Comic Review: Predator Omnibus Volume Three – The Hunt Drags On

Let’s be honest, this series hasn’t exactly been a trail of trophies. After a quick break to cleanse my palate, I’m back in the hunt with Predator Omnibus Volume Three from Dark Horse Comics. Will this collection finally deliver some worthy kills, or is it another blood-soaked letdown? Let’s dive in.

Bad Blood

Not exactly the triumphant opener I was hoping for. Bad Blood starts strong with a cool premise — a rogue Predator turning on its own kind, hunted by its pack across the stars. The setup promises internal Predator drama and an interesting twist on the usual formula.

Then it crashes. Literally. Once the story hits Earth, things go downhill fast. What starts as a unique idea devolves into a messy, uninspired slog. The pacing drags, the dialogue grates, and by the end, I was just glad to be done with it. A wasted opportunity.

Kindred

Next up is Kindred, which fares slightly better — though that’s not saying much. The story follows a man haunted by the childhood trauma of watching his father get killed by a Predator. Years later, he’s grown, married, and trying to raise a family in a small backwater town full of drunks, bigots, and shotgun-toting idiots.

When a Predator and a group of escaped convicts roll into town, things spiral into chaos. Unfortunately, the human drama never feels believable, and the convicts’ subplot is downright laughable. A few moments of tension aside, it’s another forgettable hunt.

Hell and Hot Water

Finally, something with teeth. Hell and Hot Water sees a Predator ship crash into the Chilean ocean, prompting a U.S. Special Forces dive mission to investigate. Beneath the surface, they discover a prehistoric ecosystem straight out of a fever dream — all teeth, tentacles, and terror.

The story mixes Predator with The Abyss and Jurassic Park, and somehow, it works. The pacing is tight, the artwork pops, and the tension actually builds. Easily the best story so far, and the first one that reminded me why I started reading these omnibuses in the first place.

Strange Roux

Now for something… weird. Strange Roux is a Cajun folk horror story where three locals find themselves hunted by a Predator deep in the bayou. Through dumb luck (and sheer stubbornness), one man manages to trap the alien in quicksand — and in the final panel, we see him cooking Predator gumbo.

It’s bizarre, darkly funny, and surprisingly effective. Definitely one of the more memorable stories in this collection, even if it feels like it came out of nowhere.

No Beast So Fierce

A brief but solid entry. No Beast So Fierce takes place in an unnamed jungle where a widow leads a hunting party to avenge her husband’s death at the claws of a lion. Naturally, a Predator joins the hunt.

When the dust settles, it’s down to lion versus Predator — a primal face-off that delivers exactly what you want in just a few pages. Short, savage, and satisfying.

Bump in the Night

The final story, Bump in the Night, is a standout. Three kids hang out near a swamp, swapping ghost stories, when one insists he’s seen a real alien ship. To prove it, they trek into the swamp and stumble across a Predator ship — and the Predator itself.

The kids’ awe turns to terror when they realize the alien is tracking them back home. The final image — the Predator looming over their tent — is chilling perfection. Great art, great pacing, great ending. The anthology finally finds its groove… just in time to end.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Predator Omnibus Volume Three is a mixed bag that leans heavily toward disappointment. The longer stories (Bad Blood and Kindred) drag and collapse under their own weight, while the shorter ones (No Beast So Fierce and Bump in the Night) actually remind you how good these tales can be when kept simple and sharp.

Only one more omnibus left, and I can’t wait to close this chapter of the hunt. Wish me luck!

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