The Creators – Benjamin Percy – Writer, Marcelo Ferreira – Artist, Jay Lesten – Inker, Frank D’Armata – Colours, Clayton Cowles – Letters

The Players – Spider-Man, Predator, J. Jonah Jameson, Mary-Jane Watson, Kraven the Hunter

The Story – It’s a hot summer’s day in New York City. A crime has taken place, possibly by a serial killer. It is not a serial killer.

The Take – The latest merging of Marvel Comics and 20th Century Studios is here and it is definitely not a comic for the kids. On one side is Spider-Man, everybody’s favourite Webslinger and on the other, one of the most dangerous hunters in all the universe. It all begins innocently enough, as most stories do, on a very hot day. It has been a very hot summer, and nobody wants to do anything but try and stay cool. Peter Parker is out looking to get a story for his boss, J. Jonah Jameson and just so happens to come across a crime scene where various men have been slaughtered and skinned. Heading back to the office, he comes across some criminals and gives chase until he comes upon one of them in a warehouse, his remains just like those from the crime scene moments before. He believes it to be the work of a serial killer and nothing could be further from the truth. There is a lot to love with the first issue of this new miniseries, thanks to Benjamin Percy and Marcelo Ferreira, who do a fantastic job at setting the scene and making the city, the people and the monster come to life. Of course, that also includes Spider-Man and while there is little wit to come from the irradiated hero, what with it being both such an exhausting day and one filled with bodies, he is true to form and exactly how readers would have him be. What sets this book apart is the fact that there are a few gruesome panels to be had throughout and it should be expected given that the story features a Predator. Though it may be 2025 and kids are a little more desensitized than they should be today, this is still one that should not make it into their hands. As for the rest of the reading audience out there, especially fans of either character, they will find it quite exciting even if the titular characters do not cross paths as of yet. It is all about the build and Percy is doing a great job at that, even for the fact that this is simply the first issue. It has everything one could want in not just a first issue but a comic book as well and that includes the spectacular artwork from Ferreira which is vibrant and exciting. All of it leads to a cliffhanger that leaves people wanting more. More Spider-Man, more Predator and more visceral horror and a tease to a battle between the alien and the greatest hunter that mankind has to offer.

Worth It? – Yes.