Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Matt Kindt
Penciled by Stephen Segovia
Inked by Stephen Segovia & Ryan Winn
Coloured by Ulises Arreola
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
The Lost Files Illustrated by Juan Jose Ryp
The British espionage organization MI-6 tasked Colin with infiltrating and destroying Weaponeer, a criminal empire that designs arms for the highest, most illicit bidder. But instead he took Weaponeer over and decided to tear it down from the inside. First he set out to hunt and defeat Weaponeer’s leaders, the Shadow Seven. He defeated the elusive La Barbe in a mansion estate. Next he took on Sanguine, an Eastern European assassin, besting her in London. He surreptitiously delivered both prisoners to MI-6, where his handler, Neville Alcott, is under considerable pressure to bring the unhinged Ninjak back in and terminate his mission. But Colin won’t be stopped. And his next target, Fitzy, won’t be moved…
Wow does this issue open nicely! I loved seeing the expression and emotion come leaping off the page from his face. Stephen and company have solidified their place on this title keep them here as long as possible. Amazing interiors all around seriously wow. Also that Neville is getting chewed out over Ninjak’s actions was fun to see and even better was his reaction to it. Matt has been killing it with the writing and characterization here since day 1!
Fitz is a fantastic character! I’ll forgive the skunk stripe down his head, I’ve seen too many black characters with that already. The whole concept behind him and how he came to be and the circumstances that took out into the world have all been laid out here for us and it’s makes him a fascinating character that honestly i’d love to see more of. This people is how to create a new hero of colour without having to fall back upon the gender/race swapping thing we see all too often. So when Valiant and Matt are ready a four to six issue limited series with him should be done!
During his origin and his “early birth” I wonder if that stripe he’s got is what sets him apart from the rest of his “brothers.” Regardless that he is so closely tied to the Seven that Colin seeks and to already established characters well that’s just icing on the cake here. I mean that whole trip to see the undead Monk and who is with him yeah that’s pretty damn good stuff and it really does tie Fritz securely into this darker underbelly world that’s rife for further exploration.
Thanks to Stephen and company again because the page where he’s meeting with Kannon was oh so good. Those animals bring me cheer joy and especially that Panda though the chip-n-dale chimps come a close second.
The look back at that moment when asked what makes a Ninjak well that was pretty deep. If his mother told him that then hell it’s a wonder he’s not more messed up. How this part of the story ends though i’m not so sure I like but it’s completely within character and i’ll see how it goes next issue before making up my mind for sure.
In the Lost Files back up we see Colin with the Undead Monk training and learning lessons. The observation Colin makes here is very similar to the one Fritz makes in the main story, coincidence I think not. Speaking of Fritz I do believe he’s there at the same time that Colin is and that they hadn’t met there is oddly fascinating.
This look back at his life in these pages is so much better than having it be told in an arc or as a special. It adds a little something to understanding him each issue that makes it smarter, more powerful and leaves you with just that much more than you expect.
It the little things like this that keep fueling the fans love of the character making him Valiant’s most popular hero.