On the cover readers will find an Engineer tainted Predator covered in his own glowing blood raising a fist to punch a Xenomorph.  The rest of the book is a direct continuation of the action portrayed so well on the cover. Elden continues to transform courtesy of the Engineers’ concoction while the Xenomorphs and Predators attack.  Meanwhile, Francis and the Predator part ways.  The hunter continues on a quest while the human heads off to the infirmary to continue his plans.  Additional to all that action is the Engineer imbued Predator stalking the bowels of the ship; this creature seems bent on killing everyone.

All of the creatures featured in this book have varying abilities that shift the balance of power significantly.  Take for example the human Francis Lane, a man suffering from a terminal disease.  Throughout the series he spent most of his time running and coughing up blood, but when this issue ends, substantial transformations put him into a place of considerable power.

Those shifts have made the book a refreshing read while also bringing the characters to new scenarios outside of the expected level of fighting.  Best of all, the dialogue reads well.  Although there’s not much of it, the lines have a pretty cool undercurrent of tone.  Francis tells Elden that the Engineer enhancements have bigger implications than Elden realizes.  “You’re not God.  God is what’s running through your veins,” Francis claims as he concocts his plan.

The progression of this series has been ever upward, and the latest issue provided a great read balanced with the action one expects from these licenses.  Next issue’s conclusion will answer a great deal of open plot points that have me curious.  I have grown to enjoy the writing and art these Fire and Stone series have provided, and I feel that these are the underrated licensed stories of the year.

Score: 4/5 

Writer: Christopher Sebela Artist: Ariel Olivetti Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 12/3/14 Format: Mini-Series (3 of 4); Print/Digital