X-O Manowar #1
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Tomas Giorello
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Publisher: Valiant
A review by Greg Brothers
X-O Manowar goes all the way back to the beginning of Valiant Comics in February of 1992. In that time, several different reboots of X-O Manowar each using the same basic ideas and characters while trying to include some of the previous versions history. Even though I have been reading and collecting comics for quite some time, I have never ventured into the Valiant Universe and their line of books. With the relaunch of a few of their comics I felt this was as good of a time as any to jump into their signature series.
We start X-O Manowar #1 as Aric and his assumed companion Schon discuss the soldiers marching and what the true meaning of oppression and dreams are. As the night progresses we find out that Aric is so far away from his home as he tries to escape his past that haunts him. As Aric fears his past coming back to haunt him, we find out that the relationship between Aric and his armor is not on the best of terms, a fact that may come back to haunt him later.
Kindt’s writing throughout tells the story of a man who wants to leave his past behind and embrace the peacefulness of his new life. You can feel reluctance that Aric has for the coming war in the way he talks and the way that Giorello draws him. Even when the war occurs, he does only what he needs to survive and takes no pleasure in having to take down his enemy, because he knows no matter what it will never be enough. There is also the sense of mystery throughout X-O Manowar #1. Why is Aric on this far-off planet? Why is the relationship between Aric and his armor strained? What is the war leading to? With all the questions that are left throughout this first issue, it allows it to be a great jumping on point.
The art throughout matches the different moods throughout X-O Manowar #1, which to me is the sign of a great artist. The peaceful and serine panels are filled with bright colors and much more upbeat than the gritty, dark, and bloody fight panels. Even in those peaceful and happier panels the difference between Aric and Schon is striking as she comes off soft and gentle, while Aric is rough and gritty.
The Verdict
Buy it! X-O Manowar #1 is the perfect jumping on point for long time fans and new readers alike. There is enough that long time readers will not feel their time has been wasted, while new readers will not feel like they are in the dark.
