The prize is the horseshoe shaped ship that the Engineers used to spread their biological weapons across the universe. The two factions fighting for the ship are some of the most dangerous beings ever to wield a weapon: Predators and Colonial Marines. Issue three of the four-part series finds the Colonial Marines led by Captain Paget duking it out with the Predators in a firefight. Surprisingly, the human soldiers hold their own against the stealthy Predators. When the bullets stop flying, both sides realize the casualties are heavy.
The action slows to allow some explication from Mr. Lorimer, the Weyland Yutani rep imbedded with the Colonial Marines. We get the typical pissing contest between the two characters much like we’re seen with Carter Burke bossing around Ripley, Hicks, and the rest of the crew from Aliens.
Paget decides to use a two-pronged attack. She takes the main contingent through the forest while Roth takes the drop ship ahead to advance on the Engineer’s ship. The battle with the Predators resume, and the firefight leading into the final issue will be one hell of a blast.
Readers familiar with the Aliens/Predator series will enjoy cool little Easter Eggs plopped down into the story. For instance, the humans call their foes “Hunters,” a name that reflects back to the original title of the Predator film. Also, we get a Colonial Marie asking “Why did I ever sign up for this f--,” a statement that resounds with the dialogue from Bill Paxton’s Hudson character in Aliens.
Brian Albert Thies delivers artwork that varies from the detailed to a Mignola-esque simplicity. Opting not to focus on the gore, Thies still delivers powerful images that show the killing power of the Predators.
Writer Dan Abnett knows the source material well, and he delivers a thrilling story of two powerful forces clashing in a gritty battle that will undoubtedly cost both sides heavy losses.
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Predator: Life and Death #3 Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: Brian Albert Thies Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 5/4/16 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital
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