They never even interact. Instead, Kraven is quickly killed by Predator X, the US government’s experimental Yatjua soldier. It’s an unceremonious end and a missed opportunity for Kraven to have a meaningful clash against Spider-Man.
Final Verdict: Is Predator Kills The Marvel Universe Essential Reading?
Predator Kills the Marvel Universe delivers the vicious bloodshed that it promised, but fumbles where it matters most. Sue Storm gets her revenge, and Wolverine battles Graveyard with his trademark savagery, but characters with entire miniseries of buildup, like Black Panther and Spider-Man, get sidelined. Worse, Kraven never faces Peter despite multiple setup issues.
Was this series fun enough to justify existing? I’d say so. The gore is visceral, the art is slick, and certain characters get triumphant moments. But it ultimately collapses under the weight of too many narratives, making this series merely entertaining instead of essential.
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‘Predator Kills The Marvel Universe’ #5 The Yatjua’s Final Battle with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
Predator Kills the Marvel Universe delivers the vicious bloodshed that it promised, but fumbles where it matters most. Sue Storm gets her revenge, and Wolverine battles Graveyard with his trademark savagery, but characters with entire miniseries of buildup, like Black Panther and Spider-Man, get sidelined. Worse, Kraven never faces Peter despite multiple setup issues.
