Ninjak (2015) #10: Down Amongst the Deadside

The opening issue of Operation Deadside gets right to the point. Introducing a new direction, new enemies and new lore to the Valiant universe. Kindt including Punk Mambo makes for an interesting “buddy cop” team up unlike any of Ninjak’s usual bromances. The two are so different yet both equally formidable and apex predators in their respective methods. Drawing Ninjak into a world that is wholly out of his usual wheelhouse is not only an impressive move to flex Kindt’s writing skill but also reminds us just how versatile and unique Ninjak is from your average martial arts/espionage/street level guy.

Ninjak is easy to pigeonhole as Valiant’s “Batman” or “Daredevil” but it’s unflinching nature, charismatic attitude and ability to dive into any situation without pretentious dialogue bemoaning it that makes him so much different from other “normal guy vigilantes”. When you pair that with the walking middle finger that is Punk Mambo you can’t help but get giddy as you read the two diving into a perilous journey. You see despite knowing just how tough they are (or thinking you do anyways) the stakes feel real before they even dive into their first portal.

Everything about it feels organic from the narration of Neville Alcott trying to explain to his superiors just how Deadside Ops work, to Ninjak’s trust issues with Mambo and her oddball approach to… well everything to the art itself. Shout out to the duo of legendary Doug Braithwaite and the main man Juan Jose Ryp for absolutely slaying their respective contributions to the issue.

The back up feature starring The Magpie aka formerly known as Shadowman is also an exquisite touch. Just enough to get new readers interested but also just enough to reignite long time readers curiosity as to what Jack Boniface is doing in his cruel twist of fate. You don’t have to know the full story of Shadowman to appreciate this inclusion and even if you do there’s still a palpable feeling of mystery and intrigue to why this snippet was included so early on.

Kindt and crew brought it hard with this one and when you realize this issue is just dipping it’s toes into the next chapter of Ninjak the final pages are all the more sweet.