After I read volume 1 I thought it was already better than Monster.

Probably after Volume 3 you will feel the same.

The flashbacks are character development but they also are very much involved with the plot everything that is happening and will happen is because of the past or flashbacks.

Interesting enough the story will eventually have flash forwards too before concluding present day events and while still have flashbacks. And eventually the flash forwards will become present day.

Although volume 1 starts in 1973 the next couple pages the UN and the girl in bed is a flash forward then bam 1997.

Its kinda like LOST the tv show.

The book is nice and I like that its bigger than the standard manga.

I wonder why Viz didn't have the colored pages though?

Pluto did.

And lastly Pluto I really really really would rather have had Yawara or Happy come over first an actual Urasawa creation instead of expansion of Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy.

Pluto is short though 8 Volumes.

And instead of waiting too long Viz should also try to start bringing out his new series Billy Bat then volumes could come out shortly after they do in Japan.