Predator's new cybernetic Yautja has one of the coolest designs in the franchise

Warning: Contains spoilers for Predator vs. Black Panther #1! One of the most important aspects of the US Predator Franchise is the absolutely iconic and utterly badass design of the Predator itself. The helmet/mask, wrist, and plasma cannon all come to mind when you think of the Predator's appearance, not to mention the horrifying sight of the creature's natural face. And now, the Predator looks cooler than ever with an all-new cybernetic design.

in Predator vs. Black Panther #1 by Benjamin Percy, Chris Allen, and Sean Damien Hill, a Predator and his clan are heading to Earth to steal enough vibranium to make the strongest suits of armor (and weapons) in the entire galaxy, and use their newfound strength To rule over the entire Yautja species. The mission puts the Predators in direct conflict with Black Panther, and will lead to an epic showdown between the deadly warriors.

Before he went to Earth to face Black Panther in an attempt to steal Wakanda's vibranium, the leader of the Yautja clan decided on this course of action because of a power struggle between him and his older brother. The father of the predator is the leader of their species, and he decides to make the older brother his heir after a battle between the siblings' respective clans. And during the battle, readers get a full view of never-before-seen Predator armor worn by both brothers, one with a sinister cybernetic appearance.

Predator is embracing a sci-fi cyberpunk aesthetic (and it's awesome)

The new Predator armor is complete with a multi-eyed helmet, each eye glowing red through the slits, cascading down the face. The armor itself also seems more technologically advanced as opposed to the usual plated steel and mesh, with exposed electrical cables seemingly powering added hydraulics, with more neon red light shining from different points in the armor to indicate a steady electrical current.

The new suits aren't the only thing that screams 'cyberpunk' in the comic's depiction of Predator society, as the Yautja's entire home base looks like it was pulled straight out of Blade Runner. A pyramid design with streaks of red neon litter the Predator's orbital space station located above their home world, with a sleek black exterior and a high-tech interior, highlighting the high-tech nature of the Predator's new aesthetic. Of course, the Yautja did not abandon the more primitive aspects of their culture, but they definitely included the technologically advanced aspects like never before - including and especially with this new armor.

The cyberpunk armor of the Predator establishes a new class of Yautja

There are no two Yautja that look the same in these Predator franchise, and that's deliberate. Each unique set of armor identifies each Yautja, both as individuals and as a member of a certain caste. Since both of the Yautja brothers wear this cyberpunk armor, and were effectively 'princes' under their 'king' father, it can be assumed that this specific armor is indicative of a new class of predator established by their father, one What has set. A heightened focus on cybernetics as opposed to the classic design, which is much more primal.

Predator vs. Black Panther is not only giving fans an epic crossover between a classic sci-fi 'monster' and an iconic Marvel hero, it's also an exciting expansion of Predator Study. Little is known about the significance of this armor in the established Yautja caste system, but what is immediately obvious is how cool it looks, given the Predator A whole new cyberpunk edge.

Predator vs. Black Panther #1 by 20th Century Studios is now available.