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Jennika and Nightwatcher have taken Lao Ban off of the board, leaving a vacuum for power in the wake. Now, Nightwatcher has gone rogue with little to no understanding of the world around it. Jennika has to struggle with personal relationships and responsibilities, all while keeping tabs on the living armor she was entrusted to protect.
- Written by Juni Ba
- Art by Fero Pe
- Colors by Luis Antonio Delgado
- Letters by Nathan Widick
- Editor Dave Wielgosz
The Burden of the Nightwatcher
Nightwatcher seemingly wrapped up the first arc of it’s story in issue 5. The big bad Lao Ban is defeated and the streets will be safe from his ruthless fists. Of course that’s not how the world works. When the top of the food chain is removed, there’s a war to find out who takes that spot. The streets are in need of a silent protector now more than ever.
Catch up with issue #5 here!
Unfortunately, the Nightwatcher armor has decided to go off on it’s own and Jennika is left in a tough spot: Lao Ban is locked away in her makeshift prison, the woman she loves won’t answer her calls, and a naive Nightwatcher is out wandering the streets. Jennika’s plate is overflowing. She will have to search her soul and find balance if she hopes to achieve anything moving forward.
The Dynamic of Teacher and Student in Nightwatcher #6
The scope of this issue is small in size. It’s contained within the small circle of Jennika and the Nightwatcher. The issues that are addressed in this issue are massive, however. Juni Ba takes us on a deep dive into the weight on Jennika’s shoulders. I love the fact that he does this through the eyes of her antagonist Lao Ban. Who better to understand the psychological nature of a caged animal more than him? As ruthless as he may be, he actually serves up some good points, like a mentor or Sensei of some sorts. Of course all of it is ultimately mind games that he uses to weaken Jennika and test her mental strength.
The primary plot in this issue is Jennika’s relationship to the Nightwatcher armor. It’s technically a child, learning through trial and error. That proves to be dangerous for a mystical golem trapped with in powerful armor. When guided by someone with a learned set of morals and ethics, it can be a force for good. On its own though, it tends to pick up bad habits. How far will it go before it does something abominable?
The Art Compliments the Story in Nightwatcher #6
Fero Pe and Luis Antonio Delgado continue to bring a striking and beautiful grittiness to the pages of Nightwatcher. The monstrous design of the Nightwatcher is so intimidating and borderline horrific, yet a glimmer humanity keeps it slightly innocent and curious.
Casey Jones and Raphael are in some deep trouble! Mutant Nation!
Lao Ban is as intimidating as ever, even in a cage. He sits in shadows and stills look massive. His words feel almost reassuring at times, but his face tells you that he is still a dangerous being. There’s a lot of focus on his face, showing a range of emotions from disgust, to anger, to mischievous.
Overall Grade: 9/10
This series gets better with every issue. The dynamic between Jennika and the armor weighs heavy on the story and the musings of Lao Ban intensify that. Ban is a great villain that proved his physical power in the previous issue, but shows his psychological advantage here. It’s like watching Hannibal Lecter poke and prod and Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs. Issue 6 is a fantastic take on “with great power comes great responsibility” from more than one angle.
