Spray King Prelude

This is the true 1st chapter to Spray King. The oneshots are continuous with the storyline--very unlike most series. Don't miss this.

01
white right verticals: When the sun sets, / everyone knows I'm the "King"!!
right bottom corner: Mikuni Shin
left white verticals: Coming onto the scene right after winning in the Rival Grand Prix! / We bring you the vivid, action-packed graffiti-battle comic!!

stamp thing:
top: (shounen) Rival Comic / 1st official contest / SEMIFINALIST / Prize-winning work

02
bold: Below the moonlight, / a boy is being cornered by a mob...??

03
-It's you!! You're the one who bombed our piece!! (t/n - this is graffiti slang)
-You called yourself the Spray King, huh?

-One...
-Two...
-3, 4...5 people

-Oh. There's a lot less of you than I thought
-HUH!?
-What the hell are you countin', punk!?

-We'll see who's actin' tough!!
-You're dead!!

04
-Mind giving me...your "color"?

05
-haa x3 (sfx bubs)

-karakara

-eh?

06
-KYAAA!!

-w...what was that...fierce wind??

-rollll....

07
-...n-no way...! This is...!

08
-Yo! Check it out!!
-It's another Spray King tag!!
smaller bubbles are zawa zawa

09
-But wait! Ain't this area belong to another team?
-Dunno...but not like it matters to him
smaller, again "zawa zawa"

bubbles below:
-But yo, have you heard? The punks he catches seem to act differently...
-Maybe he ruffed 'em up?

spiky bubbles
-I knew it...
-On my way here he passed me! The person I've been searching for...!

10
-I'm Houzuki Ayame
-I'm an aspiring artist, currently a high-school junior!
-And now I'm taking a summer class at an art school

11
-Woah!! Ayame!! Your art rules, as usual!
-With those skills you can name your school!
-Aw...I wish I was as talented as you!
-N-nah...I still have a lot to learn!

-Oh, come on! No need to be so modest!
-Your work was even featured on TV!!

-T-teacher...you too!?
-Well, it's no big deal...it was just a small local program...
-So what? It still means you caught the community's attention!!

-When it comes to artwork,
-you're about as popular as Spray King in this town!

12
-Gata (sfx for pushing the stool back)

-Don't compare me to him!!
-He goes around vandalizing the town, causing all sorts of trouble!!

-A-ah...s-sorry...
-Psst teach'...that topic is off-limits with Ayame!

-Why're you so upset? Spray King punishes delinquents when he leaves his work behind, right?

-By vandalizing the town, he's no better than them!!

13
-Graffiti doesn't just harm our city's image,
-it also serves as "borders" for gangs to mark their territory!
-I'll never acknowledge someone who stoops to that level!

-You sure know a lot about graffiti
-W-who doesnt!?! Y'know...from TV...

-But I gotta say, Spray King's tags
-aren't like the norm, they're really well made
-Even more reason I can't stand him!!

-Why resort to graffiti
-To create works that can reach people's hearts...?

14
-Um...excuse me...

-Don't you think that graffiti is a part of our culture?

-Y-you're...who again?
sfx - gata
-Ah...I started this summer. Tanaka Torateru

-Tanaka-kun...if your house was vandalized,
-would you still call graffiti cultured?
-U-uh...no...I agree that morals should be upheld...

-But I think that evil people couldn't possibly create works of art!

15
-Okay, then to turn the question around
-You're saying good people make graffiti? Are they hiding who they are?
-People who lead double lives like that will never have success in life!

-I wouldn't say that. In fact, there's graffiti artists
-who're right now very popular around the world
-Besides, the meaning of "success" isn't the same for everyone...

-All right then, Tanaka!
-Tell me, could a guy who's drawn something like this become famous too?
sfx - para

16
-T-that's my sketchbook!!!
-Give it back!!
-Now, now guys...
-Gyahahahaha! What the heck is that supposed to be? You suck!
-If I was the critic, I'd never be able to understand your art!
-I just...don't get enough practice, that's all!!

-Ahahaha! What a lousy excuse! Hilarious!!

-Stop it!!

-Talking down to someone who's trying their hardest is extremely rude!!
-It's not like any of you were any good when you first started!!

-w...what's your problem! We were just teasing him!
-we were just trying to defend you, Ayame!
-I don't remember asking for help!

17
-Hey...

-Tell me, do you draw for fun?
-huh?!

-W-why are you asking that?
-Are you saying I shouldn't draw?
-N-no!! That's not what I meant...

-Sorry for asking something strange
-Just forget about it
-?
-Ah, don't let it bother you! She's always like this!
-huh?!

18
-That girl
-Asks everyone that same question...

-She's just looking down us since we're not at her level!
-Yeah! It's like her way of telling sucky artists to give it up!
-What are you guys talking about!?

-Her parent's an artist, right?
-An' supposed to be an awesome one, too

-I guess when you get as good as that,
-Making art is always fun!

