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Ninjago Graphic Novels #1
LEGO Ninjago #1: The Challenge of Samukai
The “Masters of Spinjitsu” come to Papercutz in their first graphic novel appearance written by Greg Farshtey, the hit force behind the LEGO BIONICLE series. Under the tutelage of their master Sensei Wu, the “chosen four” ninjas Kai, Jay, Cole, and Zane must learn to use their elemental powers of fire, ice, lightning and earth. Their mission: defeat Sensei Wu’s evil brother Garmadon and his army of skeleton warriors before they can take over the world!
Book Details: Format: Hardcover Publication Date: 11/8/2011 Pages: 64 Reading Level: Age 6 and Up
64 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2011
24 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Greg Farshtey
241 books88 followersGreg Farshtey is the author of the popular BIONICLE chapter books and Level 3 readers, as well as the long-running BIONICLE comic book series. His day job is Editor-in-Chief and head writer for the LEGO Club Magazine and the LEGO BrickMaster Magazine.
Greg has been writing since fourth grade. After earning a degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Geneseo, he worked as a reporter, sports editor, game designer and editor, and copywriter before joining LEGO Company in 2000. Before becoming involved with BIONICLE, he wrote game material for such diverse properties as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Tales From the Crypt.
Greg is the author of more than 30 novels and guidebooks, as well as the author or co-author of more than 35 game sourcebooks and adventures.
He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Far...
Greg has been writing since fourth grade. After earning a degree in Communications from the State University of New York at Geneseo, he worked as a reporter, sports editor, game designer and editor, and copywriter before joining LEGO Company in 2000. Before becoming involved with BIONICLE, he wrote game material for such diverse properties as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Tales From the Crypt.
Greg is the author of more than 30 novels and guidebooks, as well as the author or co-author of more than 35 game sourcebooks and adventures.
He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Far...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 21, 2017
The graphic novel version of Ninjago falls short of the animation. The animation is far better. Still, it is interesting to see the different versions have a parallel universe.
February 22, 2020
Book 1 of the Ninjago graphic novels. The villainous Samukai, ruler of the Underworld, makes a bet with his rival Lord Garmadon that he can destroy the ninjas Cole, Zane, Jay and Kai, with the fate of the world of Ninjago in the balance.
First off it's worth noting that before reading this book I had no knowledge of or interest in Lego Ninjago. However, I picked up two of these graphic novels very cheaply and am always willing to give things a try. To it's credit, this book takes the possibility of newcomers into account and gives a basic recap of the history of the characters involved, from Sensei Wu's rivalry with Garmadon to how Kai joins the ninja to save his sister Nya.
Basically, this book is exactly what you'd expect; a fairly shallow tie-in to a toy line that's aimed at younger readers. I have to say, it did put me fondly in mind of the Ewoks cartoon tie-in comics that I used to love when I was a kid.
It's not necessarily bad, but there's no subtext or themes that would engage an older reader.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
First off it's worth noting that before reading this book I had no knowledge of or interest in Lego Ninjago. However, I picked up two of these graphic novels very cheaply and am always willing to give things a try. To it's credit, this book takes the possibility of newcomers into account and gives a basic recap of the history of the characters involved, from Sensei Wu's rivalry with Garmadon to how Kai joins the ninja to save his sister Nya.
Basically, this book is exactly what you'd expect; a fairly shallow tie-in to a toy line that's aimed at younger readers. I have to say, it did put me fondly in mind of the Ewoks cartoon tie-in comics that I used to love when I was a kid.
It's not necessarily bad, but there's no subtext or themes that would engage an older reader.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
February 15, 2013
Davee
I have read a book called NINJAGO by Greg Farshtey. This book is a graphic novel. It is this genre because it is a comic book. It take place in Ninja go. The main character is the ninja crew.
The main conflict is that Garmadon tries to take over the Ninjago and the underworld. The conflict is still happening until the skeleton loses that bet but the skeletons did not die do to him creating the under world and if he die the underworld will be no more. I like when the red ninja turn into a skeletons.
I like this book because it is fun to read. On challenge for the ninja crew is when the blue ninja have to save the rest of the ninja. I would recommend this book to people who like graphic novel and ninja.
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January 13, 2014good
November 12, 2020
Honestly i haven't even started reading but i already know this is one of the best books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If Ninjago were put to a comic book, this is the perfect way to do it. It deviates from the show a lot, but just because its different doesn't make it bad. The main plot is much less about the ninja and more about the relationship between Lord Garmadon and Samukai, which I really like. The stories about these two antagonists are the first and last ones in the comic, with four about the ninja in between. The first is about the ninjas origin story, the second about Kai, the third about Cole, and the second-to-last about all four of them. I really love this, and I wish it would've lasted longer, since making a Ninjago comic is a very interesting idea.
July 18, 2025
Yo tengo una hiperfijacion con Lego Ninjago desde peque, amo la serie animada desde que tengo memoria y sigue siendo mi compania incluso en la adultez. Gran parte de las novelas graficas y revistas de la franquicia nunca llegaron a latam, y actualmente es dificil conseguirlas incluso en digital, algo asi como 'lost media', asi que cuando encontre esta novela grafica en lo recondito del internet, no dude en leerlo.
Tiene sus diferencias del piloto original de la serie, pero igualmente es disfrutable <3
Tiene sus diferencias del piloto original de la serie, pero igualmente es disfrutable <3
February 6, 2025
A nice cartoonish side story. I love the art here and everyone feels in-character. I'm personally more into the serious side of the Ninjago series (like seasons 1, 4, 8, 9) but this was good for what it was.
July 14, 2017
I liked when the skeleton leader landed on his neck. It's pretty weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2018
Great book.
March 27, 2018
Caught some mistakes (such as the one scene with Sensei Wu trying to recruit Jay and the area they were in was not the same as the TV show), but an otherwise cute and quick read.
August 30, 2018
Nathan is really enjoying the graphic novels.
November 1, 2019
(°ヮ° ) *:・ﾟ✧
October 20, 2020
Liked it.
July 2, 2022
I won't lie, this was kind of boring. The plot is sort of dry and all split up. But I know it must get better because it's Ninjago, right? And Ninjago just keeps getting better.
January 13, 2026
it was interesting seeing samukai mess with the ninja and seeing little adventures they have gone on as a result.
March 9, 2012
Fans of LEGO or of the television series will enjoy this fun version of the stories. For those of you not familiar with it, think of a cross between Naruto and He-Man [Master of the Universe], but with LEGO designs.
The book is broken down into short stories, each roughly the length of a modern comic book, so even reluctant readers won't have to commit to a long session of reading in order to complete a story.
The hero ninjas are cute but good. The villains are cute but evil. There are magic weapons, ninjutsu skills, incompetent minions, all cute. No, really. It's hard to explain, but it works, at least in this context.
Kids will devour this series IF they don't overdose on the cuteness.
The book is broken down into short stories, each roughly the length of a modern comic book, so even reluctant readers won't have to commit to a long session of reading in order to complete a story.
The hero ninjas are cute but good. The villains are cute but evil. There are magic weapons, ninjutsu skills, incompetent minions, all cute. No, really. It's hard to explain, but it works, at least in this context.
Kids will devour this series IF they don't overdose on the cuteness.
September 24, 2012
Summary: This is a graphic novel about the Lego Ninjago series. The focus of this book is the argument between the "bad guys" of the world of Ninjago.
This book's intended audience is children aged 6-10.
Appeal: The appeal of this book is the Lego brand - children love Legos and the graphic novel aspect is unique.
Implementation: I would use this book in a public library setting in the Youth section. I don't think it's great to have so much branding in the book, but I would put it in the center of a display to catch the attention of the youth. I would surround it with other graphic novels and the patrons might be interested in this book and then want to come back for more.
This book's intended audience is children aged 6-10.
Appeal: The appeal of this book is the Lego brand - children love Legos and the graphic novel aspect is unique.
Implementation: I would use this book in a public library setting in the Youth section. I don't think it's great to have so much branding in the book, but I would put it in the center of a display to catch the attention of the youth. I would surround it with other graphic novels and the patrons might be interested in this book and then want to come back for more.
December 22, 2012
Appeal Characteristics: LEGOS! SUPER POPULAR, 2012 popular pic, for young boys at MCPL, adventure, NINJAS, humor, friendship
That being said it was a cute adventure...These authors wrote Bionicle and Hardy Boys graphic novels so they are very good at what they do.
That being said it was a cute adventure...These authors wrote Bionicle and Hardy Boys graphic novels so they are very good at what they do.
November 27, 2015
This is a serviceable graphic novel adaptation of the Ninjago TV show. Kids who are huge Ninjago fans will like this, but it won't work well for anyone else - the appeal is very focused and limited due to predictable storylines and lackluster writing. The artwork is decent.
June 3, 2012
The book was very good in my opinion. It has a great story, and matches all the characteristics on Ninjago. The illustrations are great as well, and really help tell the story.
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October 17, 2012Meh. I can see why the kids go crazy for this, and that's the main thing.
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January 8, 2013Popular at our library
February 2, 2014
i asked you guys along time ago now why can i not read it why tell me why!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 28, 2015
I was looking very forward to this, but was sadly disappointed. The pacing was to quick and very hard to understand and was confusing to follow along.
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February 20, 2015The funniest book i probably ever read
Gotta be the best book and book for a tv show I love so much it's really great cool cool
Gotta be the best book and book for a tv show I love so much it's really great cool cool
March 23, 2015
Complicated pretty complicated
January 31, 2016
Typical, cute illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews