Customer Reviews

Batman Versus Predator III: Blood Ties

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the 'Batman & Robin' of the trilogy. The bright, gaudy colors, the bad humor, the nonsense, the poor dialogue. Even from an artistic viewpoint this entry seems more like a bad TV-movie compared with the more cinematic first two.

The Pred has returned...again...to Gotham City and is once more chopping up bad guys. Batman villains pop in from time to time, do nothing, then disappear again. Other regular characters barely get a look-in or vague reference at best. Bats does virtually no detective work and Robin gets very little to do until the last act. It's all too fast, too familiar, and too shallow. Instead of giving us an epic battle between the two icons (as the title would imply) we just get a bunch of filler scenes and little else.

They try to cover up their shortcomings with pathetic attempts at self-referential humor, but to the jaded (wise) reader it just doesn't work.

Only buy to finish off your collection. It's certainly ain't no masterpiece.

Batman goes up against the Predator for the third time as obvious from the title. The catch this time is that the Predator is paired with an apprentice and the Predator-in-training's target is none other than Batman's partner, Robin. What makes this book better than the last one is that any other subplot is done away with and focused only on the confrontation except for the inclusion of Mr. Freeze which is felt as done for the sake of the Batman & Robin movie which came out the same year. His appearance in this book would have been unnecessary were it not for his only contribution.

Imagine Adam West and Burt Ward in their tights and capes, up against the seven-foot monster that threw Schwarzenegger around like a rag doll....

Contrary to cynical expectations, the Batman versus Predator series has been of high quality. The original series captures the moody, misty atmosphere of both Predator 2 and the first two Batman movies. Batman Versus Predator II: Bloodmatch is the best action movie never made, capturing the adrenalin and non-stop thrills of a classic Hollywood pyrotecnic spectacle.

The third in the series manages to keep up the standards of it's predecessors. This is very definetly a sequel, as the caped crusader this time knows exactly what he's up against and takes a pro-active approach. And so the hunter becomes the hunted (or "the predator becomes the prey," a witty in-joke to the 1987 movie's original title). Robin appears in the series for the first time, playing a very similar role to the Huntress in the previous episode - that is, asking questions for the reader. The twist, that a younger Predator is stalking Robin whilst his tutor hunts Batman, is an effective idea.

Don't expect the all-out mayhem of BVPII here. The story is carefully paced, and the dynamic duo have to deal with a number of issues other than the alien headhunters. Though there are still a few set-pieces (Batman persuing the Predators through Gotham in an attack helicopter; Robin taking on Mr Freeze; and several flashbacks to the Predators hunting throughout history), the titular confrontation(s) doesn't take place until the climax. Suddenly the tension picks up for a dramatic finale, though the Dark Knight's battle with his hunter seems rather by-the-numbers. This is almost acknowledged by the writer, as Batman defeats his opponent rather too easily - now he knows his methods, the easier he can defeat him. Robin versus Predator is more exciting as it's new, and there seems to be no way the Boy Wonder could be victorious.

BVPIII contains some lovely, cinematic pencil work by Rodolfo Damaggio, but also the occasional rushed panel as well. He draws perfect, realistic renditions of Robin, Catwoman and the Predators. The colouring could be darker and more atmospheric, but overall it's a nice book to look at. The writing is sparse and the dialogue uninspired, but it serves it's purpose.

Batman Versus Predator III is certainly worth reading, although I'd certainly recommend the other two volumes first. Not only to read the trilogy in order, but also because they are better. Batman Versus Predator IV certainly appeals at this stage.

This is a good book that combines Batman and Predator. Certain moments,
like when Predator meets Mr. Freeze and Catwoman create a little
suspense, but in the end, there was not that much action. Predator
squares off with Batman and Robin, but there is not too much action
between the main characters.

This one greatly improves over the second in the tales of Batman vs Predator. This time it's two vs two action as the PRedators are using Batman and Robin as the targets of being Blooded as a full blown hunter.

Once the Predators arrive Batman tries to keep Robin out of it, unaware that not only are there two of them, but that they are already picked as the target according to skill. However with Mr. Freeze in the vacinity Batman needs to for the time keep Robin by his side. The action continues until Batman faces his challenger and Robin faces his.

This is a good story. but in the end is for fans only. Still worth checking into.

I loved this comic, in fact im a big predator fan and read all predator comics available. IT's not the best one i've read, but it's a great comic. Nice art and a pretty basic but cool story. The VS stories are often better than the regular predator comics. Like Alien vs Predator. Batman is a cool character to put up against two predators, i especielly liked his armour which cooled his body temperature down. That was cool... I got this one kinda cheap, but it's shorter than most others but i think it's a good buy... good Bye... :)

Carl

When I found part III of Batman vs. Predator, I really had high hopes. But unfortunately part III neither has the dark, thrilling story of part I nor the fulminant graphics of part II (although it has its points). It is more of a sequel to the sequel. Of cause it has Robin in it and Mr. Freeze vs. Predator catches one nice point of Arnies movie, which was not in the batman version up to now. But compared to this two outstanding graphic novels (which I certainly would rate 5 stars) IMO it does not rate higher then 3 (standing alone however I might have rated it higher).

Writer Chuck Dixon has always been very adept at using the pre-existing characters of a comic book universe in clever, creative ways, and this book is no exception. He manages to weave a compelling, character-driven story.

An excellent Batman story and an excellen predator story.

I loved the illustrations of this comic, the combonation of color and vivid view of things.They could have worked out the kinks in the story though.