#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 19

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-1170-3; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
232pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes a hero when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really does not need any training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 19 (Chapters 91 to 94; entitled “All My Cabbage”) opens, the Hero Association gathers its forces before it launches its most important mission.  The Monster Association has kidnapped Waganma, the son of Mr. Nakiri, a man who has some kind of influence over the Hero Association.  Nakiri has already seen his “Nakiri Private Force” torn apart during its mission to rescue his son.  “Class S” heroes will lead the mission, with Class A and B acting as back-up, but some previously respected Class A heroes are not wanted on this mission... including a familiar face.

Elsewhere, Garo, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” invades the Monster Association's underground lair in order to rescue another kidnapped child, the sniveling, always-in-the-way, Tareo.  The boy, however, has already been chosen for some torture fun and games.  And Garo's rescue mission will bring him face to face with the most powerful monsters, including the top two monsters.

Meanwhile, Saitama is at home wondering why he has to share his hot pot with uninvited guests.  And it seems as if they are going to eat all the cabbage in the hot pot.

[This volume includes the bonus manga story, entitled “Reality Punch.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  As the year 2020 approaches its end, I can say that I have dedicated myself to the One-Punch Man manga.  It is my favorite superhero comic, and I have read at least seven volumes this year.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 19 offers the usual battle manga.  However, of late, creators, writer ONE and artist Yusuke Murata, have focused on the half-human/half-monster, Garo, who is known as the “Hero Hunter.”  He is a great character, and I dare say as good as Saitama.  It pains me to write that because I really like Saitama, and I always look forward to him punching out a giant monster.  Still, Garo is quite the unstoppable force himself, and I find him to be as attractive an anti-hero as Marvel Comics' Wolverine once was (before Marvel Comics overexposed the character via a flood of comic book publications).  So I am recommending One-Punch Man because it has two great characters, and I wouldn't be surprised if ONE and Murata gave us a third great character sometime soon.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will want to try the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

------------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 18

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-0946-5; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes a hero when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really does not need any training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 18 (Chapters 88 to 90; entitled “Limiter”) opens, the civilians clash.  Some humans want to give in to the Monster Association.  They have formed the “Worship Party,” and plan on regularly offering human sacrifices to the monsters as a way to regulate monster predation of humans and perhaps, to stave off human extinction.  Meanwhile, human criminality rages on as there is an increase in crimes like robberies and break-ins.

Elsewhere, members of the Hero Association continue to search for Garo, the so-called “Hero Hunter.”  Garo, however, continues his bid to prove himself to the Monster Association as a potential member.  To that end, monster boss, Gyoro-Gyoro, sends two heavy-hitter monsters, “Insect God” and “King the Ripper,” to test him.  Now, Garo must fight these powerful, homicidal monsters and protect that sniveling brat, Tareo.

Plus, Saitama finds himself in the most awful predicament.  He might have to dine-and-dash!

[This volume includes bonus illustrations and bonus comics, entitled “Oops.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  Yes, dear readers, One-Punch Man manga continues to be my favorite superhero comic book.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  And both are superior to American superhero comic books in many ways.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 18 offers battle manga, but not to the extent that the two previous editions, Vols.16 and 17, did.  The Garo vs. Insect God and King the Ripper battle is quite exciting.  The rest of Vol. 18 is comprised of Saitama's humorous troubles and also plenty of theory on what makes a monster and on the concept of the “Limiter.”  This isn't one of the better recent volumes, but it does reveal Garo to be an increasingly superb character.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will want to try the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 17

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-0461-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes a hero when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really does not need any training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 17 (Chapters 88 to 88; entitled “Because I'm the Bald Cape?”) opens, Gara, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” has recovered from the beating he got from the heroes, “Bang” and “Bomb.”  Still, Gara's wounds are life-threatening, so he is in need of a rescue.  Enter the centipede mega-monster, “Centichoro!”  Bang and Bomb are powerless against this kaiju, and even Genos struggles against the creature.  Enter the legendary hero, “King,” with his pal, Saitama.  Which one will stop Centichoro's unstoppable rampage?

Meanwhile, at Hero Association headquarters, Mr. Nakiri rages that his son, Waganma, the child kidnapped by the Monster Association, remains a captive.  But can his “Nakiri Private Force” do more to free his son than the heroes have done?

