Ninjak (2021), Book 1

December 1, 2021

Parker (Warlord of Mars Attacks) and Pulido (Hawkeye by Fraction and Aja: The Saga of Barton and Bishop) breathe new life into a relatively obscure character from the 1990s in this action-packed martial arts/superhero/espionage mash-up. A mysterious organization called Daylight exposes the identities of undercover operatives working on the behalf of numerous international intelligence agencies. When Daylight follows this show of power by demanding the world's governments show them fealty, former MI6 operative Colin King, a.k.a. Ninjak, embarks upon a search for the means to shut them down. Parker's propulsive script emphasizes gonzo action over intricate plotting, allowing his collaborator to create some of the most impressive images of his deservedly well-regarded career. By simplifying character design to its essential elements, Pulido is free to experiment with page design that forgoes the standard six-to-eight panel grid without risking cluttered, overly complicated storytelling. The experiment is a complete success: panels progress at dynamic angles, careening across double-page spreads as Ninjak battles superpowered assassins and loop around, maze-like, to convey a chase through an underground cavern. VERDICT Fans of high-concept thrillers and exceptional illustration are in for a very good time.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 13, 2021
In this spirited new direction for the title character, scripted by Parker (the Agents of Atlas series), someone’s killing off British agents across the globe, which calls for the return of Colin King, the master spy and warrior known as Ninjak. Less experienced agent Myna gets catapulted into Ninjak’s cryptic world to help him halt a pair of superpowered terrorist siblings—Kingmaker and his telepathic sister Syphon—who are stealing state secrets and assassinating spies on both sides of the Atlantic. Parker pokes fun at the conventions of spy and hero comics with clones, deadly choking leis, and bounty hunter trio Growler, Giant, Gale (a tongue-in-cheek wink to characters from the X-Men). The main draw, though, is the bright, bombastic art by Pulido (the Human Target series). His bold-lined figures zip and zoom through vertical panels and double pages, complementing the sweeping, high-adventure action. Pulido’s coloring’s crackerjack, too; brilliant shades make the characters pop like kinetic animation. Unfortunately, the change of artist to Lobel (the Smallville series) halfway through the final chapter jars and saps the narrative’s energy. More disappointingly, the volume ends on a frustrating cliffhanger. Still, most of this vibrant, good-looking adventure thrills in all the right places.