Ninjak #9 is the conclusion to the Shadow Wars story line and has him coming face to face with Fakir, who has a nuclear dead man switch attached to him. It opens up with Ninjak and Neville on a rooftop in Las Vegas near Fakir’s hideout, and Neville briefs Ninjak on Fakir. He states that Fakir is a master thief and has stolen countless treasures over the years, and in some cases has replaced the original with an exact replica. Fakir does this because he believes that ownership is just a concept created by the mind, and at times his rationale for his activities. Neville wants Ninjak to be cautious not just because Neville has been taking heat for Ninjak going off the grid but because Fakir is linked to a nuclear device so if he’s killed it automatically denotes. However, Ninjak jumps into the situation feeling that being cautious is linked to fear. This has been ingrained in him since he had a conversation with his mother when he was a kid and she told him about why it was important for her and his father to be cautious. But could that conversation be coloring Ninjak’s judgement now, and is he underestimating Fakir?

Despite Fakir having an interesting description, this issue started off similarly to the others, and Ninjak jumping head long into the mix was representative of how the Weaponeer members became just run of the mill. It’s not a spoiler for me to state that it was somewhat absurd for the nuclear weapon to be right there in Fakir’s living room in the open yet the claim was it was impossible to find. So at that point it was just a matter of Ninjak capturing Fakir or leaving him incapacitated, and there was no suspense in that although it was an entertaining fight. I just missed the infiltration and subterfuge from earlier issues.

And last but not least, the flashbacks to Ninjak’s childhood were entertaining, and even though the things his mother would tell him weren’t surprising there was still an interesting twist to it. And in many ways that opens up the door to additional interesting flashbacks, whenever they occur.

SUMMARY

Ninjak #9 is a decent issue due mainly to Ninjak’s connection to the Undead Monk and his quest for revenge for the death of his former handler. The main fight against Fakir is entertaining but the fact that the nuclear bomb is out in the open from the beginning takes away any suspense and reduces the intensity. And the explanation of the Undead Monk is wrapped up quickly. However, this issue completes a fascinating look at Ninjak’s backstory, and as a result the future looks insanely interesting.

Release Date: 11/5/15

Writer: Matt Kindt

Artist: Clay Mann