Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

Neo Tokyo was once a thriving, multiethnic metropolis… in 2014.  By 2018, Tokyo is a walled city and is the home of the worldwide cult known as the “Friends.”  The cult’s leader, the “Friend,” is now President of the World.  However, forces gather against him, including a returning hero.

As Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, Vol. 19 (entitled The Man Who Came Back) opens, Manjome, the Friend’s closest advisor, makes a shocking request of Kanna Endo and Otcho.  Meanwhile, the mysterious man with a guitar and his companion, the estranged police detective, Shohei Chono, arrive in the border town of Tohoku on their way to Kanto.  Before they reach Kanto, they must find a way past the checkpoint.  Near this checkpoint, is a makeshift graveyard where lie others who tried to get past.

THE LOWDOWN:  As usual, my summary of events for a volume of 20th Century Boys barely touches upon all that happens between the covers.  There are flashbacks, even more detail about the Friend’s machinations, and a battle.  This is my 19th volume of the 20th Century Boys manga, and my 19th review of the series (my 17th for the Comic Book Bin).  Rare is the time that I don’t marvel at this magnificent series.  Creator Naoki Urasawa fills it with great characters and enough subplots to ensnare the curious reader.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Comic book readers looking for the best comics will want 20th Century Boys on their reading list.

A