Fruit Ninja #1

Written by Nate Cosby

Art by Scott Brown & Ruairi Coleman
Cover by Scott Brown & Omi Remalante
Produced by Dynamite Entertainment

Fruit Follies

It’s rare these days to find an all-ages comic book that can appeal to readers of all ages. But the good folks at Dynamite Entertainment have managed to do just that with their newest title Fruit Ninja.

Though Fruit Ninja originally was based on the very popular video game series, this comic follows the characters of the Youtube Red animated series. In both the book and cartoon, the main characters are Seb, Niya, Peng, and Ralph. All four are young students learning the ancient art of Juice Jitsu. Unlike their ancestors thousands of years ago, this group isn’t quite so disciplined. But their skills are unmatched as they battle with the disgraced Fruit Ninja Durian Grey and his army of fruit salad zombies.

The stories aren’t as scary as it sounds. In fact, the battle between good and bad Fruit Ninjas is actually done in the form of a dance-off. How terrifying is that? Well, Ralph’s dance moves need some major work… Plus the fruit salad monsters look more like silly scarecrows than menacing ghouls.

Wedged between an ancient Fruit Ninjas tale and the modern story is an adventure starring Barry Steakfries. Steakfries is the main character in the video game Jetpack Joyride. In this story, Barry seeks to steal a new jetpack from his archenemies, the scientists at Legitimate Industries. The heist looks to be smooth as the buttercream that powers the jetpack. That is until Barry is chased by a team of rocket powered hippos!

Want Steakfries With That?

Though this comic is titled Fruit Ninja, my favorite story was the Barry Steakfries adventure. Throughout the story, the editor interjects his hilarious commentary to the reader about the dangerous of stealing jet packs. This type of silly analysis is similar to techniques used by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. I only wish that the editorials were in a font just a little less strenuous on the eyes.

First issues tend to not be all that great. Like a TV pilot, there’s kinks to work out. But I think based on how much I enjoyed this, Fruit Ninja can only get better. It’s very funny, very smart, and something that I would read on a monthly basis. Good job Dynamite! Keep it up and you’ll have a loyal reader in me.

Fruit Ninja debuts in stores Sept 6th.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Review originally published August 30, 2017 on outrightgeekery.com.