Booknote: Predator Omnibus, Volume 1

Mark Verheiden, et.al., Predator Omnibus, Volume 1. Milwaukie, OR: Dark Horse Comics, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-59307-732-7.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: science fiction, action.
Format: Trade paperback
Source: I own this one. Bought copy at Half Price Books.

This is the first of a series of compilations of Dark Horse Predator comics and graphic novels from the late 1980s and early 1990s. The first of these comics came out shortly after the original Predator film. In fact, the comics at the time did so well that concepts from the first comics were integrated into later films. This particular volume includes seven stories. One of them is Cold War, which I have read. The rest of the stories were new for me.

I really enjoyed this collection. It does catch the essence of the first film. The first stories, Concrete Jungle and Cold War, draw on the first film, providing a follow-up to that film. However, the stories soon move in other directions as we get a glimpse at how the interstellar hunters have been visiting Earth throughout the centuries. Most stories are written by Mark Verheiden, but the collection does feature other contributors who add their own mark to the tales. The stories are entertaining and filled with action. The art, reflective of the time, is colorful and varied. Another interesting element is the time period of the tales, many set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a time when the Soviet Union existed. For some readers like me, it is neat to see the many pop culture references upon reading the comic today. The comic is very much a glimpse of those times.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Liked it enough I will seek out other volumes. Fans of the films will likely enjoy them as well. The volumes do make a good public library selection.

4 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges: