Valiant; $3.99

In the first issue of Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe, Ninjak gets blackmailed by his arch-nemesis Roku who took his friend Neville Alcott’s family hostage. She wanted him to break into MI6 and steal the mysterious weapon, Asset 147. Though he succeeded in procuring the item, he did not make a clean getaway and was forced to turn on colleagues and friends. With Ninjak appearing as a traitor, a call to Unity is made to take him out.

In the second issue, Ninjak learns what he stole for Roku – the Book of the Geomancer. Horrified by this discovery, he tries to decide what do and how to allude pursuit. While Livewire recruits the Eternal Warrior for the cause, Bloodshot is already close on his trail, and X-O Manowar isn’t far behind. But, after initial contact, Bloodshot finds blood filled with nanites which could influence his direction in this pursuit.

This issue, and story so far, can best be summed up by Ninjak himself. Midway through the issue he says to himself, “I don’t work for MI6 to be a good guy. I’ve got lives to save.” It’s such an interesting line because Ninjak sees how doing the right thing isn’t always sunshine and roses. Sometimes you have to do something bad or ugly in order to save lives.

This comic is based on the upcoming webseries Ninjak vs. The Valiant Universe in a multi-medium project. The comic script is by Eliot Rahal, based on the screen story by Aaron Schoenke. It’s fun seeing so many big names in Valiant together in one book, and let’s be honest, comic fans get a kick out of seeing heroes battle each other to see who is really the toughest of them.

Art duties on this book were shared by Joe Bennett on pencils, Belardino Brabo on inks, and Ulises Arreola on colors. Each of these big name Valiant heroes are given lots of attention and detail, embodying the individual looks and attitudes of each. The action is beautifully rendered and the colors pop in bright and shiny ways.

It’s a well written story and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

-Amanda Sheriff