The Black Panther is an important hero of Marvel, who has faced many dangers in the universe. But his perfect opponent is another hunter who has already made life hell for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Who is the opponent? Due to his abilities and training, the Black Panther is the perfect hunter who can fight excellently in forests or jungles. He needs to, because while Wakanda is an advanced country, the vibranium deposits attract many villains who want to use the metal for themselves. Not without reason:
- Vibranium is light but incredibly resilient
- Vibranium can absorb kinetic energy
- Items made of vibranium: Captain America’s shield, Black Panther’s suit, the body of Vision
Accordingly, vibranium is one of the most important elements in the Marvel universe because powerful objects and weapons can be made from it .
A particular Predator also thought of this, flying to Earth to seize the metal. In the new compilation Predator versus Black Panther: Hunt in the Jungle, one can see just that.
Predator versus Black Panther: Hunt in the Jungle was sent to us by Panini as a promotional review copy.
A Battle Between Wakanda and Several Predators
Why does the Predator need vibranium? The Predators, also known as Yautja, decide everything about hunts. A particular Yautja lived in the shadow of his brother and father. He tried to defeat his brother in battle but failed. To ultimately gain the throne of the territory, this Yautja wanted to outsmart his brother. He remembered his father’s spear, which is made of vibranium.
To have the upper hand over his brother in battle, the Yautja traveled to Earth, specifically to Wakanda, to seize the vibranium deposit. With new weapons and armors, he could defeat his brother.
On Earth, the intelligence and technological advancement of the Yautja also show. They can hack the computers in Wakanda and manage to enter the country unnoticed, and a battle between the warriors of Wakanda and the Predators begins.
It almost seems like the optimal confrontation. As in the first film from 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Yautja fight in the jungle of Wakanda. But despite the surprise factor, the warriors of the Black Panther cannot be easily killed. They fight back because they know the jungle and are trained.
Instead of just focusing on the vibranium deposits, the Yautja leader sets another goal: to hunt the Black Panther as a trophy.
The Black Panther Must Defend Wakanda, Even Against Enemies from Space
The Black Panther is also a perfect hunter. As it turns out, this is not the first time a Predator has hunted in Wakanda; hence the father of the Yautja also has his spear. To defend against the intruders, the Black Panther must utilize all the tricks and technological advancements that his country possesses.
Yet that does not prevent Wakanda from suffering many losses. The bloody battle between both factions is a significant back and forth. However, Shuri does what Wakanda actually never wanted to: they seek help from outside.
While the hero fights brutally against the Yautja, Shuri, along with Falcon, tries to prevent the villains from getting their hands on the vibranium.
After many losses and a bitter battle, the Black Panther manages to drive the Yautja away, and thanks to Shuri, they secure the vibranium. But it seems that this is not the end, as the battle has also attracted the attention of other greedy villains towards Wakanda.
Blunt Fun for Fans of 80s Cinema
What does MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes say about Predator versus Black Panther: Hunt in the Jungle? As was already the case in the encounter with Wolverine, this comic story primarily focuses on bloody fights and the mental game: Who wins, Black Panther or the Predator?
It is blunt when you engage with it, but delightfully fun. The Black Panther fits even better with the Predator than Wolverine, and the focus on vibranium fits Wakanda’s role in the Marvel universe. Ironically, I liked this even more than the theme in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The various panels are hardly memorable, but they serve their purpose. The battles are dynamic and feel powerful while reading. Unlike the Marvel movies, the brutal fights do justice to the Predator. It never feels like they are holding back the character. Overall, it feels like watching a lost 80s film.
The mystique and leadership role of the Black Panther also get their place, and I thought while reading: I miss the hero in the MCU.
But as a reader, one should know that no great story is to be expected here. The premise is absurd, almost silly. But anyone who reads the title of the comic knows exactly what to expect.
How can I read Predator versus Black Panther? On September 23, 2025, Panini released the compilation Predator versus Black Panther: Hunt in the Jungle. It collects the 4 issues from 2024 and is probably the most accessible way to read the story. The individual issues are available in English as a Kindle version or physically. However, one would have to buy them used or import them.
Even if many viewers have lost interest in the MCU, countless stories and events can be read in comics, even regarding side characters. There is a pretty good story about the heroine and mutant Storm: An underrated heroine in Marvel finally gets the story she deserves
