Unity #11 Discussion

[BugsySig]

Thought this was the best of the AH tie-in issues. The concept behind GIN-Gr spawning the drones was very interesting. I also love how Kindt has used these issues to develop Gilad and Ninjak as characters but also as a team. Ninjak here is the flat out star. I could absolutely read a Ninjak series by Kindt and would be more than happy to have him and EW headline Unity for years to come.

[bygranddesign]

I thought this was a good issue

Kindt likes to hit that Gilad/Ninjak love/hate bromance sweet spot over and over again. I liked that Gilad pushed back a bit ... but Ninjak seems to always have the upper hand comeback to Gilad. I also enjoy the little teases about Ninjak's past. The indication seems to be that he lost a women close to him .... running back to give a fallen women part of his shirt to cover and comfort her ...sweet gesture although chivalry in the midst of the world falling into chaos all around them seems a bit imprudent ... but I think that was the point - to make the reader discover the "weak spot" of someone who is usually highly logical.

I liked seeing inside Ninjak's head as he processed everything that led to him to figuring out how to take down the drones.

Kindt continues to build up Ninjak's character while not giving away too much backstory info - just enough to intrigue people and get them excited about a possible ongoing title in the future.

This was my favorite of the Unity AH Tie-In issues ... but the overall story arc was not as successful as the Harbinger arc, IMO. The Harbinger Arc had a more compelling story to tell with lots of little plot points that were interesting and could be built upon in the future. Segovia's art is nice but not as inspired as Gill's work.

Overall I give this issue an 8/10 ... and the overall Unity arc 7/10

[KXXX]

Wow that was *SQUEE*!

Ninjak spent years developing the perfect weapon he never knew he'd need which conveniently destroyed a convoluted enemy. Great.

[KXXX]

Oh and let's not forget he:s basically Archer 2 and has his own Akashic Record.

[bygranddesign]

Wow that was *SQUEE*!

Ninjak spent years developing the perfect weapon he never knew he'd need which conveniently destroyed a convoluted enemy. Great.

I think he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve... Kindt was just outlining how that particular weapon got developed and Ninjak found the perfect moment to use it.

He probably has hundreds of different types of gadgets and weapons with each one having its own story to tell but may never be used ... just the nature of the business.

[jmatt]

Hmm, I'm not as upbeat about this issue as you guys are. It was good, and I like the bromance but it felt like they achieved victory "Because Science".

And now I know Gillie self heals and all, but did I just see him fall out of a plane, plow 6 stories through a skyscraper and not take a scratch? The physics aside (he would have simply splattered against the side of the building, he doesn't have the speed, mass and non-deformity to penetrate multiple layers of concrete, rebar and steel decking), how is he not at least unconscious? When did he become Utterly Indestructible?

But I'm happy to set aside quibbles for a comic book, I suppose.

I liked the 9-11 homage cover.

[pixierosa]

My favorite of the offerings this week. Enjoyed the background on Ninjak and an added depth to EW. The Gin-Gr spawn are pretty cool. Interesting to see how the Hunters have altered him/her to mass produce spawn and weaponize them. The sad thing is, they all had names. Makes me wonder how Gin-Gr felt about deploying them, and how it was for Livewire. She was overwhelmed, but previously she was upset about having taken down Gin-Gr. Wonder if these things felt "alive" to her, too.

Ninjak history was great. Nice to see that he's more than an effective version of db "Archer" (the tv series, not the comic).

[dornwolf]

And now I know Gillie self heals and all, but did I just see him fall out of a plane, plow 6 stories through a skyscraper and not take a scratch? The physics aside (he would have simply splattered against the side of the building, he doesn't have the speed, mass and non-deformity to penetrate multiple layers of concrete, rebar and steel decking), how is he not at least unconscious? When did he become Utterly Indestructible?

But I'm happy to set aside quibbles for a comic book, I suppose.

.

I've basically come to this conclusion:

Ninjak = Batman
Eternal Warrior = somewhat more *SQUEE* of Superman

[ilzuccone]

this unity book isn't landing for me. i love all the characters individually or in their own titles. together, not so much

i would much rather see a ninjak ongoing.

also for the love of squee can we get EW into something a bit more modern. he's like the guy at walmart in hammer pants and a fanny pack... the 80s are over dude time to move on. :two cents:

**edit: i want a Valiant fans "for the love of squee" shirt

[slack]

Eternal warrior, running around with an axe, sword, and hood like he's back in Sherwood forest... is getting old, and makes little sense. I guess his distaste for technology from 4001 started a very long time ago.
It makes him seem like far more of a barbarian displaced in time than Aric...

