Busô Renkin, arme alchimique #2

The French edition of Nobuhiro Watsuki's *Busô Renkin* continues with this second volume, subtitled "Fade to Black," published by Glénat in 2006. The cover puts three characters front and center: a grinning, muscular figure wearing a striking butterfly mask dominates the background, flanked by a dark-haired young woman in a school uniform, while a determined young man in a jacket strides forward wielding a long alchemical lance. It's a vivid introduction to the series' blend of school-life energy and supernatural combat that should have any shonen fan eager to dive in.