Pirates vs. Ninjas II

Publisher
Antarctic Press
Country of origin
US
Year
2007

Pirates vs. Ninjas II #3 of 4

By David Rasmussen
10th Nov 07

How did one little unassuming man like Montague get into so much damn trouble!!
When we first saw him, back in Pirates vs. Ninjas #1 (book one) he was prisoner or a band or pirates, and got all caught up in this battle between Pirates and Ninjas (whose struggle continues ever onwards in public opinion polls in Animal Crossing : Wild World (Nintendo DS) and one costume makers Halloween quandaries in My Sims (Nintendo Wii)).

But however this little man managed to get a bullseye drawn on his skull by not only the Pirates, and the Ninjas but…what… he managed to piss off Vikings too? (Vikings not hailing from Minnesota mind you)? Yeah, this guy is majorly cursed.

No, it just wasn’t enough that he abscond from the field of battle in Pirates vs. Ninjas Volume 1 with as much booty he could get his little hands on (and one of the local “residents” of the island battlefield, in a convenient to carry magically transformed rat size) he also had to off and take the very heart and soul of the battle itself (the weapon that was at the heart of the conflict from blow one). But if that wasn’t enough he also had to come across ANOTHER object of power, which draws in the whole Viking involvement.

Yeah, for a little “bookworm” he sure isn’t all that bright (or his common sense is negated by his greed). Anyway once he returns to the Old World of Europe he promptly let’s his newfound riches go right to his head, becoming a blowhard and carting about with him an Asian “companion” (without realizing maybe that Ninjas are Asian and this hot Asian chick isn’t hanging around him because he knows where all the good noodle shops in Europe are).

Once the Pirates and the Ninjas catch up to him in Venice it’s off to the races, with the prize being Mr. Montague (and more importantly the powerful stuff he’s been carting about with him for sometime now). Ah, and this second volume also breaks out the fine female folk with a female Pirate and a female Ninja (and the cover of this issue promises a female Viking). Anyway we’re now in Issue #3, and so far the Vikings have only made cameo appearances at the end of each issue (not really showing up yet). Let’s see if that changes as we go into this new issue… well, the “prize” of Mr. Montague is no longer up for grabs for the time being as it seems the Ninjas have him, and seeing how they have an aerial advantage it might be a tad hard for the Pirates to be getting him back immediately.

Now, while we seem to be sitting things out here in the air, maybe now is a good time to get some more 4-1-1 on past happenings… which now brings us to the Ninjas interest in Mr. Montague. No, apparently it’s not just the object he took off which which now inflames a certain head ninjas’ interest in… I better not say “inflame” again, knock on Dumbledore… Mr. Montague. Apparently his past story of his last escape from the Ninjas (which involved a certain object which seems to be drawing in the Vikings to this little “dance”) has caught someone’s attention, and he is very interested in what happened to Mr. Montague when the Viking gods apparently whisked him away out of harm’s way. Yeah, that seems to be the gist of all of it.

After a brief exchange of firepower with a not so on top Pirates (who seem to need a bigger boat… or just need a boat period after their last one seems to be dead in the Venician waters), the Ninjas make good of their escape with the Pirates in hot pursuit.

The issue ends, however, with Montague still in Ninja custody and telling us about how he opened the chest in Pandora’s Chamber only to find it… empty. Or was it… (though I am pretty certain Kratos already emptied the contents of Pandora’s box back in the original God of War for the PS2)… anyway no time to ponder whether he’s being truthful or not because, at long last, the Vikings finally show up (and they are not ready for a little football).

Still a good read, and things are finally beginning to fall into place. I can’t say I was disappointed with this, but seeing how this just set up the final confrontation with the Vikings finally showing up there wasn’t much to be disappointed with here.

If there is a gripe it’s that this is the shortest appearance later of the lady on the Pirates side, and the teaser of a female Viking that won’t really appear until next issue, though finally a female ninja appears that isn’t Mr. Montague’s former “companion” that (surprise surprise) turned out to be on the Ninjas side. What a plot twist… not. But don’t mind me, I am still recommending it because it is still a nice fun read. Enjoy as we roll towards completion (which hopefully isn’t another open ended end though, well, I guess I could go for a Pirates vs. Ninjas III).

Pirates vs. Ninjas II #3 of 4 gets it’s weight in issue title credit and a little more with 4 flying ninja sushi delivery people out of 5.

Now, as for Halloween? If you haven’t seen it yet can I recommend Ghost Pirates vs. Ghost Ninjas #1… because it’s with ghosts, ghosts that are both Pirates AND Ninjas… though not necessarily in the same ghost, I just mean there is Ghost Pirates and Ghost Ninjas in one issue. What’s not to like about that.

-- David Rasmussen 10th Nov 07