THE NINJETTES #5, from Dynamite Comics on January 25th, 2023, brings the (updated) origin story to a close when Steph and her allies infiltrate a nearby camp, only to find that all is not as it seems.
The Details
- Written by: Fred Van Lente
- Art by: Joseph Cooper
- Colors by: Dearbhla Kelly
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Leirix Li (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: January 25, 2023
Is It Good?
Well, THE NINJETTES #5 completes the odd origin tale on solid footing. The conclusion may not be completely satisfying to some readers, but Fred Van Lente gets the eclectic trio of assassins to the finish line.
The strength of Van Lente’s script is the existential angst Steph experiences when she realizes she’s a small piece in a much larger game. You can feel the genuine crush of hopelessness when Steph realizes what she’s done and that her concept of choice and free will falls far short of reality. It’s a heartwrenching moment, and it gives you a keen sympathy for Steph as a character, investing you in her future.
The less-than-satisfying part of this finale is the quick succession of jumps in time and scenery. The “final girls” go from infiltrating the second camp to receiving congratulations for “winning” to living it up in a penthouse as the latest group of assassins for a faceless organization. The transitions happen very quickly, and you don’t receive any insight into who, what, where, when, or why anything about the assassin camp exists. You could argue the nameless, faceless organization could be explored in a later series, but as for now, you get nothing.
Cooper and Kelly’s art delivery is solid in this issue. The emotional acting, particularly from Steph, is poignant. The violence is gory and harsh, in a good way. And the stark, pulpy setting gives a Tarantino vibe that matches the script to a tee. As an admitted nitpick, some of the scenes are too bright when it would have helped to add more shadow and realistic light shading to reflect the mood of the characters.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check our THE NINJETTES #4 review to find out how the contestants discovered the second camp.
We begin with Steph quickly adapting what she’s learned to methodically kill the black suit agents picking over the “boys’ camp.” Even when Kinsley exposes Steph to the agents, Steph gets the drop on everyone and uses her sword-wielding skills to her advantage.
When the dust settles, Steph, Blanca, and Kinsley are the last ones standing, but there’s a twist. The agents Steph killed are not employees of her jailors, and Steph quickly realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Faced with the crushing hopelessness that she was never really in control, Steph is faced with making a terrible decision.
We conclude the issue with a visit to an old flame, more heartbreak, and a familiar target.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
THE NINJETTES #5 ends the series with plenty of emotion, bloodshed, and status quo changes. That said, the final issue moves Steph and her new partners from point A to point B very quickly without leaving room to give a satisfying explanation as to how she wound up in this mess.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.