[bygranddesign]

Eternal warrior, running around with an axe, sword, and hood like he's back in Sherwood forest... is getting old, and makes little sense. I guess his distaste for technology from 4001 started a very long time ago.
It makes him seem like far more of a barbarian displaced in time than Aric...

Agreed.

Eternal Warrior is probably the character that needs the biggest makeover (more than even shadowman)

He was happily shooting guns in the A&A arc ..and wearing a uniform that at least made some sense for modern times.

Next issue .. it looks like he will be wearing a military uniform appropriate for when the story took place (hooray!) .. but why is he back to using the ancient weapon and wearing the outfit that he had in Mesopatamia (thousands of years ago?) Is the Axe magical? Is there something symbolic about the outfit that has some great importance?

It just feels like they are selling out the character because they want to settle on a "cool" look that will be recognizable and marketable.

Sorry, this has become a weekly rant for me on this subject .. can't help myself.

[ilzuccone]

Eternal warrior, running around with an axe, sword, and hood like he's back in Sherwood forest... is getting old, and makes little sense. I guess his distaste for technology from 4001 started a very long time ago.
It makes him seem like far more of a barbarian displaced in time than Aric...

Agreed.

Eternal Warrior is probably the character that needs the biggest makeover (more than even shadowman)

He was happily shooting guns in the A&A arc ..and wearing a uniform that at least made some sense for modern times.

Next issue .. it looks like he will be wearing a military uniform appropriate for when the story took place (hooray!) .. but why is he back to using the ancient weapon and wearing the outfit that he had in Mesopatamia (thousands of years ago?) Is the Axe magical? Is there something symbolic about the outfit that has some great importance?

It just feels like they are selling out the character because they want to settle on a "cool" look that will be recognizable and marketable.

Sorry, this has become a weekly rant for me on this subject .. can't help myself.

don't apologize! you are right. it feels like a marketing ploy and is getting annoying. it's making one of their more interesting characters bland and tasteless.

[Bl00dsh0t]

I want Unity to be Valiant’s super team book ala Avengers. I thought we were heading in that direction with the initial arc and then #5 looked to add some history to the concept. Armor Hunters tie-in has basically been Eternal Warrior and Ninjak, more of a buddy book rather than a Unity team-up book. Not saying I didn't enjoy the tie-in - I thought it was pretty good (though the weakest of the tie-ins given how awesome BS and Harbinger were).

I'm looking forward to the next phase for Unity and hope we see more of a team book.

[KXXX]

Hmm, I'm not as upbeat about this issue as you guys are.

I've suspected for awhile jmatt has hidden my posts. Either that or he's conditioned to ignore my ridiculousness. Either way...

[KXXX]

Wow that was *SQUEE*!

Ninjak spent years developing the perfect weapon he never knew he'd need which conveniently destroyed a convoluted enemy. Great.

I think he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve... Kindt was just outlining how that particular weapon got developed and Ninjak found the perfect moment to use it.

He probably has hundreds of different types of gadgets and weapons with each one having its own story to tell but may never be used ... just the nature of the business.

It makes little sense and reeks of bad story telling IMO. It reminds me of 50s comics:

"Villain Guy has unleashed giant monsters only vulnerable to bees, but never fear because Hero Dude just happened to be working on a gun that shoots bees!"

Seriously. Bees.

A substance that destroys only non-organic material (like is that even possible 'cuz we're pretty fragile?) mixed with poison Red Cactus Juice and some technological wizardry somehow makes just the right weapon to kill exactly and only what we need it to?

No.

That's like me rubbing my pelvis on a Victoria's Secret catalog and expecting actual sex to occur.

[ilzuccone]

Hmm, I'm not as upbeat about this issue as you guys are.

I've suspected for awhile jmatt has hidden my posts. Either that or he's conditioned to ignore my ridiculousness. Either way...

[jmatt]

Hmm, I'm not as upbeat about this issue as you guys are.

I've suspected for awhile jmatt has hidden my posts. Either that or he's conditioned to ignore my ridiculousness. Either way...

I was talking about the other guys.

