Black Cat, Vol 1

Yakubi, Kentaro. Black Cat, Vol 1. 2000. 206p ISBN 978-1-4215-0605-0. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Train was once the best assassin in Chronos, a ruthless worldwide criminal organization. Known as Number XIII, he was also called the Black Cat for the bad luck he brought to his victims and those who encountered him. But when he himself became Chronos’ target, he fled the organization and now partners with Sven, an inventor of sorts. They are sweepers, bounty hunters who chase criminals through the streets and capture them in order to collect the reward money.

As stray cats, Train and Sven are free to go and do as they please. But when they encounter the mysterious Rinslet Walker, she offers them a mission they can’t refuse: the capture of Torneo Rudman, a weapons merchant worth half a million to sweepers.

Torneo, however, not only dabbles in weapons, but also genetic manipulation, and the asset Rinslet is really after is the theft of Torneo’s secret research. Unfortunately for Train and Sven, Torneo has already created Eve, a deadly fighting machine able to manipulate her own genetic code to reshape parts of her body into other forms, including weapons such as cleavers and swords. The legend of the Black Cat may not survive an encounter with Eve.

The story continues in Black Cat Vol. 2.