Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Predator vs Black Panther #2! The Predator species is one of the deadliest, most highly advanced alien races in all of science fiction, and one Yautja in particular just proved to be the smartest of them all. However, this Predator’s intellect seemingly comes at the cost of Yautja values, as he breaks a franchise rule by doing the one thing no Predator has done before: not hunt - though the reward is great.

In Predator vs Black Panther #2 by Benjamin Percy, Sean Damien Hill, Jonas Trindade, and Lee Ferguson, Wakanda’s been invaded by a Yautja Clan led by the son of the King of all Predators. This Predator is one of two sons, the weaker of them. So, in order to defeat his brother and usurp his father to become the new King Predator, this Predator in direct conflict with Black Panther.

When the Predator sees Black Panther for the first time while stalking him in the jungle, he stands in awe of the Avenger’s Vibranium suit. The Black Panther suit withstood multiple hits from a plasma caster, and generally makes Black Panther practically untouchable. It’s everything the Predator wants for himself, but instead of challenging Black Panther for the honor of obtaining the Vibranium suit after a victorious hunt, the Predator retreats. He instead focuses his attention on Wakanda’s Vibranium reserve that his clan located, with the intention of mining the Vibranium as opposed to winning it in battle.

Predator’s New Yautja Has No Real Interest in Hunting

The Goals of Predator vs Black Panther’s Yautja have Nothing to Do with Hunting

Throughout Predator lore, the Yautjas’ primary objective has always been the hunt. Predators have developed advanced technology to travel to different worlds and hunt the deadliest prey. Even their age-old conflict with Alien’s Xenomorphs is centered around hunting, as the Predators abduct Queens and seed worlds with Xenomorph life to ensure their continued survival for the sole purpose of hunting them. In other words, if a Predator isn’t hunting during one mission, it’s only to set up a future hunt at a later point in time. That’s not the case with this Predator.

Nothing about this Predator’s goals has anything to do with hunting, but rather the pursuit of power and influence.

Predator vs Black Panther’s Yautja has no interest in hunting whatsoever. He travels to Earth to steal Vibranium, avoiding conflict if possible (as shown when the Yautja didn’t engage Black Panther). And with the Vibranium, the Predator wants to build armor, weapons, and even ships in order to destroy the current Yautja regime (his own family) and become King of the Predators himself. Nothing about this Predator’s goals has anything to do with hunting, but rather the pursuit of power and influence - something decidedly atypical within Yautja culture.

Predator’s New Yautja May Be Different, but That’s Why He’s Smarter

This Predator is What His Species Needs to Become Even Greater Hunters

This Predator may not value hunting above all else, but that’s exactly why he’s smarter than the rest. Not only that, this Predator is necessary for the continued progression of his entire species. If every Predator only cares about hunting, putting their lives on the line for nothing more than a single hunt, then their race will never advance. By rejecting the urge to hunt Black Panther to steal the Vibranium without a fight, this Predator is ensuring that his people will have Vibranium at their disposal, making them all infinitely deadlier as a result.

If this Predator can continue to avoid unnecessary violence, he can claim all the Vibranium he wants, conquer his homeworld, become King, and offer his species new weapons, armor, and ships that will make them unstoppable. A typical Predator would see Black Panther and let nothing get in the way of hunting him, and only then claim the Vibranium. But, this Predator rejects that impulse, making him the smartest Yautja yet - even if his new tactic does break franchise rules.

Predator vs Black Panther #2 by Marvel Comics is available now.