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X-O Manowar (2012)
X-O Manowar, Vol. 10: Exodus
Two people. One world. Can a man of war broker peace between earth and alien nation?
Aric of Dacia is X-O Manowar, hero to humanity, leader of the remaining Visigoths, and a husband about to start a new family. He is also the bearer of Shanhara, and tantamount to a God in the eyes of the alien race known as The Vine. Now, in the aftermath of Dead Hand , The Vine need a new home and have chosen Earth – tearing Aric between two races that worship him, but each despise one another.
New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Book of Death) and red-hot artist Rafa Sandoval (Ultimate Hawkeye) unite here to begin a bold and tragic new era in the life of X-O Manowar!
Collecting: X-O Manowar 38-42
Aric of Dacia is X-O Manowar, hero to humanity, leader of the remaining Visigoths, and a husband about to start a new family. He is also the bearer of Shanhara, and tantamount to a God in the eyes of the alien race known as The Vine. Now, in the aftermath of Dead Hand , The Vine need a new home and have chosen Earth – tearing Aric between two races that worship him, but each despise one another.
New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Book of Death) and red-hot artist Rafa Sandoval (Ultimate Hawkeye) unite here to begin a bold and tragic new era in the life of X-O Manowar!
Collecting: X-O Manowar 38-42
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2016
8 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Robert Venditti
814 books401 followersRobert 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 20, 2018
First up, it's the wedding of X-O Manowar as Aric and Saana finally tie the note. Then, the Vine are in search of a new home after Loam's destruction by Dead Hand, and they've chosen Earth! But the Vine plantings already on Earth, plus a villain from X-O's past, have other ideas that could lead to war instead.
I'm a sucker for wedding issues, I'll be honest. I especially like the ones where nothing horrible happens; having a hero fight on their wedding day feels so mean - they go through so much crap most of the time, let them be happy for once! Aric's wedding goes off without a hitch, but it's emotional and sweet, and the back-up stories from both Aric's past and Saana's present make the whole thing feel complete.
The Exodus story actually made my jaw drop a few times. There are some developments that you don't think are going to take place, and yet they do after all; I've probably been too desensitized by immutable status quos over at Marvel, so that's on me. And, just as Exodus builds on Dead Hand, which built on Armor Hunters...etc., Exodus also sets up the next storyline, the Kill List. Venditti is telling one longform story, but each part stands on its own as a complete, and excellent, story.
Rafa Sandoval (now currently collaborating with Venditti on Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps) pencils all four issues here, and his pencils have a real weight to them. He and inker Jordi Tarragona have some very solid visuals, and you can feel the intention behind the characters in every panel.
X-O Manowar is going from strength to strength, but it isn't neglecting its characters along the way.
I'm a sucker for wedding issues, I'll be honest. I especially like the ones where nothing horrible happens; having a hero fight on their wedding day feels so mean - they go through so much crap most of the time, let them be happy for once! Aric's wedding goes off without a hitch, but it's emotional and sweet, and the back-up stories from both Aric's past and Saana's present make the whole thing feel complete.
The Exodus story actually made my jaw drop a few times. There are some developments that you don't think are going to take place, and yet they do after all; I've probably been too desensitized by immutable status quos over at Marvel, so that's on me. And, just as Exodus builds on Dead Hand, which built on Armor Hunters...etc., Exodus also sets up the next storyline, the Kill List. Venditti is telling one longform story, but each part stands on its own as a complete, and excellent, story.
Rafa Sandoval (now currently collaborating with Venditti on Hal Jordan & The Green Lantern Corps) pencils all four issues here, and his pencils have a real weight to them. He and inker Jordi Tarragona have some very solid visuals, and you can feel the intention behind the characters in every panel.
X-O Manowar is going from strength to strength, but it isn't neglecting its characters along the way.
July 20, 2020
I’d have rated this 3-stars but I’m a sucker for a Wedding Issue.
Also, I can’t be the only one tired of Aric exclaiming “Sixteen centuries ago everything seemed so clear...” or something to the same extent? We get it dude, you're Old AF.
Also, I can’t be the only one tired of Aric exclaiming “Sixteen centuries ago everything seemed so clear...” or something to the same extent? We get it dude, you're Old AF.
July 1, 2023
This run has been so fun and surprisingly consistent provided you read it correctly. 10 books in + some crossovers that are great and this is one the most fun series I’ve ever read. Outside of the not bad but not good volume 8 volumes 9 and 10 have brought X-O Manowar back to form. If it weren’t for a co-worker of mine I may not have every truly gotten into comics or ever discovered Valiant or especially this run so thanks Dan!!
If you are going to read this series it is best read up to this point in this order:
X-O Manowar Deluxe Editions Volumes 1-2 (Volumes 1-5, Unity Volume 1)
Armor Hunters Deluxe Edition (Armor Hunters and everything that ties-in)
X-O Manowar Deluxe Edition Volume 4 (Volumes 8-10)
Might as well read the fifth deluxe edition or volumes 11-13 after this. (I’m reading all these through Comixology while it is still here.)
