Ninjak #1 Spotlight: Penciling & Inking

 

Ninjak #1 Cover C by Damian Scott

While we wait for Ninjak #3 to arrive in local comic shops, I thought I'd do something I neglected to do when writing a review for Ninjak #1. Namely, take a close-up look at artist Javier Pulido's penciling and inking.

I like how Javier Pulido has largely inked in Myna's clothes, as well as much of the building behind her. She may not be a ninja, but the way she wears dark and blends in with her surroundings suggests her shared MI-6 association with Ninjak.

Also, notice how the tall spire in the background makes her look small? Well, she is a freshly-minted agent.

Even if this is her first field assignment, her eyes betray no hesitation or fear. Myna looks confident.

The nose ring reminds me of Kris Hathaway, who didn't belong in the Harbinger Renegades team. Like Kris, who got sucked into their world through her association with Peter Stanchek, Myna will shortly get pulled into Ninjak's world due to the massive leak of MI-6 secrets.

This ground-level perspective makes the farther-away journalist look short. Meanwhile, the men approaching him menacingly, and closer to us, look much taller

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Javier Pulido gives us two neat overhead shots. The first is seen through Myna's binoculars, with the journalist pressed against the fence, and Ninjak (in disguise) rushing in to save him. The second shows Ninjak after he's killed the man with the saw, and the mob of baddies sweeping in to overwhelm our hero.

Notice how Pulido has inked in all the ground, suggesting that Ninjak has fallen into the abyss. It also makes me think of the way muggers might attack someone on a deserted street at night.

Where Ninjak's concerned, the situation is never so hopeless. Notice how these three would-be attackers start backing away when they realize how dangerous Ninjak is? Notice how the brave soul who cries "Execute him!" stands behind these three?

In Ninjak #1, Javier Pulido adds characterization, meaningful associations, and humor to this story about our favorite MI-6 ninja agent.

Dragon Dave