A few perfect moments:: Batman vs. Predator
As I was looking over some of the one perfect moment, I was reminded of Batman Vs. Predator, which to me is one of the greatest crossover stories ever published and an insanely awesome bout between the two characters mentioned in the title. It also contained three perfect moments for three central charaters in the Batverse as well as two beautiful large images, which contrast each other in several ways.
So the story itself is pretty simple. A single Predator has arrived to Gotham to challenge its champions, first taking out a boxing champion, then moving on to a crime boss. At the end of the first issue Batman manages to track the Predator to a junkyard, but barely makes it out of the fight alive, spending the majority of the second issue in bed with multiple injuries as the Predator continues to pick off anyone who challenges him, including another crime boss, the mayor and finally even attempting to strike at Gordon, who is trying his best to handle the situation. The third issue is basically one long rematch between the Predator and Batman and glorious in so many ways, with Batman ultimately being the victor.
Then to the scans themselves. First the two large images of both Predator and Batman. In the Predator image it has just heard the news proclaim that Batman has not responded to the Batsignal, despite the several pleas from the city.
In the second image the GCPD head to the roof with the lead of Gordon after learning that someone is up there. Expecting to encounter the Predator, they instead find that someone has switched the Bat-signal back on and this sight.
The point of the armor is to balance the fight against the Predator as well as compensate for the injuries Batman is still suffering from.
Compare the two images above and how much they say about the characters and their struggle. Predator is the conquerer, the warrior claiming his city from those he has challenged. Batman is the guardian, the knight standing between his city and any who would take it. I could go on for a long time over the several details in their poses and appearances, but I will just let the images speak for themselves. As for the combat, the following is from the beginning of the third issue.
Awesome on an epic scale, isn't it?
Then for the moments of perfection. The first belongs to Gordon, who has powerlessly watched by as this alien threat has taken out the power players of the city and brought fear and terror to it's streets. At the end it also set it's sights on Gordon, who challenged him, with Gordon only surviving after one of his detectives sacrifices herself by pushing Gordon outside and faces the Predator and certain death to stall for time.
Hell yeah, Gordon. Don't have anything to add to that.
The second scene focuses on our dearest butler of them all. The fight between Batman and Predator has been brutal, with Bruce having lured it to his battleground in the tunnels beneath Wayne Manor, stopping it from blowing itself and the place to pieces and finally managing to hit it with a powerful tranqulizer. Unfortunately it isn't enough to take out the Predator, who plays possum until Bruce comes close enough and then manages to turn the tables, preparing for a killing hit.
Hell yeah, Alfred. Even the Predator is amazed by the sheer badassitude of the butler, leaving it alive while stumbling away confused. Upstairs it finds the hunting trophies of Bruce's grandfather and freaks out after finally realizing that it took on a bit more than it could handle, fleeing the mansion. So, Bruce is severely injured and has lost the technological armor he made to combat the creature, who just fled. What would a lesser vigilante do now? Nurse their wounds, call for help, try to plan for a better opportunity, etc, right? What does Bruce do? He gets even more hardcore, as if that should be even possible.
The Predator homeship comes around to take care of the loser, who kills himself, and give Bruce a winner's prize before departing.
Just look at the eyes of Bruce as he makes that proclamation, even though it turns out a bit false. That there is Batman, the most dangerous man on the face of the planet.
With that, I finish here and hope that you have found the awesome in these few scans here on the same level as I did.