[This volume includes a bonus manga chapter, “Confidence,” and also bonus illustrations and bonus comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga remains my favorite superhero comic book.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 17, like Vol. 16, is pure battle manga.  However, Vol. 17 contains one of the most exhilarating sequences featuring Saitama in action that this series has ever had.  The ten-page “Se-Ri-Ous Punch!” sequence exemplifies artist Yusuke Murata's impressive skill.  I'm not sure anyone is as good at drawing fight comics as he is right now.

John Werry's translation for the chapters contained in Vol. 17 reveal the complicated nature of the relationships on both sides of this hero-monster battle.  No one is pure to his cause, and many cannot be trusted.  Some characters may be more neutral than anything, and Werry brings out the increasingly gray nature of this group of flawed characters.  So, yes, this is a joy to read, as both a superhero comic and as a shonen character melodrama.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will love the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
9.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 16

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0461-3; paperback (May 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes one when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really needs no training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 16 (Chapters 81 to 84; entitled “Depleted”) opens, Gara, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” has a man-to-boy talk with Waganma, the child kidnapped by the Monster Association.  It seems that the boy has the latest edition of the “Hero Guide,” the publication that offers information on members of the Hero Association, including their rankings within the association and a detailed explanation of their powers and how they work.  Gara needs that because outside of that hideout is a group of eight heroes looking to take him down.

But Gara thinks that even by himself he can defeat this group of mostly “Class B” and low-rank “Class A” heroes.  What will happen, however, when Genos comes racing in...?  Or what happens when a powerful duo that is familiar with Gara visits?  Plus, Saitama fights his toughest battle to date – trying to beat King at video games.

[This volume includes the bonus manga, “Growth Process,” and also bonus illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga is my favorite superhero comic book, right now.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 16 is pure battle manga.  Vols. 14 and 15 were sheer joys to read, but Vol. 16 just wants to pound your face with page after page of fight comics.  The narrative does not move forward with this volume, but we can enjoy Yusuke Murata's amazing battle manga art.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will love the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



-----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 15

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 15
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0223-7; paperback (January 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man that began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  He begins his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, and he becomes one when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really needs no training).

One-Punch Man, Vol. 15 (Chapters 76 to 80; entitled “Pulling the Strings”) finds Saitama in a funk.  Despite just finishing a martial arts tournament and then, obliterating the supposedly unbeatable monster, “Goketsu,” Saitama feels empty inside.  He believes that he is simply too strong, so can the hero known as “King” help lift Saitama's spirits... by whuppin' his ass at video games?!

Meanwhile, the Monster Association makes its boldest move against the Hero Association to date.  They have not only kidnapped Waganma, the son of Narinki, an esteemed supporter of the Hero Association, but a monster has also infiltrated Hero Association with a message.  Is it a message about an armistice or a message of death... or both?

[This volume includes the bonus manga stories, “Threat Level” and “Sighting,” and also bonus illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga is, like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 15 is a sheer joy to read, as was Vol. 14.  I must admit to being onboard with ONE and Yusuke Murata's take on Saitama's boredom.  If the One-Punch Man is really unbeatable because of his mega one-punch, bring on the bad guys or, in this case, the Monster Association.  Other than that, Vol. 15 is filled with one of this series' signature elements, and that is inventive and imaginative characters.  And, as usual, I can't wait for the next volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will love the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.


------------------------------

I Reads You Juniors February 2018 - Update #65

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet webcomic episode #154 in English.
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From BleedingCool:  Wendy and Richard Pini talk about the final quest of "Elfquest."

From StarWars:  StarWars.com interviews writer Tom Veitch and cover artist Dave Dorman about the landmark Star Wars comic book miniseries, "Dark Empire" (Dark Horse Comics).

BLACK PANTHER - From CommercialAppeal:  Weathersbee: Memphis kids love the 'Black Panther' movie. Will they love the comic, too?

From CBR:  A trailer has debuted for the live-action film based on Tite Kubo's manga, "Bleach."

From SFGate:  The manga of Naoki Urasawa ("20th Century Boys," "Master Keaton") are on exhibit in Paris

From EWBlog:  Marvel's latest relaunch initiative/scam will send Black Panther into space.

From BleedingCool:  Writer David F. Walker and artist Chris Samnee are leaving Marvel Comics.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is leaving the Diamond Previews Catalog and getting their own separate "DC Previews," which is similar to Marvel Comics' separate "Marvel Previews."

From BleedingCool:  Release dates for DCInk and DCZoom titles have been locked down, beginning with the October 2018 release of a new "DC Super Hero Girls" graphic novel.

