Review: One-Punch Man V.02

Title:One-Punch Man

Volume: 2 (of 9+)
Creator: ONE and Yusuke Murata
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: Shueisha
US Publisher: Viz
Release Date: 9/1/15
Pages: 208
ISBN: 1421585650
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (Teens)

Descrption: Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem - he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! He's easily taken out a number of monsters, including a crabby creature, a malicious mosquito girl, and a muscly meathead. But his humdrum life takes a drastic turn when he meets Genos - a cyborg who wants to uncover the secret behind his strength!

Contains Punch 9-15:

• Punch 09: House of Evolution
• Punch 10: Modern Art
• Punch 11: The Secret of Strength
• Punch 12: Parasiders
• Punch 13: Speed
• Punch 14: I Don't Know You
• Punch 15: Fun and Work
• Bonus Manga: Brushing Up

Review:

Cover Art: Another awesome cover with this title. VIZ went and decided to use the original artwork, barely altering any of the original cover design. The front cover has Genos, Swinging his arm upwards at our reader. The Series Title is presented in orange letters across the top. The volume number, mangakas, and the Shonen Jump imprint are on the lower left corner.

The spine from top-to-bottom has the Shonen Jump logo, series title, volume number, mangakas, a profile shot of Genos, and the VIZ logo.

The back cover has Saitama dropping water over the side of a building, onto an enemies lit bomb. There is a kid drawing with chalk next to Saitama (its an image of a butt chin faced man). The lower third of the cover has the series title and volume number, followed by the volumes description in an orange box. 

My only real complaint here is the back cover's volume description. The black letter on the orange is a bit rough on the eyes to read. Overall though, this is pretty much near perfection!

Artwork: The volume's artwork is pretty much the same as the first volumes style, which I absolutely loved to begin with. This series is very heavily action oriented, so there are tons of fight scenes, stuff exploding, people dying. There is also times when the artwork is toned down and more silly, when the mood is appropriate for it. The action is what really draws me into this series so much as it isn't just your this day in age shonen series, it brings back the nostalgia factor from some of the mangas of the past few decades.

Translation: This series' translation is not really altered. We do get the usual sound effects that are changed for the English readers that VIZ normally does. Character names, attacks, and the references used by our characters were all retained to keep to the original feel of the source material.

Extras: This volume contains another bonus chapter on our main hero, Saitama, before became the One-Punch Man. I am really enjoying these chapters as we get to see the backstory of our main character and what he went through before he got the extraordinary power he somehow inherited.

There is also a page with a few translations of some of the Kanji that was left unchanged so readers can get an understanding of what certain text means.

Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): The volume continues from the first volume. Our heroes, Saitama and Genos, head into the House of Evolution's Headquarters to confront the monsters masters who attacked them previously. When they arrive they have do deal with another Evolutionary Monster, Carnage Kabuto. Carnage Kabuto makes quick work of Genos, but he is still no match for Saitama's One Punch moves. All the leaders want to know is how Saitama got his powers, but it isn't easy to get that answer out of our hero.

After the first story concludes, a new chapter begins when a new enemy known as the Paradisers shows up. These guys all have shaved heads and begin wrecking havoc in local towns around Saitama's home. Saitama isn't about to get involved until he realizes that they are bald like him and with the people of the cities against him, they might go after him when he goes out bargain shopping since he is bald.

We are also introduced to a new character, Sonic. He is an assassin out to stop the Paradisers. He also runs into Saitama and thinks he is a Paradiser and the two have a fight as well, but he is no match for Saitama.

With the Paradisers defeated, a new threat shows up from a mystery organization. The leader of the Paradisers stole from them, and they want revenge.

The volume ends with Genos telling Saitama that they can register to become official heroes. The two decide that it might be the best thing to do with the confusion with all the citizens of the world that they might be confused as enemies.

I really enjoyed this volume. It had all the goodness of the first volume and then some with all the extra action and new characters being introduced. I can't wait to see what comes out of the Hero Registration that Saitama and Genos are going to try to obtain. If you haven't started reading this yet, it is a must for all shonen fans.

Objectionable Content:

• Language: Yes
• Violence: Yes
• Nudity: No
• Sexual Situations: No

Overall Rating: 10/10

Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 9/27/15