Ninjavember: Ninja High School#16

   "The Toughest Contest in the World" Ninja High School#16 (December 1989) with credits to Fred Lee Cain (guest script), Ben Dunn (story/art), Clem Robins (letters), and Chris Ulm (editor)

Here we focus on Arnie. 

Arnie's been a regular character since the first issue. A cross between characters played by Stallone and Arnold, Arnie was mostly there be an occasional joke. 

Here, he's waiting on Ms. Celande. She arrives in her time machine, apologizing for being late. Arnie is competing in the Toughest Contest in the World, and Ms. Celande was picking up his partner-The Twilight Avenger!

Who was a pulp era hero published by Eternity Comics around this time. 

So, with introductions out of the way, Arnie and the Avenger board Galaxy Express 999 (which is being piloted by the Dirty Pair themselves), and from there Arnie flashes back.

Seems this isn't his first contest. No, but it is his first as a participant. His first was a spectator, watching his big brother and Doggie (more on him later). 

Basically this is a contest between good and evil, with the winners have a clear advantage over the other side until the next contest. 

Arnie's brother and Doggie were the last two standing against Evil's champion. The fight wasn't going well, but Arnie's brother managed to distract the demon enough while Doggie opened a portal under its feet and flushed it away, giving Good the win!

Sadly, big brother was gravely wounded. Doggie knew a healer in the Himalayas but warns it might be years before he can recover. The evil team, consisting on NOT Doctor Doom, NOT Darth Vader, and NOT Lex Luthor, are not hapy, but the good team points out they won fair and square. I guess staring down Tomorrow Man, NOT Captain America, and NOT Captain Harlock did the trick. 

Arnie took it in stride. He got raised by NOT Captain Action and went to live in Quagmire. He finishes his flashback and we get the Twilight Avenger's deal. To wit, college student who's girlfriend got shot in a gangland war, donned a costume as criminals were a cowardly and superstitious lot. When Arnie mentioned 'World War II', this does cause the Avenger to freak out a bit, but that's conversation for later.

In Hokkaido, Kuma leaves to join the Good team. His leaving is noticed by the RNC. Rivalsan calls Lendo with an important task-get the Kenterminator ready to join the Good team.

So, with the good and evil assembled at the island, the Grand Overseer introduces himself and tells the teams to get ready.

Roll call (Good)

Kenterminator, Arnie, Twilight Avenger, Tomorrow Man (not quite Superman), Nightstalker (not quite Batman), Kuma, and Ramen Rider.

Roll call (Evil)

Blitzkrieg, Dr. Gorilla, the Jokester (not quite the Joker), Lord Nemesis (not quite Brocken Jr.), Iron Vixen, Rex Ruthless (not quite Lex Luthor), Prof. Gloom (not quite Mr. Mind)

Good setup and exploring the backstory of a minor character.