Fullmetal Alchemist (2007)

[鋼の錬金術師]

Volume 18

Author/Artist: Hiromu Arakawa
Publisher: Gangan Comics

Synopsis:
Winry is brought to Fort Briggs by Kimblee, unaware that she is being used as a hostage to keep the Elrics in line.

Story/Characters:
Winry getting in the mix ups the tension with Kimblee using her as leverage against the Elrcs, particularly Ed. It also provides an opportunity to explore cold weather-optimized automail. Kimblee reveals the plan for Ed, which is as bad as you'd imagine, and cranks up the pressure further. There's also the matter of Scar's group. While all this is going on, we have the subplot of Captain Buccaneer leading a search party for the team that went missing in the tunnels. Upon finding Scar's bunch, we have some character moments with Scar, Winry and Major Miles. Back in Central, Lieutenant Hawkeye runs into Pride. It's a big reveal and a nicely tense scene.

Art:
The art continues to impress. The stuff in the tunnels is particularly effective. The scene with Hawkeye and Pride is as well. Then there's some good action with the dustup between Scar and Kimblee's chimeras.

Other:
We get just one 4-koma this time around.

Conclusion:
There's plenty of good stuff here. We get some big reveals, good character moments, and a split in the plotline that looks promising. Definitely give it a read at the very least.

Rating:
Read It