Bulletproof Monk is a comic book miniseries created by writer Brett Lewis and artist Michael Avon Oeming. It was published by Image Comics in 2001 as a three-issue limited series, later collected into a trade paperback. The story follows an unnamed Tibetan monk who, in 1943, is chosen to guard a mystical scroll that grants eternal youth and superhuman resilience. Sixty years later, the still-young monk wanders a modern Western city, searching for a worthy successor to pass the burden onto.
Blending martial arts mysticism with streetwise humor, the comic is noted for its kinetic black-and-white artwork and lean storytelling. The monk eventually crosses paths with Kar, a cynical young pickpocket whose hidden potential for selflessness catches his attention. Their reluctant mentor-student dynamic drives the narrative, exploring themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the cost of immortality.
Although the miniseries did not achieve mainstream fame upon release, it garnered a cult following and attracted Hollywood interest, leading to its loosely adapted feature film. Oeming's striking visual style and the series' unique fusion of genre tropes helped it stand out among independent comics of the early 2000s.
