From the encrypted files of The Ninja Programme, another secret chapter revealed! The Cold War is in full swing and the United Kingdom’s top-secret intelligence unit has come to a crossroads. As their once-elite collection of secret agents finds itself outmatched by the escalation of the United States’ H.A.R.D. Corps division, the spymasters of MI6 are about to develop a new kind of soldier for their never-ending war of global gamesmanship and international intrigue. Part man, part machine, and bound together with the most extreme technological enhancements that the 1980s have to offer, NINJA-H is faster, stronger, and deadlier than any who have come before…

Ninja-K #10 serves both as a bridge between the last arc and the one that kicks off next issue, and as a fantastic jumping on point for new readers. Christos Gage has penned a fantastic one-shot story that focuses as much on Ninja-H as it does Ninja-K; and by doing this we get a deeper understanding of where Colin King stands after all he has uncovered about MI6’s Ninja Programme. It’s a clever way of advancing the long game in the background as we’re placated with one of the more interesting agents of the Ninja Programme we’ve seen so far.

As far as superhero comics go, this is a remarkably complete offering. We’ve got the tragic story, the brilliant choreography, and a story that holds more emotional revelations than you’d expect given the ninja verses ninja set up.

Larry Stroman, Ryan Winn and Andrew Dalhouse deliver a near flawless offering on art duties (pencils, inks and colours respectively), with only a panel or two containing slightly unnaturally posed or shaped figures. Those figures aside, each page is a masterfully composed piece of art that brings Gage’s script to a vividly brutal life. Oddly enough, the single issue story in Ninja-K #10 really is the best jumping on point you’re likely to find unless you start from the first issue (and really, I’d suggest you do if you have the means and are even a little curious).

Christos Gage has been writing some of the bet Ninjak I have ever read – this issue is a great example of that, and a great gateway to character for new readers.

Writer: Christos Gage Pencils: Larry Stroman
Inks: Ryan Winn Colours: Andrew Dalhouse
Story: 9 Art: 8.9 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy