In 2017, the world’s most dangerous super-spy goes to war with the Valiant Universe…
Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe
is a live-action web series set in the Valiant Comics universe from the creators of Super Power Beat Down. The plot finds the titular British intelligence agent forced to betray his closest allies by the ruthless assassin Roku. Now, on the run, he must face off against the most powerful heroes and villains in the world in the hopes that he can survive long enough to set things right.
The series stars:
- Michael Rowe (Arrow, The Flash) as Colin King/Ninjak
- Kevin Porter (DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story) as Aram/Armstrong of Archer & Armstrong
- Ciera Foster (Straight Outta Compton) as Amanda McKee/Livewire
- Jason David Frank (Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers) as Angelo Mortalli/Bloodshot
- John Morrison (WWE, Lucha Underground) as Gilad Anni-Padda/Eternal Warrior
- Derek Theler (Baby Daddy, Shark Killer) as Aric Dacis/X-O Manowar
- Chantelle Barry (90210, Entourage) as Angelina Alcott/Roku
Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe provides examples of:
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Neville is blond unlike his comic book counterpart.
- Adaptational Relationship Overhaul: In the comics, Roku was Colin's handler when he was training until they briefly started a romantic relationship, which ended quickly when she was seemingly murdered. It would only be years later than Colin learned she was taken and transformed into Roku, which gave her amnesia. This series seems to imply the two had a genuine romantic relationship that eventually ended prior to Roku becoming a villain.
- Age Lift: Jillian existed in the original Valiant Comics continuity as an adult working for MI6, but here is a child.
- Badass Normal: Although a skilled martial artist and super spy, Ninjak possesses no superhuman abilities yet he is going up against a Blood Knight psycho killer with a Healing Factor, a time displaced 5th century warrior wielding alien Power Armor, two immortal brothers with Super-Strength and Nigh-Invulnerability, a mystic assassin with Psychic Powers, a Flying Brick superheroine and a Technopath; all trying to kill him.
- Canon Foreigner: Neville's wife Susan doesn't exist in the comics.
- Expy Coexistence: Sort of. The plot involves Roku, Neville's daughter in the Valiant Entertainment continuity, kidnapping Neville's wife Susan and daughter Jillian, who comes from the Valiant Comics continuity.
- Good Thing You Can Heal: Bloodshot's combat style lacks in defense; allowing his nanite-healing factor to pick up some of the slack.
- Let's You and Him Fight: Ninjak and the other heroes are all technically after the same Big Bad, but since he was forced to betray them, they'll more than likely be inclined to let their fists do the talking.
- Live-Action Adaptation: Not only is it the first live-action adaptation of Ninjak, it's the first adaptation of any Valiant comic and all the characters included are the first time they've appeared outside of the comics.
- McNinja: Colin King is a British billionaire ninja-spy.
- '90s Anti-Hero: Ninjak and Bloodshot have shades of this.
- No-Holds-Barred Beatdown: Ninjak and Bloodshot love to dish these out, and so do the other characters to varying degrees.
- Powered Armor: XO-Manowar's armor.
- The Scapegoat: Ninjak becomes this for Roku, kicking off the entire plot.
- Slasher Smile: Bloodshot displays one of these after being shot in the head.
- Team Member in the Adaptation: Bloodshot, Archer and Armstrong are members of Unity. In the comics all three have worked with Unity, or specific members at least, but were never part of the team.
- Technicolor Ninjas: Ninjak's outfit is 70-80% purple.
- Unrelated in the Adaptation: Roku is Neville' daughter in the comics, but there's no mention of that here mainly since his daughter Jillian exists instead.
