Predator: Badlands is the latest entry in the legendary science-fiction horror franchise, which began in 1987 with John McTiernan‘s Predator in 1987. Helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, who was also the co-director of the franchise’s other entry this year, Predator: Killer of Killers, Badlands arrives in November 2025 and seems to be an epic adventure unlike anything quite seen in the franchise before. Starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Badlands is set in the future on a remote planet, where Dek, a young Yautja outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
That same month, Marvel Comics will publish Predator: Badlands #1, a tie-in comic by writer Ethan Sacks, known for his work on Marvel’s various Star Wars titles. Art duties will be handled by Elvin Ching, a recent participant of Marvel’s Art Atelier program. Taking place shortly before the film the Predator: Badlands #1 explores the film’s bold new approach to Predator franchise storytelling, introducing readers to Dek and other key characters – the one-shot is being produced in close collaboration with director Dan Trachtenberg, who will also write a foreword for the issue.
In this one-shot, a young Yautja warrior is given a seemingly simple task by his father: retrieve a piece of technology from a derelict spaceship that crashed years ago. Inside, however, an ancient and deadly threat lies in wait, and Dek will have to rise to the challenge or face drastic consequences.
Sacks had this to say about working on the book:
For a writer who grew up a lifelong fan of the Predator franchise, there is no bigger game than the chance to hunt with the Yautja. Working hand in hand with the filmmakers behind Predator: Badlands, we made sure this prequel story fits into the cinematic saga like a puzzle piece. It’s going to give fans a deeper, richer experience – especially when they get to feast their eyes on Elvin Ching’s art.
Meanwhile, Trachtenberg had this to say:
Badlands is the first Predator movie to draw inspiration so heavily from the comic books. So it’s with great delight that you and I now get to look at splash pages, from the minds of Ethan and Elvin, of a formative adventure for our characters that serves as a perfect companion to the film. Dek kicking ass in his very own comic book is a dream come true.
The one-shot’s cover can be seen below, illustrated by the brilliant Juan Ferreyra, and the book is now available for pre-order from your local comics shop, launching into stores on November 12, 2025.