A viking, a samurai and a World War II aviator battle alien monsters from beyond the stars — is that cool or what?

A thrilling animated triptych from filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, "Predator: Killer of Killers" extends not just the hunt-or-be-hunted franchise for which it is named, but a larger trend by which Hollywood studios use animation to expand known properties for mature audiences.

"Predator: Killer of Killers," on Hulu Friday, expands the franchise with animated episodes set in historical periods as Predators battle Viking, samurai and World War II warriors.