New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
It's not looking good for Valiant these days.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Not sure what to make of this. The writing concept sounds decent, not sure about the art. If the story is good then I can probably get on board.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
I havent seen much of his recent work but I usually dig Pulido's work. Need to see this stuff colored though. Seems... odd in these black and white previews.
Jeff Parker is usually a solid writer. Interman was a pretty good read, but that was a long time ago now.
Jeff Parker is usually a solid writer. Interman was a pretty good read, but that was a long time ago now.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Jeff Parker’s Agents of Atlas series was one of my all time favorites. He does some good superhero/spy stuff.
The art looks... :/
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The art looks... :/
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Wow this actually looks interesting. Kudos to Valiant for trying something different.
Might be tough to swallow for people used to photorealistic art styles, but Pulido is a master storyteller in the tradition of David Mazzucchelli and Frank Miller. Don't let the seeming simplicity fool you. I remember he did a great run on Human Target a long time ago, he's excellent at urban espionage stories. Here's hoping for a 12+ issue run
Might be tough to swallow for people used to photorealistic art styles, but Pulido is a master storyteller in the tradition of David Mazzucchelli and Frank Miller. Don't let the seeming simplicity fool you. I remember he did a great run on Human Target a long time ago, he's excellent at urban espionage stories. Here's hoping for a 12+ issue run
Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
A solid team but presented in the announcement with zero awareness of the contrast between this and literally every other major appearance of Ninjak. No thought put towards making sure the first reaction of Ninjak fans (who along with many die hard Valiant readers have openly talked about the preference for photo real art) isn't confusion or negativity. Honestly, I think they would have done better to make this an additional take on Ninjak to a more traditional book or even a story within a longer series with more traditional art. I mean just look at the contrast (no comment on the art itself here just the contrast and the lack of acknowledgment of it):
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
I'm willing to try it and will assume it will be good until proven otherwise.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
As I wrote on FB. I consume all types of comics in all different styles. In fact, I prefer less realistic work. However, this is such a departure from the last few volumes, I think I’m going to have a hard time with it. It seems, based on the cover and interior work that has been leaked, to be an even more major departure from vol 1 to 2, the Acclaim years.
Not sure about this one, but the cover A is definitely not a Mazzuchelli or a Miller.
Not sure about this one, but the cover A is definitely not a Mazzuchelli or a Miller.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
It's such a departure from past Ninjak series, that I was very thrown off initially by this announcement. However, Pulido's art reminds me a lot of Stan Sakai's style, which I can definitely get behind.
I'm honestly more excited by Jeff Parker coming on to write. He took over Aquaman after Geoff Johns left, and I found his work to be even better than Johns. His Batman '66 work is phenomenal too, as is his Agents of Atlas at Marvel.
I'm honestly more excited by Jeff Parker coming on to write. He took over Aquaman after Geoff Johns left, and I found his work to be even better than Johns. His Batman '66 work is phenomenal too, as is his Agents of Atlas at Marvel.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Its like they are trying to be the kind of comic company that liberal arts college freshman talk about with the one or two seniors who still hang out in the campus coffee house.
Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Valid points. If anything VEI in the past has leaned more into photo real art styles than other companies. They seemed to even prefer the 'pencil rendering with painterly colors' style that looks more like than photos as opposed to traditional 'cartoons' with their bold ink lines.syzhang28 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 6:25:17 pm A solid team but presented in the announcement with zero awareness of the contrast between this and literally every other major appearance of Ninjak. No thought put towards making sure the first reaction of Ninjak fans (who along with many die hard Valiant readers have openly talked about the preference for photo real art) isn't confusion or negativity. Honestly, I think they would have done better to make this an additional take on Ninjak to a more traditional book or even a story within a longer series with more traditional art. I mean just look at the contrast (no comment on the art itself here just the contrast and the lack of acknowledgment of it):
To be clear, I'm not talking about Batman: Year One but the later era Mazzuchelli and Miller when they both simplified their styles down to the essentials. for example:nycjadie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:58:04 am As I wrote on FB. I consume all types of comics in all different styles. In fact, I prefer less realistic work. However, this is such a departure from the last few volumes, I think I’m going to have a hard time with it. It seems, based on the cover and interior work that has been leaked, to be an even more major departure from vol 1 to 2, the Acclaim years.
Not sure about this one, but the cover A is definitely not a Mazzuchelli or a Miller.
To me this Ninjak preview even has a bit of a Herge Tintin in it.
But yeah it couldn't be more of a departure from the previous volumes. I also think this should either be a reboot or alternate universe kind of thing. The people who like this take and want to get the back story of the character aren't going to like the previous volumes, and vice versa people who are fans of VEI Ninjak are going to find this hard to swallow as part of the same story. The styles are just extremely opposite.
Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
I think it feels that way because they did a really good job of setting expectations with the books. They had plenty of art that wasn't 'pencil rendering with painterly colors' but they set them up to do well like The Valiant and Paolo Rivera which didn't make anyone feel like it was taking away from a character or book they wanted but instead gave them something in addition. Same with Raul Allen on Secret Weapons. Tom Fowler on Quantum and Woody. Roberto De La Torre on Doctor Mirage or when Jeff Lemire or Matt Kindt with draw like Bloodsquirt. Just compare any of these to Clay Mann and Tomas Giorello above. Even though we think of Valiant as the style these two use under Dinesh it was very smartly diverse in art and even smarter in easing into the new styles.Ryan wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:48:42 amValid points. If anything VEI in the past has leaned more into photo real art styles than other companies. They seemed to even prefer the 'pencil rendering with painterly colors' style that looks more like than photos as opposed to traditional 'cartoons' with their bold ink lines.syzhang28 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 6:25:17 pm A solid team but presented in the announcement with zero awareness of the contrast between this and literally every other major appearance of Ninjak. No thought put towards making sure the first reaction of Ninjak fans (who along with many die hard Valiant readers have openly talked about the preference for photo real art) isn't confusion or negativity. Honestly, I think they would have done better to make this an additional take on Ninjak to a more traditional book or even a story within a longer series with more traditional art. I mean just look at the contrast (no comment on the art itself here just the contrast and the lack of acknowledgment of it):
Not to disagree just excited to post more art
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Dude, could you sound more deuchey?
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
I love the Wolverine!Ryan wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:48:42 amValid points. If anything VEI in the past has leaned more into photo real art styles than other companies. They seemed to even prefer the 'pencil rendering with painterly colors' style that looks more like than photos as opposed to traditional 'cartoons' with their bold ink lines.syzhang28 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2020 6:25:17 pm A solid team but presented in the announcement with zero awareness of the contrast between this and literally every other major appearance of Ninjak. No thought put towards making sure the first reaction of Ninjak fans (who along with many die hard Valiant readers have openly talked about the preference for photo real art) isn't confusion or negativity. Honestly, I think they would have done better to make this an additional take on Ninjak to a more traditional book or even a story within a longer series with more traditional art. I mean just look at the contrast (no comment on the art itself here just the contrast and the lack of acknowledgment of it):
To be clear, I'm not talking about Batman: Year One but the later era Mazzuchelli and Miller when they both simplified their styles down to the essentials. for example:nycjadie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 5:58:04 am As I wrote on FB. I consume all types of comics in all different styles. In fact, I prefer less realistic work. However, this is such a departure from the last few volumes, I think I’m going to have a hard time with it. It seems, based on the cover and interior work that has been leaked, to be an even more major departure from vol 1 to 2, the Acclaim years.
Not sure about this one, but the cover A is definitely not a Mazzuchelli or a Miller.
To me this Ninjak preview even has a bit of a Herge Tintin in it.
But yeah it couldn't be more of a departure from the previous volumes. I also think this should either be a reboot or alternate universe kind of thing. The people who like this take and want to get the back story of the character aren't going to like the previous volumes, and vice versa people who are fans of VEI Ninjak are going to find this hard to swallow as part of the same story. The styles are just extremely opposite.
Have you seen the newish Absolute Batman: Year one? It's awesome! It has Mazzuchelli's artwork for the various collected editions over the years, along with his thoughts and process on them. It's my favorite part of the new set, besides of course the new colouring.
Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
That's true, over the years they had a lot of variety and mostly did a good job of matching style to project. I was thinking about painted pencil style more since it was used in X-O a lot. It does give a certain cinematic quality, even though I usually prefer old school inky styles. VEI didn't have a house style, but if you could pick one book or style that you think typifies VEI, what would it be? off the top of my head Giorello, Nord, Braithwaite, and Ryp all used the used the un-inked painted pencils approach, which seemed like a bulk of the action (non-humor) books. My personal favorite was Paolo Rivera but that was only one mini so can't really count as the dominant style. Interesting that I think one of the early designers (or maybe he only did a few covers?) was David Aja whose style is quite similar to Javier Pulido.syzhang28 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:59:02 am I think it feels that way because they did a really good job of setting expectations with the books. They had plenty of art that wasn't 'pencil rendering with painterly colors' but they set them up to do well like The Valiant and Paolo Rivera which didn't make anyone feel like it was taking away from a character or book they wanted but instead gave them something in addition. Same with Raul Allen on Secret Weapons. Tom Fowler on Quantum and Woody. Roberto De La Torre on Doctor Mirage or when Jeff Lemire or Matt Kindt with draw like Bloodsquirt. Just compare any of these to Clay Mann and Tomas Giorello above. Even though we think of Valiant as the style these two use under Dinesh it was very smartly diverse in art and even smarter in easing into the new styles.
No, I need to check that out. I recently got the Born Again Artisan edition which is really fun since it's actually a readable version of the Artists edition and you can still see a lot of the details of the original art. and only 32 bucks instead of 200 hahanycjadie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 4:29:43 pm I love the Wolverine!
Have you seen the newish Absolute Batman: Year one? It's awesome! It has Mazzuchelli's artwork for the various collected editions over the years, along with his thoughts and process on them. It's my favorite part of the new set, besides of course the new colouring.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
oops
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Just my affection for and attachment to the VALIANT Universe characters and my belief that these characters and VALIANT universe have a similar potential to Marvel and DC characters and universes. I really just don't want to give up and almost refuse to do so. I also allow for the possibility that the passage of time will change how I feel about some of the post-Dinesh material. I've been VALIANT since 1991 and along the way my feelings about the bulk of post-Unity VH1 have worsened. My feelings about roughly half the Acclaim output have improved a lot from what they were years ago. Of course I love almost everything VEI produced under Dinesh and my opinions of the first Eternal Warrior and Shadowman series have improved with re-reads. Maybe post-Dinesh VEI will get better and/or maybe my opinions of their creative output will. I'm not helping my cause any by assuming VEI is producing garbage with characters I love, so I choose to give them the benefit of a doubt until proven otherwise. I'm setting up myself and VEI to win. I know I'll do my part as a fan and I certainly hope they [VEI] do theirs.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Well said.geocarr wrote: ↑Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:40:30 amJust my affection for and attachment to the VALIANT Universe characters and my belief that these characters and VALIANT universe have a similar potential to Marvel and DC characters and universes. I really just don't want to give up and almost refuse to do so. I also allow for the possibility that the passage of time will change how I feel about some of the post-Dinesh material. I've been VALIANT since 1991 and along the way my feelings about the bulk of post-Unity VH1 have worsened. My feelings about roughly half the Acclaim output have improved a lot from what they were years ago. Of course I love almost everything VEI produced under Dinesh and my opinions of the first Eternal Warrior and Shadowman series have improved with re-reads. Maybe post-Dinesh VEI will get better and/or maybe my opinions of their creative output will. I'm not helping my cause any by assuming VEI is producing garbage with characters I love, so I choose to give them the benefit of a doubt until proven otherwise. I'm setting up myself and VEI to win. I know I'll do my part as a fan and I certainly hope they [VEI] do theirs.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Wow, I just don't understand how they could shake up such a perennial household name like Ninjak! Doesn't Valiant realize that hordes of die-hard Ninjak fans from all walks of life, all across the globe will descend on their offices with pitchforks and torches if they don't treat this, the gold standard of Batman and James Bond ripoffs, with the respect that it's poor-to-middling sales history demands?!?!
I don't know guys, I think if you wanted Valiant editorial to pander to your tastes you should have had a lot more kids and forced them to buy all the same comics you do. Clearly there's not enough of you to have a tantrum and get your way. What does Valiant have to lose by changing things up? Almost nothing. They have everything to gain by trying something different.
Pullido's art is not my exact cup of tea, but I betcha the layouts read as smooth as silk, and if Parker's scripts are any good this will be an enjoyable series.
I don't know guys, I think if you wanted Valiant editorial to pander to your tastes you should have had a lot more kids and forced them to buy all the same comics you do. Clearly there's not enough of you to have a tantrum and get your way. What does Valiant have to lose by changing things up? Almost nothing. They have everything to gain by trying something different.
Pullido's art is not my exact cup of tea, but I betcha the layouts read as smooth as silk, and if Parker's scripts are any good this will be an enjoyable series.
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Re: New Ninjak series by Jeff Parker and Javier Pulido
Well said. With readership around 5000, maybe less if people are getting variants, they need to broaden their appeal. I hear good things about the writer and artist, and im looking forward to giving it a chance.GammaJosh wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:41:48 pm Wow, I just don't understand how they could shake up such a perennial household name like Ninjak! Doesn't Valiant realize that hordes of die-hard Ninjak fans from all walks of life, all across the globe will descend on their offices with pitchforks and torches if they don't treat this, the gold standard of Batman and James Bond ripoffs, with the respect that it's poor-to-middling sales history demands?!?!
I don't know guys, I think if you wanted Valiant editorial to pander to your tastes you should have had a lot more kids and forced them to buy all the same comics you do. Clearly there's not enough of you to have a tantrum and get your way. What does Valiant have to lose by changing things up? Almost nothing. They have everything to gain by trying something different.
Pullido's art is not my exact cup of tea, but I betcha the layouts read as smooth as silk, and if Parker's scripts are any good this will be an enjoyable series.
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