19
-...This isn't fun at all...

-My skill with art came from my parents making me draw all the time when I was little
-No one ever saw me as anything else than "the artist's daughter"

-It's not that I hate drawing or painting...

-It's just...
-I can't...understand what I'm doing it for...

20
-THIS was what you were planning to submit to the upcoming exhibition?
-I'll never allow this kind of work to carry the Houzuki name!

-don't you understand?! You HAVE to make yourself a success from now on!

21
-Ayame, great job!! You've got your parent's talent!
-I wish I had winning genes like yours!
-You're a genius!
-What number prize is this? Is there any prize you can't win? Haha!

-It must be...something important...

-What is it that drives Spray King's work?
-para
-It's like...there's some kind of ideal he's striving for...

22
-Got a sec?
-T-teacher!!
-patan

-You don't have to keep calling me that!
-I'm just a part-time lecturer. I'm still in graduate school myself!
-You're still trying to come off as younger, I see
-haha...

-...so? What did you want?
-If it's about a date I already said no
-A-ah...nah, that's not it...

-I was just thinking that something was bothering you
-Is it about Spray King?
-You seem pretty hung up on finding out about him...

23
-You're just not satisfied
-Why is a hooligan like him have such artistic skill, right?
-I-I...don't really care...

-Well I'm sure interested in him!
-Check this out!
-pi

-I'd like to be a cameraman myself one day!
-I might as well start by getting a celebrity on film, right?

-W-where did you take this!?
-The third district's scrapyard...?

-They say he only shows up at night
-If you're interested, you want to go there now?

24
-Eh?
-Spray King kidnapped someone?

-Yeah!! It's the latest rumor
-Some girls who've spotted him have gone missing within the last 3 days
-B-but doesn't he capture criminals...??
-They've all been men until now!

-Well, they also say that people who've encountered him change somehow
-with all these rumors around, you can't really tell what's true
-I'm worried about Ayame, though!

-Even though I've warned her about the "rumors," she doesn't listen!
-I'm sure she's out there searching for him now
-haa x3

-There's nothing I can stay to stop her
-I guess it's her curiosity as a fellow artist

25
-that keeps her chasing after Spray King and his graffiti around town!
small bubbles: haa x2

-haa x2

-Hmm...
-I guess the Spray King
-is taking a day off?

-I knew it...there's no way I'd find him so easily...

26
-Were you...looking for me?

-I happen to be the Spray King!

-S-spray King?? No way! Really?
-You want me to say I'm kidding?

-N-no..I...uh...just...
-She says she'd really like to see your work

-Sorry, no can do!
-P-please, I'll do anything!

27
-I-I...am also an artist...
-And I've seen every one of your tags!
-...oh?

-A-and...here...this...

-You dropped this last night. Let me give it back
-Looks like there's still some paint left, I think...
-What are you talking about? That ain't mine

-Eh...? My mistake...?
-I was sure it was Spray King's...?

-Aw, well! Since you're a fellow artist,
-I'll work somethin' up just for you!
-R-really?! Thank you so much!!

-C'mon...this way...
-O-okay!!

28
-But before that, you'll have to pay to watch!!

-W-what are you doing?!
-Haha! You like my work, right?

-I haven't gotten too many fans visiting me...

29
-Starting today, I'll be sure to take good care of you!

-The latest rumor is that girls who've seen Spray King go missing...
-What?! That rumor was true!?

-That's right! We're behind the kidnappings!!

-heh heh...good job, pal
-No prob

30
-This is the hottest chick you've raked in yet!
-I know, right?

-T-Teacher!! w-what is this?!
-Haha!! You still don't get what's going on?

-....eh!?

-hoho...well aren't we talented?
-I can't draw for nothin'...
-para

-but...

31
-I don't care to, neither!!

-S-stop it!! That's mine!!
-Stupid girl! That's what an honest person like you
-gets for stepping into our world!!

-Don't say that! I welcome visitors
-who look at the freedom we've got and want to see what it's like!
-Bou

-I'll teach you what life on the streets is all about!!

32
-There's nothin' as fun as breakin' in good people like you!!

-N-no...!

-S-somebody...
-save me...

33
-w-woah!!!

-D-damnit! What the heck...is this wind?
-h-huh??

-Did you have a mark on your jacket, boss?
-what?

34
-What the heck's this mark, then?

-GUWAH!!
-kuh!!

-eh? ...what's happening?

-some...body...

35
-You guys've been using my name for your messed-up tastes, I see
-kara kara

-B-bastard!! You're the real Spray King?!
-Don't think you can mess with us!
-sa (sfx)

-You think you can take our entire gang?!
-suka

36
-za

37
-Don't get full of yourself, kid!
-How 'bout a taste of my iron fists!

-Just hand over your name like a good little boy to me!!

-Hahah!! You can't win if you keep running!
-Well...not like you can land a hand or a foot on me, anyway!!

-You're right

39
-GAH!!
small - tan

-There's no need for me to resort to that

-dosa
-gako
-I see you've used a cheap trick on your gloves
-filled them with what, iron sand?

-su

39
-Ha!! This is why I keep tellin' you to use weapons, bro!
-If you'd just use your head, you could win easy!

-How's that feel!? My modified airgun can pierce even concrete!!
-Even you can't--

-Then I guess it's time for me to get to work!
-shuuuuu

-Eeeek!! H-how!?

40
-W-WOAH!! what the?! I'm being...sucked in?!

-buwa

41
-W-w-what kinda...strange thing...are you sucking up!?

-strange thing?...hah....good one

-This is the "greed" that's overtaken you!!

-As a result,
-you attack people, deceive people, and betray people
-eeek!!
-It seems you're chalk full of it...

43 *no page 42 in my raw numbers, this is double spread?
-Mind giving me...all of your "color"?

-uwaaaaaaaa

-s-s-s-save me!! i'm being...i'm being---!!!!

-I think I'll get an awesome tag outta this!

44
-And don't let yourselves get "stained" again!

45
-Pachi

-A-ah...huh?...my...

-Oh...I see...someone saved me

-Just as I'd expect from the real Spray King...

47 * no 46, double? awesome tag...

48
-a-amazing!!
-it's a giant...dragon?

-This "energy"...there's no doubt about it!
-This is the work of the real Spray King!

-kara x2

-kara x2
-It's a "Mizuchi"
-A snake that hasn't turned into a dragon yet...

-S-SPRAY KING!?

49
-And just like me, it lurks on the earth, seeking for a chance to ascend to heaven
-It just doesn't know when to give up
-So...what're you?
-kara x2

-Eh?
-M-me...?

-W-what...?

-...hey! He's already gone!!!

-Spray King...
-doesn't know how to give up?

-...then...

50
-a few days later
-Hey!! Over here!

-Oh! There she is!

-I can't believe it. A rich kid like you
-moving into a broken-down place like this!?
-Amazing your parents let you!
-Well...I kinda ran away...

-I guess...I'm just bad at giving up!
-Huh? Whaddya mean?
-A number of youths belonging to a local gang were arrested

-They were found to be connected to the recent kidnappings of young girls
-Police found the girls and have safely taken them into custody
-man, this room is filthy!
-it's fine!!

51
-Hey, Spray King?
-Let's go outside and sketch!!

-You got it! You're sure energized today, Ayame!
-Hey? Where's your pencils?
-I...uh...work at night! I'm not a morning person!

-I decided. For now, I'm going to keep drawing what I enjoy!
-Excuses, excuses
-You'll never get better like that!

-The next time we meet, I want to hear more about you
-About the real "Spray King"...!

-kara

bold vertical left: A good lesson for all you aspiring "Kings"!! Keep walking your own path!
(t/n - i'm not really sure about this, but since this is just a one shot, it always tends to have some cliche remark at the end :S )

THE END

x1 (Bonus page!!)
top top: Rival > From prize winner to mangaka Debut! Here's the scoop on this newcomer!!

"buttons" (made to resemble a website):
web / pictures / video / blog / dictionary / maps / translator / shopping

big bold: Mikuni Shin (right is "search", below it "advanced search")

"tabs":
News / Profile / Diary / Photos / Fan Mail / Etc.

white tab now, under profile:
Birthdate: 1981/6/11
Hometown: Aichi Prefecture
Working on manga - for about 11 years(?)
Favorite manga - "Black Jack" / "Sangokushi"
Favorite mangakas - Tezuka Osamu-sensei / Yokoyama Mitsuteru-sensei (t/n - if i'm not mistaken, the respective authors of the above-mentioned mangas)
Hobbies - Punk rock, Drums
What he wants to draw next: I'd like to do something about a dark hero who hits a big city's streets at night

NEW - Mikuni's charming first appearance in print / uploaded 4/4 12:00

(now for boxes below, right one first:)

What made you first get into manga?
thin black writing: Every time I went to school, they asked
grey bubble letters: "What did you draw today?"
rightmost: Ooh, neat!
middle - Lemme see the rest!
last left - Terrible! It's trash!

left box panel:
What comes to mind when you hear the word Rival?
top line in the comic: My best friend, who's always ONE STEP AHEAD!!
bubble: YOU GOT MARRIED?!
on the paper is written "marriage registration"

right bottom box: Attention
We're looking for applicants for the next RIVAL Comic Competition!!
details on page 991 >

last box:
A word from the editor
Mikuni Shin-sensei was one of the first staff on board Shounen Rival. Then one year later, his powerful artwork and composition skills steadily improved, finally landing him a runner-up prize in the Grand Prix. I hope everyone will find a satisfying read from this rising star's pure & stylish tale.

white bold bottom:
Mikuni Shin-sensei's DEBUT WORK starts on the next page!!

(that's all, folks)