Immortal Rain

    (Tokyopop, 2004-2007)
™ and © 1999 Kaori Ozaki
Reads from right to left; b&w

It’s obvious that Kaori Ozaki liked the Highlander and Mad Max movies, if this is any indication. In some unspecified post–apocalyptic future, the gentle, world–weary immortal Rain Jewlitt (he gained immortality by “eating an angel”) is pursued by bounty hunters desperate to learn his secret.

When an elderly grandfather dies trying to learn the secret, his 14–year–old granddaughter Machika steps up to the challenge. Soon, Rain and Machika become friends in that highly uncomfortable, disturbing older–man, really-young-girl way. (They “sleep” together in a perfectly innocent way, but still.)

The two travel together, trying to avoid trouble but finding plenty along the way. Basically, it’s yet another fantasy Western that has inappropriate Christian religious imagery (Rain has a cross inexplicably imbedded in his chest), but it does have an unusual rhythm that’s all its own—although many readers will be able to do without Machika’s inevitable, annoying generic animal friend.

There are also several who’s–who pages on the main characters and preliminary sketches and text about their development.

— S.A. Bennett
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