From TheGuardian:  "Marvel comics' Fresh Start looks like a return to old cliches" by David Barnett

From SupermanHomepage:  DC Comics may be cancelling the titles, "Supergirl" and "Super Sons"

From CBR:  Marvel Comics Solicitations for May 2018

From BleedingCool:  Marvel offers "A Fresh Start."

From BleedingCool:  There are more DC Comics/Hanna-Barbera crossovers on the way, including one featuring Dynomutt and the Super-Sons.

From BleedingCool:  Dan DiDio confirms that venerable MAD Magazine will re-launch with a new #1 issue.

From BleedingCool:  [The great] Carlos Pacheco may draw an "Avengers" comic book that features Avengers from the 1970s.

From BleedingCool:  May 2018 solicitation for Devil's Due/1st Comics

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in French.

From JapanToday:  Manga creators association says pirate sites could bring about collapse of Japanese culture

From BleedingCool:  Writer Rodney Barnes will unite with a still unknown superstar artist to produce a Lando Calrissian miniseries that ties into the film, "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

From CNN:  Keita Sagaki reproduces classic paintings using hundreds of tiny manga characters.

From ComicBook:  Dan Jurgens and the team of Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason say good-bye to their respective runs on Superman in one-shots that will be published this coming May.

From BleedingCool:  Chris Claremont will write a story for "X-Men: Wedding Special #1."

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics to publish a new work from writer Garth Ennis and artist Goran Sudzuka, "A Walk Through Hell."

From ComicsReporter:  Talent Relations Department At DC Sends Out Social Media Guidelines - the text as sent to TCR.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics issues social media and press guidelines to comics creators.
From BleedingCool:  In the wake of DC's new social media and press guidelines to its comics creators, a reaction from some of the creators.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics Sending “Brian Michael Bendis is Coming” Promo Posters to Comic Stores

From BleedingCool:  Black Geeks and Black Girl Nerds Combine for Universal FanCon in Baltimore in April.

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From PublishersWeekly:  Comics retailers hope to rebound in 2018.

From Complex:  DC Comics' "New Super-Man" becomes "New Super-Man and The JLC" (Justice League of China) with issue #20.

From TheAVClub:  A preview of "New Super-Man and The JLC #1"

From BleedingCool:  The Top 100 Most-Ordered Comics and Graphic Novels by Comic Stores in January 2018.

BLACK PANTHER - From Philly:  The African American Museum in Philadelphia has "Black Pulp," an exhibit of comic book art that shatters stereotypes about Black people, including some art from "Black Panther" comics.

From CBLDF:  There will be an exhibit of the original art that Nate Powell produced from the graphic novel trilogy, March (Top Shelf), which chronicles the life of Civil Rights legend, Congressman John Lewis.  Entitled "The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece" will exhibit at the Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators (New York City), February 28 – June 30, 2018.

From TheStage:  Naoko Urasawa has brought to stage in London his manga, Pluto.  Here is a review of it.

From BleedingCool:  450 people sign a letter asking for the New York Times Graphic Novel Bestseller List Back.

From TheVerge:  Joss Whedon's beloved sci-fi TV series, "Firefly," is coming back in a series of novels.

From NextShark:  Chinese pirates reportedly cost Japan billions of dollars per year in illegally translating manga.

From ComicBook:  One Punch manga artist, Yusuke Murata, is working on a manga based on the beloved film franchise, "Back to the Future."  He offers a preview illustrations from the manga.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel will bring Darkhawk back in a new miniseries related to "Infinity Countdown."

From THR:  Venerable British comics magazines, "2000 AD," announces an all-female creators issue for the summer, "2000 AD Sci-Fi Special."

From Quartz:  Japan is hunting illegal video game and manga translators.

From Forbes:  This is the feature article which announced Brian Michael Bendis' Superman plans, beginning with a six-issue miniseries and then Bendis' takeover of "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From Geek:  A look at the history of computer art in comics, starting with First Comics' "Shatter" by artist Mike Saenz and writer Peter B. Gillis.

From Newsarama:  Bill Sienkiewicz will be the variant cover artist on "The Walking Dead," apparently for 2018.

From PasteMagazine:  "Long Before He Reached the Big Screen, the Black Panther Ruled" by Michael Burgin.

From HypeBeast:  Yusuke Murata, the illustrator of the "One-Punch Man" manga will produce a "Back to the Future" manga.

