Superpowered ninjas versus arctic monks versus kill-crazy commandos in the bloody final battle in Killers #5!

Who lives? Will someone die? Who will win the ultimate prize?

The end is just the beginning…

Killers has been a pretty interesting journey for me because I read the outline a long time ago in preparation for an interview with B. Clay Moore. Graphic Policy also published an interview conducted with artist Fernando Dagnino which you can check out here. Because of the former interview, I’ve had a very rough idea what was coming for some time. I’ve made no secret of this. The outline became murkier in my memory as time progressed, whilst still being able to enjoy the ride. It’s an odd feeling, and the first time that I’d experienced it,

As the finale of the miniseries, Killers #5 does its job. It would have been a much better end to an ongoing series’ first arc. I say this because this issue seems more focused on setting up the next chapter than wrapping up this one. This is fine in many ways. It’s a story with a cast of characters I enjoy and want to see more of. I couldn’t help but get the feeling that the conclusion had a smaller bang because of the dual focus.

It’s the dual focus of concluding one chapter and opening the other that gives the book its biggest drawback. Moore’s breakneck pace has been an asset throughout the series, and so it’s ironic that it’s his ability to keep the story moving at such a pace becomes the only flaw in this comic. There isn’t really any breathing room in Killers #5, and it needs it so that you, dear reader, can digest and process the revelations in the story as they come at you one after the other.

Artistically, the book has its missteps. Dagnino and colorist Jose Villarrubia are very solid for 90% of this book. The areas where I found them less than solid were pretty minimal, largely limited to odd facial expressions and from the artists having less room to tell the story in parts than in others. Overall, though, the artistic flow of the book is enjoyable and easy to follow; the action scenes are clear and flow well, and you always know what’s occurring on the page.

At the end of the day, as a finale, this comic isn’t great. It’s good, but it’s not great. It lacks a sense of closure, opting instead to ensure we all know the door is open in the future for the story to continue. As a finale, it’s less than satisfying, but as a bridge book, it does its job very well. How you feel about the comic once you’ve read will depend largely on what you wanted from the final issue of a miniseries.

Story: B. Clay Moore Art: Fernand Dagnino Colours: Jose Villarrubia
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

In Killers #4 it’s kill or be killed as the superninjas meet face to face!
What are they all trying to slaughter each other for? The reason behind the deadly race revealed!

It’s all-out action as the Killers face off against deadly Arctic assassins!

I’ve had an interesting relationship with this series. Not because I don’t enjoy it, I do, but because I’ve had a pretty good idea what will be happening from the first issue. Though that idea has become vaguer as the months tick by. Why, you might ask? Well for the simple reason that I had read the outline to the entire series in preparation for an interview with B. Clay Moore. Graphic Policy also published an interview with artist Fernando Dagnino which you can check out here. But of course, the outline was read some time ago. That has allowed me to transition from knowing the plot to having a rough idea how this’ll end whilst still getting surprised.

The part of Killers #4 set in the present day takes place almost entirely in a mountain pass. Various groups of assassins run into each other with some predictably bloody results. The action is smooth and swift. Dagnino and colorist Jose Villarubria work wonders with a limited color pallet for the cold snowy surroundings. The artists never fall back on pure blank space. Instead, they utilize subtle shades and the terrain to paint a picture for the assassins to play in.

You may have guessed that the comic isn’t entirely set in the present. Flashbacks flesh out the story so that we finally understand the motivations behind the driving force in Killers. The delivery is a little over explained over the course of the first half dozen pages, but not in a way that hammers you over the head with What You Should Know.

Killers #4 is a solid penultimate issue in the Ninja-K spinoff miniseries. While readers of that series will love the expansion of former Ninjas, those who haven’t read that series won’t have any trouble here. Moore has structured this comic along the edge of a blade; he’s got enough here for new readers to enjoy the story, enough for Ninja-K fans to delve deeper into the Ninja Programme lore whilst retaining a pace that’s as sharp as the edge he’s balancing on.

As an action comic, you really can’t go wrong with this issue. The surprisingly positive side is that it’s also pretty new-reader friendly too, assuming you’re okay to accept certain aspects of the characters capabilities.

Story: B. Clay Moore Art: Fernando Dagnino Colours: Jose Villarrubia
Story: 8.9 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

The unstoppable marksman, Sights, joins the carnage in Killers #3! But where does his allegiance lie?

Can you trust a superninja with a mind broken by MI6? Just ask the Undisciple.

The high-octane battle royale continues as the Killers tear each other apart in a competition like no other!

For the first time since I began this series, I’ve read an issue with next to no idea what was going to happen. It was an oddly liberating experience. I’ve read the outline to the entire series in preparation for an interview with B. Clay Moore. Graphic Policy also published an interview with artist Fernando Dagnino which you can check out here.

Not knowing, really not remembering, what was going to happen in this book left me able to read it with fresh eyes. The comic was still every bit as exciting as the previous two issue. Perhaps more so since it was an unknown for me.

Killers #3 reveals a touch more about the cast of former ninja operatives. It also introduces a fifth – Ninja E. Moore’s characters are wonderfully colorful. Their personality pulses from the pages despite him giving us only a little information as to who they are. Credit for that should also go to Dagnino’s art. The way he has choreographed the panels and action combined with the body language of the ninja’s themselves helps to build your relationship with characters who may not have said all that much over the course of the series.

The artists deliver an atmospheric book that immerses you into the story with every page turn; there’s something about their work that’s just damn impressive. There are little bells and whistles here, and the comic is all the stronger for it.

Killers #3 is another solid issue in the miniseries that spins off from the revelations in Ninja-K. Though reading that series is absolutely not required to enjoy this one. Moore has left himself two comics to bring the story to a close, and at the rate he’s going I have no doubt that he’ll be able to close this out with a bang. Though I suppose it would be more appropriate to make a ninja related statement there… so I have no doubt that he’ll be able to close this out with a bang of smoke? Yeah, I don’t know either. What I do know is that I am thoroughly enjoying this story and that I cannot wait for the next chapters.

This deserves to be on the pull list of anybody wanting a change from spandex and superheroes.

Story: B. Clay Moore Art: Fernando Dagnino Colours: Jose Villarrubia
Story: 8.8 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.3 Recommendation: Buy

Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review