Fullmetal Alchemist (2004)

[鋼の錬金術師]

Volume 9

Author/Artist: Hiromu Arakawa
Publisher: Gangan Comics

Synopsis:
Ling Yao accompanies the Elrics and Winry to Central City.

Story/Characters:
In this volume we have a bit of a pileup of moves and counter-moves. The big bads take action against Colonel Mustang and his little side project. Lieutenant Ross gets the worst of it and, man, the way things turn out pretty well turned me on a significant character (though at the time I was willing to allow for a subversion). There's also the persistent element of the ghosts of the Ishval campaign coming more and more to the forefront. Another big element is the fact that Winry comes back to Central unaware of Colonel Hughes' murder. This adds to the drama colliding together from several directions at once.

Art:
This volume is more about drama than action, but it's as well-done as you would expect.

Other:
We get a fake teaser of what Colonel Mustang will find when he comes to Hawkeye's aid, three 4-koma and a special one-page comic commemorating the completion of this volume.

Conclusion:
This one has quite the player punch and a solid cliffhanger. This is but a taste of the real stakes. Give this one a read.

Rating:
Read It