I guess I’ve had ninjas on the brain.  But really, who doesn’t, especially around the holiday season?  A few days back, I posed a question on twitter.  Who is the greatest ninja of all time?  

Storm Shadow?  Snake Eyes?  Michael Dudikoff, the American Ninja?  Lee Van Cleef, The Master?  Ultraman?  Remo Williams?  Nth Man?

Jason Latour, Tony Moore, and Mike Oliveri all joined in with their votes.  On his site, Latour posted the “Ultimate Ninjer,” and I have to admit, he looked pretty deserving of that title …

Until I dug this drawing out of my ancient collection of sketches!

The Swashbuckler!

He’s bad … and evil is on the run!

He’s got a shiny dagger, a bo-staff, a bow and arrows, what looks to be Wonder Woman’s golden lasso, and a billowy cape that you just know would leave a welt if he snapped ya with it.

But forget all that.  This guy was so tough, I even gave him a catch phrase!  Note, that he is both “bad” and capable of putting evil (not just bad guys, but the very concept of evil) “on the run.”

Best. ninja. ever.

I can pretty much date the drawing of the Swashbuckler to 1980, because his pose is an obvious (to me, anyhow) rip of the Taskmaster from the cover of The Avengers #196.

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