Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Matt Kindt
Penciled by Clay Mann
Inked by Seth Mann
Coloured by Ulises Arreola
His name is Ninjak - spy and mercenary for hire. He is also Colin King, wealthy son of privilege. British espionage organization MI-6 tasked Colin with infiltrating and destroying Weaponeer, a criminal organization that designs weapons for the highest, most illicit bidder. Under the guise of businessman Henry Collins, Ninjak ingratiated himself to the group’s imposing leader, Kannon. He also met Kannon’s right-hand woman, Roku, an assassin so feared that skilled warriors have taken their own lives rather than face her razor-sharp locks of hair and deadly skills. Colin might be in over his head on this one.
The first issue started our new obsession with Ninjak off and issue two just keeps giving us what we need. As Colin continues his infiltration of Kannon’s organization things get incredibly weird and fascinating. The first meeting they have this issue also spotlights just how talented Clay is when it comes to bringing this world to life. This strange nightclub they go to where there are exotic animals and people dressed up in strange attire you get immediately swept up in it. Oh and thanks for the Giant Panda because it’s my all time favorite animal. Seeing that Bengal tiger was just exquisite work and the apes in mock server attire was genius.
Once upon a time Bruce Wayne was the standard but here today it’s Colin King who sets the new standard for that handsome, suave and debonair man of action who could give Bond a run for his money. Matt is also a genius because this story is so smartly written and well thought out as we see some of what Colin goes through on his missions. I understand why MI-6 wants him so badly on their team because the gadgets and stuff he has would probably put any scientist to shame. Me i’d rather have his suit and gadgets than a Utility Belt there seems to be better stuff. Plus there’s something spectacular about his suit these days the redesign is close enough yet updated so that he’s just cool.
That he’s not afraid to use guns and violence or even kill when necessary really does set him apart from most vigilante’s. Not afraid of killing isn’t the same as doing it automatically he sees things in the larger picture and won’t kill off the cuff unless he has to and that makes him smarter and deadlier as an opponent. I do also like that we see from the time his parents died that he started to act differently and his manservant as hardened and seemingly uncaring serves him to this day in both lessons learned and how to act.
This is what we love about comics we get action/adventure/intrigue all wrapped up in this incredibly attractive package without all the darkness or angst.
Then we also get a back-up story by Matt and Butch Guice that details his early years when he was just learning how to be a spy and getting into the game. This is the kind of background information that is essential to really getting to know Colin as a man. Plus there really is also something special about the way Butch goes about his work it’s fantastic in this gritty kind of way that is full of life and expression.