Doflamingo isn't going to make this showdown so easy for Luffy and Trafalgar to win in the first round. This pirate knows how to bite back with a ruthless passion for cruelty.
The Good
One sided brawls can be pretty boring, and I really doubt anyone was silly enough to think that Luffy's big attack last week was going to end this one. Who wants a to see a battle on this level that only works to Luffy's favor? A victory for the good guys is always more epic the closer they come to defeat. That's the formula of shonen. The Red Hawk does however raise my expectation for something big when that times does come for Luffy to shut this guy down. Hody and Caesar defeats have set a certain standard for me.
I really have to agree with Law now. They had a great setting for a finishing blow on Doflamingo, and he's not the kind of opponent that will allow the same trick twice. I have a feeling that it's up to Trafalgar to think up something brand new. He'll probably have some time on his hands in his current condition.
Just to touch on the Jimbei side story. This page seems to show that the previous events have been more prequel material. He was shown reacting to the Straw Hat & Heart Pirates alliance when it was first reported, as shown in Vol. 70. This cover story was showing the events leading up to that moment. That was a little surprising. From his story's perspective, Luffy and the gang haven't yet even landed on Dressrosa.
The Bad
I have to admit that I'm feeling a little disappointed with this glimpse into Doflamingo's past. It seems a bit cliche for his story to partially center around revenge motivated by a rejection from the other Celestial Dragons due to them seeing him as tainted. It doesn't quite explain why he's so indifferent to his real family but protective of his adopted one. Where does this sense of loyalty come from? I have to imagine there is yet more behind all of this.
Verdict 3/5
Nothing really surprised or amazed me in this week's edition. Not to say it was bad. The action was still on a high level, and it builds some nice tension. If there was ever a set up for a flashback, having the heroes either tied or otherwise immobile couldn't be a better setting. At least I hope it starts next week. I'm not sure how long I want to be reading as Luffy is laying there tied up. There's also one less battle to cut to now the Fujitora and Sabo came to some sort of understanding off screen.
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About the Author
 | Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates:@AnimeVicers/@FoxxFireArt / http://kristofferremmell.tumblr.com/ |
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