Trigun Bookclub: pancake-breakfast: Trigun Maximum Volume 9: Covers + Chapter 1-2

Original Tumblr Post: Covers + Chapter 1-2

The problem with being on Volume 9 is that means we’re on the last buffer before Volume 10, and I am Not Ready. None of us are.

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts for TriMax Vol. 9, Chapters 1-2 below.

Table of Contents

TriMax Volume 9 Covers

Ugh, we just have to start with a Vashwood cover, don’t we? I have too many Vashwood feels right now. I can’t handle this.
Ah, the return of the blow-up doll. Is… is she jealous of whatever the hell is going on with Vash and Wolfwood here? (Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on with them here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Nightow doesn’t know, either.)
Back cover Liviooooooo…. Oh, shit, he’s not wearing his skull there.
Ahahahahahaha, that’s a no-face reference on the back there. Looks like he’s got some dolls of his own. I… I don’t know what to think about that. I’m just not going to lest it make my brain hurt.
What kind of chapter/volume name is “LR”??
Someone take down the Kuroneko-sama. I’m pretty sure she’s dry.

In Stampede, “Home” was a reference to the place where Luida and them live. Here, it seems to refer to the orphanage.
Baby Livio! Baby Nico!!!
Wolfwood, feeding the forlorn. Of course.
Ah, I see he’s been reunited with Angelina II. ~~Get yourself reunited with Vash, you idiot.~~
Aaaand he’s going against the caravan for some reason.
LOL, he is DETERMINED to get through going the wrong way. And quickly. This feels like a bit of overkill for a simple gate.

Heh, even as a child, he still has so many Wolfwood mannerisms.
Oh, shit. He’s going back for Livio, isn’t he?
He really loved his life at the orphanage….
Goshdarn puppies getting in stupid places.
Yeah! Go, baby Livio! Do good things!
Oh, Livio, honey…. If you thought you getting dumped here was because you didn’t do something–whatever that might be–to make yourself lovable, you are dead wrong. I don’t have to know any more about where you came from to know that.
Baby Wolfwood is such a big brother to everyone here.
Something wrong with his eyes…? Is that…?

Did he (“he”) kill the puppy because it put someone else in danger?
Hahahahaha, no secrets between siblings. And an orphanage has a LOT of siblings.
Oh, no. Poor baby Livio. He’s just… got a lot going on, I’m sure. But it might be easier with friends.
Hey, is this round guy the kid Wolfwood used to walk to the bathroom?
Hahahaha, yeah, it’s him. He doesn’t recognize his big bro, of course. Wolfwood’s been through a lot.
Twelve, huh? Why’s it always gotta be twelve? ~~Something something religious imagery, I know.~~
Ohhhh, nooooo. Livio, this isn’t where you should be….
He’s helped set a trap for Wolfwood? My dude, no.
Also, goshdarn, why’s he gotta be good-looking?? There are some grumbling about his looks in Stampede, but both versions of him are freaking dorito chips with long hair and goth aesthetic, so I’m not complaining.

Yeah, Wolfwood definitely sucks at cutting ties to people he cares about. I’m not sure if Knives really succeeded or really fucked up by ordering him to escort Vash, ’cause there was no way in hell Wolfwood wasn’t gonna get attached to Vash.
Wait, did Livio do something to get on the Eye of Michael’s bad side? Also, just how big is their cult? I thought a good chunk of it got wiped out a few volumes ago by that horn-headed guy and the weird CLAMP bishounen. Also also, wasn’t Chapel bragging to Wolfwood about how Livio was basically like a better version of him… but Livio got kicked out??? Questions.
Dude, is this little Cactus kid gonna try and take on Eye of Michael by himself?? Dang, no wonder they recruit from this orphanage. These kids got guts.
Side note, I love how Wolfwood’s chillin’ here, loading up his gun, but also his whole demeanor is like he’s just one of the kids.

Oh, I guess these guys aren’t true EoM. They’re… like… mercenaries or some such.
“Once this ark scare is over….” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA hoo boy, who’s gonna tell him?
Welp, this guy is trash. He needs a name. I’m gonna call him… Cable-Face.
Seriously?? He wants interesting reactions from the child he’s tormenting and likely to kill?? This guy needs new hobbies.
As someone who worked in dentistry, I like the implication that nearly every one of Cable-Face’s teeth are fake. AND he still managed to chip TWO. This kid’s life might be worthless, but so is your dental hygiene, Cable-Face.

Oh, I guess Cable-Face was very cyborg. Whatever, he may not have needed to be if he had taken better care of himself. And Livio’s right; he was pretty annoying.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go simp for Livio for a bit.

*This space reserved for Livio simping*

(Crap, I just put two and two together and I think I know what “LR” stands for now. MOVING ON!!!)

Aw, man. Them kids are putting two and two together about their good friend Wolfwood. Let us all shed a tear for Wolfwood’s lost youth.
Welp, that’s two “alarms” down.
G’night, Burnsie! All y’all are in for a baaaaad day for pissin’ off my guy Wolfwood.
OMG he didn’t kill Burnsie. And he’s trying to negotiate these guys out of dying, too. He’s literally fighting for the thing that matters most to him, and he’s trying to do it Vash’s way.

DAMMIT, I just remembered *redacted redacted redacted* Ugh, they really gotta do this, don’t they???
Wolfwood and his kid self….
@sweetpotoooooooos noted Kid Wolfwood training with Eye of Michael looks like Megumi from JJK is cosplaying as Lara Croft and now I can’t unsee it. (I think Megumi is angrier, though, and has a LOT more chill.)
Getting worse? How?? Because he doubts his right to take another’s life??? Screw you, Old Man. Like, seriously. You talk like what he’s doing now takes less courage and less calculation and less skill, and that’s absolute bullshit.
LOL, Chapel is SO MAD! Good, be mad and dumb. Also, he’s really rocking that dramatic cult leader garb today.

UGH, I dun want them to fight! They should be brothers!!
Duuuuuuude, something something Stampede! I can feel the influence here. Also, I’m not ready for this.
LOL, Chekov’s rocket. Wolfwood sure has fun with these things.
Looks like everyone’s in a lot of pain… but they’re alive. And also…
Epic
Wolfwood
Poses

May the humiliation all these mercs faced here today inspire them to rethink their lives. Maybe make a change in their career paths.
Heh. He knows Livio is here, and he’s calling him for help.
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! LIVIO RESPONDED!!!!

Ok, I need to focus on this pose for just a moment. Because this is first time I’ve seen anything… anything resembling actual will and determination in Livio’s face. And it’s just for a second, a single panel, before we pull out too much to get a clear read on him again. All the rest of the time, his face is either hidden in shadows or he just looks resigned, depressed, and/or detached. But this panel? There’s life in his face here.

Haaaahahahaha, their greeting to each other is such… brothers. Sibling energy. I submit that they are both dumbasses.

One step closer….