Archie VS. Predator -

Archie VS Predator Issue #1

Archie Vs Predator is a four part mini series written by Alex de Campi, penicls by Fernando Rulz, inks by Rich Koslowski, colours by Jason Millet, Letters by John Workman and published by Dark Horse Comics. The first Archie comic I ever picked up is Afterlife With Archie that turns the happy go lucky town of Riverdale into a zombie infested nightmare and is fantastic I strongly recommend you pick that one up. I was expecting something similar with Archie VS. Predator but what I got was a strange combination of sunshine and rainbows mixed with violent death.

I feel with such an odd combination of characters a little background on them is needed.
Archie comics were first published in 1941 and focuses around a group of American high school students as they deal with typical high school problems ranging from dating, fashion, school and popularity. It's the kind of place that not too much can't be fixed with a hug and a milkshake. The main characters are Archie the lovable red head, Betty the sweet girl next door, Veronica the fashion obsessed princess, Jughead the food lover and many more.

American teenagers

Originally featuring in the 1987 film Predator, The Predator is the ultimate hunter in the universe and hunts humans and other dangerous creatures for sport. Equip with invisibility, thermal vision, plasma cannon, blades, strength, speed, dexterity and if all else fails a low-yield nuclear weapon that is used to take out both the Predator and its target if the Predator looks to be losing the hunt.
If you're thinking that Predator might be a little over powered to be fighting a bunch of teenagers you'd be correct.

Merciless hunter

The story begins with the gang deciding what they want to do for spring break when Jughead opens a bag of chips winning a beach vacation to the Los Perdidos for the whole gang. When the gang arrives at the resort they are warned not to go into the jungle as there are dangerous jaguar. After a fashion contest gone wrong Betty and Veronica get into a fight that results in Betty running into the jungle with a broken nose. Unbeknown to Betty she is being tracked by Predator as she stumbles across a shrine to the Jaguar and accidentally steals a ceremonial dagger as she returns to the group. The group apologises to Betty and they decide they would rather just head back to Riverdale and board a plane taking an unexpected hitch hiker with them.

Don't worry about that red stuff falling from the sky

The art of Archie VS. Predator is the bright, colourful classic art style you would expect from an Archie comic with cartoony facial expressions with lots of heart shaped eyes and floating love hearts that suddenly has graphic violence and dead bodies thrown in. The odd combination of the two works surprisingly well.

The characters all have their classic Archie comics personalities and friendships, Betty and Veronica are still friends despite their competition for Archie's affection, Archie is still the fun loving leader, Reggie is a bit of a Jerk, Jughead is obsessed with food and Cheryl and Jason are mean troublemakers, this will make it all the more interesting when these average teenagers face Predator.

Archie VS. Predator is such an odd combination of franchises that it makes it worth picking up for the cover alone but if the first issue is anything to judge by it is looking to be a worthwhile read.

I really really want this to happen

I give Archie VS. Predator 3.5 out of 5 ceremonial daggers

Ger your copy of Archie VS. Predator here.