Believe me, I can understand partly DC’s thinking, and fan outrage. When Valiant was bought by Acclaim, they decided to retool titles like X-O Manowar and Ninjak for a younger audience and a gaming perspective. Well, I had zero interest in the original story of a ninja assassin or whatever Colin King was supposed to be. However, the tale of Denny Meecham, a boy who gained the powers of a video game character did interest me. And tonight is one of the reasons why. It’s final round time!

Smokin’ Joe round 12

The Battlefield: Ninjak V2 #1 (Acclaim Comics/Valiant Hero; March, 1997) “I Call On The Power Of Ninjak!”

The Promoters: Kurt Busiek (writer), Neil Vokes (penciler), Mike Avon Deming (inker), Dave Lanphear (letterer), and Atomic Paintbrush (colors)

Denny’s been given the power to transform into a video game hero (a game that sadly was never released in the real life, if it was even produced). The issue’s title initiates the transformation and the title of this article changes him back. However, the villains are brought through as well, such as Brutakon.

Nike had a long talk with Ninjak later.

And thus Denny fights his first battle as Ninjak from the other side of the monitor.

"Plus where are the floating health packs?"

Luckily, Denny’s played every port available and knows all of Ninjak’s weapons.

"So if he'll just get back in the game..."

But when it comes to the poison shuriken, Denny/Ninjak wonders if the poison knocks out his opponent, or gives a permanent game over.

Barack Obama is disappointed in you.

Of course, he can’t let Brutakon continue to hurt people, so he has to find a non-lethal solution.

This is going to hurt.

And of course, the big finish:

Yep, hurt.

So my problem with the new 52 isn’t the reboot itself, unnecessary as I still believe it to be. It’s that what it was replaced with just isn’t that good.

click to vote in this week's tournament

It’s too late for you to take part in this tournament, except for the vote, of course. (Joining the forums isn’t necessary to vote, only to comment.) However, after the Prize Fight we will begin the next tournament. Break out your comic collection and consider joining us.

And with this being the final fight of the tournament we usually have a break before the next round, so it’s time for the next edition of Best of FNF.