Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 1

Arakawa, Hiromu. Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 1. 2002. 180p. ISBN 978-1-59116-920-8. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Edward and Alphonse Elric possess a power only a few other individuals have. They are alchemists, able to manipulate and reshape matter. But both of them suffered immensely when they attempted to revive their mother. Edward lost an arm and a leg, and Alphonse lost his entire body. Now a walking suit of armor, Alphonse follows his older brother, who is himself equipped with an automail leg and arm.

As state alchemists, they work for the military, following orders when they must. But deep inside they are free agents, seeking the power of the Philosopher’s Stone so they can enhance their alchemist abilities and recover Alphonse’s missing body.

Travelling through an undescribed town, Edward and Alphonse hear a voice on the radio. It is that of a religious leader. When informed that he performs miracles, they investigate the matter and realize that Father Cornello is in fact an alchemist with plans of amassing a mindless army to do his bidding. Can the brothers stop this religious fraud before it’s too late?

The story continues in Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol 2.