Predator vs. Black Panther #2 picks up where the series’ debut issue left off, with Black Panther and Wakandan forces soon facing off against the Yajuta invaders. But what T’Challa doesn’t know is that he’s now their primary target as the Yajuta launch an invasion that wants his vibranium costume and all of Wakanda’s vibranium.
Benjamin Percy maintains the same mythical approach to the narration, unfolding the story as if he’s telling a tale around a campfire. It’s a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it makes the fights feel truly epic. Black Panther is steeped in history and myth, so taking the same approach to the fights only accentuates that, especially as the Yajuta begin to realize just how formidable T’Challa is.
On the other hand, it alienates the audience. A peek inside T’Challa’s head wouldn’t hurt, especially since when Percy was writing the script for Predator vs. Wolverine, he put the reader right in the middle of Logan’s thoughts as he fights the Yajuta. This approach made the story feel more personal. Here, we don’t know what T’Challa is feeling. Given that his country, and more importantly, his sister, are in danger, that interiority is welcome.
Wonder
Sean Damien Hill remains an artist worth watching, especially in his work contrasting the Wakandans with the Yajuta. The Yajuta are all muscular, except for the air shimmering as they go into camouflage mode, wearing various armors and helmets. In contrast, the Wakandans vary in age and status, but their humanity is more evident than ever. And Hill blends the two in a terrifying way, in a scene where a Wakandan elder offers a dark omen of the future. The elder’s robes twist and sag, transforming into the frighteningly familiar face of the Yajuta… a dark omen of things to come.
Eric Arciniega rounds out the whole thing with a collection of colors that bring Wakanda to life in a frightening night. The Dora Milaje stand out immediately in their blood-red robes, the Panther also stands out in his midnight black costume and cape, and because this is a comic book featuring Predators, there’s a lot of blood – dark red for the humans and bright green for the Yajuta.
Predator vs. Black Panther #2 is a great precursor to the battle to come, but it feels a bit underwhelming in some areas, especially Black Panther’s inner thoughts. With two more issues left, I’m hopeful the creative team can give us a fight worth reading.
Predator vs. Black Panther 2 distances itself from its titular combatants
Predator vs. Black Panther #2
Predator vs. Black Panther #2 is a great precursor to the battle to come, but it feels a bit underwhelming in some areas, especially Black Panther’s inner thoughts. With two more issues left, I’m hopeful the creative team can give us a fight worth reading.
Sean Damien Hill’s artwork captures the heroic and the terrifying.
The variety of colors enhances the beauty of Wakanda.
Percy sets the stage for a fierce battle between Wakandan and Yajuta.
Percy’s script is a bit far-fetched. I’d like to know more about what’s going on inside T’Challa’s head.
There’s too much preparation than reward.
