Predator: Badlands #1 stalks its debut — a rookie hunter's retrieval turns into a fight for survival

Marvel's first comic tie‑in to the upcoming Predator: Badlands film follows a young Yautja on a simple salvage mission that quickly spirals into a deadly confrontation with an ancient menace.

Marvel has partnered with director Dan Trachtenberg to bring the cinematic prelude to Predator: Badlands into comic form. This debut issue serves as the narrative bridge to the new movie, offering fans a glimpse of the world before the film’s opening scene.

The plot centers on a fledgling Yautja instructed by his father to retrieve a piece of alien tech from a long‑lost spacecraft. Inside the wreck, however, the hunter uncovers a primordial threat that forces him to become the quarry rather than the predator.

Writer Ethan Sacks brings a tight, suspense‑driven script that balances the series’ trademark hunt with character development, while artist Elvin Ching delivers striking, shadow‑rich visuals that capture the alien wilderness. Juan Ferreyra’s cover art sets a gritty tone that hints at the danger lurking within.

If the concept of a classic hunter turned prey intrigues you, consider checking out the earlier Marvel crossover Alien vs. Predator #1, which explores a similar cat‑and‑mouse dynamic between iconic extraterrestrial hunters.

Pick up Predator: Badlands #1 to see how a simple rescue mission can evolve into a primal battle for survival, and get a head start on the story that will feed into the upcoming film.