Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey

Marvel Graphic Novel #34

by Bill Mantlo, Larry Stroman (Illustrator)

When Cloak finds a killer parasite residing in his cloak, it will be up to the duo to stop them when it attaches itself to a legendary killer!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Action, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

61 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1988

About the author

William Timothy Mantlo is an American comic book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics.
(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revisiting this Cloak & Dagger graphic novel from 1988 was a real joy for me. I've always had a special love of 'the angel of light and the demon of darkness' as they made their debut in the same month I very first started reading American comicbooks (yes, that was a very long time ago and yes I'm very old) so I'm always delighted (see what I did there?) every time I see them make one of their (sadly pretty rare) appearances.

This particular book was penned by their co-creator, Bill Mantlo and it's a pretty major turning point for the pair, as they finally discover the source of Cloak's never-ending hunger and there is also a major development for Father Delgado. This is also Cloak the way I like him (and the way I think he should always be written). He's not just a regular kid who just happens to wear an unnecessarily large cape and can teleport (as he's been portrayed in some of his more recent appearances; yes, I'm looking at YOU, C&D t.v. show); he's tortured, dangerous, grim, disembodied, full of a seething rage and just bordering on monstrous.

The artwork's nice, too. I'm a big fan of both penciller Larry Stroman and legendary inker Al Williamson, although I'm not sure they're the best combination. Still, I could spend hours soaking up Williamson's beautiful linework. It probably looks very dated to more recent comicbook converts but, to those of us who were there at the time, it's like treating your eyes to a trip down Nostalgia Avenue.

[Frédéric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this title when it came out in France at the end of the 80s, and I remembered it mainly for its graphics. At the time I was discovering Larry Stroman and already appreciated Al Williamson as an inker - though I didn't know what an extraordinary penciller he was in his own right.

With hindsight, combining these 2 very different styles wasn't the best choice.
Even though Williamson did an excellent job on Fafhrd and the grey mouser, for example, where Mignola's style initially lent itself more to flat inking, it wasn't at all suited to Stroman's style, which is all roundness and curves, and required more polished inking. Hence my disappointment.

As for Mantlo's plot, it's still very basic and sometimes clumsy - the half-mad, libidinous priest is frankly rubbish - but it does have the merit of making an effort of characterization - particularly Cloak and his tortured monologues- who were still young in the Marvel universe at the time.

[Roger Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is but a single instalment in a much larger series of some 30 classic stories written by Bill Mantlo. It is best appreciated when read in that greater context. However, I cannot help but say it: I ADORE this series. All those years spent reading the American comic book … everything from Stan Lee to Carl Barks to EC to Eisner to Miller to Gerber … and Bill Mantlo's Cloak and Dagger comes out on top?

Who'da thunk it?! In my youth, I never rated Mantlo highly. But age has given me insight and this is Mantlo at his very best. I say more about this astonishing comic book series here … http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2012/...

[Rex Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cloak and Dagger I felt was always a thin premise. The tragedy of their lives and powers, the angst of their everyday lives, grows a little tedious after a few issues. The concept always seemed short lived, as if they were searching for a cure and then they would no longer be part of the Marvel universe - or at least they should be. They aren't built like the other superheroes who can have adjustments in their lives. If this pair changes, then they must cease to be.

This particular story is interesting, because it answers the question as to why Cloak is perpetually hungry, why he needs the light so badly, and it is an interesting one. The story does drag a little, but not much, there is a certain amount of filler, of Cloak and Dagger angst, and a resolution around the priest the pair of them occasionally hang out with. It's a fun story and worth a look if you can find it for the right price.

[Mike Jozic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well enough but there were aspects of it that drove me a little nuts. Having Jack the Ripper going around and stealing people's light to frame Cloak is a pretty lame bit of storytelling. Why Jack the Ripper? Be more creative.

Bill Mantlo also has an adult priest declaring his love for the teenage Dagger, which is a problem in their monthly book as well as their Strange Tales stories. Mantlo has a weird, romantic fixation on this sixteen year-old and, as much as I like the character, he can make things really weird at the drop of a hat.

I really liked seeing Larry Stroman's interpretation of these characters. His style is is well-suited to their look and the vibe of their stories.Overall, Predator and Prey is a bit janky in places but an otherwise solid Cloak and Dagger story. It also fits directly in continuity so you sort of have to read it after Strange Tales #3 if you want the whole story.

[Devero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I due personaggi hanno sempre avuto molto da dire, ma pochi autori sono stati in grado di valorizzarli.
Bill Mantlo in effetti è tra quelli che lo hanno fatto, ma questa GN ben disegnata da Larry Stormann non è tra le loro storie migliori, per quanto godibile.
Comunque le 3 stelle sono meritate.

[Mackenzie Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Cloak and Dagger! Why is Cloak always hungry? We see the light on that matter here.

A question I have is does this story still fit in what Cloak and Dagger still are today?

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Cloak and Dagger were in my mind one of the thinnest concepts in the Marvel universe and yeah, I'm not that into it.

[Andrei · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first comic with Cloak & Dagger, with limited previous knowledge about the characters turned out to be solid read, although I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a jumping on point. My favourite part was the exploration of Cloak & Dagger's relationship and dependency on one another, and the dark & gloomy atmosphere. I also learned a bit about the duo's powers, but definitely need to read more to get the whole picture. Didn't care much for Jack the Ripper's involvement, I could've done without those parts. Liked the art, and thought it's fitting for the book. Bonus points for Dagger walking around in Midtown in her costume :)

[Finley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am going to precede this review with a bit of a warning: I'm new to comic books. I bought this book because I friend liked it, so I thought it might be interesting to look into. I'm sure I will like this better when I read it in the future, and am a bit more familiar with the characters' backstories and the world in which it takes place.

To be honest, it took a while for me to get into this, for the reasons mentioned above. It feels like it drops you in the middle of the action, and I was just kind of dragged along, tryng to keep up as best I can. I did eventually get a feel for them later, but it was after a long span of slight confusion as I tried to put together the pieces of the story that other, more familiar readers already knew going in.

Don't get me wrong, I love the characters! Cloak seems like a great guy, and it made me sad to see how hard he was on himself, and how it seemed to make him oblivious to how much Dagger cared for him. Dagger, on the other hand, is a wonderful, strong woman, though her strength was by no means a sign that she cannot be soft at times, as well. She has the perfect balance of determination and caring in her, and I love the interactions between them.

Overall, I do think it was a good comic, and I will likely come back and change the score a bit at a later date, when I'm more familiar with Cloak and Dagger. However, I gave it a 3 because it is bit rough on new readers, so I recommend anyone trying to get into comics or these characters to read something else first. I plan to continue reading about these characters when I have the chance, for sure!

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marvel has had some interesting superhero partnerships over the years: Captain America & the Falcon, Daredevil & Black Widow, Power Man (Luke Cage) & Iron Fist. But none of these were anywhere near as co-dependent as the symbiotic partnership of Cloak & Dagger. Not only were they romantically linked (as were Daredevil and Black Widow) but their powers fed off and sustained one another. This gave the stories, by definition, a darker and more sinister twist than the average superhero fair.
That being said, this graphic novel is not the really one of the strongest examples of the duo's truly bizarre powers and how their application can be so terrifying and disturbing. Part of that is the cliché of the disembodied Ripper being so central to the plot. I actually think it would have been a stronger narrative had this part of the tale been reworked or even completely eliminated. This may not be the most compelling escapade of Cloak & Dagger but certainly an enjoyable one.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my introduction to the characters, outside of what I read on the back of a trading card. The story was darker than I expected, but the characters work well together, making for an exciting read.

Fore more on this run tune in to Comic Book Coffee Break:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QucL7...

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another find from my library vault. As with many of the older, Marvel graphic novels, the writing is so-so, but the art redeems.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story I think of when I fantasize about a Cloak and Dagger movie being made. The conflict between the lusty priest and Cloak as he struggles with his true nature is really compelling.

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of these two characters are really neat ... but I found this graphic novel, as with most of Marvel's OGNs lame.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Cloak and Dagger story. Good art and plot. Recommended

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite Cloak and Dagger stories, that I hadn't visited in a decade or so. And I am happy to see that it holds itself to age.