Comic Review // Superman/Batman vs. Alien & Predator - DC/Dark Horse
Continuing last week’s theme of Aliens here on the blog, this is the third in a line of DC comics I have been reading. So far, Batman has gone toe to toe with Xenos. This time, we branch out and get Superman and Predators to join the fray.
Title: Superman/Batman vs. Aliens/Predator
Author: Mark Schultz
Illustrator: Ariel Olivetti
Style: Paperback
Page Count: 112 pages
Fluff: DC's greatest icons, Superman and Batman, clash with the stars of the blockbuster Aliens and Predator movies from Twentieth Century Fox in a no-holds-barred slugfest the universe has never seen. In this graphic novel, Batman discovers that the relentless killing machines known as Aliens and the unstoppable race of hunters called Predators have formed a colony hidden on Earth for centuries. They're poised to overtake the world--unless the Dark Knight and Superman can stop them and get them off the planet! This volume is co-published with Dark Horse Comics.
Review
Right, let's go! First up, it's a little silly but a hugely enjoyable quick read. Predators and Aliens have landed on Earth and attracted the attention of Batman and Superman. At this point, you really need to feel sorry for the Xeno stars. How on earth can they defeat Superman? It does seem a little overkill to send out Superman. But even though I knew full well they would lose, I still found myself rooting for the Xenomorphs. This is written for DC fans and lacks any draw for the Dark Horse side. I found the predators dull and lacking depth, while the Xenomorphs were pure cannon fodder and like ants before the powerhouse super combo of Predators and Superman.
At 112 pages, I felt satisfied by the end. The artwork is stunning, and the story, for what it is worth, makes sense. I think Alien and Predator fans will be left hollowed and disappointed. Overall, it's a solid 3 out of 5. To improve it, you must drop Superman altogether, swapping him out for a character that can die to help increase the threat level. For example, I would have loved to have seen a Green Arrow or Green Lantern. If you can get it cheap, buy it; otherwise, enjoy it as part of the omnibus.
