X-O Manowar (2012- ) #1: Digital Exclusives Edition

X-O Manowar (2012) (Single Issues)

by Robert Venditti (Writer), Cary Nord (Penciler), Stefano Gaudiano (Inker)

It's the comic book event a decade in the making! The all-new Valiant Universe kicks off with a landmark, oversized # 1 issue of X-O Manowar by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti (The Surrogates, The Homeland Directive) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan)! Born into battle, Aric of Dacia -- heir to the throne of the Visigoth people -- has never known peace. After a brutal encounter with a mysterious enemy known as The Vine leaves him a prisoner on an alien world, the only hope Aric has of returning to his family and saving them from slavery is to seize a weapon of incalculable destruction and become X-O Manowar! The Vine destroyed Aric's world. Now he will give them war.

Genres: Comics

35 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Robert Venditti is a New York Times bestselling author of more than three hundred comic books and graphic novels. Some of his works include the monthly comic book series Justice League, Superman ’78, Hawkman, and Green Lantern for DC Comics, X-O Manowar, Armor Hunters, and Wrath of the Eternal Warrior for Valiant Entertainment, and the graphic novel Six Days, inspired by the story of his uncle’s participation in D-Day. He has also adapted Rick Riordan’s global bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus novels, as well as Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia and Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz. His graphic novel The Surrogates was adapted into a feature film by Touchstone Pictures, and his work on The Flash was the basis for season three of the CW television series.

Venditti lives in Atlanta, where he both writes and serves as a storytelling consultant for some of the most recognizable entertainment brands in the world.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

SXSW 2014. South by Southwest is an interactive, music and film festival in Austin, Texas and since Comixology has a major presence there this weekend, it gave some free books accessible to its subscribers as it launched some major initiatives. This is one of those books.

I actually got this issue two years ago, also from a Comixology promotion, but the new freebie which also included the subsequent three issues made this an opportune time to read the first four issues of X-O Manowar again.

The new Valiant launched their line with X-O Manowar and one of their hallmarks, which continues today, was their ability to tap quality talent for their launches.

My main complaint though was the decompression. What used to take one issue for the old Valiant comics, took over the course of the first three installments for this one. Venditti was obviously writing for the eventual trade collection.

This is still an entertaining book. If you're into barbarians and sci-fi, this book may be for you.

[Aimee Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good

A very solid beginning. XO has a rush history and a loyal fan base. This issue did not disappoint. 4/5

[Cassie'sBookCorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise. You think you are fighting the Romans...Nope...Aliens...oh, and you're probably their chosen one. Fun!

My rating: 3/5

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mix of history and sci-fi which really was fun, a very short first episode but with much chance to grow and will be interested to see how it changes.

[Solace Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this as a free gift for the Comic Con Convention Kickoff at Alter Ego Comics. I must admit I have never read a Valiant comic before, so this was my first one.

Going in I wasn't sure what to expect, and after finishing it I wasn't sure how I felt. It skimmed over any emotion that could have been possible from the characters. The main character is nothing but a war machine in a Roman Capital era setting.

They were at war with the Romans. But they somehow stumble upon an alien ship and mistake it for the Romans. But the captures mother, wife, child are not on the alien ship, the Romans actually have them. At the end we are supposed to sympathize with this man because his family is captured, but as I said, it glosses so quickly over any emotion that it's hard to care. I like action, but if the characters are driven by their emotions then the reader should feel some of it as well.

[Ryan Riot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aric V.2012

I believe this is the 3rd telling of the X-O tale. I am a latecomer to the 3 or 4 (or ... 5?) Valiant Universes. I just recently read the entirety of the original story, the first run from the early 90s -- including X-O, of course -- over the course of a couple months and it was a real eye-opener. Don't know how I hadn't heard of it til recently, better late than never I guess?

As for the "issue" at hand, this was my first reading of any of Aric's later versions and it was interesting to note the major changes (and minor) to previous tales. I enjoyed it, but there was something truly special about the 1st run that is definitely missing here.

[Rodrigo González · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valiant is back! I thought I'd never see the day when crossing the doors of my local comic shop I would see a Valiant comic on the "new arrivals" shelf but I'm glad I was wrong! Valiant is back and better than ever, Aric, my Valiant hero par excellence, is back on his X-O armor and forgets the horrible Acclaim's vol. 2. I hope this will stick with us for a long time.

[Lester F. Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great comic!

Good art work enjoy where the story is going. Novel idea going back to the roman empire to start the Journey. Look forward to reading more about so!