Home :: Books :: Comics & Graphic Novels  

Arts & Photography
Audio CDs
Audiocassettes
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Investing
Children's Books
Christianity
Comics & Graphic Novels

Computers & Internet
Cooking, Food & Wine
Entertainment
Gay & Lesbian
Health, Mind & Body
History
Home & Garden
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Nonfiction
Outdoors & Nature
Parenting & Families
Professional & Technical
Reference
Religion & Spirituality
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports
Teens
Travel
Women's Fiction
Daredevil: Ninja

Daredevil: Ninja

List Price: $12.95
Your Price: $12.95
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's ninjariffic
Review: Anything with or about Ninjas makes me happy because I really like ninjas. here's some stuff about ninjas:

1. All ninjas are mammals

Did you know that? I did.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's ninjariffic
Review: Brian Michael Bendis is an excellent Daredevil writer. The other Daredevil trads "Wake Up", "Underboss," and "Out" are much better than this one. This one kind of eats in comparison to those really cool books.

"I hate this ninja crap," is what daredevil says when he learns he must reunite with the disciples of his former sensei, Stick, in order to defeat the bad ninja clan, The Hand. You get the feeling, though that Bendis hates this ninja [stuff] too. Bendis is best when he is writing gritty street stories and this story seems silly in comparison.

There are some good things to be said about this trade, though. The art by rob haynes and david self is excellent. They purposefully set out to have the comic book make the reader feel he/she is actually watching a movie. their use of panel layout, inking, and especially hsadow pull this off surprisngly well. In this way it's a concept trade. I wonder why more people don't try this. Inventive story telling is always good.

So, Daredevil is cool. Ninjas are cool. Daredevil stories with ninjas are cool, just not this one.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Bendis is a better Daredevil writer than this
Review: Brian Michael Bendis is an excellent Daredevil writer. The other Daredevil trads "Wake Up", "Underboss," and "Out" are much better than this one. This one kind of eats in comparison to those really cool books.

"I hate this ninja crap," is what daredevil says when he learns he must reunite with the disciples of his former sensei, Stick, in order to defeat the bad ninja clan, The Hand. You get the feeling, though that Bendis hates this ninja [stuff] too. Bendis is best when he is writing gritty street stories and this story seems silly in comparison.

There are some good things to be said about this trade, though. The art by rob haynes and david self is excellent. They purposefully set out to have the comic book make the reader feel he/she is actually watching a movie. their use of panel layout, inking, and especially hsadow pull this off surprisngly well. In this way it's a concept trade. I wonder why more people don't try this. Inventive story telling is always good.

So, Daredevil is cool. Ninjas are cool. Daredevil stories with ninjas are cool, just not this one.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Pointless and Boring
Review: Brian Michael Bendis is by now well-known in the comic industry as a brilliantly crisp and exciting story-teller. His dialogue is sharp and realistic, and his plots are compelling, even when they are simple, as this one is. Rob Haynes is too little known in my opinion, as his clear and cinematic artwork is setting new standards for the comic book. Wide panels that follow carefully from one to the next, he does a great job of conveying the motion of the story. Put these two together on a great character such as DD, and you have a shining example of how it can look when it's done right. The colors by David Self are refreshing and beautiful, and really contribute to the look of the book. I highly recommend this collection of the original three issue series, to which they have added an appendix of R. Haynes' sketches. I eagerly anticipate the reunion of these creators.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful and new
Review: Brian Michael Bendis is by now well-known in the comic industry as a brilliantly crisp and exciting story-teller. His dialogue is sharp and realistic, and his plots are compelling, even when they are simple, as this one is. Rob Haynes is too little known in my opinion, as his clear and cinematic artwork is setting new standards for the comic book. Wide panels that follow carefully from one to the next, he does a great job of conveying the motion of the story. Put these two together on a great character such as DD, and you have a shining example of how it can look when it's done right. The colors by David Self are refreshing and beautiful, and really contribute to the look of the book. I highly recommend this collection of the original three issue series, to which they have added an appendix of R. Haynes' sketches. I eagerly anticipate the reunion of these creators.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't buy this book!
Review: First of all, let me tell you Brian Michael Bendis is one of my all-time favorite writers, and this is the first time he dissapoints me. His Daredevil run is stellar, but this story is mediocre. The art is VERY good in my opinion, even though its definately an aquired taste. Rob Haynes is a very unique artist, but the story makes this book not fun or interesting. Im a BIG DD fan, and of all the Daredevil stories ive ever read, this just might be the worst.

On the other hand, get all of Bendis' run on the Daredevil ongoing, which just keeps getting better and better, and is in my opinion even better that Kevin Smith's run and even Frank Miller's run. Read the following Daredevil trades for the TRUE Bendis experience: Underboss, Out, Lowlife and Hardcore.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Pointless and Boring
Review: This has to be the worst Daredevil story I've ever read. I can't imagine how a writer could waste such a good character. Lame writing and goofy cartoony art plague this book from start to finish. ...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An entertaining diversion.
Review: Writer Brian Michael Bendis is the best thing that ever happened Daredevil. There are some who would dispute this statement, pointing toward the groundbreaking work done by Frank Miller, but Bendis's work with the Man Without Fear has been consistently the most engaging stuff written about that character. Sadly, even Bendis can have an off game. Enter DAREDEVIL: NINJA.

