Ninjak #10 Discussion

An area for Valiant SPOILER-RELATED discussions.
Any books which have been published and are available may be discussed here. Recent book discussions may contain spoilers for those who have not yet read them.

Moderators: Daniel Jackson, greg

User avatar
Brapbrap
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Posts: 388
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 4:25 pm
Valiant fan since: 2012
Favorite character: Sunlight On Snow
Favorite title: Archer & Armstrong
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Raul Allen
Ninjak #10 Discussion

Post by Brapbrap »

this wasnt what i expected with the lost files being not at all about ninjak and the weird loa stuff, but it was decent.

i liked the new villain with the fire hammer, he seemed pretty cool.

User avatar
Phoenix8008
I don't know about a power, but I keep hearing these weird tones from the radio
I don't know about a power, but I keep hearing these weird tones from the radio
Posts: 3257
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 7:49 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Aric
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart
Location: Florida, USA
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Phoenix8008 »

I liked this one... A LOT! Great team up between Ninjak & Mambo. I love that she's 'riding' a loa into the Deadside for support and protection. The story about the 'Magpie' was cool also. Now we know what Jack's been doing since End Times. Can't wait till those three intersect. This promises to be a good story arc.
-Phoenix8008 (a.k.a. Charticus!)
Viva la Valiant!
(moderator of r/Valiant subreddit)

User avatar
BugsySig
I could be talking poo-doo.
I could be talking poo-doo.
Posts: 9554
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:47 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Ivar, Timewalker
Favorite title: Harbinger/Timewalker
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart/FVL
Favorite artist: Joe Quesada
Location: Central CT
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by BugsySig »

Phoenix8008 wrote:I liked this one... A LOT! Great team up between Ninjak & Mambo. I love that she's 'riding' a loa into the Deadside for support and protection. The story about the 'Magpie' was cool also. Now we know what Jack's been doing since End Times. Can't wait till those three intersect. This promises to be a good story arc.
Agreed. Thought this was the best issue since the Roku-centric one. Art was great and the story is pretty intriguing.

Not sure how I feel about MI:6 being so knowledgeable about Deadside, or Punk Mambo being a regular agent (I believe this is now her 3rd time being shown with MI:6), but I'm willing to accept that in a world which has included the Immortal Enemy and at least 3 incursions by Master Darque over the years.
Kurt Busiek wrote:Bull$#!t
Image

User avatar
agent_graves
Just jumpin' through time arcs, that's all.
Just jumpin' through time arcs, that's all.
Posts: 1754
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:34 pm
Valiant fan since: Since VEI(Turok #1?)
Favorite character: Divinity/Shadowman/LiveWire
Favorite title: Divinity/Imperium/Ninjak
Favorite writer: Kindt/Lemire/Dysart
Favorite artist: Mann/Cafu/De la Torre
Location: North Carolina
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by agent_graves »

This was a pretty good start, the art was great, and the dialogue was on point. It's interesting that, the narrative, is past tense. Ninjak & Punk Mambo, make the perfect odd couple, always at each other's neck, lol. Let's see how well they work together tho...
#StayValiant

User avatar
Keith
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Posts: 2456
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:01 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Timewalker
Favorite title: FVLs Archer & Armstrong
Favorite writer: FVL
Location: Saint Louis
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Keith »

My only complaint is that the next issue isn't out right now. More please!

I really hope VEI has tasked some intern to properly document the Deadside. My fear is we now have had four different writers takes on it (Jordan, Milligan, Van Meter, and now Kind-T) and they each are adding their own take. I hope at some point we arrive on a definitive Deadside.
Good Morning, that's a nice tnetennba.
The thing about Arsenal is they always try to walk it in...

User avatar
jeremycoe
I like spidey-butt and I can not lie
I like spidey-butt and I can not lie
Posts: 3345
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:40 am
Valiant fan since: 1993
Favorite character: Bloodshot
Favorite title: Quantum & Woody (Acclaim)
Location: Utah
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by jeremycoe »

I really enjoyed the issue. My biggest gripe was that they brought up the Ninja-K thing again. I think it would be in VEI's best interest to just stop referring to it :D
Alone, listless, breakfast table in an otherwise empty room.

User avatar
bribri
Is it Dee-no or Die-no? Dunno.
Is it Dee-no or Die-no? Dunno.
Posts: 435
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:11 pm
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by bribri »

I like the brief reference to The Valiant mini:

"Had the two agents ever worked together before?"

"In a...limited capacity."

User avatar
JonesyAZ
Valiant...it moved.
Valiant...it moved.
Posts: 2434
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:41 pm
Valiant fan since: VH1 Ninjak #1!
Favorite character: Ninjak
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Robert Venditti
Favorite artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Location: SW Michigan
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by JonesyAZ »

Howdy all,

I have yet to get to my shop to get these books. Did they come out with glow-in-the-dark covers? I know that Dino mentioned on Twitter recently or something that they weren't going to be. But I was holding out hope that maybe they were able to turn it around in time...
The "Unity Suite" ... in progress ...

