"Traps, Turbo, & Terror!" Ninja High School Featuring Speed Racer#2 (December 1993) with credits to Mark Levine (script), Studio Madmen (art), Dan Schaefer (inks), Joseph Allen (colors), and David Lanphear (letters)
The race continues!
Yeah, turns out Captain Terror is the bad guy (who saw that one coming?) and he's working for General Liability, who in turn unleashes a giant robot on Quagmire!
Better in terms of art but Dunn's absence is sorely missed.
"Traps, Turbo, & Terror!" Ninja High School Featuring Speed Racer#1 (September 1993) with credits to Mark Levine/Ian Ward (script), William Jang/Dan Schaefer/Albert Deschesne (art), Joseph Allen (colors), and David Lanphear (letters)
Nearing the end, so let's look at one of the first crossovers NHS did. In the early 90's, NOW Comics had the rights to Speed Racer and thus we have Ninja High School meeting the cast of Speed Racer.
This is the day of the Quagmire 1000, the biggest race ever! Such a challenge must be meet by Greg!
Yeah, Greg. In the NOW series, Speed was simply a nickname, so more often than not character called out for Greg Racer.
As the race prep is underway, ninjas opt to steal RNC's latest laser weapon. Is the Car Acrobatic Team responsible?
The interior art, man, I'm sure these guys were nice and professional but the Speed Racer series didn't have the best visual take on the character. Manga ish but not quite so characters are left with giant heads on stick necks.
"The Big Finito" Zetraman#3 (February 1992) with credits to Steve Ross (script), Carlos Tron (art), and Craig Miller (letters)
The Venusian Amazon's begin their final assault. Terry tried but she couldn't stop her alone...but with Aleka's help?
Also, Aleka is now Zetra Green.
Belloma is defeated, a compromise is reached and the Zetra team welcomes two new members!
"Strike Me Pink" Zetraman#2 (October 1991) with credits to Steve Ross (script) and Carlos Tron (art)
Remember Belloma? Yeah, she's gone full megalomania destroy all planets mode. Aleka now has a choice-does she stay loyal to Venus or should she help the Earth?
All the while, Professor Steamhead has an idea-the Zetramen are the target and possible vulnerable to Belloma's wiles-so why not use a woman? Thus, Terry (AKA Robogal) is now Zetra Pink. Can she provide enough muscle to drive off the invasion?
"Venus Needs Men" Zetraman#1 (September 1991) with credits to Steve Ross (script) Ben Dunn (art), and Craig Miller (letters)
Wrapping things up this week, so let's finish it with one of the first NHS spin off-Zetraman! Based on Sun Vulcan, three average Quagmire High students get imbued with steam and turned into masked sentai heroes!
Out in space on the planet Venus, meanwhile, things are looking grim. To wit, they ran out of men and cloning tech is still decades away from being viable, so the rulers of Venus are going to need some man power (in that sense, yes) and fast. Belloma is sent oversee the operation.
The operation isn't going to be as simple as tractor beaming some yokel farmers, no. They just need a copious amount of fluid and Belloma has her eyes set on the Zetramen. Why not aim high, right?
Aleka is a simple Amazon trooper. She agrees with the mission but she thinks Belloma may not have the right temperament for the job, but I'm sure the lady with the giant horned helmet and flowing cape behind her would be a humble servant and would never dream of say, going power mad and trying to rule two planets.
That would just be silly.
"8-Bit Madness" Super Ninja High School (October 2015) with credits to Steve Ross (script) Ben Dunn (art), Alfred Perez (letters), and Doug Dlin (editor)
Slight change, as we'll be looking at one of the many miniseries/one shots that popped up over the years. This yarn takes place right after issues 28 and 29.
Basically the robotic army has been quiet...a little too quiet.
Yeah, turns out the Earthlings were right to be wary as Destructo got sent into the future, a future where things like the internet exist! He has now returned from the future to conquer the past! And yes, all of our bases now belong to them too!
Asrial and Professor Steamhead rush to the RNC HQ and give a reluctant Lendo a plan. Video games (and reference ahoy!) will save the world! Basically a network of game consoles are plugged into a Really Ornamental Bot with a Back and Forth Oscillating Top. From there, players will control their video avatars inside the game and defeat the evil robots with the power of STEAM!
