Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

I felt like this volume dragged a little, partly because I knew what was coming, and partly because it's a lot of backstory and flashbacks.   I feel like if you really need to use those, they shouldn't be overused - like Arrow?   I'm losing interest in the backstory because it's being so overused.   

Anyway, despite the bit of drag, and the lower stars, I kept going back to that thing.   The one that Izumi, the teacher, and tried to explain to Al.  Keep in mind, I paraphrase.   

Izumi: It's not really bad... just weird.  

Ed: Yeah, super weird.  

*they both wobble around like tube men*

Al: That's too abstract!

I kept falling over and giggling.   The truth, that thing, is like the tube man.   But it's the illustrations that make this so giggle-worthy.   And despite going, please get to the present, I did laugh a couple times - like when the military officers going to find the boys thought Edward was 31.   (He was eleven at the time.)

A lot of this, like how Edward and Alphonse got to where they are is actually important, too.   It's just stuff that I felt like I knew about due to them, y'know, being where they are.  Which is why back stories and flashbacks are so tricky; you go over stuff that the reader/audience may already have garnered via what's been implied by the present.   It's why I was bored in Arrow sometimes, and it's why I liked this volume less than others.  

Still, love.  

Still going onto the next two volumes.   The library didn't have nine, so I'll read that at a bookstore this week, then move on.   I realized I'd have to pay about $300 and don't really have the room for this whole series in my room - which makes me sad :(