Pirates vs. Ninjas II

Publisher
Antarctic Press
Country of origin
US
Year
2007

Pirates vs. Ninjas II #5 & #6

By David Rasmussen
19th Jan 08

Is it over yet?
I mean after last time (with only 4 issues) we would have thought Issue #4 would have been the end of it all… sorry, no can do. Pirates vs. Ninjas II goes into overtime as we roll into Issue #5 & #6.… WHAT?!? There’s word of a Pirates vs. Ninja III coming soon?!? Are you kidding me!!! Haven’t we suffered enough!! (What? I keep giving it a 4 out of 5? Well… alright, it’s not bad… but really, Pirates vs. Ninjas #5 to probably #8 should have been Pirates vs. Ninjas III). Ugh. Here, read the review, while I try not to despair too much over this news.

It all started with that bastard Montague.
First a prisoner of circumstance of the pirates, by the end of the first book he had made himself a walking target by stealing from BOTH the Pirates and the Ninjas, and hightailing it back to the old world (Europe) with what he stole… oh, then he goes and picks up the belongings of ANOTHER people (the Norse Vikings) and gets THEM in on the whole pursuit thing!

From there on out it’s off the the proverbial races as everyone is coming after Montague and what he took, which leads to an all out battle first between Pirates and Ninjas, then between Ninjas and Vikings (and seemingly the Norse Gods as it turns out the hammer taken by Montague may in fact be THE Hammer of the Norse God Thor (God of Thunder)… oh, right, somehow HE is worthy to lift the hammer of Thor… right (seemingly only the MARVEL Universe has mystical protections on Thor’s hammer!)

Well, if this is the end then we’re only down to the fighting, the kicking, the screaming, the stabbing and whatnot in a fight to the finish to see who claims what (why it‘s just like a Miss Universe pagent only without the crown)!

As Issue #5 starts it looks like the Pirates are… out of the conflict? Apparently they’re on break at the local pub while they try to catch up to the fight. Maybe sending a ninja through the bar window (followed by the Norse Viking’s Valkryie warrior) will get them back into the fight. Ok, guys, no overkill stabbing of the nearly naked Valkryie woman now… she doesn’t seem at all phased by it, so forget I said that.

And once again we are back to the fight at hand.
The head of the ninjas is being blasted about by the Norse major heavy hitter (who I thought was Odin, but I guess isn’t) while Montague is… being saved by the very woman who betrayed him? You gotta be kidding me! Oh, and they’re not out of the woods yet as they still have lots of Vikings to get past. (Dammit man, give Thor his hammer back! You don’t know where it’s been!!)

As the story ends for Issue #5, however, maybe the title needs to be changed from Pirates vs. Ninjas to Pirates AND Ninjas as it looks like only an alliance between the two warring factions can save them now against a stronger foe (yeah, the Norse Vikings).

Issue #6 tests the mettle of the alliance, as (now joined together) they have to once again take on the Vikings one more time to the death… let me put it to you this way. It’s NOT OVER YET!!
Oh for heaven’s sake end already!!

Well, good thing it’s the end of the 2007 season. I can put in a request next Calendar Year (2008) for the end and we’ll see where this goes. By the way, no telling of the dire straits that ends the year as we wait for the concluding issues and the finale as to how this “alliance” shapes up (and if it holds under the stresses of battling a superior foe, let alone the urge to go at each other once (and if) they can defeat the Vikings). Well, that is a tale for next time, but for now…

Well I’m not keeping track of whose doing what on the title (it’s got a long laundry list of talent working it), but it is good and solid overall. Artwork is nice, and the story continues ever onwards in a strong healthy pace of action, abit of humor and overall story that (hopefully) doesn’t end in a dangling cliffhanger like last time… yeah, I like this too but do we really need a Pirates vs. Ninjas III?

Overall if you have gone the long haul with this running battle then see it through to the end.
If not? Well… that’s what Trade Paperback collections are for. Pick up the first Pirates vs. Ninjas Graphic Novel, get caught up and join in now (the water is fine… and poisoned… and bloodied).
Pirates vs. Ninjas II #5 & #6 (of whatever) gets a healthy chest of booty… no, not that kind of chest… with 4 shiploads of dubloons out of 5.

Now I’ll see you in 2008 for the eventful conclusion! Take care and Happy New Year!
Pirates vs. Ninjas © & ™ 2007 Antarctic Press

-- David Rasmussen 19th Jan 08