A team is assembled: Mikey, Jeremy, Ricky, Sammi, and Lendo's brother Tetsuo
While they play and distract the robots, Ichi and Asrial are slipping into their base. Pity they get caught, scanned and sent into a totally not DEAD OR ALIVE beach volleyball game.
From there, more game references (including Captain N: The Game Master) abound until Ricky comes back with the Missinggo pokemon and uses it against Destructo.
It works awesome, but Mimi Masters has to send it back to the future and so this adventure and everyone's memories of it will be erased.
Cute, even if the references can be a bit overwhelming at a few points.
Unmasking the Idol (1986), dir. Worth Keeter, Polo Players
The last ninja film for the year, why not end it on an insane vanity project?
"Crossroads" Ninja High School#50 (January 1996) with credits to Ben Dunn (story and art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
A return of the King-yes, Ben Dunn comes back in full force!
Jeremy's birthday is fast approaching. Ichi wants to see what Asrial is doing for the party and also trying to sus out what she and Jeremy did on their trip to the planet Salusia (arch occurring over the past few issues). Ichi and Asrial almost come to blows but they manage to talk it out.
The next day, Jeremy and Akaru head to school, making sure to visit the new family that just moved into the neighborhood. Their neighbor? Why, a perfectly normal fellow named Morgan Yfory. Yup, perfectly normal guy who just happens to look like the hero Tomorrow Man.
Morgan, noticing the boys are heading to school, introduces his nephew Jason and orders the boy to go with them. He also makes it clear Jason is to 'blend in'.
When Jason asks about stuff to do, Jeremy points out all the cool stuff that WOULD be there, provided the invading aliens/robots hadn't trashed everything. Jason remarks that he should fix everything. Jeremy assumes he means afterschool volunteering. Jason moves at super speed to fix everything.
Pity he doesn't have super construction powers as the buildings fall apart almost at once. Akaru finds this funny, Jason does not. A brawl breaks out and considering the raw power we've seen, Akaru holds his own rather well, the fight only ending when Tomorrow Man shows to scold Tomorrow Boy (Jason). The sullen teen flies off, his mentor fast behind.
We see the party proper and what is Asrial's big surprise? A holo-robot. Since Jeremy's dad is still stuck in Dimension X, he can call and interact with this world via the robot.
Rather sweet, all things considered.
"Monsters from Space-Part 4: Beans and Nothingness!" Ninja High School#49 (November 1995) with credits to John Marshall (script) Pat Kelley (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
And so it ends. The robots failed, Zetra Men failed, can the citizens drive the aliens away? Not a bad little arch but it really didn't do a whole heck of a lot. The Zetra Men didn't come out looking all that good, but while in their miniseries Terry went from Robogal Terry to Zetra Pink that wasn't a plot point here.
Should also mention the last three issues had a mini story of Ichi fighting a samurai clan.
"Monsters from Space-Part 3: The World Will Be Saved By Beans!" Ninja High School#48 (September 1995) with credits to John Marshall (script) Matthew Lunsford (art), the Mighty Mole Cricket (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
We focus more on Professor Beanhead, and his bean powered robot.
Not terrible but now things are starting to feel dragged out.
"Monsters from Space-Part 2: The End of the World as We Know It!" Ninja High School#47 (July 1995) with credits to John Marshall (script) Matthew Lunsford (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
Picking up from last issue, the Zetra Men are back!
Then they take taken by the alien's evil steam, thus it's up to Terry and Aleka to fight the monsters!
Pretty good but the whole bringing the Zetra men back only to sideline them does seems a bit silly.
"Monsters from Space-Part1: Beanbrains!" Ninja High School#46 (May 1995) with credits to John Marshall (script) Matthew Lunsford (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
A return of two plots/characters. One, remember those giant monsters the Zardons unleashed? Yeah, they're still around.
Second, Professor Beanhead is still there too. For those not in the know, Beanhead first showed up in the pornographic spoof Not Ninja High School yet somehow ended in the mainstream universe. The implications are distressing.
The main plot, giant beans from outer space are arriving on Earth and seeking out people who could stop the monsters. What are they doing and what side are they on?
Lunsford isn't Perry but he's ok.
"Grudge Mismatch!" Ninja High School#45 (March 1995) with credits to Fred Perry (script) Fred Perry (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
Akaru joins the Combat Cheerleaders?
Not quite, but annual championship is fast approaching and there's not exactly a lot of people lining up to join.
Ok, Perry does a decent fill in job.
