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Ninjak (2015)
Ninjak, Vol. 2: The Shadow Wars
Who are the Shadow Seven?
That's the question Ninjak was sent to answer when he was dispatched to destroy terrorist organization Weaponeer from the inside out. As these mysterious new enemies make their move, Ninjak goes on a globe-spanning race against time to stop their machinations. Plus: discover how Colin King and Neville Alcott first met – and the deadly secret Neville has kept from Colin as Ninjak: The Lost Files continues.
Start reading here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt ( Divinity , MIND MGMT ) and red-hot artists Clay Mann ( X-Men: Legacy ), Raúl Allén ( Bloodshot Reborn ), Juan José Ryp ( Clone ) and Stephen Segovia ( Superior Carnage ) begin a pivotal new chapter of the year’s smash-hit new series!
Collecting: Ninjak 6–9
That's the question Ninjak was sent to answer when he was dispatched to destroy terrorist organization Weaponeer from the inside out. As these mysterious new enemies make their move, Ninjak goes on a globe-spanning race against time to stop their machinations. Plus: discover how Colin King and Neville Alcott first met – and the deadly secret Neville has kept from Colin as Ninjak: The Lost Files continues.
Start reading here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt ( Divinity , MIND MGMT ) and red-hot artists Clay Mann ( X-Men: Legacy ), Raúl Allén ( Bloodshot Reborn ), Juan José Ryp ( Clone ) and Stephen Segovia ( Superior Carnage ) begin a pivotal new chapter of the year’s smash-hit new series!
Collecting: Ninjak 6–9
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2015
17 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 11, 2018
A good and enjoyable comic, I was glad there was a lot more action in this comics, but some of the timings just do not make sense to me. Also I think Ninjak took down most of his enemies a bit too easily, and as far as I could tell there was still one member at large, but that could be setting up a rematch later.
We are actually given a lot more information on Ninjak’s personal and vendetta. This is a good end of a story arc, most things are tied up a couple of loose ends and one section I a still not sure about. As good as this story is it is not a stand alone brilliant, you have to read volume 1 to appreciate this volume even more.
All in all a good ending to this story arc, I am not jumping up and down to read the next volume, but I would read it given the chance.
We are actually given a lot more information on Ninjak’s personal and vendetta. This is a good end of a story arc, most things are tied up a couple of loose ends and one section I a still not sure about. As good as this story is it is not a stand alone brilliant, you have to read volume 1 to appreciate this volume even more.
All in all a good ending to this story arc, I am not jumping up and down to read the next volume, but I would read it given the chance.
June 21, 2019
Ninjak is BADASS.
The concept, the art, the characters, the plot, all of it! Just badass!
There's this group of Shadowy Ninjas who all trained together (ish) with the Bleeding Monk. A few (like Ninjak) are sort of morally ambiguous while fighting for their own cause, but most are pretty much straight-up villains now. And Ninjak is on a mission to take them down.
Also, more mysterious origin stuff comes out about who/what/why he is the way he is.
Because I'm new to this title and character, I had no idea what was even happening most of the time. AND IT WAS STILL COOL!
As of right now, this guy has moved to the top of my to-read priority list.
Recommended!
The concept, the art, the characters, the plot, all of it! Just badass!
There's this group of Shadowy Ninjas who all trained together (ish) with the Bleeding Monk. A few (like Ninjak) are sort of morally ambiguous while fighting for their own cause, but most are pretty much straight-up villains now. And Ninjak is on a mission to take them down.
Also, more mysterious origin stuff comes out about who/what/why he is the way he is.
Because I'm new to this title and character, I had no idea what was even happening most of the time. AND IT WAS STILL COOL!
As of right now, this guy has moved to the top of my to-read priority list.
Recommended!
June 25, 2016
In this volume (only 4 issues, which seems weak). the arc from the first volume is continued as Ninjak goes even more off the grid than he was before (which was pretty much completely) and hunts down more of the fantastic four the fearsome five the sinister six the secret six the shadow seven. Each issue is about one of the seven and how Ninjak finds and deals with them. We get some back story along the way of his childhood, just like previous issues. Also like previous issues, there is a story section at the back about when he first became a spy. Frankly, I am very very happy they didn't try to mix that in with the normal story. The one flashback is enough. Dealing with three timelines mixed together is just too much. But it being at the end of each issue lets you get in the right mindset for it and leave the present day story behind for a bit.
Also... ninjas. Magic. Spy stuff. I'm way happier with this series than I was expecting to be. It's that right mix of fighting and spying and weird abilities that must be magic or mutations or something they don't even attempt to explain.
Also... ninjas. Magic. Spy stuff. I'm way happier with this series than I was expecting to be. It's that right mix of fighting and spying and weird abilities that must be magic or mutations or something they don't even attempt to explain.
November 21, 2018
Okay, this character is a ninja... and a spy... why wouldn’t this comic be cool?
What’s it about?
This volume contains a series of mostly standalone issues where Ninjak takes on the issue’s bad guy however the issues all tie in.
Pros:
The story is pretty cool. May not be the most deep thing but it’s fun and entertaining which is really what I want in a comic about a superhero/ninja/spy.
The artwork is astounding. Every page is so wonderfully drawn.
The main character is pretty interesting. I like how the series keeps giving more interesting details about his origin story.
The action is frequent and bad-ass! There’s a lot more blood in this volume than in the first one so if you like bloody comics you will probably be pleased by that. If you want bloody ninja-spy action scenes this book is full of them!
There are a few chuckle worthy comic relief moments.
I often say that superhero stories, while fun, are predictable. This is a fun superhero story that is pretty suspenseful. This book has quite a few interesting, unexpected twists.
Why not 5 stars?
The villains in this volume, while not terrible, are slightly cheesy.
Overall:
This book is great. If the story of a bad-ass ninja spy with great art and frequent action sounds like something you would like, you should give this series a try. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, no offense but you might want your head checked, what part of that doesn’t sound awesome?
Sure, you might have to read about some kind of cheesy villains but that’s not too bad, is it?
4/5
What’s it about?
This volume contains a series of mostly standalone issues where Ninjak takes on the issue’s bad guy however the issues all tie in.
Pros:
The story is pretty cool. May not be the most deep thing but it’s fun and entertaining which is really what I want in a comic about a superhero/ninja/spy.
The artwork is astounding. Every page is so wonderfully drawn.
The main character is pretty interesting. I like how the series keeps giving more interesting details about his origin story.
The action is frequent and bad-ass! There’s a lot more blood in this volume than in the first one so if you like bloody comics you will probably be pleased by that. If you want bloody ninja-spy action scenes this book is full of them!
There are a few chuckle worthy comic relief moments.
I often say that superhero stories, while fun, are predictable. This is a fun superhero story that is pretty suspenseful. This book has quite a few interesting, unexpected twists.
Why not 5 stars?
The villains in this volume, while not terrible, are slightly cheesy.
Overall:
This book is great. If the story of a bad-ass ninja spy with great art and frequent action sounds like something you would like, you should give this series a try. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, no offense but you might want your head checked, what part of that doesn’t sound awesome?
Sure, you might have to read about some kind of cheesy villains but that’s not too bad, is it?
4/5
January 14, 2016
3.5 stars if Goodreads would let me.
Mooooar Ninjas. Mooooooar.
This was a fun arc. It had Ninjak going off the grid and tracking down members of the Shadow Seven. Each issue Ninjak battles a new warrior trained by the Undead Monk.
There's some badass Ninja fighting and, all in all, I got a kick outta this comic as much as I did with the first volume.
The art in this one was kind of all over the place. There was more than one artist involved and some of it I loved and some of it...not so much.
What I really like so far with Ninjak is that it's not getting all caught up with the rest of the Valiant universe. At least not yet anyways. I don't need to read 6 or 7 other books so I can understand what is happening in this one. It's a common problem I have with Valiant. It's refreshing to read a title from them that is easy to understand all on its own.
That said, so far with Ninjak, there really isn't all that much that I need to understand. Its pretty straight forward and maybe even a little bit to simple.
Ninja. Sword. Kill.
I'm okay with that, though. Ninja. Sword. Kill. is kind of fun to read about. :)
Hee-Yah, motherfuckers!
August 2, 2016
Okay, so... Matt Kindt writing ninja superspy comic. Totally still on board for this. (Also just discovered that spell check is cool with the word "superspy". Nice.)
But I have some gripes. The conclusion was rather hasty and a little underwhelming after the big setup, and having a different artist for each issue was distracting (and inconsistent quality wise). Still enjoyable, but I'm hoping the next volume is better than this.
But I have some gripes. The conclusion was rather hasty and a little underwhelming after the big setup, and having a different artist for each issue was distracting (and inconsistent quality wise). Still enjoyable, but I'm hoping the next volume is better than this.
February 15, 2018
Ninjak takes the fight to the remaining members of the Shadow Seven as his war on Weaponeer comes to an end in this second volume of Ninjak. Meanwhile, the Lost Files shed light on the secrets of the Undead Monk and his monastery.
This feels a little rushed, in comparison to the first volume, if we're honest. This is something that affects a lot of stories where the hero has to fight X amount of bad guys - it takes ages to defeat one, and then the rest fall in quick succession. I would have liked to spend a little more time with these characters since they're all creepy/innovative/both, but most of these issues follow the same pattern of secret origin/Ninjak fight. That's not to say they're bad, they're not at all, it just seems a shame to waste these characters so quickly.
The background flashbacks regarding Ninjak's parents also continues here, and it's clear to see why he is the way he is from everything that he had to go through. This counterpoints the Lost Files story quite well, with Ninjak trying to distance himself from all of his trauma and facing off with his demons as he trains with the Undead Monk (the Valiant universe likes its random monks).
The art front is a lot more inconsistent than the first volume. Raul Allen makes an appearance for one issue, and while I can see why he can't draw an ongoing series, I'd love to see more of him on literally any book. From what I've seen from him both here and on Bloodshot Reborn, he's a very creative sequential artist.
The other issues are by Clay Mann, who has already made his mark on this series, while Juan José Ryp takes over main art duties for an issue after Stephen Segovia goes from drawing an issue to taking over the Lost Files art. They all have vastly different styles, and the different members of the Shadow Seven all have different feelings and tones to them that fit quite well, but it's a shame to see four artists on four issues.
Ninjak's first long-form storyline comes to an succinct end, if a little predictably, and with a bit of hit and miss on the art front. The series is still excellent, it's just a bit scattershot in this one.
This feels a little rushed, in comparison to the first volume, if we're honest. This is something that affects a lot of stories where the hero has to fight X amount of bad guys - it takes ages to defeat one, and then the rest fall in quick succession. I would have liked to spend a little more time with these characters since they're all creepy/innovative/both, but most of these issues follow the same pattern of secret origin/Ninjak fight. That's not to say they're bad, they're not at all, it just seems a shame to waste these characters so quickly.
The background flashbacks regarding Ninjak's parents also continues here, and it's clear to see why he is the way he is from everything that he had to go through. This counterpoints the Lost Files story quite well, with Ninjak trying to distance himself from all of his trauma and facing off with his demons as he trains with the Undead Monk (the Valiant universe likes its random monks).
The art front is a lot more inconsistent than the first volume. Raul Allen makes an appearance for one issue, and while I can see why he can't draw an ongoing series, I'd love to see more of him on literally any book. From what I've seen from him both here and on Bloodshot Reborn, he's a very creative sequential artist.
The other issues are by Clay Mann, who has already made his mark on this series, while Juan José Ryp takes over main art duties for an issue after Stephen Segovia goes from drawing an issue to taking over the Lost Files art. They all have vastly different styles, and the different members of the Shadow Seven all have different feelings and tones to them that fit quite well, but it's a shame to see four artists on four issues.
Ninjak's first long-form storyline comes to an succinct end, if a little predictably, and with a bit of hit and miss on the art front. The series is still excellent, it's just a bit scattershot in this one.
February 9, 2018
A Goodreads friend -Sud666- recommended Ninjak to me. I had my misgivings, but glad I checked out Ninjak Vol.1
Ninjak, is like James Bond, Batman, and a classic Asian martial arts movie rolled into one.
Ninjak, is like James Bond, Batman, and a classic Asian martial arts movie rolled into one.
December 26, 2017
Spies and Ninjas done right, Ninjak puts all the other characters in the genre to shame, the story was brilliant, I just wished the art was more consistent.
October 16, 2020
Man, everything I’ve read since The Valiant is superb. Here, we reach the conclusion of the Shadow Wars arc, and we also fill in the gaps regarding both Colin’s origins, as well as his history with Neville.
I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s incredible. I love it.
The art is literally top tier. Among the best.
I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s incredible. I love it.
The art is literally top tier. Among the best.
April 17, 2017
Not my favorite Valiant book, but not bad. The constant flashbacks that were out of order made the book more confusing than it should have been. So I'm still somewhat confused about Ninjak's backstory with the Undead Monk.
July 18, 2017
Ninjak's early training was harsh, but invaluable. His childhood was even worse. He is quickly becoming the coolest character in the Valiant universe. He has a mysterious past and is a calculated individual who employs state-of-the-art devices in battle.
