Ninja-K #9

   It's a sprawling fight sequence (in other words, a battle royale) that gets this issue of Ninja-K off to a quick start.

   It all centers around a battle for the soul - and possession of - the Eternal Warrior.

   Joining in the fight are Livewire, Dr. Mirage and Punk Mambo, but the battle takes several unexpected twists - and by the end of the issue, Ninja-K's world may be changed for good.

   The last half of the issue struggles a bit to deal with what happens in the first half, but overall  it's a solid issue and sets up the coming devastation that is the Harbinger Wars II.

   It might be a bumpy ride!

Grade: B+

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Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #4 (of 4)

   This issue wraps up this Valiant series that is, somewhat oddly, not set in the Valiant Universe.

   Instead, Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe is set in the new cinematic world starring some familiar faces.

   It follows a blackmail effort against Ninjak, as he's forced to steal the Book of the Geomancer - which sets all the other heroes against him, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, the Eternal Warrior, Archer, Armstrong and other former allies from Unity.

   So can he fight his friends (without killing them), save the innocents kidnapped by his deadly enemy, and somehow keep the book out of the hands of Master Darque?

   It's a tall order. 

   The story is quick and entertaining, though it feels just a bit constrained by the fact that it has to work in a real-world setting.

   Still, it's a fun warmup for the live action antics of these heroes.

Grade: B

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Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #2

   This is an odd event book, because even though it pits Ninjak against almost all the heroes in the Valiant Universe, it has no effect on Valiant's continuity.

   That's because the story is actually set outside the Valiant Universe.

   It's based on an upcoming live action web series, and it definitely has a real world feeling to it.

   Ninjak has been blackmailed into stealing an incredibly valuable (and powerful) artifact - and the lives of his loved ones depend on him delivering that object.

   But his employers aren't ready to give it away - so they assemble some powerful heroes to track down Ninjak.

   Can a ninja defend himself against the biggest powerhouses in Valiant's stables?

   It's a good question - and you get the answer here (sort of).

   With strong art by Joe Bennett and Belardino Brabo, and a solid script by Eliot Rahal (based on a screenplay by a small army of writers), this is a fun oddity - an event that stands alone.

Grade: B+

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Ninja-K #3

   Operating under the idea that Ninjak is actually Ninja-K, the 11th in the line of operatives trained by the British government to be the ultimate secret agent / assassin, this issue brings him into conflict with one of his predecessors - Ninja-C.

   Of course, any secret agent must at some point discover the dirty secrets behind the work he or she does, and that's what this issue is all about, as Colin learns the reasons why Ninja-C has (seemingly) turned on his former masters.

   It's a strong issue with a fast-paced script by Christos Gage with powerful, dynamic art by Tomas Giorella and Robert de la Torre.

   I'm not crazy about the alphabet concept (one imagines agents named Ninjab and Ninjaz and Ninjam), but the story's compelling and the art is awesome.

Grade: A-

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Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #1

   This is an interesting project.

   Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe is, surprisingly, not set in the Valiant Universe.

   Well, not exactly.

   It's designed to be a link between the comics universe and the film version of Valiant, which is in the works.

   So they wisely focus in on Ninjak, the closest thing Valiant has to a "street level" hero - and they set up a story that promises to bring him in conflict with the other heroes.

   As part of the spy game he's put in a compromising position - one that puts him on the opposite side of the fence from his hero allies - and he's going to have to fight for his life!

   It's a time-honored technique and promises to be a treat (especially since anything can happen).

   A good start!

Grade: A-

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Ninja-K #1

   I hate it when I find out I've been mispronouncing a comic book character's name.

   For example, I've been saying the name of Hela, the Asgardian / Marvel goddess of death, "He-lah." But in the Thor: Ragnarok movie, she was called "Hay-la."

   So now Ninjak is back in a new series, and I find that it's not "Nin-jack" - it's "Ninja-kay." Gah.

   All that should be cleared up a bit in this issue, which recaps the history of the secret program that led to the creation of the ultimate agent, Ninja-K.

   (And if you're suspecting that it all starts with someone named Ninja-A, then you're one sharp cookie.)

   We also see a new threat appear - one that may be unstoppable - and its ultimate target is Ninja-K!

   The story by Christos Gage is powerful and sheds light on some previously-hidden history (at least it was hidden to me).

   The art is by Tomas Giorello, a terrific and largely unsung artist who did amazing work on the King Conan series from Dark Horse. Here he breathes vivid life into a history lesson that's anything but dry, and throws in lots of action and heart!

   The series is off to a strong start, and this is a perfect jumping-on point for Ninja-K! Best of all, you'll avoid the shame of saying his name wrong (like some guys I could name)!

Grade: A-

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Ninjak #0

   If it's Ninjak #0, then it must be time to give readers a fresh start to this classic super spy / martial artist / superhero from Valiant Comics.

   And that's what you get here - a solid recap of the high (and low) points of Colin King's life and career, including a grim childhood and a life of learning extraordinary fighting skills.

   It's all a setup for the newest series and a fresh start for the enduring hero.

   A sharp script by Matt Kind that bounces between flashbacks and present-day mayhem, and exciting visuals by artist Francis Portela make this a strong start to the latest reboot.

Grade: A

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Rapture #1 of 4)

   It starts with a quest that involves death traps, supernatural creatures, riddles and giants - which is what I would call a good beginning.

   From there, the mini-series Rapture from Valiant Comics becomes a more traditional team first issue - which is to say, it's all about building the team.

   Because the threat is a supernatural, end-of-the-world kinda thing, the team is a bit out of the ordinary.

   It's being assembled by Tama, the world's Geomancer, and includes Ninjak (because you'd always want him on your team), Punk Mambo, a voodoo priestess who provides magical tools to the arsenal, and Shadowman, another magic-based character who's, well, pretty creepy.

   The story is by Matt Kindt and the art is by Cafu, and it's a fun start to what promises to be a heavy-hitting series.

Grade: A-

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Ninjak #25

   It's an origin story!

   It's time to introduce a new team!

   There's a double agent! (Or is there?)

   A major villain returns!

   An airplane crashes!

   We're set up for the final confrontation!

   You'll find all that packed into the 25th issue of Ninjak, as that hero joins the Shadow Seven in an attempt to stop Master Darque once and for all.

   There's also quite a bit of talking, setting up and back story info on the birth and rise of Darque.

   It's a fun issue, but it doesn't quite manage to be the special kind of event you'd want to celebrate the 25th issue.

   But it is a lot of fun with strong artwork and a cracking good story!

Grade: B+

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Ninjak #23

   As this issue sets up the "Seven Blades of Master Darque" story, it only neglects one thing: there's not much actual Ninjak content here.

   (Everyone's doing it, it seems.)

   Instead the focus is on his deadliest opponent - the tragic Roku, a red-tressed assassin who Ninjak has tried repeatedly to save (and each time, he's failed).

   We follow her as she breaks into an impregnable prison as part of her plan to recruit the members of the murderous Shadow Seven, all high-powered assassins in their own right - and all of them defeated by Ninjak.

   It's a grim tale with lots of death and destruction - and what is her mission all about, anyway?

   The script is crisp and the art is excellent - and Ninjak does play a vital role before we hit the end of the issue - but it'd still be nice to have him a bit more involved.

   (Last page shock panels aren't quite enough.)

Grade: B+

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Ninjak #18

   So it's been a tough couple of months for Ninjak, as he's lost almost everything - his money, his job with MI-6, his parents and most of his friends.

   This issue actually features two separate stories - one set in the present, and another several years in the future, which teams Ninjak with the Eternal Warrior.

   Of course, it's an unusual team-up, and neither hero completely trusts the other as they search for a criminal mastermind who's hiding in one of the world's most remote spots.

   The modern-day adventure follows up on the destruction of Ninjak's home - and who he blames for his troubles.

