Predator: Big Game

by John Arcudi, Evan Dorkin (penciller), Armando Gil (inker)

The smash-hit miniseries is collected into one volume. Corporal Enoch Nakai is a young American Indian with a bad past and an even worse present. Stationed in the American Southwest, he and his good buddy Dietl go on a recon patrol to investigate a small disturbance -- but discover that the disturbance is anything but small! Try a seven-foot, bad-attitude extraterrestrial who's armed to the teeth and lookin' for trouble.

[NOTE: the ISBN is mistakenly the same as Dark Horse's collected edition of THE TERMINATOR: THE ENEMY WITHIN]
[NOTE: original cover by Chris Warner. The 2nd edition had a different cover by Denis Beauvais]

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Action, Comic Book, Science Fiction

100 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 1992

About the author

John Arcudi has made a name for himself by scripting comics that manage to combine long-running subplots with impeccable characterization and action sequences, making for some of the most exciting and consistently good comics out today.

Reviews

[Benji's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not the best Predator story out there, but it's not the worst option if you're looking to get into the series. Though honestly, I'd ask you to start with either Bad Blood, Captive, or the Predator 1718 story found in the "a Decade of Dark Horse" comic if you want to get into the comics.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story once more. This one more of a hunter becomes hunted but turns the tables. The best part about this one is the predator being smart and going after not just one person but an entire army. Brutal kills, a sick ending, and a brisk paced. Super fun.

[Steve Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the standout Predator stories from Dark Horse.
Although the early Predator series focused on Detective Schaefer (brother of Dutch from the first Predator film) and his ‘family feud’ with the Yautja, Big Game was one of the early standalone forays.
It doesn’t venture far from the military vs Predator theme of the hit film but in introducing its protagonist Enoch Nakai, a Navajo corporal, we get an almost mythical backdrop with Enoch repeatedly referring to the lone Predator as an Adilgashi.
There was a particularly haunting dream sequence where Enoch is confronted by his alcoholic father, the ghost of his mother and a cloaked silhouette representing his still born brother which Enoch compares to the same silhouette of the Predator. I really wish that this could have been explored more but it gives way to the action movie pacing and gore.
The art is vivid and quite detailed its depiction of the carnage. A dying major calling to Enoch is particularly effective.
Plus if you ever wondered:
How do yautja eat?
How would a Predator fare against an Apache helicopter?
Who would win in battle between a Predator and a mountain lion.
You get your answers here.

[✮Octjillery✮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

[My reviews are generally for me/my memory and can therefore contain spoilers. They're typically not here to provide you with a reason to read or not read something.]

Note: I read this via the first massive omnibus (on Kindle). The plan is to review each trade/mini-series/whatever as I finish them, rather than the whole omnibus or every single issue.

Okay, so, I'm a big animal lover. I'm a vegetarian, and about the only thing I really don't like to put myself through with media is animal cruelty or death. I can still watch/read it, but it's my one real weak spot.

I have no idea why I like the Yautja, considering their whole thing is trophy hunting, which is abhorrent. I guess when they're going after humans, I don't really mind it, so I can handle the smaller scenes where they go for an animal first. I dunno, I just find them kinda fascinating.

Anyway, this mini had a lot of animal death. Lot of brutal human deaths, too. I really detested the art overall, but this particular Predator had some crazy facial expressions that I appreciated.

Story overall was alright. Didn't really care much for any of the characters, but Enoch's perspective regarding the Predator was interesting enough.

[Jacob Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predator big follows US army Corporal Enoch Nakai and his encounter with the Predator. Enoch is of Navajo culture, and it’s interesting to see a man of his background encounter a creature such as the Predator.

I found this a bit more interesting this read through as the first time was many years ago, and now with the movie Prey (which took place during 1700’s & the mead as Native American) it was interesting to get another view from that perspective.

The art by Evan Dorkin is great stuff here (fun fact, Dorkin also wrote Predator Bad blood). I love the colors and detail, and it feels so classic. I enjoyed the detail that was put into the pages and it was very striking.

It’s hard to remember that this was only the 2nd Predator 4 issue miniseries. It’s written by John Arcudi and he never disappoints. This is a fun read, and a great time.

How I read: Predator the original years omnibus Vol 1

Best way to read as of 11/14/25: Predator the original years omnibus Vol 1.

[Donavon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a little disjointed at parts. Characters are very stereotypical.

Predator does not really follow a code here and just kills at random when not taking naps in the woods. Seemed at bit off.