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Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas
Kidnapped by time-travelling ninjas, Helen is thrust into the year 2355 — a ruined future with roving gangs and ‘Peace Balls’, giant humming devices that enslave and control people’s minds.
The Go-Go Ninjas have one goal — to destroy the Peace Balls. They believe that Helen knows how.
Can Helen use her knowledge of the past to help them save the future?
The Go-Go Ninjas have one goal — to destroy the Peace Balls. They believe that Helen knows how.
Can Helen use her knowledge of the past to help them save the future?
264 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2018
32 people want to read
About the author
Ant Sang
21 books23 followersAnt Sang, who lives and works in New Zealand, is an award-winning cartoonist. He is the author and illustrator of graphic novels 'The Dharma Punks' and 'Shaolin Burning'. He was one of the original creatives on the successful animated television series bro’Town. His latest graphic novel, 'Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas', is a collaboration with author Michael Bennett.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 27, 2020
2.5★
Read as part of a Bingo Challenge with the BLK Group and my first graphic novel.
I already had this on one of my to-read lists, but I should have known that it wouldn't be for me.
Pretty much the only criteria it filled for a Carol Read was that it was by Kiwi Authors and it had a 'green' message.
But I didn't mind the masculine cast of the heroine's features - it made her look exotic. But all the women looked masculine.
On most pages I didn't like the colour palette.
Lots of use of THOOMP, VROOMMMMMM and SCREEEEEEE
Fairly violent.
The rules for this challenge were pretty relaxed and I should have grabbed an Asterix the Gaul comic instead.
Just because it wasn't for me, doesn't mean it won't be for you.
Read as part of a Bingo Challenge with the BLK Group and my first graphic novel.
I already had this on one of my to-read lists, but I should have known that it wouldn't be for me.
Pretty much the only criteria it filled for a Carol Read was that it was by Kiwi Authors and it had a 'green' message.
But I didn't mind the masculine cast of the heroine's features - it made her look exotic. But all the women looked masculine.
On most pages I didn't like the colour palette.
Lots of use of THOOMP, VROOMMMMMM and SCREEEEEEE
Fairly violent.
The rules for this challenge were pretty relaxed and I should have grabbed an Asterix the Gaul comic instead.
Just because it wasn't for me, doesn't mean it won't be for you.
May 24, 2019
I've been meaning to read this for a while now, so yesterday I finally bought a copy. I'm glad I did. I have to admit it's initial draw card for me was the cover image - it wasn't until after I'd purchased the book that I realised both Ant Sang and Michael Bennett were people whose work I had previously enjoyed.
The plot is far-fetched, but works really well: Helen is kidnapped by the time travelling Go-Go ninjas, who take her to the year 2355, for the kind of fair enough reason that they more or less need her to save the world. It's pretty awesome and works really well in the context of the book.
One of the things I loved the most was the clothing the women wear. Practical things that are appropriate for fighting. Helen wears a singlet and pants - she doesn't look like she was casually modelling for Victoria Secret before she was kidnapped and decided to stick with her outfit, heels and all for... whatever reason might work when that happens. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of the hyper reality that comes along with superheroes, but it's always nice when something feels real. Also the characters are interesting, determined and some of them are rather frightening too.
I really liked the story, I read it in two sittings (it would have been one, but I had other things that had to be done!). Also, just a note: This was shelved in children's section when I bought it, and while I personally would say it would be fine for a child with a good reading ability, it's got a fair bit of swearing (mostly mild) and a bit more violence than I had expected. So if you're concerned about that, just have a flip through it first.
Overall, a really good read that completely pulled me in.
The plot is far-fetched, but works really well: Helen is kidnapped by the time travelling Go-Go ninjas, who take her to the year 2355, for the kind of fair enough reason that they more or less need her to save the world. It's pretty awesome and works really well in the context of the book.
One of the things I loved the most was the clothing the women wear. Practical things that are appropriate for fighting. Helen wears a singlet and pants - she doesn't look like she was casually modelling for Victoria Secret before she was kidnapped and decided to stick with her outfit, heels and all for... whatever reason might work when that happens. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of the hyper reality that comes along with superheroes, but it's always nice when something feels real. Also the characters are interesting, determined and some of them are rather frightening too.
I really liked the story, I read it in two sittings (it would have been one, but I had other things that had to be done!). Also, just a note: This was shelved in children's section when I bought it, and while I personally would say it would be fine for a child with a good reading ability, it's got a fair bit of swearing (mostly mild) and a bit more violence than I had expected. So if you're concerned about that, just have a flip through it first.
Overall, a really good read that completely pulled me in.
June 24, 2018
Review to come.
June 24, 2018
Overall 3.5 rating!
What I liked:
The NZ representation!
The overall plot
The nods to abusive relationships & prosthetics
The writing
The main character
What I was meh about:
The pacing was too fast
I finished the whole story in just under an hour and it felt unsatisfying
The men vs women idea
What I liked:
The NZ representation!
The overall plot
The nods to abusive relationships & prosthetics
The writing
The main character
What I was meh about:
The pacing was too fast
I finished the whole story in just under an hour and it felt unsatisfying
The men vs women idea
August 5, 2018
Fairly rattles along, panels bursting with vivid images and ideas. Characterisation is lacking though, and the 'women as sex slaves' trope and masculinity of the Amazonian ninjas of the title betrays this as a male writer's version of a female-centric story. Worth a crack, especially if you are a Kiwi. Not sure why it was in the YA section of the library?
October 14, 2018
A competent story, though it feels like a rehash of a number of tried-and-true science fiction tropes. It moves along at a good clip, in part thanks to the energetic art. But the whole felt a bit bland to me. This may come in part from the flat colouring. Many panels had plain blue, green or beige backgrounds and felt a bit too bare, in terms of world building. Visually, the best scenes were in the hide-out, where the red and neon lights made for dramatic shading and shadows.
November 28, 2018
I like a good story, and I know its a bit cliché, but I like one that has a beginning, a middle and an end. This has that. Great to see maori faces in a comic series. Great premise, easy read and thought provoking too. Thanks! Enjoyed this immensely.
August 28, 2018
I love a good time travel story! This was an engaging, fast-paced comic. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun and fresh read.
April 11, 2023
This was part of the Readers’ Cup for my region in 2023. I hated the villain, so job done Sang and Bennett! He epitomised the ‘power corrupts’ idea in his role as the leader of a cult given his sexist exploitation of women as food producers and procreators and his disappointment in his own son. His moustache, hat and ever present gun helped sell his unpleasant nature.
The storyline develops the theme of ‘do right and fear nothing’ which both Helen and Tama illustrate no matter the cost to themselves. In keeping with this sacrifice of boyfriend and father respectively, Ann Margaret sacrificed even more.
Other issues include: scientific experimentation, luck, fear of heights, cult, exploitation of women, deception, betrayal, suicide, protection, fighting a just cause, not following blindly, sacrifice, bravery, and defiance.
There are also religious references: a derelict church, a chapter called exodus, and the prophets ‘praise be’ line.
The ending sat well with me and the odd inclusion of the doll earlier became more meaningful by the final page turn.
There were a couple of far-fetched moments: how did Helen survive the very first incident? Would a tiger be satisfied with a stationary or moving target? Should you really share needles? Is such a quick recovery possible?
The storyline develops the theme of ‘do right and fear nothing’ which both Helen and Tama illustrate no matter the cost to themselves. In keeping with this sacrifice of boyfriend and father respectively, Ann Margaret sacrificed even more.
Other issues include: scientific experimentation, luck, fear of heights, cult, exploitation of women, deception, betrayal, suicide, protection, fighting a just cause, not following blindly, sacrifice, bravery, and defiance.
There are also religious references: a derelict church, a chapter called exodus, and the prophets ‘praise be’ line.
The ending sat well with me and the odd inclusion of the doll earlier became more meaningful by the final page turn.
There were a couple of far-fetched moments: how did Helen survive the very first incident? Would a tiger be satisfied with a stationary or moving target? Should you really share needles? Is such a quick recovery possible?
June 18, 2020
Helen and the Go Go Ninjas is about a woman who travels forward in time and has to help save the world.
I loved the art work in this it was beautifully detailed with earthy colour tones. The plot was also interesting with some notes to environmentalism and how we deal with scientific creations. I also think the representations of relationships and how people treat one another was interesting.
Helen was a great character to follow her passion for doing what was right despite others opinions and her willingness to fight for what was important.
Only thing I didn't like was relationship I dont know what about it but it made me uneasy. The way the men treated the women in the future also made me uncomfortable which is just a personal preference.
I loved the art work in this it was beautifully detailed with earthy colour tones. The plot was also interesting with some notes to environmentalism and how we deal with scientific creations. I also think the representations of relationships and how people treat one another was interesting.
Helen was a great character to follow her passion for doing what was right despite others opinions and her willingness to fight for what was important.
Only thing I didn't like was relationship I dont know what about it but it made me uneasy. The way the men treated the women in the future also made me uncomfortable which is just a personal preference.
August 25, 2019
There was a copy of this book at the Pinnacles Hut in the Coromandel. I read this in one sitting in the toasty kitchen there.
I’ve never really delved into graphic novels before. I loved the strong wahine lead who was not sexualised. I loved the NZ setting and subtle visual references to that. I loved climate change as a plot device.
I was disappointed that Helen was not queer. I was also disappointed at the simplicity of the symbolism in the plot - the oppression of the tree women particularly.
I didn’t get much out of it but it got a 3 because it is meant for children and this is something I would love for my child to read and enjoy.
I’ve never really delved into graphic novels before. I loved the strong wahine lead who was not sexualised. I loved the NZ setting and subtle visual references to that. I loved climate change as a plot device.
I was disappointed that Helen was not queer. I was also disappointed at the simplicity of the symbolism in the plot - the oppression of the tree women particularly.
I didn’t get much out of it but it got a 3 because it is meant for children and this is something I would love for my child to read and enjoy.
August 12, 2018
Great story, awesomely drawn. Female protaganists are strong! A plausible view of the future...
February 10, 2019
The illustrations are excellent and kept me going. The story didn't really grip me except for the shocking health outcome for Helen. Have to admire her as a character.
July 14, 2019
Fast read, entertaining, and action-packed. Combines environmentalist and feminist issues with a little bit of a love story that is not overly cheesy or preachy.
April 12, 2020
Hmmm.
Quite nice artwork.
Quite nice artwork.
January 20, 2021
I am super confused that this is marketed by booksellers as a children’s/YA graphic novel - neither the language nor the content fits with that. Cool art but the storyline was unconvincing.
April 25, 2021
Asskicking time-travelling ninja! #3wordbookreview
October 28, 2024
Great conversation starter and intriguing scenario to solve.
Main character is inspiring before and after amputation.
Main character is inspiring before and after amputation.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews