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Title:  Fullmetal Alchemist #2

Author:  Hiromu Arakawa

Publisher:  Viz

ISBN:  9781591169239

Contains Spoilers

Roy Mustang introduces Ed and Al to Shou Tucker, the Sewing Life Alchemist.   Shou is a chimera researcher, and he earned his license after creating a talking chimera.  Shou invites the boys to use his library, and soon they are spending long days at the Tucker house, studying and playing with Nina, Shou’s little girl.  As the days pass by, the Elric brothers are ignorant of the pressure mounting on the researcher.  His assessment is coming up, and if his research doesn’t yield an alchemical find, he’ll lose his position as state alchemist.  Just how desperate is Shou to keep his license?

Ah!  This chapter was so chilling!  How could anybody commit the same crime against humanity not once, but twice!  And to his own flesh and blood!  I guess equivalent exchange is easier when you’re a borderline monster.  I hate when bad things happen to little kids or animals, in comics or especially in real life; they are weak and helpless, and it’s everybody’s duty to help protect them.  How could Shou Tucker sacrifice his own child to his ambitions?  We won’t even analyze what he did to his wife.  Maybe she nagged him into it.  Soulless bastard!  Scar went too easy on you.

As Edward broods over the Nina’s fate and the meaning of alchemy, a new menace makes an appearance.  A murderer, known only as “Scar” for the x-shaped mark on his face, is targeting state alchemists, and brutally slaughtering them.  During a run-in with the ruthless killer, both Ed and Al are damaged, and rendered unable to resist his attack.  To save his little brother, Edward is on the verge of submitting to Scar’s assault in exchange for Al’s life. 

Just in the nick of time, Roy Mustang and his troops arrive to save the day.  During the ensuing tirade by Scar, we learn that he believes he is an instrument of God, and he deals divine judgement to unholy alchemists.  Great!  He’s a religious fanatic!  Not only that, but he’s a member of a persecuted race that the government tried to systematically wipe from the face of the earth.  Maybe the fact that his wires aren’t quite connected correctly is understandable.

The action lets up a little as Ed, Major Armstrong, and Al (safely packed away in the sheep car!) head off to the boys’ hometown for repairs.  I really like Armstrong and his sparklies, not to mention his “flexy” alchemy.  I’m not sure just what his alchemy entails other than dramatic shirt stripping and powerful bodybuilding poses.   He arrives just in time for a heartfelt chuckle, and eases the crushing tension that’s been building in this volume.   

Grade: B+

Rated for Teen