Ninjak #3, out from Valiant Entertainment on September 15th, slows the pace down. Writer Jeff Parker and cartoonist Javier Pulido display tell their story through dialogue that takes its time and emotionally intense illustrations.
Background
A mysterious group, led by a pair of siblings, have exposed all MI6 assets, including Colin King (Ninjak). With hitmen after him, Ninjak regroups to gather intel.
Ninjak #3 On Why Words Go So Slow
Parker’s story outline remains simple to allow the issue to go at its own pace. It is what allows Pulido to illustrate some smooth action sequences in Ninjak #3. A two page spread has Ninjak stylistically take out a group of men in just a few moves.
Some of the exposition-heavy parts of the issue feel slow and uninteresting. The characters talk about things that have already happened. The new information that they provide in this issue, however, they do brilliantly. When Ninjak comes across intel on the series antagonists, Daylight, Pulido’s illustrations, green coloring, and many caption boxes tell everyone how emotionally overwhelming Daylight’s backstory is.
But not everything in Pulido’s art adds to the story or is as interesting. A two page spread that has to be turned on its side feels very distracting. It interrupts the experience of reading the issue.
Ninjak #3: The Challenge of Context
Ninjak #3 might slow down its storytelling pace, but maybe that’s because delivering exposition is tough. Going over what already happened feels like a chore compared to Ninjak #3‘s strikingly vivid imagery. Especially since it makes the villains a little more sympathetic.