According to the afterword - or "Director's Commentary," as it is called in this trade paperback collection - written by artist Rob Haynes, DAREDEVIL: NINJA was meant to be as close to a movie as the comic-reading experience allows. The narrative has been stripped down to its bare essentials and even the art was drawn in such a way to invite impressions of dynamic motion such as one might see in the theater. DAREDEVIL: NINJA does move quickly, and there is plenty of action, but like many contemporary films, the emphasis on wowing the audience has forced the script into the back seat.

DAREDEVIL: NINJA collects a standalone Daredevil miniseries from 2001. The work is intended for the casual reader, perhaps one who doesn't know much about Daredevil. One wonders, then, why Bendis chose to incorporate one of the more convoluted elements of the character's past: the titular ninja. Those who've followed the exploits of Daredevil over the years will have no problem whatsoever following the story as Daredevil becomes embroiled in an ancient war between Japanese warrior clans. When a mysterious ninja steals a fighting stick that belonged to the man who once trained Daredevil, and a wild pursuit begins, these readers will know exactly what's happening. A newcomer will be nothing short of bewildered, though, and the narrative doesn't do neophytes any favors.

Perhaps Bendis felt there wouldn't be enough time for readers to grow confused. The action in DAREDEVIL: NINJA zooms from America to Japan and back again, throwing ninja at Daredevil and his companions at every turn. The dialogue is kept light, maybe a bit too light, with Bendis playing up Daredevil's confusion at what's going on for humorous effect. This might be Bendis's way of winking to the reader, saying, "Yes, we know you're lost, but Daredevil's lost, too. Enjoy the sword fights!"

Bendis's tacit advice isn't worthless. DAREDEVIL: NINJA is an enjoyable tale, despite the exclusionary plotline, because it moves like a rocket and features more than a few outstanding moments. Haynes's artwork doesn't make any pretense to realism, and though the back-cover copy calls it "Japanese-influenced," it has a very American feel to it, despite the lack of detail. This is not the obsessively detailed art that enjoyed its heyday in the late-1980s and early-1990s, but a very clean style that includes just enough elements to keep it from looking plain.

In the final analysis, DAREDEVIL: NINJA cannot be included among the very best Daredevil stories. A little too complex for comic book novices and a little too slight for veterans, the story is an entertaining diversion, but not much more than that. Readers seeking the deeper textures of Bendis's Daredevil will most likely come away disappointed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An entertaining diversion.
Review: Writer Brian Michael Bendis is the best thing that ever happened Daredevil. There are some who would dispute this statement, pointing toward the groundbreaking work done by Frank Miller, but Bendis's work with the Man Without Fear has been consistently the most engaging stuff written about that character. Sadly, even Bendis can have an off game. Enter DAREDEVIL: NINJA.

According to the afterword - or "Director's Commentary," as it is called in this trade paperback collection - written by artist Rob Haynes, DAREDEVIL: NINJA was meant to be as close to a movie as the comic-reading experience allows. The narrative has been stripped down to its bare essentials and even the art was drawn in such a way to invite impressions of dynamic motion such as one might see in the theater. DAREDEVIL: NINJA does move quickly, and there is plenty of action, but like many contemporary films, the emphasis on wowing the audience has forced the script into the back seat.

DAREDEVIL: NINJA collects a standalone Daredevil miniseries from 2001. The work is intended for the casual reader, perhaps one who doesn't know much about Daredevil. One wonders, then, why Bendis chose to incorporate one of the more convoluted elements of the character's past: the titular ninja. Those who've followed the exploits of Daredevil over the years will have no problem whatsoever following the story as Daredevil becomes embroiled in an ancient war between Japanese warrior clans. When a mysterious ninja steals a fighting stick that belonged to the man who once trained Daredevil, and a wild pursuit begins, these readers will know exactly what's happening. A newcomer will be nothing short of bewildered, though, and the narrative doesn't do neophytes any favors.

Perhaps Bendis felt there wouldn't be enough time for readers to grow confused. The action in DAREDEVIL: NINJA zooms from America to Japan and back again, throwing ninja at Daredevil and his companions at every turn. The dialogue is kept light, maybe a bit too light, with Bendis playing up Daredevil's confusion at what's going on for humorous effect. This might be Bendis's way of winking to the reader, saying, "Yes, we know you're lost, but Daredevil's lost, too. Enjoy the sword fights!"

Bendis's tacit advice isn't worthless. DAREDEVIL: NINJA is an enjoyable tale, despite the exclusionary plotline, because it moves like a rocket and features more than a few outstanding moments. Haynes's artwork doesn't make any pretense to realism, and though the back-cover copy calls it "Japanese-influenced," it has a very American feel to it, despite the lack of detail. This is not the obsessively detailed art that enjoyed its heyday in the late-1980s and early-1990s, but a very clean style that includes just enough elements to keep it from looking plain.

In the final analysis, DAREDEVIL: NINJA cannot be included among the very best Daredevil stories. A little too complex for comic book novices and a little too slight for veterans, the story is an entertaining diversion, but not much more than that. Readers seeking the deeper textures of Bendis's Daredevil will most likely come away disappointed.


<< 1 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates