Posted in: Comics, Valiant | Tagged: aaron schoenke, archer and armstrong, armstrong, belardino brabo, bloodshot, bloodshot salvation, eliot rahal, eternal warrior, joe bennett, Livewire, Ninja-K, ninjak vs. the valiant universe, superheroes, valiant entertainment, valiant universe, x-o manowar

Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe #2 Review: Way Better Than the Opening Issue

Ninjak (or Ninja-K) washes up on a river bank with his prize, and he makes his way to a nearby warehouse.

Elsewhere, Livewire approaches the Eternal Warrior to plead that he won't kill Ninjak. Unfortunately, Bloodshot is already closing in on Colin King. X-O Manowar isn't too far behind.

While the first issue of Ninjak vs the Valiant Universe was a rough read, burdened with slow pacing and subpar dialogue, #2 gets to the action and pursuit. This proves to be a boon, as this comic is actually a lot of fun.

Much of the book consists of Ninjak on the run and Ninjak fighting off other heroes. It doesn't wait about for Bloodshot and X-O Manowar to catch up with Colin; they find him this issue.

Even the dialogue is better. It's not anything special, but it's less clichéd than in the previous installment. The scene between Livewire and Eternal Warrior feels natural. Even Roku is a bit more fun, and she had the unfortunate honor of delivering most of the awful lines from last issue.

There's an ending stinger which is one of those, "Okay, that didn't really happen," moments. To give the comic credit, it actually foreshadows why the sequence is different from what we see, and that's more than the Big Two often do.

The fight scenes are good. That is, of course, the reason we're here. We want to see Ninjak tangle with the likes of Bloodshot and X-O. They aren't particularly extended, and they play out like a haphazard and reckless Batman fighting other DC heroes. However, that recklessness is one of the major charms of Ninjak, so I can't complain.

Joe Bennet's artwork continues to be up to snuff. The characters and scenes are given a lot of detail and kinetic energy. Belardino Brabo's inking helps tighten the scenes, and Ulises Arreola's color art is appropriately bright to give the world an upbeat and high-energy atmosphere all its own.

Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe #2 is a vast improvement on the first issue. With more life, action, and excitement to go around, this comic begins to make good on the promises of its title. This one is recommended. Check it out.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!