Armor Hunters is the only one where I would suggest you really should (have to) read it’s deluxe edition because that way you get the full crossover in all its glory. It also makes much more sense since besides one issue it is all in complete order.
If you are going to read this series it is best read up to this point in this order:
X-O Manowar Deluxe Editions Volumes 1-2 (Volumes 1-5, Unity Volume 1)
Armor Hunters Deluxe Edition (Armor Hunters and everything that ties-in)
X-O Manowar Deluxe Edition Volume 4 (Volumes 8-10)
Might as well read the fifth deluxe edition or volumes 11-13 after this. (I’m reading all these through Comixology while it is still here.)
Armor Hunters is the only one where I would suggest you really should (have to) read it’s deluxe edition because that way you get the full crossover in all its glory. It also makes much more sense since besides one issue it is all in complete order.
April 28, 2018
A really simple concept executed flawlessly.
World: The art is solid, I feel this series consistently gets the best from Valiant and this is the case here. The scope the motion and the character facial expressions really inform the world and tone. The world building is fantastic, that's been one of the best advantages of Valiant with it's more compact world, there is consequences and it is felt throughout. The continuation of the Vine and Human story is done well and the world we see this time really feels weighty and satisfying. A great call back to the past and a great move to the future.
Story: A very basic premise of fighting on both sides because of mistakes and it's executed so well. The pacing and writing is spot on and the motivations on point and hits when it needs to. The situations make sense in the world and the tension is earned. The end was also well done and simple. The end was satisfying a bit brisk but very satisfying. It also opens the door for so much more in the future. Also Saana is finally a character that matters and it's done so well.
Characters: Saana is amazing. She reminds me of Mira and that's a great thing. I've been saying she's been 90s eye candy for a while but this was the arc that made her stand on her own. Fantastic. Aric is also amazing from where he started off and how he ends this conflict. I have has doubts of the development of characters for the series as it moves to fast but after 40 plus issues it's slowly paying off. So good. The Vine were done well and the PTSD was used so very effectively. Amazing.
A really well done arc.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is solid, I feel this series consistently gets the best from Valiant and this is the case here. The scope the motion and the character facial expressions really inform the world and tone. The world building is fantastic, that's been one of the best advantages of Valiant with it's more compact world, there is consequences and it is felt throughout. The continuation of the Vine and Human story is done well and the world we see this time really feels weighty and satisfying. A great call back to the past and a great move to the future.
Story: A very basic premise of fighting on both sides because of mistakes and it's executed so well. The pacing and writing is spot on and the motivations on point and hits when it needs to. The situations make sense in the world and the tension is earned. The end was also well done and simple. The end was satisfying a bit brisk but very satisfying. It also opens the door for so much more in the future. Also Saana is finally a character that matters and it's done so well.
Characters: Saana is amazing. She reminds me of Mira and that's a great thing. I've been saying she's been 90s eye candy for a while but this was the arc that made her stand on her own. Fantastic. Aric is also amazing from where he started off and how he ends this conflict. I have has doubts of the development of characters for the series as it moves to fast but after 40 plus issues it's slowly paying off. So good. The Vine were done well and the PTSD was used so very effectively. Amazing.
A really well done arc.
Onward to the next book!
July 19, 2017
Weddings. Aah! Entirely skippable, but aah!
The crap really hits the fan when one of the ships carrying surviving Vine from the Dead Hand attack arrives on Earth unexpectedly. Aric greets them and promises to protect them, even though his tribe opposes this. GATE responds by sending an air squadron led by a guy who witnessed the armor hunters' assault on LA. They are soon ordered to stand down, but the leader refuses to return to base and instead fires on the Vine ship, ordering his men to do the same. When his weapons are switched to remote control he flies his fighter into the ship, escalating the conflict.
The crap really hits the fan when one of the ships carrying surviving Vine from the Dead Hand attack arrives on Earth unexpectedly. Aric greets them and promises to protect them, even though his tribe opposes this. GATE responds by sending an air squadron led by a guy who witnessed the armor hunters' assault on LA. They are soon ordered to stand down, but the leader refuses to return to base and instead fires on the Vine ship, ordering his men to do the same. When his weapons are switched to remote control he flies his fighter into the ship, escalating the conflict.
July 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this volume. It brings together the now long-storied journey of Manowar. We get to see some really big movements of the story and different characters from the Valiant universe come together. Breathed new life into this character.
November 8, 2020
This series is exceptional.
April 15, 2016
I like where the series is headed. Aric is torn between helping humans and the Vine who both look at him as a savior. I like that the series is coming back to the roots of this latest iteration of X-O.
November 14, 2017
Talk about ending a long series with a bang!
Started out as just another superhero comic but turned into fantastic inter-galactic sci-fi in no time and since then has been a great balance between the human element of its star-lost and earth-born characters and the larger science, space and action heavy stuff.
