One Punch Man (2017)

[ワンパンマン]

Volume 14

Author: ONE
Artist: Yusuke Murata
Publisher: Jump Comics

Synopsis:
The fearsome Gouketsu assembles the tournament fighters and gives them an ultimatum: become monsters or die.

Story/Characters:
Hoo boy. This one gets rough. We've seen plenty of knock-down, drag-out fights. Genos in particular has really had a number done on him time and time again, but there's something very different between heroes and civilians and this volume really puts that into perspective. For the most part, the tournament has been running separate of what most people would consider the more important story of the Monster Association's attack, but here the two plotlines get woven together. I really like the character of Gouketsu, being tough and brutal but also surprisingly generous. Definitely one of those noble demon types I really like to see on the villain side. It's also interesting to see some surprise choices of people who take up Gouketsu on his offer, but it's the more predictable bad guys who bring the compelling fight scenes. Suiryuu's dismissive attitude towards heroes gets put to the test and I don't want to spoil what happens, but it's got some punch (not meant as a pun).

Art:
While the fight scenes in the previous volume were cool and flashy, here we get the hard hits and, oh man, do they hit hard. There's a lot of emotion in some panels and it really sticks with you. Some of the monster redesigns of the fighters who take up Gouketsu's offer are pretty cool, too.

Conclusion:
For delivering a brutal story to really drive home the point of what being a hero is all about, I can't give enough props to this volume. This is more powerful stuff than a silly series like OPM has any business being and I can't be happier about it. If you thought the tournament was a waste of time, this is the payoff and I think I'd be remiss to give it anything less than top marks.

Rating:
Treasure It