Valiant Entertainment 2017
Written by Christos Gage
Illustrated by Tomas Giorello
Coloured by Diego Rodriguez
Lettered by A Larger World Studios
Colin King is Ninja-K -- a deadly mercenary who operates within MI6’s secret Ninja Programme. One of the most successful agents in MI6’s history, it is said that his actions alone have swayed the course of history on more than one occasion. But the Programme’s history is deep and wide
This could have a been one of those great zero issues well at least the first half anyway until it led into the current story then I would’ve been satisfied with that. Instead we get a very solid extended first issue that takes us from the past to the present and leaves us at a pivotal moment that leaves the reader excited for what’s next!
I can’t remember if the whole Ninja programme has had this kind of intensive look at it before. I don’t recall seeing it but then again I’m not the end all be all regarding this. I like the history of this and how things play out. I find Ninja-A and Ninja-B’s story tragic and wonderful at the same time and how MI6 thought they could do a better job of training agents in the ways of the Ninja. There is some great stuff going on here that Christos takes under consideration about the programme and about the way history unfolds. Also I do really like the fact that man is ultimately fallible as they think too highly of themselves and their arrogance is usually their undoing. That fits in with pretty much any government and their “elite” organisations such as MI6.
The timeline here is great and it opens up some new avenues for future storytelling that if done right will continue to solidify the Valiant Universe in ways that are unexpected and yet is probably the perfect thing to see happen. The ideas are endless from the line that Ninja-A came from to the wars fought by these agents and the interaction with the brothers three who will all have been alive and around for all these events. There has to be a reason Gilad is so comfortable around Colin and I think I’m beginning to make up scenarios about why that is. That the story Christos brings us can ignite my imagination to create things that haven’t happened is why storytelling can be such a powerful thing.
I love the style of the interiors here. Tomas has such a nice eye for storytelling through his use of page layouts with their angles and perspective. The uniqueness of his work and how we see his linework in action is really kind of breathtaking. I’m also a fan of his creativity and imagination that we see here as he takes us through history starting at the Great War through present day. Oh and that two page spread is a complete WOW moment.
When Colin’s story arc takes over I think what Christos does is pretty solid. From an inamorata to seeing Neville and his proposal there is really nice characterisation going on. Plus we get a good solid story for the opening arc that starts up. It isn’t expected or normal but it ties Colin into the programme and its past and it feels like it will set up where he will go moving forward. This issue also confirms Colin’s bi-sexuality and that he’s seduced men and women in the line of work he does which pretty means he’s open to sexual encounters with anyone and this completes my image of him as a spy.
Christos does a phenomenal job in garnering interest, building up the story and his characterisation is splendidly done. Add that to the structure we see in this issue and it feels like this is on track to really focus on Colin, his skills and who is as a man as well as his place in not only MI6 but the world at large as well.