Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Matt Kindt
Illustrated by Khari Evans
Coloured by Ulises Arreola
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
Months ago, Ninjak went to the otherworldly plane known as the Deadside to rescue a group of MI-6 agents.While there, the agents contracted a deadly disease that now appears to have infected Ninjak as well. Decades from now, Ninjak lives! And even though he’s retired, he’s not above helping out his old ally, the Eternal Warrior.While there, the agents contracted a deadly disease that now appears to have infected Ninjak as well.Their mission takes them to the Himalayas where they encounter Ninjak’s old foe, Fakir. Before they can capture the multi-armed adversary, Fakir is whisked away through a strange portal.
Normally forward in time tales involve a character traveling to that time period but Matt’s decision to use the older Colin has been a nice choice. It would seem that he’s in control of himself though the opening page might suggest this story is something other than it what it appears to be.
Well it’s nice to see the irony of these two working together on full display. I couldn’t help but laugh when Gilad was seeing all those things in the Deadside while Colin was calmly looking for the tracks of their quarry. Got to hand it to Khari and Ulises here because the interiors are fantastic and those creatures were magnificent creations. Not only that but their throughout the entire book with the attention to detail and situations that arose, please both shirtless in a single room with one bed yes and thank you!
There was a lot of tongue in cheek humor here that was both subtle and at times overt that really made this a better Odd Couple than that horrible television remake. The bar fight and talking to that which they were seeking yeah that was good. I love that sometimes clients are more trouble than they’re worth so you might as well just sell em out and move on. So off the boys go continuing to be on the road with their inevitable generational gap banter. Though to be fair Gilad is going to have that problem with literally everyone alive today, yes i’m including his siblings.
The showdown in the desert was pretty awesome as is the reveal of whom is behind Fakir. By the way Fakir is kind of a joke right I mean his arms have been sliced and diced more often than food at Benihana. I kind of like that he isn’t really worth killing more a nuisance than anything else even if he’s channeling some octopus creature or Doc Mayavale if you will. He’s great fodder and a plot device tool though and normally his kind are just useless but he’s entertaining at the very least. Good use of him here by Matt.
We get the setup for big showdown next issue with the one behind it all. Boy I gotta say what a genius to tie a lot of stuff together and make it into something fiercely original! Can’t wait!
That this series constantly has a backups story with it as well is fantastic. This time around Matt’s joined by Andres Guinaldo, Chris Sotomayor and Dave Sharpe as we see what looks like the first panel of the opening page. Also after that massive row with Neville he still brings Livewire to help figure out what’s wrong with Colin.
Best part is that we Punk Mambo again on the last page and boy after that last trip with Ninjak to the Deadside she’s not looking so great. Of course what ails Colin is a result of that trip and Neville thinks she’s the only who can help him but will she?
One of the most consistently well written and illustrated books on stands today.