There’s a lot going on in Psylocke: Ninja #4, to the point where I’m surprised Tim Seeley and Nico Leon can keep track of it all. The Hand is in Madripoor, aiming to kill Elektra and bring Psylocke back into their ranks. Psylocke and Elektra, on the other hand, are locked in a ferocious battle as Elektra seeks vengeance for the death of the Chaste. To top it all off, Jubilee’s been captured and is at the mercy of a mutant crime lord.
What keeps this comic from spilling into “story overload” is how Seeley approaches the flow of his script. Each scene is precisely as long as it needs to be, and all of the plot threads serve each other; nothing feels tacked on or unresolved. A miniseries is a tricky thing to land in comics because while you have a beginning and end laid out, it’s the middle that can often trip up writers. Seeley hasn’t had that problem, especially since he’s dedicated each issue to slowly having Betsy Braddock’s mind align with her new body.
Another way that Seeley’s writing stands out is in the emotional heft he brings to the table. Betsy is racing against time to save Jubilee, who seemingly resents her for shaking up the dynamic that she had with Wolverine. She also has to deal with the actions she took while under the Hand’s thrall, especially their effects on Elektra. Elektra herself is driven by rage and revenge, leading to a moment where she’s forced to question what she wants out of life. Even Matsu’o Tsurayaba gets some depth, as he’s driven by his love of Kwannon, which the other Hand members mock him for. This type of character work is what makes Psylocke: Ninja more than just another nostalgia-heavy tale.
Marvel
The other thing that elevates Psylocke: Ninja #4 is Leon’s artwork. The sheer detail in the fight between Psylocke and Elektra alone makes this a comic worth picking up, as each strike is given weight while both combatants move with a combination of grace and lethality. But he also brings their inner thoughts to life, showcasing Betsy’s turmoil and Elektra’s rage. JuFighter/author Wesley Chu once said that a good fight scene is like a conversation; judging from what Leon puts on the page, both women have a lot in common, and a lot they need to work through.
Said fight scenes have a pop to them courtesy of Dono Sanchez-Alamara, especially when it comes to the combatants’ signature colors. Elektra immediately stands out due to her signature blood red leotard and glinting silver sais, while Psylocke is defined by her violet hair and bright pink psychic energy. Against the shadowy backdrop of Madripoor, these moments stand out like a bolt of lightning, as does a sequence set in a nightclub that’s full of pulsating neon lights.
Psylocke: Ninja #4 doesn’t skimp on the action, the emotion, or the forward momentum as it races towards its final issue. From what Seeley and Leon are bringing to the table, that’s going to be a hell of a finale.
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