Way back before Chris Pratt started training raptors for military purposes in “Jurassic World”, a captivating yet often overlooked comic book series from Topps Comics in 1994, titled “Jurassic Park: Raptors Attack” and its sequel “Raptors Hijack“, dared to explore what would occur if velociraptors wound up in the wrong hands. These four-issue miniseries took the franchise on a daring journey, pushing it towards directions that contemporary fans might find surprisingly dark and ambitious. The story followed Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler as they found themselves embroiled in a Colombian drug lord’s plan to convert stolen velociraptors into trained assault animals. This ignited a series of events that tested everything they believed about these prehistoric hunters.
In Steve Englehart’s comic series, I found myself delving deep past the boundaries of Isla Nublar into realms unexplored until the movies caught up with these territories decades later.
According to Englehart, our work started even before the Jurassic Park movie series had any sequels. This allowed us a lot of creative liberty to explore fresh ideas and build upon what was presented in the initial film.
In my opinion, the freedom granted for creativity led to plot twists that might seem extraordinary, even by today’s franchise benchmarks – ranging from raptors communicating through sign language to corporate conflicts escalating into airborne skirmishes involving helicopters. Fundamentally, the series delved into themes that would later be pivotal to the franchise: the militarization of dinosaurs, the intricate bond between humans and these genetically altered beings, and the overconfidence in trying to master nature. What set these comics apart was their portrayal of events from the raptors’ viewpoint, offering glimpses into their minds, their thoughts, and even their dreams – a narrative style that transformed them from mere movie monsters into complex characters with depth.
1. In addition to the dinosaur action, the comics brought back Robert Muldoon, the park’s warden who was believed dead in the movie, adding an intriguing love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that injected human emotion. What truly stood out, however, was the unique portrayal of velociraptors. They were given names like Alf, Betty, and Celia, and each had their own personalities while still retaining their lethal characteristics.
2. The comics introduced a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that added human drama to the dinosaur action, by bringing back Robert Muldoon, who was thought dead in the film. Moreover, they showcased the velociraptors with an unparalleled level of depth. They were given individual identities – Alf, Betty, and Celia – and their distinct personalities were highlighted without losing sight of their dangerous nature.
3. Alongside the dinosaur-filled action, the comics reintroduced Robert Muldoon, who had been presumed dead in the film. They also delved into an intriguing love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that added human emotion. However, it was the velociraptors that truly caught everyone’s attention. The comics gave them names like Alf, Betty, and Celia, and they were portrayed with unique personalities while still maintaining their lethal nature.
4. The comics featured a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that brought human drama to the dinosaur action. Robert Muldoon, who was believed dead in the movie, also made a surprising return. But what really stood out was the way velociraptors were depicted – they had names (Alf, Betty, and Celia), personalities, and still retained their lethal nature.
5. The comics not only added human drama with a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler but also reintroduced Robert Muldoon, who was thought dead in the film. What set these comics apart, though, was the depth given to the velociraptors – they were named Alf, Betty, and Celia and had distinct personalities while maintaining their dangerous nature.
6. The comics showcased a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that added human drama, brought back Robert Muldoon from the dead (or so it seemed), and portrayed velociraptors with an unprecedented level of depth. They were given names like Alf, Betty, and Celia and had distinct personalities while still retaining their lethal nature.
7. In the comics, a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler added human drama to the dinosaur action. Robert Muldoon, previously thought dead in the film, also made a return. What truly caught people’s attention, however, was the velociraptors – they were given names (Alf, Betty, and Celia), personalities, and still retained their lethal nature.
8. The comics added human drama with a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler and reintroduced Robert Muldoon from the dead in the film. However, what truly set these comics apart was the unique portrayal of velociraptors – they were given names like Alf, Betty, and Celia, had distinct personalities, and still retained their dangerous nature.
9. The comics explored a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that added human drama to the dinosaur action. They also reintroduced Robert Muldoon, who was believed dead in the film. But what truly stood out was the depth given to the velociraptors – they were named Alf, Betty, and Celia and had distinct personalities while still retaining their lethal nature.
10. The comics delved into a love triangle between Malcolm, Grant, and Sattler that added human emotion to the dinosaur action. Robert Muldoon, thought dead in the movie, also made an appearance. However, what truly set these comics apart was the way velociraptors were portrayed – they had names (Alf, Betty, and Celia), personalities, and still retained their lethal nature.
Neil Vokes and other artists vividly portrayed these tales through captivating artwork that depicted both the fear and grandeur of ancient beasts. The series was notably elevated by Michael Golden’s breathtaking cover art, which became sought-after collectibles themselves. These visual aspects effectively sold the most extraordinary plot twists, such as raptors being revered as deities by native peoples, or their ability to communicate rudimentary language with humans.
The series reached a climax when InGen’s competitor, Biosyn, sought to create their own dinosaur park, a plot that was later revisited in the contemporary film trilogy. However, the comics adopted a significantly grimmer tone, portraying corporate conflicts leading to graphic violence that would be unsuitable for screen adaptation.
Three decades have passed, and these comic books remain intriguing explorations that broaden the scope of the Jurassic Park realm. Though some of their more fanciful aspects might clash with the film’s scientifically-grounded approach, several key concepts – such as trained raptors and the exploitation of dinosaur genetics by corporations – have become staples within the franchise over time. In many respects, these comics were visionary, envisioning a reality where dinosaurs lived beyond theme park exhibits and interacted (for better or worse) with contemporary society.
The series functions as a reminder that intriguing developments in a franchise can arise from the unanticipated, especially when creators are granted the liberty to delve into unexplored realms. Building upon Topps’ successful 1993 comic adaptation of the initial film, these sequel comics dared to take risks that still captivate fans today. On platforms like Reddit, fans often debate about how Raptors Attack could have been an engaging movie, with many appreciating its mix of character-driven drama and dinosaur-packed action.
I’ve always found it fascinating how the spirit of those 1994 comics permeates the core essence of the Jurassic World franchise, even though some of their wilder aspects never translated to the silver screen. Modern Jurassic World films undeniably boast larger budgets and superior special effects, but they haven’t quite captured the raw, imaginative zeal that those initial comics exuded. What stands out most to me is their demonstration of how, with a blend of reverence for the original content and creative liberty, the Jurassic Park universe could grow far beyond the boundaries of Isla Nublar’s electric fences.
Jurassic World Rebirth opens in theaters July 25th.
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2025-02-09 07:40