Ninjak #1 Review- Slicing into Greatness

Review by Nolan P. Smith

(Victor Valley)—When Valiant Entertainment came roaring back in 2012, we saw the return of characters like X-O Manowar, Bloodshot and more. Within the pages of the relaunched X-O, we saw the return of the character Ninjak. Smooth, skilled and ready to slice through any obstacle, fans have been clamoring for a solo book spotlighting the British super spy/ninja, and now they have it. With Ninjak #1, we get a glimpse into the past, into the here and now, and after reading the first issue, it leaves us with high hopes for the future.

Written by Matt Kindt (Ming MGMT) with art by Clay Mann (Gambit) and Butch Guice (Captain America), this is an amazing debut for Valiant. We see Colin King, the man known as Ninjak, back when he was a kid, and how his troubled childhood led him to become one of the deadliest men on the planet. In the present, we are introduced to a new player in the Valiant Universe, Agent Roku. The crimson haired killer is associated with the Shadow Seven, a mysterious group of shinobi connected to the underworld. Ninjak comes face to face with Roku with a fast paced battle that explodes off the page. We also see Ninjak starting off as a spy, and how the young man he was then is far different than what he is now.

I have one gripe, and that is that the issue had to end. The world of Ninjak pulls you in, shows you how intriguing both the past and the future are, and leaves you wanting more. But that’s the sign of a great book, isn’t it? We see action, espionage, and more, and by the end of it, we are wishing issue 2 was already in our hands. Ninjak is poised to be a breakout hit this year, and with all the hype already surrounding Valiant, don’t be surprised if the purple clad ninja doesn’t pop up on the big screen soon. I give Ninjak #1 a perfect @@@@@ out of FIVE. Go check it out, and if this is all new to you, then welcome to the world of Valiant.