From Heavy:  Did you know that there was a monthly online manga based on the movie "Cloverfield."

From GoFundMe:  Charlton Neo Comics needs help.

From CreatorsforCreators:  The 2018 submissions for a $30,000 grant are open.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Lee Weeks will join Tom King on the ongoing Batman comic book sometime after issue #45.

From NYTimes:  DC Comics joins forces with Young Adult authors.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics unveils details about its new young reader imprints, DC Zoom and DC Ink.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in French.

From PreviewsWorld:  BOOM! Studios has announced "Planet of the Apes: Visionaries."  This new original graphic novel that will adapt the first screenplay for the original "Planet of the Apes" film into comics.  Rod Serling, the creator of "The Twilight Zone," wrote the first draft of the "Planet of the Apes" screenplay, but his first draft was drastically altered by the time of filming.

From BleedingCool:  See the Black Panther and Wonder Woman parody T-shirts.

From ICv2:  Marvel Co comics will publish a six-issue comic book adaptation of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," with issue #1 debuting May 2nd, 2018.

From Kotaku:  See the warehouse where unwanted manga is turned into toilet paper.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis is apparently taking over as writer of DC Comics titles, "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From BleedingCool:  Just draw, Ethan Van Sciver.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis' "Jinxworld" library of graphic novels and trade paperbacks is moving to Bendis' new home, DC Comics.

From NPR:  Four years ago, NPR had some of its favorite comics artists illustrate some of the poems of revered African-American poet, Langston Hughes.  Today, we look back at Afua Richardson's take on Hughes' poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

From JapanToday:  As many as 4,000 homeless people may be finding shelter at 24-hour internet and manga cafes in Tokyo on any given weekday, according to the first survey on the issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

One-Punch Man: Giant Meteor

I read One-Punch Man, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

One-Punch Man: The Rumor

I read One-Punch Man, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

One-Punch Man: The Secret to Strength

I read One-Punch Man, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 1

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8564-2; paperback (September 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Created by manga creator, ONE, One-Punch Man began as a web comic.  It quickly went viral and garnered over 10 million hits.  Japanese manga publisher, Shueisha (which is also VIZ Media's parent company), eventually secured the publishing rights to the series.  One-Punch Man was remade, with acclaimed manga artist, Yusuke Murata, best known for his work on the football series, Eyeshield 21, as the series' new artist.

One-Punch Man is the name of the man and the manga.  When he was 22-years-old, Saitama started training to be a superhero.  Now, 25-years-old, Saitama is a superhero.  He just does not look like it, with his lifeless facial expression, his bald head, and his unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of supervillains with one punch.

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 1 (entitled One Punch; Chapters 1 to 8) begins, Saitama is in danger of being bored to death.  He just beat the latest city-wrecking villain with one punch.  He beats another, and another, and even an invasion of subterranean monsters.  Then, a girl who controls a mega-mosquito swarm and a cyborg teen named “Genos” arrive in City Z.

[This volume includes bonus manga.]

Digital manga readers already have access to Vols. 1-7 of the One-Punch Man manga via VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App for the iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and tablets.  Those same volumes can also be purchased through the Nook, Kindle, Kobo, comiXology, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.

VIZ Media is simultaneously publishing the first two volumes of One-Punch Man in print editions.  For a limited time, readers could read the first three chapters of One-Punch Man Volume 1 for free at VIZManga.com.  As entertaining as those first three chapters are, however, they do not do justice to the out-sized fun of One-Punch Man.

I love the superhero anime, Tiger & Bunny, and its manga adaptation, and I love One-Punch Man because it is a blast of superhero fun done in a different way.  Tiger & Bunny is a Japanese take on superheroes that is eccentric, but would not really seem like the odd-comic-out if placed among American superhero comic books.

One-Punch Man is a shonen battle manga with a superhero as its lead character and protagonist, but all the other characters (at least early in the narrative) are staples of shonen action fantasy.  One-Punch Man's writer, who goes by the name, ONE, unleashes his inner kid as he unleashes a series of monsters, demons, minions, man-beasts, and evil men on one hapless city after another.  Mass mayhem and destruction ensue.

Artist Yusuke Murata brings ONE's imagination to life in graphical storytelling that epitomizes the “dynamic storytelling” that Stan Lee pitched with gusto in How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way.  Also, the art is so pretty, so detailed, and so full of texture and magnitude.  I love this manga, and I think that if you keep reading past the first three chapters, you will love it, also.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.