REVIEW: The NINJAK #0 transitional issue

By pghhead -

NINJAK #0  (Valiant Entertainment, September 13 release date)  Writer:  Matt Kindt.  Pencils: Francis Portela.  Colors:  Andrew Dalhouse. Letters: Dave Lanphear.  Flashback sequences art by MJ Kim, Khari Evans, Roberto De La Torre, Sija Hong, Juan Jose Ryp. Prelude To Ninja-K series written by Christos Gage with art by Tomas Giorello.  Covers by David Mack, Clayton Henry & Brian Weber, Yama Orce, Peter Bagge, Javier Pulido. 40 pages.  Rated T+.

 

     Ninjak #0 serves as a fitting conclusion to Matt Kindt’s legendary run on the title and sets the reader up for the new Ninja-K series by Christos Gage debuting on November 15.  

 

     Rather than devote the issue to a major summary of Ninjak’s history to date, the focus is on what makes him unique, particularly how he manages to survive the incredibly risky assignments he takes on. Kindt sums up Ninjak’s method quite succinctly. As a jumping on point for new readers, it’s not going to satisfy entirely, but will certainly provide a taste of the delectable flavor of the character.  I’ve been an on-and-off-again reader of Ninjak, and the #0 issue made me want to go back and read more of Kindt’s run. 

 

   The issue opens with a full page panel of Ninjak a.k.a. Colin King displaying his archery skills with beautiful colors by Andrew Dalhouse, who has done a remarkable job of making Portela’s dynamic art pop off the page.  As the story moves forward, every page is separated by a moving arrow in the center of the page - - symbolic of a journey across time. The panels at the top of each page tell a current story while the panels at the bottom of the page flashback through Colin King’s life. 

 

   In the top story, Ninjak enters an ancient church/temple in Oxford, England and encounters some deadly ninja monks in scenes that let the action tell the story without much in the way of text. And as an admirer of Portela’s action scenes, I”m grateful for that.  Then, the corridors lead to an office setting where Ninjak faces off against mask-wearing businessmen with guns, before he finally meets the object of his assignment and takes a suitcase of secrets away with finality.  Readers learn who he was retrieving the suitcase for in a final scene with a twist ending that is indicative of the character of Colin King. 

 

  The flashback story in the bottom panels begins with Colin’s decision and direction at the early age of nine, followed by his spy training in his twenties and carries through to present day. He’s experienced both true love and hard loss not once, but twice. 

 

  The prelude story is short, and begins with Ninjak infiltrating a heavily-fortified mansion in Gloucestershire, England. He confronts the resident, a person of power who apparently betrayed him. Ninjak wants to learn the secrets and hear the names, and utilizes his hardened interrogation skills. It’s a neat teaser for the new series, which may be taking a turn towards espionage more than before. Time will tell.  I’m looking forward to it, especially since Giorello’s art is just as exciting as Portela’s.  

 

   

 BC RATING SYSTEM

 

 STORY:  As a transition between old and new series, it gets the job done. As a summary providing essential background for new readers, it may be a little confusing but it does reveal the essence of the character.  I believe the new series is going to feature more than one individual in the Ninja section reporting to MI-6 (Ninja-A, Ninja-B, C, etc) so it makes sense not to get readers immersed in just one single character.  I took a half-point off anyway for not following the traditional ways of #0 issues.  2.5 POINTS.

 

ART:   Amazing. If you just like good art, you can’t go wrong by picking up this book.  3 POINTS.

 

COVER:  A mixed bag. I’ve included my two favorite covers.  David Mack is a personal favorite, but his style is not for everyone’s liking. 1 POINT.

 

READ AGAIN? The way the story is set-up, this book is begging you to read more than once. Read the top and bottom stories separately for full appreciation, then read them together. In some places, the flashback panels lend additional meaning to the action panels above. 1 POINT.

 

RECOMMEND?  For sure. I suggest you pick up some Ninjak trade paperbacks by Kindt, and order your copy of the new series debut on November 15.  1 POINT.

 

TOTAL RATING: 8.5 POINTS. Much better than average, and worthy of reading. You won’t be bored.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Robert Kirkman: Invincible, Walking Dead, Wolf-Man

By -
Image
I wasn't actually a huge fan of Robert Kirkman when I first started reading his books.  He was competent, sure, but I didn't see the appeal-- The Irredeemable Ant-Man was a boring side story in the middle of  Civil War and  The Initiative (although I've since changed my mind about this), and his  Ultimate X-Men run was, in many places, a mixed bag (although I did very much enjoy his "Phoenix?" storyline).  And  Marvel Zombies  just seemed like a ridiculous idea--not that I bothered to try it at the time. Now, though?  I've completely reevaluated my opinion on his work, and when his name is attached to a project, I'm far more likely to give it a look.  I don't know if I'd classify him as a master storyteller or a comics icon--but he's very skilled, he has an incredible knack for dialog, and he writes stories that, no matter how ridiculous, seem real .  In a medium where characters frequently violate the rules of physics, that's not alway...
Read more

INDIE COMICS: Huffin’ & puffin’ B.B. Wolf’s got the blues

By pghhead -
Image
BB WOLF AND THE THREE LPs  (Top Shelf, May 2010 hardcover, black & white, 86 pages,   $12.95)  As told by JD Arnold with illustrations by Richard Koslowski What got my attention immediately was the pairing up of a classic fairy tale with musical motifs.  That’s a combination that pushes two of my “hot buttons” - -  so I made it a must-read.  I was not disappointed.  This is a very entertaining and cleverly designed work that rivals Bill Willingham’s  creativity on the long-running FABLES series from Vertigo. As if taking the classic tale of the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs and turning it upside down wasn’t enough to interest, BB WOLF AND THE THREE LPS  serves as an allegory for the oppression of  the black population in the deep South (Mississippi) in the 1920’s.  While they may be free (wolves),  the governing bodies (pigs) have the power to deny them their land, homes and possessions and even own the...
Read more

more random readings from May 2009

By pghhead -
Image
What else did I finish reading last month?  Here’s a cross-section of various titles . . . . . . . . . WITCHBLADE #126 “War Of The Witchblade Part 2” by Ron Marz and Stejepan Sejic  (Top Cow/Image) Preface:  Now here’s an interesting concept! = In order to attract new readers to its’ titles Top Cow is giving out free books each month as part of it’s Let Us Win You Over project.  ( www.topcow.com/freecomics )  Every month it’s a different title. And they work through different comics shops each month as well.  In April the title was Witchblade #126 and one of the participating dealers was Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark, DE (my preferred supplier) so voila! - - - I find a copy in my hands. Since the last time I explored the Witchblade series the mythology has expanded to a battle between the forces of light and dark with each side choosing its agents on Earth, hence the Darkness vs. the Witchblade.  I’m still not overly interested in this typ...
Read more