OK, new tournament, new fights. The new tournament is named for Ronald Lamont “Winky” Wright. Fred’s got his history in the previous link. Not sure why he didn’t go with “Winky” for the tournament name, though. 🙂

It’s no secret to long-time readers that I have an issue with re-imaginings that pretty much ignore the source material to the point that it’s an original story with famous names slapped on wherever. So I’m not surprised that there are people who didn’t like the Acclaim run of Valiant Comics heroes. I however love their take because it’s a lot more fun and less dark. Although the only comic I collected was Ninjak, I had no history with the character while I knew that the original X-O Manowar was kind of a jerk and hard to root for beyond not wanting to see Earth destroyed.

I wish I had gotten the Acclaim run because the story I’m getting tonight’s Fight from showed that Acclaim’s X-O was also fun and I did get one issue because it had a Ninjak cameo. Someday (if I get a job again and my comic collection trimmed to something I can enjoy) i hope to correct my error. But tonight the two are both alive and joining forces to take on another of Ninjak’s foes. You read the article title.

“Wright” round 1

The Battlefield: Ninjak #6 (Acclaim Comics/Valiant Heroes; August, 1997) “This World’s Finest?”

The Promoters: Kurt Busiek (writer), Robert L Washington III & Neil Vokes (pencilers), Mike Avon Deming (inker) Atomic Paintbrush (colors) and Dave & Og (letters)

For those new to the second Ninjak, this version has a kid who gets to transform into his favorite video game superhero. However, the villains have escaped and find hosts among humans seeking power. Or in the case of Mentax, a toddler who wants a Tickle Me Elmo toy. A toy he’s willing to “protect” from our heroes even though the heroes are trying to protect some mob witnesses. Long story.

“All I have to do is take the threat of an evil cosmic baby seriously…..” This line alone is worth getting this comic.

The next page will disappoint toy collectors but delight haters of Elmo–or at least that toy.

That’s right. Give the toddler with ultra-power psychic powers a reason to throw a temper tantrum.

Well, that ended poorly. But it has a happy ending. Except for Elmo.

So who really won? Mentax defeated everyone but lost his toy. Ninjak and X-O wanted to save the witnesses and stop the mob boss and they did that. (X-O’s ally also recorded the mobsters ordering the witnesses killed so their screwed.) However, I think we can all agree on who the big loser is for this fight.

click to vote in this week’s tournament

Head over to Spacebooger.com by Sunday night and vote in the Friday Night Fights. Winners of these 12 round will return for a Prize Fight, so feel free to join in. We could use the competition.