[NEW MANGA] KAKASHI #1: MURDER DOLLS (1 OF 4)

Its Trigun meets Bayonetta with a healthy dose of Vampire Hunter D for a little extra edge!

75 years ago in beautiful sunburnt Tristitia, overzealous scientists began tampering with the genetics of wheat to produce the next generation of superfood. However, when the experimental wheat made it into the food chain, there were unforeseen sequences…

These terrible consequences came in the form of monstrous superhuman beasts called the Behemoths. Driven by an insatiable hunger, the ravenous colossi consumed vast regions of farmland, decimating the countryside – destabilizing society and ultimately leading to total economic and societal collapse!

While the wealthy and powerful fled to foreign soil, their countrymen were left to the decimation of the neo-apocalypse, but Tristitians are nothing if not resilient. Enduring the famines and hardship, they banded together into nomadic gangs or small hidden communities… and together, they survived.

As society rebuilt, recultivating the land became essential as did a need for a larger stable supply of food. Inevitably, small farms arose, sheltered and hidden deep in the bush. But just as important was a means of protecting the crop from the roaming Behemoths…

This is the story of those protectors. This is the story of the thankless mercenaries of Noirco. This is the story of the Kakashi!

Murder Dolls, pt. 1 of 4: Scarlett and Jack protect their post against a murder of corvidite Behmoths only to find their mentor targeted by the mysterious renigade scarecrow known only as The Reaper Man. Will they desert their post and risk the survival of the community on their vendetta. Are they even up to the task of saving him? Its blood, black feathers and a world of hard choices in the first enthralling issue of this sexy new series by Conquest Comics. Kakashi #1: I don't get paid enough for this! The Scarecrows Dilemma. Created by Liam Gray. Story by Liam Gray and Yuka Cross. Art by Yuka Cross. Letters by Yuka Cross.

THE HISTORY OF KAKASHI

Surprised? Don't worry, so was I.

I'd originally developed this series as part of a challenge to produce a manga in one week. We'd hoped to submit it to the Summer of Manga 2022 by Saturday AM but unfortunately missed the deadline for entry. Not because we couldn't produce a fully realised manga in a week (This is Conquest Comics afterall) but because we didn't learn about the contest until after the applications for entry had already closed out.

We'd developed the idea briefly one afternoon after our daily Page Production on Wonder Island and imagined a short 10-page One-Shot. However, when we learned that we'd missed the point of entry I shelved the project and was content shifting my full focus back to the Production of Wonder Island and Xenotype II. However, little to my knowledge Yuka had continued producing storyboards in her time off before bed.

She'd intended to deliver the finished book to me as a Father's Day present in a month from now. It was more than a little surprise. She developed the secret for all of three days, which allowed her to storyboard half of the original concept. Given this was done in a few hours after she'd knocked off work, to say I was impressed would be an understatement. I'm truly blessed to have such a dedicated and passionate artist in my stable. She lives, breathes and bleeds her art. Bringing her on board was the best thing that has happened for this company since our launch in 2020.

CREATION FROM TRIBULATION

So, what happened?

Well today during the production of Wonder Island I was called by the postmaster reminding me of quoter for our contact. While it was a friendly reminder, it was something I'd been neglecting and it was unlikely I would achieve fulfilment of Xenotype or Wonder Island if it was suddenly demanded of me. Thankfully, no demands were made and the postmaster was very understanding given the floods. Still, my mind started racing. What was I going to do?  My shipping deal is the best one in comics in the southern hemisphere but because we increased the size and page count of Wonder Island #1, it's unlikely to be ready in time...

My old scout master used to tell me to always hope for the best but plan for the worst. 

So, I started planning to ship extra patron materials for free. Printing and shipping a new piece of promotional material to all the original Xenotype backers at no cost to them. Anything that might keep the deal. I needed an extra contingency, just in case.  

Then, like an angel, Yuka came to the rescue. She revealed that she'd been working on Kakashi in secret and believed that given her new levels of monster skill she could easily produce the first issue quickly. So, to save Conquest Comics (or at least our shipping deal), we're going to pump out this manga, print it and ship in a month or as close to as humanly possible!

It's another trial for Conquest Comics but we always rise to the challenge and assure you that this will be another top-quality comic and delivered promptly. We'll keep our shipping deal and deliver another kickass comic!

We're excited to bring you this series and want to thank everyone here for your support!

WHAT IS KAKASHI?

Kakashi (or Scarecrow) is a sexy horror/action series about a busty scythe wielding gunbunny called Scarlett. Charged with the protection of farmland outside a small settlement called Jackadgery. As a young girl, Scarlett was an orphaned scavenger rescued by Jack Williams who would go on to raise her, becoming her protector and older brother.

In their travels through the wilderness, the two stumbled across Gwydir Farmstead (Pronounced: Glai-Duh) and secretly took up shelter in the barn. When discovered by the farmer they were seen as outsiders and a potential threat to the community and handed over to the care of legendary Scarecrow, Lloyd. 

Lloyd would ultimately raise the duo, descending into alcoholism over the guilt he felt for condemning them to such a dangerous and thankless career. Now responsible for the duties of their drunken father figure, the series follows Scarlett and her brother Jack as they deal with their obligations to Noirco, a community that does not truly appreciate them, the monstrous Behemoths and raids from gangs and other factions seeking food or refuge from the horror that haunt the outback.

WHAT ARE SCARECROWS?

Scarecrows are expendable soldiers hired to protect farmland and crops from Behemoths. While operating separately to local government, they are essentially public servants and treated with the same awe and reverence as parking attendants. They are traditionally stationed at a set post and spend their days in tedium, standing guard until which time their post is threatened by a Behemoth or Raiders, which is not all that common.

Becoming a Scarecrow involves cruel, invasive and extremely painful surgery. The exact nature of this surgery is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few and the prized surgeons who carry out the procedure within the reputable Farm and Supply Organization, Noirco.

If the surgery is successful, the patient receives a number of superhuman augmentations that assist in their duties (and survival). Including, but not limited to:

Murderdoll Physiology. Scarecrows lack physical weaknesses of an organic living body. They do not feel pain and cannot be poisoned or become ill. Lost limbs or organs can be sewn back into the body, repairing and regaining function. They can survive dismemberment, including decapitation and can only be killed if their head is completely destroyed.
 Enhanced Strength. The muscles within the body of the murderdoll no longer possess their human limiters, allowing them to operate at levels of strength that surpass that of a chimpanzee. They can push their body further to approximate the strength of a silverback gorilla but prolonged effort will result in damage and body failure.
 Enhanced Agility. Their inability to feel pain allows the Scarecrows to bend, twist and contort their bodies achievable only to those with peak human agility, such as world class gymnasts and acrobats.
 Superhuman Endurance. The operation greatly augments the patient's stamina, making physical exhaustion a thing of the past. However, the murderdoll physiology of the Scarecrow also allows them to endure and recover from tremendous damage that would be lethal to normal people. While they do not feel the rigors of physical activity they are still prone to boredom, distraction and mental illness.
 Enhanced Speed. The increased strength and agility translates into a significant increase in speed, allowing them to run and perform at peak human levels (45 kmh/28 mph). With training and experience this speed can be significantly increased, with reports of Scarecrows outrunning moving vehicles at top speed.

Reaper Kit. All Scarecrows are trained in close-quarters combat and undergo marksmanship and firearms training. While the extent of this training varies from student to student, every scarecrow is equipped with a Reaper Kit by Noirco, containing the following tools for their operation.  
   NME-Reaper Scythe. This is a large modular scythe with a high-frequency blade capable of cutting through solid steel and the dermal armor of most behemoths. The extreme vibration of the blade makes the weapon difficult or impossible for most regular people to wield. With a press of the button the Scythe disassembles and can be reassembled (by a trained user) into a large high-power sniper rifle complete with five loaded rounds of anti-tank ammunition. Additional rounds of ammunition can be provided upon request or special order.   
 NME-Stitch-Pack Repair Kit. This is a small metal box containing a specialised staple and patches that allow them to administer first aid on their unique murderdoll physiology.
 NME-Fast Response ECO Resolver Sidearm. The latest in forward-thinking self defence from Noirco's Vanglorian Parent Company, NME. The ERS (Pronounced: Errs) was developed during the Leviathan Initiative to dispatch rogue espers and repurposed for Kakashi and Military Use. when discharged it fires a tight shot cluster that maximizes damage while minimizing the spread of the shell. A blast from an ERS can stop an unarmored opponent dead in their tracks and is likely to knock an ar­mored person flat. Each Reaper Kit comes with Two standard issue Ers and six boxes of ammunition.

KAKASHI x XENOTYPE

Set on the planet Orhm in the country of Tristitia, KAKASHI will be part of the XENOTYPE universe and follow the same timeline and continuity. The series will be mostly self-contained so you will not need to read XENOTYPE to follow or understand KAKASHI. 

Tristitia and Australia are an example of convergent evolution, sharing climate, vegetation, landscape. Similarly, both possess common history and as a result share much of their culture and slang. 

CREATIVE VISION AND THE FUTURE OF THE FRANCHISE

Our goal for KAKASHI is to produce something a little dangerous, a little sexy and a little different. This is a chance for Yuka to tell darker stories and show off the full range of her abilities. And while I do not have direct plans for this to be a large on-going series, I've developed enough lore and background so that such a thing would be possible.

Our goal with crowdfunding the first issue will be to gauge fan interest. If KAKASHI can stand on its own, we will release the final three issues as their own books at some point in the future. Otherwise, it will be relegated to a smaller story in the Annual Conquest Anthology book we have planned for the end of 2022.

Either way, whether it's a hit or just a collectible piece of Conquest history, KAKASHI has been a wonderful and fun experience and we hope you'll enjoy it just as much as we have developing it!

Thanks for being a part of this!
Liam Gray