Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the image.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, VOL. 16

VIZ MEDIA
CARTOONIST: Hiromu Arakawa
TRANSLATION: Akira Watanabe
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jakes Forbes
ISBN: 978-1-4215-1381-2; Rated “T” for “Teen”
192 pp., B&W, $9.99

In Fullmetal Alchemist, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric were using a forbidden alchemical ritual to bring their dead mother back to life when it all went wrong.  Edward lost a leg, but Alphonse lost his entire body.  Edward grafted his younger brother’s soul into a suit of armor, but that process also costs Edward his arm.  Replacing his missing flesh with “auto-mail” limbs, Edward eventually became a state alchemist and continues to serve the Amestris state military.  In the meantime, he searches for the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary substance that can restore the brothers’ bodies.

In Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 16, Edward and Alphonse track the elusive girl, May Chang, because they believe her mastery of “the Purification Arts,” may restore their bodies.  However, Solf J. Kimblee, the murderous Red Lotus Alchemist, is also tracking May and her companion Scar, but Scar is ready for a big throw down to settle old scores.

THE LOWDOWN:  An epic military sci-fi/fantasy and sweeping character drama, Fullmetal Alchemist can be a difficult read, especially when coming late to the story.  The intricate interrelationships, rivalries, blood feuds, bonds, etc. between characters can be described as impenetrable.  Anyone willing to dig through it, however, will find that the characters grow on you and are delightful – even the horrible killers.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  A “Teen”-rated book, Fullmetal Alchemist will appeal to older readers and teens who like to dig into large cast stories (like Harry Potter).

B+