Ninjavember: Ninja High School#1

  "A New Student Comes to Quagmire High" Ninja High School#1 (1987) with credits to Ben Dunn (script), Ben Dunn (pencils), Carlos Castro (inks), Carlos Castro (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)

So, the official start of the saga. Let's have a rundown of the main cast.

Princess Asrial-Princess of the Salusian Empire. She is tasked to marry a randomly selected Earthling. Why? Because Earth is a neutral planet and if the Salusians have no claim to the planet (and its resources), then the Zardon Empire will claim one; given that the two empires are currently locked in a war, well, it would be in her planets best interest if Asrial got hitched and got the matter resolved ASAP.

Ichi-Kun Ichinohei-Ninja and heir to the Ichinohei Ninja Clan. Her grandfather, the current head, will step aside and allow her to take over, provided she marry a man of his choice AND said man must ask her first. After that, she is free to do whatever she wants. Ichi figures it should be easy

Rivalsan Lendo-Ichinohei's greatest rival. He has a sweet spot for Ichi and hopes to her merge her clan with his. When informed by one of his tree ninja scouts, he handles this new development with a quiet dignity and grace-i.e. drawing his sword and swearing to murder the infidel who stole his intended. 

Jeremy Feeble-Average teen. He's playing soccer when he gets called in and ordered to show a newly arrived Ichi around school. Ichi mentions that her father and Jeremey's were close. This sets Jeremy off on a flashback where we see his pop leaving. Something about off to slay giant rats. 

Jeremy and his romantic leads both collide. Before the rest of the school can be leveled, mad scientist Professor Steamhead offers a solution. Why not a contest between the two girls-with Jeremy as the prize! Jeremy is less than enthused. 

Back at the Feeble home, we see Ricky (Jeremy's younger brother and ninja in training) and Mrs. Feeble. Seems she used to be a ninja too. In order to leave her clan (Ichinohei, in case you were wondering), she had to promise her first born son to the first born granddaughter of the clan. 

So, this is where everything is set up proper. We have a good sense of the cast and the set up for drama. Compared to what was going on in 1987 with other comics, this was really amazing. Manga wasn't a thing in the US at the time and this captured the feel perfectly.