One Punch Man (2018)

[ワンパンマン]

Volume 18

Author: ONE
Artist: Yusuke Murata
Publisher: Jump Comics

Synopsis:
Garou roams the streets on his first assignment from the Monster Association.

Story/Characters:
It should come as a surprise to no one that Garou isn't much of a team player and isn't one for following orders. This leads to some interesting friction with his minders from the Monster Association. More interesting is the revelations we get from Gyoro Gyoro, which cast things in a new light. We also get more fun interactions between Saitama and Fubuki. I don't quite ship it, but I do enjoy their weird sitcom... thing. Also, Zombieman makes his move and... it's not quite what you'd expect. Waganma shows up to be insufferable, but I think he's going to be broken hard before all this is said and done.

Art:
We don't have anything quite so impressive as Saitama vs. Elder Centipede, but there is a pretty good Garou fight, more of the lovely Fubuki, and some great two-page spreads to accompany the narration of a particular returning cast member. Good stuff as usual.

Conclusion:
While this volume is a solid continuation of the story, it's not quite a must-have. If you're collecting the series, of course you'll get it, but on its own merits, it falls just shy. Definitely give it a read at the very least, though.

Rating:
Read It