X-O Manowar #11 Review

X-O Manowar #11
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Ryan Bodenheim
Colourist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: Valiant

A review by Josh

X-O Manowar has been one of my favourite series from Valiant. Its over the top sci-fi action and this latest take on the character really reinforces that with a touch of fantasy. X-O Manowar #11 sees Aric trying his best as Emperor to help his people but its not working out so well. In come these bounty hunters hired to remove him from the throne. And they’re bounty hunters not warriors. They’re there to do a job and get paid, not fight fair. Matt Kindt is setting the stage for a big showdown between Aric and the bounty hunters. This issue was just round one.

I’ve been calling this series “Conan the Barbarian meets Star Wars” but this issue is probably the least Conan so far. The war is over. Its more like if Luke Skywalker overthrew the Emperor, took over the galaxy, and Boba Fett and a crew of bounty hunters were hired to remove him from the throne. I like how Kindt is planting seeds in Aric that may possibly lead to his returning to Earth. He refuses to delegate and trust anyone, even those closest to him. I even enjoy how Kindt turned something that helped Aric win the war into a trap. Ironic. He trusted the bounty hunters to act with honour.

The planet Gorin in X-O Manowar #11 looks like a place you’d expect to find on Tattooine or Barsoom from the John Carter of Mars series. Ryan Bodenheim does a great job creating this desolate desert with two suns, ruins, and sun bleached bones of long dead giant creatures. And Andrew Dalhouse creates the most beautiful evening sky with a mix of purples and oranges. It’s the biggest clue that Aric is on an alien planet next to the strange looking people and twin suns.

The Verdict:
Buy It! Valiant’s greatest superhero is only a superhero when he’s on Earth fighting aliens, robots, or alien robots. On the planet Gorin he is a warrior with the most advanced weapon in the universe. Even so Aric is only a man from Ancient Rome and he can be outsmarted. X-O Manowar #11 is a perfect jumping on point for new readers. It has conspiracies, fighting, natural disasters, and a giant robot! Go pick it up