Black Torch

In this five-issue supernatural action series from Viz, a young ninja with the ability to communicate with animals finds his life upended when he bonds with a legendary, talking black cat. Together, they must navigate a hidden world of monstrous spirits and government conspiracies. Tsuyoshi Takaki both writes and illustrates this compact, adrenaline-fueled story, which stands out for its sleek, modern take on shonen tropes and its tight, self-contained narrative.