Batman thought his troubles with alien headhunters were over, but a rogue Predator has other ideas. Young but vicious, the Predator comes to Earth to tackle the champion of Gotham -- and it will cut its way through any number of police officer, federal agents and criminal assassins who stand in its way.

This new adventure by Doug Moench pits Batman against one of the most unstoppable foes out there. It doesn't help that seven high-paid killers are also in Gotham to collect the price on Batman's head, or that his erstwhile ally Huntress has involved herself where she isn't (as usual) wanted.

The action is ruthless, bloody and violent, as should be expected where Predators are involved, and there are lots of gratuitous butt shots, as must be expected when the Huntress comes calling. (It's amazing, really, that a single purple line separates this book from a mature-readers title.) While the assassin subplot seems like more of an afterthought than an integral part of the story, it does give Batman more than one thing to think about and gives the Predator more moving targets to ponder.

The art is brighter than the previous book, and the story moves quickly from cover to cover. Once again, DC and Dark Horse have proven just how well they can bring characters together in a cooperative book.

- Rambles
written by Tom Knapp
published 31 May 2003