Ninjak's handler Neville is being pushed to take Ninjak off the mission, but the latter wants to take advantage of his position. Ninjak must defeat each of the secretive Shadow Seven members in turn to destroy their weapons manufacturing operation. The Shadow Seven members have one thing in common: their training under the undead monk. They were drawn to the monk because of something missing inside themselves, something the monk gave them.
Ninjak's handler Neville is being pushed to take Ninjak off the mission, but the latter wants to take advantage of his position. Ninjak must defeat each of the secretive Shadow Seven members in turn to destroy their weapons manufacturing operation. The Shadow Seven members have one thing in common: their training under the undead monk. They were drawn to the monk because of something missing inside themselves, something the monk gave them.
December 26, 2017
Good but slightly too many flashbacks
Solid writing and excellent artwork, but this comic benefits from mystery and there is a ton of exposition in flashbacks in these issues whereas the main plot is pushed forward and resolved somewhat quickly. While still among Valiant's better titles, I hope Kindt does not over-explain the backstory.
Solid writing and excellent artwork, but this comic benefits from mystery and there is a ton of exposition in flashbacks in these issues whereas the main plot is pushed forward and resolved somewhat quickly. While still among Valiant's better titles, I hope Kindt does not over-explain the backstory.
September 4, 2019
This volume was cool but not as fun as volume 1. It's basically more of the same. We got our favorite ninja going around hunting down people. The fights are pretty epic and some badass moments but the backstory of who these "evil people" are and why he's hunting them down are okay. Not so much high end James Bond devices this time around and more just hand to hand fighting. I will say the ending is intriguing to get me to read the next volume but wasn't blown away. A 3 out of 5.
July 3, 2017
catching up on Ninjak before i move on to other stories coming out this summer on Valiant
September 27, 2017
I liked it well enough, but it was a means to an end. My goal is Volume 3.
March 5, 2022
Reprint Ninjak (3) #6-9 (August 2015-November 2015). Ninjak is deep undercover within Weaponeer and his superiors are beginning to question his actions within the company. With Neville trying to keep Ninjak from being forcibly withdrawn, Ninjak is out to take down the Shadow Seven with run Weaponeer. With time running out and the danger growing, Weaponeer must fall…or Ninjak could become another casualty.
Written by Matt Kindt, Ninjak Volume 2: The Shadow Wars is a Valiant Comics superhero comic book collection. Following Ninjak Volume 1: Weaponeer, the series features art by Raul Allen, Patricia Martin, Juan Jose Ryp, Stephen Segovia, Ryan Winn, and Clay Mann, and issues in this collection were also collected as part of Ninjak Deluxe Edition—Volume 1.
Ninjak was always a bit more intriguing title in the original Valiant launch. Though I didn’t really read it then, ninjas and espionage were far more interesting to me than warriors in armor or pale assassins. The relaunch of Valiant lead to going back and reading some of the original Ninjak…and though it was a fun title, the new title is a marked improvement.
The Valiant relaunch really focused on character and storytelling. Ninjak is no different in that sense. A lot of the Valiant characters felt a little flat in their original run, but these issues seek to round out Ninjak. With trips into his past and “The Lost Files” which trace some of Colin’s early training, Ninjak is more fleshed out than a simple impossibly hard to kill spy.
This doesn’t mean that the comic is without faults. Some of the writing is a bit jarring and some of the storylines (especially those surrounding Ninjak’s past and the Undead Monk) are tough to follow. With so much crammed into four short issues, it also feels that Colin’s layered past is shortchanged and underdeveloped in regards to what could have been done with a stand-alone origin series or at least a flashback storyline.
With a lot of build-up and a lot of territory to cover, Ninjak 2: The Shadow Wars shows improvement in general but underwhelms overall. In the context of the larger series and more issues, the story read well, but the story as a four issue collection feels a little flimsy. I don’t love that every story needs to fall into the trade paperback rhythm, but if they are forced into the format, I want a bit more substance and layering between the volumes than Ninjak provides. Ninjak 2: The Shadow Wars is followed by Ninjak 3: Operation: Deadside.
Written by Matt Kindt, Ninjak Volume 2: The Shadow Wars is a Valiant Comics superhero comic book collection. Following Ninjak Volume 1: Weaponeer, the series features art by Raul Allen, Patricia Martin, Juan Jose Ryp, Stephen Segovia, Ryan Winn, and Clay Mann, and issues in this collection were also collected as part of Ninjak Deluxe Edition—Volume 1.
Ninjak was always a bit more intriguing title in the original Valiant launch. Though I didn’t really read it then, ninjas and espionage were far more interesting to me than warriors in armor or pale assassins. The relaunch of Valiant lead to going back and reading some of the original Ninjak…and though it was a fun title, the new title is a marked improvement.
