One Piece, Vol. 44

This is the volume you've been waiting for. After much chasing and fighting the Straw Hats have finally freed Nico Robin from CP9. It's time to escape Enies Lobby and return to Water Seven, but first there's still the matter of Luffy vs. Rob Lucci. As far as final boss showdowns go, this is one epic and brutal battle. If Crocodile vs. Luffy back in One Piece, Vol. 23 impressed you, then Oda's managed to set the bar just that much higher. For my money, the pacing is fine but the "finishing blow" should have been structured around Gear 3, which is finally revealed in one of those "defining moments of awesome." It's almost anti-climactic for such a major move not to ring the gong, but we go on for a little longer and a chilling bit of Lucci's history is snuck in along the way. When the end does come though, it's served with just the right amount of dramatic flair. Elsewhere, a pseudo-scientific explanation for Gear 2 is revealed, and it's shocking that American comic book heroes like Mr. Fantastic or Plastic Man have never utilized their powers in this way. Kokoro's reveal of her true nature sets up one of the most anticipated islands on the Grand Line yet. And then there's the volume's bittersweet ending - without spoiling too much the Straw Hats say goodbye to an old friend, and the farewell is so emotionally charged that you might find yourself getting choked up as well. If any volume ever spaced out perfectly to end on the right chapter, it's this one. A great finale to this magnificent arc. Stay tuned for the next volume as the Straw Hats properly wrap up and depart Water Seven.