   I like this series a lot - it features smart scripts by Matt Kindt and strong artwork by Ulises Arreloa and Chris Sotomayor, and the stories are always edgy but fun.

   Recommended!

Grade: A-

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Ninjak #17

   After a series of attacks that have destroyed Ninjak's "normal" life, he finally confronts that person behind his fall - but there are still plenty of shocks in store in this issue, which wraps up "The Siege of King's Castle" story arc.

   It's out of the ordinary because we rarely seen Ninjak when he's not in control of the situation, and here he's in for the fight of his life against a foe who seems to be unstoppable.

   As always, it's a sharp (and somewhat abrupt and action-heavy) script by Matt Kindt, with strong (if violent and bloody) artwork by Diego Bernard with Allison Rodriguez.

   Grade: B

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Ninjak #7

   This book has been taken over by a quest story.

   Ninjak is tasked with tracking down some powerful creatures known as The Shadow Seven - they're the leaders of an organization called the Weaponeers, which supplies advanced weapons to criminals around the world.

   Last issue he took down an (almost) unstoppable juggernaut, while this time around he's up against Sanguine, a living buzz saw who is impervious to pain.

   I enjoy these kinds of stories, as they build on the hero's mythology and give him lots of chances to show his abilities (and take a lot of punishment).

   The story by Matt Kindt indicates that there's a lot more going on than we realize - but he's being stingy with the details. (This is not a bad thing.)

   The art by Juan Jose Ryp is raw, intense and emotional - this isn't a story for kids.

   This is just the second chapter, and the (brutal bloody violent) fun is just starting!

Grade: A-

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Book of Death - The Fall of Ninjak #1

   Valiant's Book of Death series takes us into unusual territory - the final days of each hero.

   Thankfully, the events are set in the (somewhat) distant future, so there are no worries about how to resurrect each hero in the here and now.

   Thus it's no surprise that the Fall of Ninjak takes place a century in the future, as a surprisingly spry (and even more surprisingly alive) Ninjak faces a final threat - one that may endanger the entire world.

   But how can an elderly hero stand against a small army - much less stop an attempt to displace an entire country?

   That's all part of the fun, of course - and to say any more would be to give away too much.

   The art by Trevor Hairsine and Ryan Winn is strong - dark and menacing, it fits the moody story by Matt Kindt very well.

   Death is all the rage in comics, of course, and I'm not sure if the Book of Death series is just clever in capitalizing on the trend - or if they're just trying to tell some interesting stories.

   I'll go with "both," but the story makes the trendsetting worthwhile.

Grade: A-

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Ninjak #5

   This series might shock the casual reader, because this isn't a "cute ninja" story - instead, Ninjak is much more of an adult action adventure story with a healthy dose of James Bond thrown in for good measure.

   And this is a hero who can take punishment - which is good, because he gets more than his share here, as he faces certain death at the hands of a crimson-haired beauty (who also happens to be an assassin), and her boss, a monstrous Sumo wrestler of a guy who holds a powerful secret.

   And that's just the beginning of a search for the Seven who are threatening the world with futuristic technology - and a mysterious agenda.

   This is a series with a definite adult edge - the encounters are violent, the protagonist tough, smart and often ruthless. He's not a role model - but his exploits are very entertaining.

   Highly recommended for mature readers!

Grade: A-

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Ninjak #1

   This was a happy surprise.

   I was sorta kinda a fan of the original Valiant Ninjak series - it was a solid action series through and through.

   But I really really like the new version here - it's a great combination of intense action sequences (such as the opening prison break sequence), sharp characterization (he's very much a the James Bond type of character, if Bond was a bit more mercenary and more wealthy), and terrific artwork.

   The story by Matt Kindt doesn't slow down for a moment, but manages to work in some humor, some good character beats, and sets up a deadly mission for the hero to tackle.

   The art is by Seth Mann and Ulises Arredla, and it's powerful, sexy and dynamic, with fresh layouts and strong character designs.

   The series is off to a great start! Recommended!

Grade: A

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