VOLUME 01
The first Raiden Mercs; just to set the premise of Mercs in this universe, and the tone of the strips.
The sound effects declaring the move was to get around the concept of shouting the attack names, but still giving the moves a name that the reader can recognize.
If I ever manage to trick someone into animating this series, the sound effect names will definitely be part of the deal.
I spent a long time coming up with a stupid name for her sticks, and this is what I came up with?
Battle panty, activate!
Because sending teenagers into battle with just their pain clothes would be silly.
Nothing says camping like jumping into a freezing cold lake, am I right?
Gotta love that opaque water that censors nudity.
Because women can be pervs too. #feminism
Out of the characters I’ve written, the one I relate most with is the overthinking, neurotic.
I’m not sure what that says about me.
Turns out men and women are little more than some eyelashes away. It's a metaphor! Yeah, that's why my faces look the same!
Raiden Mercs is back,
and kicking it off with a tournament arc!
Because how else can I be taken seriously?
What do you mean I haven't introduced enough characters?
Keanu's first opponent rears his ugly head!
Don't tell him I said that.
Keanu learns that he's lower tier, as Johan closes in for the kill!
Keanu advances to the next round and Natsumi loses a bet.
Wait, can 15 year olds gamble in this universe?
I guess so, if it supports a joke.
Keanu learns the horrifying truth...that he's been tricked into fighting bears.
Keanu and Natsumi discuss laundry.
I could be working on Chapter 3 right now, but no,
I need to draw characters discussing underwear!
In real life the reason they keep the same outfit is that I can remember the details in their outfits and helps keep a sense of consistency.
But I plan to have them wear different outfits in the mercs strips, outside of the main chapters, going forward.
Unless I forget.
Crimes against food is committed and Keanu begins his quest for a decent slice of pizza!
Keanu continues his pizza quest.
(Disclaimer: the opinions of our characters regarding how gross pineapple is on pizza is not representative of Raichious Muffin.
We support all pizza toppings and preferences.
But yeah, pineapple on pizza is pretty gross.)
Natsumi comforts Keanu over his failure to find a decent slice of pizza.
Our heroes finally name their team!
There's no way they can screw this one up!
Right?
Our heroes take the name Raikiri for their clan, and start sporting new jackets.
Natsumi volunteers Fuyumi, to get her more involved with the story.
Fuyumi is forced to become a diplomat, against everyones wishes, including her own.
Keanu wastes time ranting about pizza again.
Keanu decides to school a chef on proper pizza etiquette.
Keanu makes pizza sauce.
I'm sorry you had to see this.
Natsumi tries to help Fuyumi regain her confidence in the wake of her terrible failure.
Fuyumi goes full diplomat on the gangster.
Raikiri faces a double-cross, but they have a trump card of their own…
Natsumi and Fuyumi deal with an aggressive gangster, and Fuyumi reveals the extent of her delusion over how strong her sister is.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Till we meet again, pizza bros.
Raikiri pull a Bebop and end up with nothing.
Wah wah.
A slightly less silly series on the Festival of the Dead in the culture of Raiden Legacy.
I thought this would be a fun way to expand on the world without distracting from the main plot.
It's not important, but maybe you'll find it interesting.
This is the first time I decided to switch to my regular chapter style for a mercs strip.
It felt appropriate for more character-focused panels.
Don't worry, I'll get back to writing stories about pizza again soon.
I typically try to keep character development out of these strips; they're supposed to be supplemental and all of that is in the main chapters (which you read, right? You...you check those main chapters out? I put more effort into them...).
With that said it's hard to handle the possibility of a dead mother with any real comedy. Unless I want to get totally tone deaf with this.
Natsumi sends a message to her dead mother.
These are comedy strips, right?
Raikiri send their lanterns into the stars, to wish for luck from their dead relatives.
Next one will be funny again, I promise.
Keanu faces a new opponent.
Yeah, my comic has cowboys now. What of it?
The Duel to end all duels.
Raikiri gets meta on your butt!
Also sad Gunslinger is sad.
The hot-spring chapter already?
CURSE YOU FILLER!
Remember to get out of the bath if you're getting too hot.
Also don't bath in a full duster coat. Probably also a good idea.
Lack of backgrounds will never stop evil plotting!
A beach chapter? Really?
I liked the early Raiden Mercs before I started trying to exploit my characters.
Drawing and writing Fuyumi is such a pain.
I made a character who I can't draw from the left side because of her hair, and I can't have her talking near Keanu.
I love ya girl, but I can't wait for you to grow up.
Seriously, she'll be easier to work with later.
I'm so glad that I've finally introduced some more characters. Before I've been kinda limited by having just 3, and 1 of them couldn't talk to the other.
Also, rest in peace Gunslinger. You were certainly...a character?