This was a quick read, gimmicky, and garnered a bit of chuckles. It's far from being mind-blowing, or revolutionary, but it was fun and I enjoyed it quite more than I anticipated.

Writer: Dave FranchiniArtist: Salvatore CuffariPublisher: Zenescope Entertainment

Admittingly, I have not kept up with Ninjak since his older self teamed up with Gilad in the previous arc. Something about an old Ninjak and a "future" story that has nothing to do with current Ninjak is just off-putting. That being said, I'm calling this a return to form and it couldn't have come a better time. That cliffhanger at the end left me in anticipation and I cannot wait for next month's issue. This is seriously a fantastic prelude to the new arc and I urge you to pick it up. Even if you're new to Ninjak, the excellent story telling and action will leave you wanting more.

Again, I didn't hate this issue. I honestly didn't. I liked what was presented, even though it wasn't what I was expecting or wanting. I do not doubt that Eliot Rahal and crew can bring the funny back to the table in future installments. At least, I hope they can. On the plus, we were left with a pretty big cliffhanger at the end, so there's at least to go on.

I'm excited to see what's in store for these two. I know for a fact, thanks to the trusty internet and solicits, that we're being segued into where I've been begging with the laughs, including a new artist to better fit the tone of this book. Rahal is a good guy and has clearly stated that he promises to bring back the humor side back to this franchise. If he doesn't, I sure as shit will hold it against him.

This book was without a doubt a surprise. The cliffhanger at the end did its job, and I know I'll be back next month. Hell, I'll even go a step further and read the previous issues. These are characters I love and grew up with. Even at the ripe age of 30, this is a franchise I adore and try to instill in my son. Granted, that's a lost cause, but it doesn't stop me from giving all the love.