In NINJAK #2, available from Valiant Entertainment on August 25th, 2021, Ninjak and Myna face off against a monstrous trio of assassins hired to exact deadly revenge on all exposed MI-6 agents.
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The Details
- Written By: Jeff Parker
- Art By: Javier Pulido
- Colors By: Javier Pulido
- Letters By: Javier Pulido
- Cover Art By: David Nakayam (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: August 25, 2021
Was It Good?
The story is a little bit better than the first issue, and the art has more energy than the first issue, but the art has taken a step back in terms of composition.
Let’s talk about the story first (broad strokes here, details in the next section). I was down on the first issue because the story setup lacked originality. Exposing the secret identities of every undercover spy is not a new hook by any stretch, so the buildup for a title relaunch didn’t match the delivery.
In issue #2, we’re past the unoriginal setup and straight into the plot movement, and it’s handled pretty well. The pacing is brisk, the plot flow breaks down into the major acts in a clear way, and things are happening that keep the reader engaged.
Now, let’s talk about art. I was up front in the last review that Pulido’s style doesn’t fit this genre. That’s not to say Pulido’s art is bad. It is to say Pulido’s style doesn’t suit this material, and this issue highlights that mismatch painfully.
The issue breaks down into three acts, and the first act is entirely focused on escaping the monster assassins that wrecked Ninjak’s train at the end of issue #1. Surprisingly, the problem isn’t with the monster assassins, it’s with Ninjak. His fighting movements and acrobatics are bizarre, almost as if somebody took a stiff-yet-poseable mannequin and started throwing the mannequin in random directions.
I can’t tell if Pulido doesn’t know what a flip looks like, or if he doesn’t understand how the human body moves, or if he’s trying something so experimental that it stretches the senses beyond reason. Either way, it would be a comical fight scene if it wasn’t so terrible. There’s no nice way to put this. It’s a badly executed fight scene.
The other two acts are focused on people talking and vehicles moving, so there’s not much to be put off by. If you’re into Pulido’s aesthetic, and you’re willing to ignore the execution of the first fight, you’ll be generally pleased with this issue.
In all, the story’s pace and action keep you hooked, but the mismatched style of Pulido’s aesthetic coupled with a badly executed fight scene makes it very difficult to stay with this title. Not an assessment anyone wants to deliver after only issue #2.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’re wondering why Ninjak is on a train and how this whole mess got started, stop now and read our NINJAK #1 review.
In the first act, Myna and Ninjak escape their derailed train to find a trio of monster assassins waiting for them. Using lightning reflexes, superior fighting skills, and some very odd acrobatics, Ninjak defeats them all.
Cut to a private party hosted by Kingmaker, the head of the terrorist organization known as Daylight. Kingmaker has invited representatives from all world governments and major organizations to make a deal in exchange for keeping their secrets safe. When a government assassin infiltrates the party, Kingmaker’s bodyguard makes quick work of the killer with unique, fire-breathing abilities.
Back to Ninjak and Myna. Killing the monster mob is one challenge, but a new challenge arrives via a fleet of helicopters seen heading in their direction, presumably to finish the job. Myna and Ninjak run in the direction of the helicopters but keep low, looking for the airport they launched from. At the airport, the duo steals a plane and heads to a Scottish island owned by Neville Alcott to find help.
We conclude the issue with a race to the cottage, Myna’s first ad hoc flying lesson, and the promise of a big battle to come.
Final Thoughts
NINJAK #2 picks up the pace and action to pump up the energy, but the experimental art style is showing its flaws in a big way. For the story alone, this issue is worth picking up, but the art is putting a disappointing damper on this title.
Score: 6/10
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