Strain

Chapter 1

MAYO, THE HORSE

• Story by Buronson

• Art by Ryoichi Ikegami

• English Adaptation by Matt Thorn

• Lettering and Touch-Up art by Cato

• © 1997 Buronson/Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan inc.

In this chapter we are introduced to a contract killer named Mayo, “the horse”, that charges 5 dollars. “That is all we are worth” he says. He is drawing a horse in a bar located in Kuala Lumpur waiting for work when an underaged prostitute (Shion?) enters, running from a john whose wallet she had just stolen. She gets punched by the john, who then leaves, and she throws a fit at Mayo saying she needs the famous 5-dollar killer to kill that john.

Mayo, on his way to meet a client sees the john and knocks him out. Mayo meets his client in a room filled with horse art. He gets hired and goes to his mark. When he enters there is a woman alone in bed. Just before pulling the trigger, Shion? enters the room calling out to her mom. She tries to seduce Mayo so he won’t kill her mom. He refuses her advances but tells her to pay 10 dollars for a new contract.

Mayo goes to the original client and kills him. Afterwards he is seen by someone who thought they saw a ghost.  Jump to Tokyo Raceway there is a group of men discussing horses and breeding when one of them gets notice that someone saw Mayo. He thought he was executed in jail. We end with the group discussing genes and superior strains. As long as one person remains of the superior breed.