Ninjak, Book One

Parker (Warlord of Mars Attacks) and Pulido (Hawkeye by Fraction and Aja: The Saga of Barton and Bishop) breathe new life into a relatively obscure character from the 1990s in this action-packed martial arts/superhero/espionage mash-up. A mysterious organization called Daylight exposes the identities of undercover operatives working on the behalf of numerous international intelligence agencies. When Daylight follows this show of power by demanding the world’s governments show them fealty, former MI6 operative Colin King, a.k.a. Ninjak, embarks upon a search for the means to shut them down. Parker’s propulsive script emphasizes gonzo action over intricate plotting, allowing his collaborator to create some of the most impressive images of his deservedly well-regarded career. By simplifying character design to its essential elements, Pulido is free to experiment with page design that forgoes the standard six-to-eight panel grid without risking cluttered, overly complicated storytelling. The experiment is a complete success: panels progress at dynamic angles, careening across double-page spreads as Ninjak battles superpowered assassins and loop around, maze-like, to convey a chase through an underground cavern.