The Valiant relaunch really focused on character and storytelling. Ninjak is no different in that sense. A lot of the Valiant characters felt a little flat in their original run, but these issues seek to round out Ninjak. With trips into his past and “The Lost Files” which trace some of Colin’s early training, Ninjak is more fleshed out than a simple impossibly hard to kill spy.
This doesn’t mean that the comic is without faults. Some of the writing is a bit jarring and some of the storylines (especially those surrounding Ninjak’s past and the Undead Monk) are tough to follow. With so much crammed into four short issues, it also feels that Colin’s layered past is shortchanged and underdeveloped in regards to what could have been done with a stand-alone origin series or at least a flashback storyline.
With a lot of build-up and a lot of territory to cover, Ninjak 2: The Shadow Wars shows improvement in general but underwhelms overall. In the context of the larger series and more issues, the story read well, but the story as a four issue collection feels a little flimsy. I don’t love that every story needs to fall into the trade paperback rhythm, but if they are forced into the format, I want a bit more substance and layering between the volumes than Ninjak provides. Ninjak 2: The Shadow Wars is followed by Ninjak 3: Operation: Deadside.
June 29, 2023
I have to say I’m actually a little disappointed with this run so far I expected it to be better. The “Lost Files” were somewhat confusing to keep track of in both this and the previous volume and also completely uninteresting after the second one in the first volume. Also, the backstory of Ninjak when he was a kid didn’t add much but end up being confusing in it’s own right.
Overall this run so far is a straight 3 stars. Not really worse, but not better either. The norm for most of the things written by Matt Kindt seems to be just decent but never really truly great.
Overall this run so far is a straight 3 stars. Not really worse, but not better either. The norm for most of the things written by Matt Kindt seems to be just decent but never really truly great.
August 1, 2017
Not as good as volume 1, but it was still a very exciting read. I liked the issue-by-issue breakdown of the Shadow Seven, but a handful of them certainly seemed too easily toppled or their defeat left me wanting more.
The Lost Files continues to be a great aspect of this series. I really like how there is a B-side to each issue. Very clever structure.
The Lost Files continues to be a great aspect of this series. I really like how there is a B-side to each issue. Very clever structure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2018
Estos dos primeros volúmenes con la saga de las 7 sombras me han gustado bastante en su mayor parte. Si es cierto que en ocasiones las peleas me han parecido que se resolvían demasiado rápido, pero por otro lado me ha resultado muy interesante el misterio que envuelve a la trama, y que tiene ciertos giros hacia el final.
September 8, 2021
It's soild but not great.
The second chapter provides alot of backstory for characters while time jumping past and present. The present story is ok overall but the villains are lackluster. The real real meat of the story is in the flashbacks and of course the art continues to impress.
The second chapter provides alot of backstory for characters while time jumping past and present. The present story is ok overall but the villains are lackluster. The real real meat of the story is in the flashbacks and of course the art continues to impress.
January 16, 2024
Wow! This was not good and as I think back on it, it gets worse. I have no idea what others read and liked here. Matt Kindt has done much better work. Here, the somewhat cool spy story becomes a lazy cartoonish villain of the week and all the villains suck. Any intrigue the last volume is all completely decimated. The art was spotty. Overall, this was miserable.
September 24, 2017
Always wanted to read Ninjak but local comic stores were spotty on having the series in stock. Decided to read digitally and I'm glad I did. Spys and ninjas! 'Nuff said. Good Stuff, Maynard.
November 25, 2017
Somebody must have told this guy that comic book readers liked fight scenes and origins, because that's all this book is. An origin story, Ninjak fights him, Ninjak wins, on to the next one.
August 16, 2018
It was okay. Complex. Lots of time jumps. A little confusing. Definitely gory.
December 7, 2018
Awesome
I am really feeling Ninjak now. Just finished this and cannot wait until I get to the next volume. Ninjak is now in my top 10
I am really feeling Ninjak now. Just finished this and cannot wait until I get to the next volume. Ninjak is now in my top 10
January 28, 2019
More thrilling espionage and backstory. Read and reviewed in full in Ninjak: Deluxe Edition 1
March 25, 2019
As good as it gets!
April 12, 2019
Wow! Slowly we get to find more and more about who the main character is and what happened in his past. This series will keep you interested and on your toes.
February 19, 2020
I really like the direction of this story. I’m having a blast. I can’t wait to see how it ends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews