Remote

    (Tokyopop, 2004-2006)
™ and © Seimaru Amagi & Tetsuya Koshiba
Reads right to left; b&w

Traffic cop Kurumi Ayaki wants to quit the force to marry. (She’s 22 and still a virgin, starting to verge on the overripe, as readers learn in the inevitable shower scene.)

When the recession intrudes on her dreams, she gets a lateral promotion to the Unsolved Crimes Division, housed in a spooky palatial mansion known as The Crypt. Working for the seemingly unfeeling, agoraphobic Inspector Himuro, she acts as his eyes and ears, as the city is stalked by a serial–killer clown.

With elements from the movies Silence of the Lambs and Copycat, it’s a high–concept premise that’s worthy of a USA network drama (which specializes in shows about damaged detectives and their girl assistants). It’s clear Kurui will shed herself of her idiot boyfriend Shingo for the mysterious, sexy Himuro; they initially can’t stand each other, so, naturally, romance must be right next door. And, while Kurui is initially portrayed as a silly girl (could this have been done without the ubiquitous panty shots?), her character grows up quickly.

— S.A. Bennett
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