History ComicBook / NthManTheUltimateNinja

* BloodlessCarnage: Both played straight and averted. As a [[UsefulNotes/TheComicsCode Comics Code]]-approved title, ''Nth Man'' avoided graphic depictions of blood or gore. Even so, it never hesitated to show the brutality of combat or the senseless deaths of war, including the aftermath of a mass execution.

%%%* SuperWeight

''Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja'' was a ComicBook series created by Creator/LarryHama and published in 1989 by Creator/MarvelComics. Though it only ran for sixteen issues, it is remembered as a quixotic blend of gritty realistic military action, fantastic ninja combat, and wide-eyed science-fiction.

* EmbarrassingNickname: Dr. Yagyu calls John "Peachy", after [[http://www.japanippon.com/fairytales/momotaro.htm Momotaro the Peach Boy]]. John himself teases Colonel Novikova by calling her "Novi-cakes."

* ObligatoryWarCrimeScene: Several, often pushing the boundaries of UsefulNotes/TheComicsCode. These include the aftermath of a mass execution of civilians, children ''hacking to death'' a wounded soldier in reprisal for said execution, and a bombing run on a field hospital.

%%%* PortalToThePast

%%%* SuicideMission: The rescue of Joe Doe in issue #1.

%%%* WarIsHell

* TheGreatPoliticsMessUp: While the story's present-day period is never established, it's suggested to be on or near 1989, when the comic's first issue was published. Reading it in hindsight can feel rather anachronistic, given how much of the story relies on UsefulNotes/ColdWar tensions and the RedScare (particularly an exchange of warheads between the US and the USSR).

%%%%* RealityWarper: Alfie.

%%%* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
%%%* WorldWarIII
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* BadassGrandpa: Dr. Yagyu, whose satchel includes ninja throwing stars and an Ingram MAC-10 in .45 ACP machine pistol.
-->"I may be a senior citizen but I'm not senile!"

* CainAndAbel: Though it's never established if they're blood siblings or not, John and Alfie otherwise qualify.

* DealWithTheDevil[=/=]LeonineContract: When Sgt. Levin was dying of a chest wound, she is instantly healed by Alfie after she agrees to perform a favor for him in the future. [[spoiler:Subverted when Alfie tells her to shoot John in the back, and she simply refuses.]]

* DodgeTheBullet / SuperReflexes: In the first issue, John Doe dodges a bullet fired at him from point-blank range. Later he dodges a sniper's bullets while running uphill towards his position.

* HeroicBSOD

* LightningBruiser: John.
* MasterSwordsman

* OldMaster: Dr. Yagyu, of course.
* OneManArmy

* PortalToThePast

* RealityWarper: Alfie.

* SuicideMission: The rescue of Joe Doe in issue #1.

* SuperWeight

* WarIsHell

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity
* WorldWarIII

''Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja'' was a ComicBook series created by LarryHama and published in 1989 by MarvelComics. Though it only ran for sixteen issues, it is remembered as a quixotic blend of gritty realistic military action, fantastic ninja combat, and wide-eyed science-fiction.

* ShownTheirWork: LarryHama's expertise with military hardware, tactics, and strategy is clearly evident in his use of jargon, names, and details. Many issues include a glossary to help readers understand the numerous terms used.

* TheGreatPoliticsMessUp: While the story's present-day period is never established, it's suggested to be on or near 1989, when the comic's first issue was published. Reading it in hindsight can feel rather anachronistic, given how much of the story relies on ColdWar tensions and the RedScare (particularly an exchange of warheads between the US and the USSR).

* FriendlySniper: Captain Alexander Soloviev's warmhearted nature shows through in less guarded moments, most notably when he calmly ignores Colone Novikova's orders to shoot a fleeing child.

* McNinja: Irving Yagyu, the ninja dentist.

Not to be confused with TheNthDoctor.

* BewareTheSillyOnes

What follows is a whirlwind romp from war-torn Russia to the streets of Washington D.C., while simultaneously strolling across time, space, and alternate dimensions. As Alfie's power grows, his sanity slips even further, with everyone else trying to make sense of it all. Ultimately, the complex storyline leaves both John and Alfie finding out more about themselves than they ever wanted to know, with an ending as twisted as the beginning.

* BloodlessCarnage: Both played straight and averted. As a ComicsCode-approved title, ''Nth Man'' avoided graphic depictions of blood or gore. Even so, it never hesitated to show the brutality of combat or the senseless deaths of war, including the aftermath of a mass execution.

* ObligatoryWarCrimeScene: Several, often pushing the boundaries of the ComicsCode. These include the aftermath of a mass execution of civilians, children ''hacking to death'' a wounded soldier in reprisal for said execution, and a bombing run on a field hospital.

* FoeYay: A flirtatious relationship gradually develops between John Doe and Colonel Novikova... to the consternation of Sergeant Levin and Captain Soloviev.

* GoodLookingPrivates / TheSquadette: Sgt. Debra Levin, 19-year-old Green Beret, complete with crew cut and freckles.