I'm enjoying it as a buddy book, but like others have said:

1) The "team" is down to two guys
2) I agree completely with you that Ninjak just happening to have all of these elements that he instantly whips together as the perfect weapon for this specific foe came off very ad hoc and not all that believable.
3) Hood. Axe. I have started two threads whining about this specifically. It's as if the company is taking their character design advice from a rep at an action figure manufacturer. I truly do not understand it. He even had a line this issue like "I've sat with the famous generals of world history and know strategy and tactics"... and you're still wielding an axe?

But these are fanboy complaints. I still enjoyed the issue.

[jmatt]

That's like me rubbing my pelvis on a Victoria's Secret catalog and expecting actual sex to occur.

It does if you do it right.

[Tony_H]

And now I know Gillie self heals and all, but did I just see him fall out of a plane, plow 6 stories through a skyscraper and not take a scratch? The physics aside (he would have simply splattered against the side of the building, he doesn't have the speed, mass and non-deformity to penetrate multiple layers of concrete, rebar and steel decking), how is he not at least unconscious? When did he become Utterly Indestructible?

But I'm happy to set aside quibbles for a comic book, I suppose.

.

I've basically come to this conclusion:

Ninjak = Batman
Eternal Warrior = somewhat more *SQUEE* of Superman

My opinion is on the same track. Unity has been one of my favorite titles of 2013-14, but I was disappointed by this issue. The first half of it, through the large panel that splays the history of Ninjak's weaponry in the space around him, was good. Better than good. The flashback section was structured in a way I hadn't quite seen done before. However, beginning with the panel that featured Gilad's fall to earth, the story abruptly turned into something that could've been in World's Finest many moons ago...http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/World's_Finest ... cs_174.jpg

In contrast, I thought this month's Bloodshot was great! That series and AH: Harbinger have been the most compelling strands in the bundle of AH storylines.

[bygranddesign]

That's like me rubbing my pelvis on a Victoria's Secret catalog and expecting actual sex to occur.

It does if you do it right.

[jmatt]

[ However, beginning with the panel that featured Gilad's fall to earth, the story abruptly turned into something that could've been in World's Finest many moons ago...http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/World's_Finest ... cs_174.jpg

OMG, that's one of the few issues of World's Finest that I own!

( It turns out that those are robot mockups that Batman created and ran through an obstacle course of bad guys to see how they'd fare in the real world -- I LOVE those old tease covers!)

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I liked the issue. Ninjak is a total baller. Cool cucumber. So, basically, he has a photographic memory, or trained himself to have a photographic memory. I like that. It's not out of the realm of possibilities. And Ninjak's job as.... well, Ninjak is to be ready for anything. And he is. Same as Batman. He's got a gadget for everything. Shark Repellant.
I like how Livewire acts as sort of the mobile HQ, either in Unity, or AH: Bloodshot. Same role, super powerful, and from a distance, not a hand to hand combatant. Very cool usage of her.

On another note, I live in LA. We could use the remodeling, so bring it on Armor Hunters!

[Keith]

Enjoyed the issue, and enjoyed the glimpse into Ninjak's past. The deal with the tie and the woman straightening it... wife, perhaps? Are we getting a glimpse into what motivated him to become Ninjak?

As much as I am enjoying Armor Hunters, I do think the Unity issues have been weaker as a result. I am looking forward to moving past the constraints of the event, and getting back to the stories Kindt has planned.

[dornwolf]

3) Hood. Axe. I have started two threads whining about this specifically. It's as if the company is taking their character design advice from a rep at an action figure manufacturer. I truly do not understand it. He even had a line this issue like "I've sat with the famous generals of world history and know strategy and tactics"... and you're still wielding an axe.

After seeing images from The Valiant, the new mini, and now from Unity Zero, I really do agree. Gilad needs a more modern design and weapons. Just go back to OG-era EW use the spiked fist as a gauntlet as his "trademark" weapon we seem to be trying to pigeon hole everyone into and then let him swap in what's needed.

[Tony_H]

OMG, that's one of the few issues of World's Finest that I own!

( It turns out that those are robot mockups that Batman created and ran through an obstacle course of bad guys to see how they'd fare in the real world -- I LOVE those old tease covers!)

Wow, I grabbed that link at random. If I recall correctly, Bats has imperiled his friends and allies more than once with device tests. Origin of Prof. X's Danger Room, maybe. Make me wonder how many characters, plotlines and imaginary inventions in contemporary comics (and litfic) were prefigured in golden age-silver age DC books.