User avatar
Brapbrap
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Posts: 388
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 4:25 pm
Valiant fan since: 2012
Favorite character: Sunlight On Snow
Favorite title: Archer & Armstrong
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Raul Allen
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Brapbrap »

bribri wrote:I like the brief reference to The Valiant mini:

"Had the two agents ever worked together before?"

"In a...limited capacity."
more likely to be a BoD reference imo

User avatar
David_Cody
One of few who have a circa 1993 Valiant tattoo
One of few who have a circa 1993 Valiant tattoo
Posts: 3754
Joined: Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:06 pm
Valiant fan since: VH1 X-O 14
Favorite character: Sting
Favorite title: Harbinger
Location: Cody, Wyoming
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by David_Cody »

I loved this book! :clap:

I read so many comics where the writing is just pure crap and the art doesn't coincide with the prose.

It was a very, DECENT read with art that complimented the story.

What more could you WANT? :?

If you want more dignified reads, I suggest you go read the latest Marvel Secret Wars :roll:

User avatar
Newton
My posts can all fit in a short box
My posts can all fit in a short box
Posts: 213
Joined: Fri May 04, 2012 11:04 am
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Newton »

Far exceeded my expectations. This story along with Book of the Dead seems like it might start making things more 'Valiant' by tying things together (Unity world with Shadowman world). I do not think VEI has done enough at this point in the game to combine the sci fi and magic elements of the universe together like old Valiant did. I am hoping to see more interplay between everything.

User avatar
greg
The admin around here must be getting old and soft.
The admin around here must be getting old and soft.
Posts: 22881
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: Rai #0
Favorite character: Depends on title
Favorite title: Depends on writer
Favorite writer: Depends on artist
Favorite artist: Depends on character
Location: Indoors
Contact:
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by greg »

I really like how they address the "magic" problem by attempting to explain it in scientific terms, then trying to repeat those, then finally just giving up and saying "magic" (is those scientific things, but it takes to long to say them) as a shortcut. :lol:

User avatar
jmatt
Mmm, I was drooling over Cooshie tonight.
Mmm, I was drooling over Cooshie tonight.
Posts: 11027
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA!
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by jmatt »

Wow, what a super opening issue to the arc! Good writing and fantastic art. I love Braithwaite and Ryp. The twist of Mambo summoning a Loa and doing a little role reversal is a great concept that I'm sure we'll see more of.

They mentioned that Mambo was using carcinogenic elements in her elixir... and we know Ninjak eventually spends his later years fighting off cancer (Fall of Ninjak). I wonder if this is tied to that.

Very, very pleased with the issue. :clap:

PS - The Ninja-K thing was for new readers... that's why we see Mambo then subsequently say his name phonetically, "Nin-jack", to cue newbies. Although in a later page she simply calls him "Jack" which could be confusing in Deadside, new home of Jack Boniface.

PPS - I like that the trade dress is very minimal so we get more art. They should do this with every cover.

User avatar
QUARTZ
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Get those scissors away from my coupons
Posts: 311
Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:45 am
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by QUARTZ »

I'm more interested in the Magpie story than the main one. Not a big fan of science/magic clashes.

User avatar
grendeljd
innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
Posts: 8232
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:51 am
Valiant fan since: 1991
Favorite character: Aric
Favorite title: Harbinger
Location: On the 7.5th floor of LesterCorp, headed through the back door to John Malkovich's brain.
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by grendeljd »

I really enjoyed this issue - top notch artwork complementing a great opening issue of the story arc. Loved the narrative style, and the continuosly uncomfortable references to magic elements as 'alchemically altered'. Punk Mambo was very cool this issue, maybe my favourite appearance by her to date.

And hell, The Magpie was really cool too - I'm very intrigued to see what has happened to Jack, I'm very glad he's back - even in this tragic state.

With regards to Ninjak, I thought it was very fascinating that he chose to get all science-y and armour up to go to the dead side, only to appear to have not been physically transported there. We see that page where his body is shown collapsing in the room while his soul(?) is traversing into the dead side.ip Interesting to note that if that's the case, he doesn't technically have that armour suit on, it would all be a projection of his mind as he would probably believe he was physically present... :hm:
I like to draw stuff... http://grendeljd.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
grendeljd
innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
innerSPACE does whatever I tell them
Posts: 8232
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:51 am
Valiant fan since: 1991
Favorite character: Aric
Favorite title: Harbinger
Location: On the 7.5th floor of LesterCorp, headed through the back door to John Malkovich's brain.
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by grendeljd »

If anyone would like to hear our OTV:VCR podcast discussing/reviewing this issue (& Unity #25), please follow the link;

http://onlythevaliant.com/episodes/vcr44/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to any who listen in :thumb:
I like to draw stuff... http://grendeljd.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My wife likes to draw stuff too, and she is better than me! [I'm very proud of her]... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Dec ... ref=stream" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
Nameless7
My posts can all fit in a short box
My posts can all fit in a short box
Posts: 203
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 10:00 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: X-O
Favorite title: Eternal Warrior
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Nameless7 »

I am curious, Ninjak did say that he had been to the Deadside before and thus the whole armor thing. Do we know when this happened?

User avatar
Keith
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Rockin' out in Torquehalla
Posts: 2456
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:01 am
Valiant fan since: 1992
Favorite character: Timewalker
Favorite title: FVLs Archer & Armstrong
Favorite writer: FVL
Location: Saint Louis
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Keith »

Nameless7 wrote:I am curious, Ninjak did say that he had been to the Deadside before and thus the whole armor thing. Do we know when this happened?
Not yet. Hopefully it will be explained as the arc progresses, or perhaps we see it in the Lost Tales.
Good Morning, that's a nice tnetennba.
The thing about Arsenal is they always try to walk it in...

User avatar
Tony_H
Cruisin' in Darpan's Winnebago
Cruisin' in Darpan's Winnebago
Posts: 635
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:02 pm
Valiant fan since: 2012
Favorite character: Divinity
Favorite title: Dr. Mirage
Favorite writer: Van Meter
Favorite artist: Braithwaite & Baron
Location: Brooklyn
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by Tony_H »

Best issue to date. The story was old fashioned and new style at the exact same time, throughout.

User avatar
hunter_peterson
Cruisin' in Darpan's Winnebago
Cruisin' in Darpan's Winnebago
Posts: 746
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 6:28 am
Valiant fan since: 2012
Favorite character: Kris Hathaway
Favorite title: Harbinger
Favorite writer: Joshua Dysart
Location: Launceston, Tasmania
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by hunter_peterson »

grendeljd wrote:I really enjoyed this issue - top notch artwork complementing a great opening issue of the story arc. Loved the narrative style, and the continuosly uncomfortable references to magic elements as 'alchemically altered'. Punk Mambo was very cool this issue, maybe my favourite appearance by her to date.

And hell, The Magpie was really cool too - I'm very intrigued to see what has happened to Jack, I'm very glad he's back - even in this tragic state.

With regards to Ninjak, I thought it was very fascinating that he chose to get all science-y and armour up to go to the dead side, only to appear to have not been physically transported there. We see that page where his body is shown collapsing in the room while his soul(?) is traversing into the dead side.ip Interesting to note that if that's the case, he doesn't technically have that armour suit on, it would all be a projection of his mind as he would probably believe he was physically present... :hm:
I think it's funny that Punk Mambo didn't bother to tell him they weren't going to mphysically enter like Shadowman does. They did a Doctor Mirage instead. :p

User avatar
leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9468
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...
Re: Ninjak #10 Discussion

Post by leonmallett »

A very entertaining issue for me, albeit with a few moments that made me wince (for the wrong reasons, but not enough to stop me enjoying the issue as a whole). I thought this was a real step up in quality after the preceding arc which I thought was weak and repetitive overall; I think Kindt's writing is better when he is not writing to his spotlight formula (as seen in two unity arcs and the Shadow seven arc in Ninjak).

I felt both writing and art were good in this issue, and created a very solid issue. well done VEI. :thumb:
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

User avatar
leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9468
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by leonmallett »

BugsySig wrote:
Phoenix8008 wrote:...
Not sure how I feel about MI:6 being so knowledgeable about Deadside, or Punk Mambo being a regular agent (I believe this is now her 3rd time being shown with MI:6), but I'm willing to accept that in a world which has included the Immortal Enemy and at least 3 incursions by Master Darque over the years.
I felt the same, and not only that, but Ninjak seemingly so knowledgeable too - it just felt dropped in there given the short history of the line as we have seen it so far (and yes, I recognise we joined many characters in media res, allowing for untold tales).
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

User avatar
leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9468
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by leonmallett »

Keith wrote:...
I really hope VEI has tasked some intern to properly document the Deadside. My fear is we now have had four different writers takes on it (Jordan, Milligan, Van Meter, and now Kind-T) and they each are adding their own take. I hope at some point we arrive on a definitive Deadside.
:thumb:
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

User avatar
leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9468
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by leonmallett »

jeremycoe wrote:I really enjoyed the issue. My biggest gripe was that they brought up the Ninja-K thing again. I think it would be in VEI's best interest to just stop referring to it :D
facepalm

Yep.

facepalm
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month

User avatar
leonmallett
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
My mind is sharp. Like a sharp thing.
Posts: 9468
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:39 am
Valiant fan since: 2006
Favorite character: Shadowman (Hall version)
Favorite title: Shadowman (under Hall)
Favorite writer: Fred Van Lente
Favorite artist: Clayton Henry
Location: hunting down paulsmith56 somewhere in the balti belt...
Re: Ninjak #10

Post by leonmallett »

greg wrote:I really like how they address the "magic" problem by attempting to explain it in scientific terms, then trying to repeat those, then finally just giving up and saying "magic" (is those scientific things, but it takes to long to say them) as a shortcut. :lol:
:thumb:

That was very well handled I felt, and made up for some of the stuff I found clunky (the return of 'Ninja-K'; the sudden well informed Ninjak and MI-6 re: Deadside).
VEI - I look forward to you one day publishing MORE than 9-10 books per month


Post Reply