Customer Reviews

Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch

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

 

 

I guess this goes to show, that just like in videogames and movies, comic crosssovers have their weak points. This proved it in the the return of the Predator to take out Batman. This time it's out for revenge. Meanwhile Batman has a bounty on his head and has attracted 7 of the worlds most dangerouse assassins to hunt him down. Meanwhile he also gets some unwanted help from the Huntress.

The Predator however is not in the complete clear as two of it's kind are hunting it down. Eventually Batman, Huntress, and the Predator face off in a pretty good final boute. Overall thsi is for die hard fans of both series only.

The first Bat vs Pred had a grim, dark art-design that, while atmospheric, wasn't particularly easy on the eye. The story was also far too straight-forward and went through all the usual motions of Predator crossovers. This sequel though, is MUCH better, featuring bright, colorful artwork, more interesting characters and a more complex plot that has three Preds stalking around Gotham City.

The character of Huntress is also quite hot. For an animation she sure does have a nice ass and cleavage. It's a shame she and the Bat never got it on, but there's little time for that when a group of assassins and an alien are after you. The Pred obviously makes light work of the hired killers, saving the pleasure of killing Bats all for himself in a showdown more cinematic than the first time around.

It's long out of print, so you'll have to pick it up used somewhere. The back cover lists a £4.99 rrp. I feel so OLD, were they EVER that cheap? Two lengthy forewords by the editors precede the story.

Writer Doug Moench and artist Paul Gulacy worked their cinematic-comic magic on "Master of Kung-Fu" around two decades ago. They later collaborated on the wonderful "Batman:Prey". But for me, their best work is here on "Batman/Predator II". Batman is hunted by an insane Predator warrior and half a dozen of the top assassins in the world (hired by the mob). His only help comes from the Huntress - the last person he ever wants to work with.

The feel of this book is like watching a really good action movie - with the suspense and thrill of the first "Predator" movie even. Moench handles the characterization and reluctant partnerships of Batman and Huntress very well - in fact, I'd go so far as to say that this is my favourite Huntress story to date. Moench manage to capture everything that makes Huntress such an interestingly flawed character. As for the art, the Predators look downright scary, Batman is his usual cool-operator (and we even get to see the Bat-bike again) and Huntress is very sexy. Very fast and exciting read overall!

The grudge match of the century!!!! A friend or relative of the Predator from the first book shows up to get his revenge on the Batman. The Huntress is the only thing standing between the Batman and his final fate. The Feds get involved, and there are even two good guy Predators. Lots of plots and sub-plots to keep you on the edge of your chair. This is a don't miss book. The art work is tops along with an involving and exciting storyline. The ending is the only weak point for me, but you should judge for yourself

Batman vs Predator II, Bloodmatch, with the team of Doug Moench & Paul Gulacy (who've also collaborated on various '80s issues [Master of Kung Fu (Marvel), Six from Sirius (epic), Batman (DC), etc.] putting together an exciting mix of adventure, blood and retribution.

The issues start with a hot day in Gotham. The drug lords are out in force doing their job of selling and burning the competition. The Huntress wants the head man, Terraro, because his drug pushing is killing her kids (in her secret teacher identity). Batman just wants to kick some butt!

At the same time we meet a Predator who turns out to be a rogue, out for revenge because of the first encounter (Batman versus Predator, which I still have not read, sadly).

The cat & mouse hunt between the assassins hunting down Batman for a $5 million dollar bounty and the Predator hunting down the hunters and still another team of Predators hunting down the first Predator make for a complex yet interesting story.

I could not find too much wrong with this mini-series. The Huntress was sexy as ever drawn and the Batman reluctantly teams up with her to fight the aliens and the bad guys. The tough assassins were dispatched a bit too quickly and seemed if anything a distraction to the overall story, except maybe the Bomber guy with the bad stutter, getting blown away from the Predator! Or Batman using his science to jam the Predator's invisible energy damper to even the field.

Bottom Line: Great set of issues. Even though Batman and science fiction does not always work, we have great art, uncluttered panels and an interesting story that takes Dark Horse and DC Comics' best talent to make a fun yet bloody adventure. Recommended!

Other Batman versus stories!

Batman Versus Predator: The Collected Edition (Dark Horse Comics)
Batman Versus Predator III: Blood Ties
The Dark Knight: Batman versus the Joker

Anything with the name Batman vs. Predator II: Bloodmatch is not about to win any literary awards. But for what it is, a fight between crime-fighters and vicious aliens, it's pretty darn good.

Batman vs. Predator is a good match, Batman is a great martial artist, with clever devices and tricks but is solidly outmatched against a 7' tall alien warrior with plasma weapons who can also turn invisible.

Writer Doug Moench fills in the basic concept with some good subplots. As the Predator hunts Batman, Batman must deal with the rogue heroine the Huntress and an all-star team of international assassins gunning for his head.

Artist Paul Gulacy turns in a fine job with memorable villains, beautiful women and exciting action.

This sort of crossover book has to be a throw-away, there will be no huge changes to continuity or character history but it's a good fun ride.

Great book!! It pulls you in to their world with the wonderful artwork and well told story. They should definately make another series of these!! WOW

Doug Moench is a good Batman writer but his work here is rather poor. Batman tussles with a Predator for the second time. Obviously, the story needs to be more interesting than a retread of the first one. The result is a hodge podge which doesn't quite work the way it should. The Huntress joins Batman in battling the Predator. As extra subplots, there are two other Predators out to stop the one hunting Batman and some kingpin wants Batman's head so he hires some of the nastiest mercenaries to do him in. The first subplot never lived to its potential and the second just drags the story.

When a group of bounty hunters seperately search for batman the worst has come for there is a freelance killer that sides with no one that will do what ever it takes to get batman's head!!!

After reading the first in this series, I was more than happy to pick up the second one. Thank god I read it in the bookstore and didn't buy it first. This book doesn't even come close to the kind of professionalism and overall quality of the first one. The plot is rehashed, hackneyed, and the Huntress is an unwelcome addition. I must say, as a fan of both Batman and the Predator, I think most readers preferred the notion that Batman had to use all of his technology and brains to defeat the badguy, not some buxom nitwit with a bow and arrow. The story could have been a lot better, I guess it gets 1 star cause the drawings not bad.