PERSEUS THE STARLORD: The Challenge

Not to be confused with Marvel's Star-Lord (who actually was co-created by Filipino artist Steve Gan), space-faring adventurer Perseus the Starlord was the mainstay of Atlas Publishing Co., Inc.'s Starlord Pocketkomiks  from 1985 to 1986.

I'm not sure who created the character (though from the illustration above, it appears he may have been designed by Rod Santiago), but a number of writers and artists worked on the series during its run.  This 2-part tale from issues 22 to 23 (May 1-8, 1986) was written by Roger Nicolas, with artwork credited to Mel Capital.

WANG HO

Kung Hei Fat Choi! In celebration of the Year of the Golden Rabbit, here's a golden Chinese ninja...


Wang Ho ran from 1985 to 1990 in the pages of Ninja Pocketkomiks (later Ninja Komiks), published by Atlas Publishing Co., Inc. Though the characters and setting were basically Chinese, the series was conceived by Filipino creators Rod Santiago (writer) and Ruding Mesina (illustrator).

THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN NINJA

Master Yin Shan's Pitong Bagwis ("Seven Wings") were the most feared fighters in all the land. When they challenge the temple of Master Hong Tien Lung, the brothers Wang and Tsing Ho step up to face them. But the seven deadly warriors prove much too formidable, leading to Tsing Ho's violent death at their hands.

Vowing to avenge his brother's death and restore his people's honor, Wang Ho journeys to the mountain of Tsunyi to seek the tutelage of the mysterious ninja master Gintong Ermitanyo ("Golden Hermit")

(The Golden Hermit's so tough, he kicked a hole through the comic!)
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The Hermit trains Wang Ho in the ways of the ninja, and bestows upon him a magical golden samurai sword, which gives him the power to transform into a mystical Golden Ninja.

POWERS, ABILITIES AND WEAPONS

Skilled in the martial arts, Wang Ho's physical prowess are magically enhanced when he transforms into the Golden Ninja. His golden samurai appears to be sentient; springing to life on its own at times, responding to its master's commands, capable of levitating, and glowing whenever danger is afoot. In addition to the samurai, Wang Ho also carries a second shorter sword.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

HONG TIEN LUNG

Wang and Tsing Ho's mentor.

YING-CHI

Hong Tien Lung's daughter, the love of Wang Ho's life.








GINTONG ERMITANYO ("GOLDEN HERMIT")

The enigmatic ninja master of Mount Tsunyi, the source of Wang Ho's powers.







APO GUNFU

The lilliputian leader of a tribe of tiny rebels, shrunken down to size by Yin Shan's magic.

FU CHOW & KWEIYANG

A husband and wife placed under a curse by Yin Shan. Fu Chow was transformed into a wild boar man, while his wife Kweiyang was turned into a scaly snake woman.

ENEMIES

YIN SHAN

An evil Chinese warlord and master of black magic. He's particularly fond of turning people into animals.

PITONG BAGWIS ("SEVEN WINGS")

HAU CHE

The 1st Wing, a master of deceitful tactics. His weapons include a pair of scythes and his Benwa Balls (metal ball bearings that he spits at his opponents with the force of a bullet).

CHECHING & CHENG HAW

The 2nd and 3rd Wings. Cheching is armed with a battle axe, while Cheng Haw carries a samurai sword.

SUNG-TAO

The 4th Wing, renowned for his astounding strength and endurance.

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After his hands were cut off in the fight with Tsing Ho, Sung-Tao had them replaced with a pair of metal hooks.

YIN & YANG

The 5th and 6th Wings, twin masters of the nunchaku.

CHIN NA

The 7th Wing is the lone female in the group, and perhaps the fiercest fighter of them all. Her weapons are a pair of sais, and her hat, which she throws at her opponents like a boomerang.

Aside from her fighting skills, she also has the power of seduction at her disposal...
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But not even Chin Na's lethal charms could sway Wang Ho, who only had eyes for his beloved Ying-Chi.

PUTING ANINO

("WHITE SHADOW")

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A ghostly fighter who stalks Wang Ho for his own mysterious reasons. What are they? Only the White Shadow knows.

COVERS