"Boy Meets Girl...Cobra Meets Mongoose!" Ninja High School#44 (January 1995) with credits to Fred Perry (script) Fred Perry (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
So, for whatever reason Ben Dunn stepped away for a few issues. So for this and the few others we have Fred Perry taking over. Perry created the Gold Digger series which could easily be the subject for month long review itself.
Akaru is the focus here as he runs afoul of the Combat Cheerleaders. Not bad and Perry is different enough of an artist to make the characters his own.
Pray for Death (1985) dir. Gordon Hessler, Trans World Entertainment
Sho Kosugi, ninjas, what else more do you need in a movie?
"Prom Pom Pom" Ninja High School Prom Formula#2 (May 1991) with credits to Ben Dunn (script) Ben Dunn (art), Robert DeJesus (inks), Joe Allen (colors), Clem Robbins (letters) and Chris Ulm (editor)
It's prom time!
Ichi, Jeremy, and Asrial go to the prom, but as they dance and socialize, Leena quietly slips in and spikes the punch. Most of the teens drink it, turning them into infants or younger! With the casts now half-size, Leena easily picks up Jeremy and takes him back to her spaceship.
As the kids panic, Professor Steamhead arrives! He's nonplussed, taking some of the punch with him to develop a cure. He can't do it there though, no, he has to use his spaceship...which he apparently borrowed from Captain Harlock.
On Leena's ship, however, she's cured Jeremy and makes it clear they're getting hitched. She explains why she hates Asrial and for all this, Jeremy pities her.
When his friends arrive (and blow up her defenses), Leena throws in the towel. Before she flees, she slips something to Jeremy with instructions to give it to Asrial. As reunions are made, Jeremy does as bade and Asrial is speechless. It's the locket she gave to Leena when they were kids.
All told rather sweet. Leena gets some rather decent character development and even while comedy is the focus we get to see just how damaging holding onto old hate can be.
"Things Change" Ninja High School Prom Formula#1 (April 1991) with credits to Ben Dunn (script) Ben Dunn (art), Robert DeJesus (inks), Joe Allen (colors), Clem Robbins (letters) and Chris Ulm (editor)
Moving back to Eternity for a bit and one of the first spin-offs.
Leena, of the Zardons, is puzzled. What baffles her is Jeremy Feeble and WHY Asrial loves him. As she ponders this, she gets a message from her father. Annoyed, she heads over to the throne room and after some comedy, gets her orders. She is to slip a chemical concoction into the water supply of a small group of Earth people, just to test the results. Does she have anyone in mind?
"Oh, yes!"
In Quagmire, Ichi makes it clear Jeremy is taking her to the prom-a ritual Asrial was unaware of; almost like someone went to efforts to make sure she didn't know about it. From there we get a flashback of Ichi arriving in Quagmire and how she's changed since she's been there.
Then we get a flashback for Asrial and how she's changed since she's been there.
As Jeremy and Ricky play a video game, Ichi sighs about boys being boys. Asrial counters that she's gotten far on the game they're playing.
A lot of flashbacks and frankly a lot of rehashing of info we already know but given the time period that makes sense. We see the beginings of a new plot and setting up the characters and not much else.
"What Goes Around, Comes Around" Ninja High School#43 (November 1994) with credits to Herb Mallette (script) Ben Dunn (art), Mike Sagara (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
Sammi is mooing as she mops the floor. Her uncle knows what's wrong-it's a girl! When Sammi makes it clear it's boy, well, his reaction is a bit much (although clearly presented as wrong).
Back at the Y Mansion, Destructo is gone! He left a note, said he going to chat with Barney. The Y-Men assemble! Except for Windstorm. Flying in the halls is a serious offense, so he's in detention.
As Sammi bikes away, she does grumble about how unfair things are. Seeing the Y-Men flying off in their sky cycle, she opts to follow them. Barney notices them too, but he's rebuilt his junk robot.
Barney declares himself Scrap Metal Man right after shooting down the Y-Men. Sammi makes it clear she's there to help, plus her mastery of Ramen-jitsu means she hold her own. They easily tear through his defenses and make their way inside the yard.
Destructo unveils what he has done; not sure what it is but nuclear warning sign over the front doesn't suggest anything good. Even as the Y-Men plead, Destructo points out his nature is to destroy, so something must be destroyed today. He inserts the final piece, and the room goes white...
