The spider has long been used in comics in a myriad of ways. For some it may turn them from a wimpy nerd to a super-powered human with arachnid abilities. In certain mythologies the spider is the trickster, one who manipulates situations and at times causes general confusion. But in Ninjak and the Eternal Warrior’s case it’s just a huge, creepy crawler keeping them from their query. Of course Doctor Silk who looks scarier than any spider could hope to look like, is using his abilities to cross over to the Deadside – a place where even MI-6X doesn’t have an extradition treaty with. In issue 20 of Ninjak the Deadside in the future is still a threat to Colin King. But it’s also the answer to a cure.
Much of what Ninjak goes through in this comic rests on his friendship with Gilad, the Eternal Warrior and their relationship with the Valiant universe. Way back in the present Silk had a master plan. Like every megalomaniac he attempted to literally shape the world in his own image, by usurping people’s memories with his own. Essentially the world would be filled with Silks, only they wouldn’t look like him. The team Unity (including Ninjak and Livewire) stop him, however he’s still around causing trouble. This time his means of escape is the Deadside where he’s attempting to tap limitless power. This source or the search for it leads Ninjak and Gilad further into what has become a complex adventure. Others from the present try to help even if they don’t know what’s going on. That’s the thing about Colin King. He garners the kind of respect from his allies that they would do anything for him, even if it means giving up a piece of themselves. When this Deadside illness comes about, Neville Alcott, whose life is in a complete shambles still rallies who he can to help his friend. Their relationship (from loving the same woman to the erasure of Alcott’s memories) is just a small example of how much Ninjak has impacted the lives around him. Even his enemies take the time to tell him their master plan. That doesn’t happen too often in this world.
For this current story arc present and future are happening simultaneously. Ninjak is typically finding a cure for his younger self, while Punk Mambo tries to aid him in piecing this all together. For this storyline to make sense the artwork plays a significant job. When both present and future meet, the lines on the elder Colin’s face can’t have the experience of the younger. Yet the younger one is on the verge of dying. How do you handle this? By having artists Khari Evans and Eric Nguyen make changes to Ninjak that could only occur with time. His costume has subtle differences, even his mask appears slightly different. These designs show the passage of time. As Colin’s hair goes grey, there has to be modifications to his attire as well.
Overall the reader begins to discover what part the Deadside will play in Colin’s world. More importantly will what happens in the future be reversed? For the characters in this universe, even with knowledge of what’s to come doesn’t guarantee survival. Will the future that is glimpsed in this narrative be a future where Colin gets to be a part of?
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