Fullmetal Alchemist #9

The stark, minimalist cover of this 2006 Viz edition lets the series' iconic alchemical cross symbol — a serpent-entwined emblem crowned with wings — speak with quiet authority against a deep black field. Hiromu Arakawa's cover art trades spectacle for gravitas, giving the volume an almost ceremonial weight that fits a story stepping to the beat of "The Footsteps of a War Comrade." A compelling addition to any shelf, this ninth collected volume continues Arakawa's richly crafted world with the same creative team that has made the series a standout of its era.