The Y-Men and Sammi are alive! Yeah, the only one who died was Destructo. The team is sad, if only they had tried to deal with his nature of instead of trying to change it. Sammi, however, gets an idea.
Meeting Leatherwings (now called Richard for some reason), Sammi shows up in a dress and yeah, she makes it clear she's a woman. Richard takes it rather well and they decide that friendship would be fine.
A good enough ending.
"Secrets" Ninja High School#42 (July 1994) with credits to Herb Mallette (script) Ben Dunn (art), Patrick Owsley (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
As Nadia of the Blue Water enjoys lunch, Sammi grouses about her lot in life. The only date she's had in town was with Ichi. Things get worse when as she has a massive order to deliver but nowhere to sit on the bus. The only bright spot she can see if ducking over to the school to see Charlie (Leatherwing) again.
At the school, Destructo is trying to fit in. The entire Y-Men attack (in the training room to best gauge his abilities) but he easily swats them aside.
Back at the restaurant, Sammi is rushing to finish the dishes. Her uncle notices something is off and assumes it's a girl his 'nephew' is seeing. His attempt to explain the birds and the bees does not go over well.
Sammi doesn't get a free moment until the next day. Destructo's been busy too, dreaming about missiles. The Y-Men assure him things are normal but they are starting to panic. Barney's back too, mostly having nightmares about the money Destructo could have earned him.
Sammi arrives at the school but breakfast is interrupted by Barney and his junk mecha suit. They send him packing but they assure Destructo he only left due to Destructo being busy, plus his leaving somehow tore a hole in the wall.
Yeah, they really don't want Destructo regaining his memory and being exposed to a greedy creep like Barney could have some horrible results. Professor Y is convinced they can make the robot good.
Sammi and Charlie head out for some fun and kite flying. Things go great, even romantically. Charlie knows there's something different about Sammi but before Sammi can go with a full confession, Charlie asks her to stop.
I mean, he likes him too but just because they're both gay doesn't mean they have enough in common for a serious relationship, you know?
Sammi...takes this better than one would think and leaves. She sadly peddles back home, cursing that she finally found a guy she might be able to date and he only likes her because he thinks she's a boy.
Later that night, Destructo is out and about. He feels bad that he missed Barney, plus maybe he can help him decipher all this visions he keeps getting.
Interesting twist, especially with Charlie and Sammi.
"Enter: The Y-Men" Ninja High School#41 (July 1994) with credits to Herb Mallette (script) Ben Dunn (art), David Landhear (letters), and Herb Mallette (editor)
New arch
Meet Barney. Barney works at the local junkyard. The place is overflowing with all the disabled robots that got shut down. Barney chides himself, thinking what a fool he was for staying away. I mean, Professor Steamhead warned him not to mess with the robots, but does that egghead know, right?
A bulky form bursts out of the pile, screaming "I hunger!"
Nice knowing you Barney.
Sammi, meanwhile, is making a delivery. It was WAY out of town but the overall cost convinces her uncle to send her. Why not? Not like HE has to peddle all the way out there. Sammi brings the food in to a massive mansion, where a ridiculously handsome boy in a leather jacket (no shirt) greets her.
As Sammi leaves, the young man brings the food to the rest of the mansion's occupants-THE Y-MEN!
Yes, the Y-MEN, mysterious teens with powers that set them apart from other humans! Not all like the X-Men, that would be silly!
Their special computer designed to track odd powers is going crazy, so Professor Y sends them to the local junkyard!
Leatherwing (the dude with the jacket, so named due to the giant bat wings growing out of his back) lands first and is shocked to see Sammi.
Sammi is shocked to see the guy too. 1) his mask doesn't exactly hide his face 2) she ain't likely to forget abbs like his anytime soon.
Back to Barney-yup, still alive. So is Destructo! Only now he hungers for ramen, instead of destruction. He doesn't seem to be aware of who he is, and Barney doesn't care. This newfangled robot is his meal ticket, so everyone else can just buzz off!
Pity that Destructo thinks going with the Y-Men is a swell idea, so off they go, Sammi in tow. Back at the mansion, Leatherwing gives her the lowdown, origins and such. After a spell, Sammi leaves, but she does find herself daydreaming about the winged youth.
As far as X-Men parodies go, it could have gone worse. The character aren't all expies of the X-Men, so that's nice. Plus we get more character development for Sammi, always a plus.
