Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 2

Not much to say about this volume, except that this proves that Hiromu Arakawa is a very talented artist.

Even though it's early in the series this volume (as well as the first) make it clear that this series will be interesting. Defidently a great manga for anybody!

From the creative mind of a woman whose self-portrait is that of a bespectacled cow comes the continuing adventures of the Elric brothers in the second volume of Hiromu Arakawa's hit manga series. In their quest to restore their bodies, mechanical-limbed Ed and armor-clad Al look up Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life Alchemist," whose achievements in biological transmutation (the altering of living tissue) may the key ingredient to changing the Elrics back to normal--or a recipe for disaster. Then a new player enters the game, a mysterious killer who's got some legitimate beef with state alchemists. And Ed's next on his list (Note: Al merely assists Ed and is not enlisted in the military). If that's not enough, the artificial Homonculi are cooking up a devious plan to beat the Elrics in the race to obtain the fabled Philosopher's Stone. Volume 2 is the first in the series to feature Ishvarlan extremist Scar, "Strong Arm Alchemist" Alex Louis Armstrong, the Homunculus Envy and other familiar faces from the "Fullmetal Alchemist" anime. It's also the first volume to shed light on the bloody history between the military and the nearly-extinct Ishvarlan people, a major clue to Scar's creation. If there's such a thing as food for thought, Ms. Arakawa still writes up a great meal. Also her illustrations, as always, are a feast for the eyes. And if you read this volume all the way through, you might even find out Ed's total height! So go buy a helping of this delicacy from one of today's hottest manga-ka's. Mine's on the house, or rather, my local library! This comice is rated T for Teen: Violence, Adult Situations.

Ed and Al return to the Eastern Front HQ to report to their superior, Colonel Mustang, who hooks them up with Shou Tucker, the "Sewing-Life" Alchemist who is researching bio-alchemy and who has the ability to create "chimeras", life-forms that are a blend of two genetically different organisms. Hopefully, he will give Ed a clue as to how to restore his and Al's bodies. Ed is going to be a little distracted though, as a vengeful man known as "Scar" is stalking State Alchemists and killing them horribly. It's as though when he touches them, their bodies explode! And he's gunning for Ed while he's in the city. While not quite as good as the anime, this second volume is almost as enjoyable. The heartbreaking story of Tucker and his little daughter is truly a tragic one and exposes Ed and Al to things no normal kids could deal with. Arakawa does a good job of reminding us that they ARE kids intermitently no matter how deep the storyline. I would say that the manga version has a bit more humor than the anime. There are some differences in the two versions so I would highly recommend both. Great book and anime.