Archie and his crew have met many folks. The Punisher, the cast of Glee are just two examples, and in those two, no one died in the end. Archie vs. Predator #1 throws all of that out, taking the bloodier tone of Archie’s recent hit Afterlife with Archie, but showing it all in the cartoonish style we’re accustomed to. Teaming up with Dark Horse, Archie Comics has the Riverdale crew take on their toughest enemy yet, the Predator! Written by Alex de Campi, with art by Fernando Ruiz, the first issue is a bit strange, as it has much of the tension and build up we’re familiar with in Predator, but all with the classic Archie style.

The first issue sees Archie and his friends head out for vacation to a paradise island. The usual hijinks ensue, and it’s all entertaining. But really, the comic is all about the Predator, and like the movies the first issue is built up with the hunter stalking his prey. The ship lands, and throughout the issue we’re mostly limited to infrared views by the Predator, but even those get a bit of humor added to them.

As I said above, the big difference here is, Archie is allowing folks to get killed off. While the issue has the classic Archie style, there’s blood, and skulls, though the true violence is left off page.

The comic in a way reminds me a lot of the “Lil” comics Dark Horse produces, though a bit more adult with the blood and the killing. The disconnect between Archie comics’ look and a Predator running around killing folks is humorous to me, and just a fun comic to read as a fan of the Predator.

The first issue is good. It does a lot of build up, following the general formula of Predator films. It’s fun, not too serious, and well worth the read. I found myself chuckling at different points, but I’m really looking forward to future issues (especially when the Predator REALLY gets going). The first issue will probably be slow for some, but by doing so it keeps up a tradition.

Story: Alex de Campi Art: Fernando Ruiz
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review