This volume in particular I'm very happy about and is a big part of why I'd recommend this series to everyone because though it had it's ups and downs, there are so many amazing elements that are all front and centre with this volume: the humans of Earth, Aric's former alien slaves, the Vine, the Vines plantings, the costs of war, what it means to lead and to be a leader, the burdens and risks of power and what it means to choose and not just be driven by circumstance - all of this under a glossy layer of gigantic battles, high stakes adventure and high-octane narrative pacing that is rendered fantastically by the creative team.
Started out as just another superhero comic but turned into fantastic inter-galactic sci-fi in no time and since then has been a great balance between the human element of its star-lost and earth-born characters and the larger science, space and action heavy stuff.
This volume in particular I'm very happy about and is a big part of why I'd recommend this series to everyone because though it had it's ups and downs, there are so many amazing elements that are all front and centre with this volume: the humans of Earth, Aric's former alien slaves, the Vine, the Vines plantings, the costs of war, what it means to lead and to be a leader, the burdens and risks of power and what it means to choose and not just be driven by circumstance - all of this under a glossy layer of gigantic battles, high stakes adventure and high-octane narrative pacing that is rendered fantastically by the creative team.
February 5, 2022
I've been using a few websites that advertised how to read The Valiant Universe as one continuous story.
They have all been way out of order.
So it is that I just got to this fantastic volume which includes two characters meeting and kindling a relationship that popped up something I read fifteen books ago. Sigh.
This would have been a three star stand alone book. If you know nothing about any of these characters or the over-arching storylines, you can still follow it and I think it would still be a solid read. But the callbacks to previous volumes and the steady build on the Vine storyline make this story about ptsd and rebuilding trust between people with different backgrounds fantastic.
I'll be disappointed to see Vendetti's run on X-O Manowar end. Apart from one disappointing volume that spun out of a crossover, this has been the most dependably intriguing Valiant book.
They have all been way out of order.
So it is that I just got to this fantastic volume which includes two characters meeting and kindling a relationship that popped up something I read fifteen books ago. Sigh.
This would have been a three star stand alone book. If you know nothing about any of these characters or the over-arching storylines, you can still follow it and I think it would still be a solid read. But the callbacks to previous volumes and the steady build on the Vine storyline make this story about ptsd and rebuilding trust between people with different backgrounds fantastic.
I'll be disappointed to see Vendetti's run on X-O Manowar end. Apart from one disappointing volume that spun out of a crossover, this has been the most dependably intriguing Valiant book.
June 1, 2017
This is storytelling at its best. If all comic books were like this volume of X-O Manowar, we would be having Oscars given to funny pages. Writer Robert Venditti has long since stablished that his take on Aric of Dacia is one of theatrical tragedy and drama, but Exodus ups the ante. Everything you'd expect from a Greek play is in here. This is Shakespeare in comic book form. I kept murmuring "why are you doing this to me?" into the book.
If I must say anything against this book is the larger than normal artists' rotation. While it doesn't feel jarring as usually it does when the an issue has a different artist than the previous and the following, it's something that I'm particular not a fan of. But that's nitpicking. It doesn't really detract from the quality of the book all that much, because all artists here are good and seemed to try and have the art consistent to one another.
If I must say anything against this book is the larger than normal artists' rotation. While it doesn't feel jarring as usually it does when the an issue has a different artist than the previous and the following, it's something that I'm particular not a fan of. But that's nitpicking. It doesn't really detract from the quality of the book all that much, because all artists here are good and seemed to try and have the art consistent to one another.
May 7, 2022
Good book. Great art and stakes were high.
March 21, 2017
This story could have been way longer. I think that story has complexity which was not explored in this issue. But it is still insanely good book
April 13, 2016
Ten volumes in, I can't believe I complained during the first three books that Aric was too bullheaded and the story was too slow. Everything built up in earlier story arcs is paying off in spades in these later trades. This is truly a series and not just a collection of stories with a shared template.
April 27, 2016
wow, 10 volumes!
Good solid story, though some of the wedding material lacks some for me.
And it's not a typical let's just go hit stuff stories.
Congrats to Valiant on showing on how to keep a long running title running.
Good solid story, though some of the wedding material lacks some for me.
And it's not a typical let's just go hit stuff stories.
Congrats to Valiant on showing on how to keep a long running title running.
March 1, 2017
This is a great storyline, one of my favorites so far.
May 1, 2017
Exodus (38-42). The Wedding of X-O is another nice character piece and a great story for once more cohering together the whole VH-E universe. However, it's the main "Exodus" story that stands out in this volume. It's another great cosmic outing that is extremely tense and also does a great job of making you worry about and care for many of the individual characters caught up in this horrible interstellar brinkmanship. A wonderful story, and as with so much of the X-O series, one with intriguing repercussions going forward. [8/10]
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews