ADVANCE REVIEW: "X-O Manowar" #1

[BugsySig]

First issue was pretty cool. I dug the well placed historical facts in the first part of the issue. The space art is also real cool looking. I'm kinda glad he didn't get the armor yet, I think that would have been too quick. What first issue and he already has a super powerful suit of armor? I think its good to let it sit for another issue or two.

Well in the original Aric has the suit on by like page 3. But that was Valiants thing then. Start off with a bang and then put out a zero issue a year down the line to fill in the gaps. Things just aren't done that way anymore, but it would be kinda cool if you could establish Aric as a 5th century Visigoth on a spaceship in 2 pages.

[Christopher Cross Is God]

I am going to pick this up, but my only other X-O read was the Acclaim relaunch. I am going in with an open mind. I am also a big Cary Nord fan.

eek on the Acclaim relaunch being your only other X-O read.

If you end up liking the current run enough, as further issues come out, you might want to try out the original series by buying the hardcover trade X-O Manowar: Birth. It's not bad.

[oberheld]

The original series of X-O Manowar was exceptional. In Italy we loved so much.

[Piratelion]

Issue of the week for me. It was a really good issue with a lot of meat to it, some pages with 7 panels. Im on board for all 4 series. Just too bad that there is no Solar in this universe. There is talk that this issue also featured the first apperance of the Eternal Warrior.

[Destro777]

I didnt see a thread for it but the Valiant 2012 Free Comic Book Day issue was so rad. Got me so pumped for all of the titles and theres quite a bit of info on whats incoming from every series. Even a bunch of info about incoming X-O issues. Bloodshot sounds amazing - that interview with its writer was fantastic. Really excited.

[weeks]

so this book is pretty damn cool. had zero knowledge of this until this thread popped up and when i made my return the shop, i was lucky enough to still have some copies remaining. seriously, a visigoth coming across some insane cosmic armor? i am beyond sold with the hook. i hope the next issues can keep me interested, because this seems like something i could get behind. i told a few people about it at FCBD to grab the free issue and seemed impressed. like i said, looking forward to some coming issues.

[md62]

I didnt see a thread for it but the Valiant 2012 Free Comic Book Day issue was so rad. Got me so pumped for all of the titles and theres quite a bit of info on whats incoming from every series. Even a bunch of info about incoming X-O issues. Bloodshot sounds amazing - that interview with its writer was fantastic. Really excited.

I agree. That interview had me add Bloodshot to my pull list. And it revealed the next two books: Eternal Warrior (late 2012) & Rai (early 2013).

[BugsySig]

I agree. That interview had me add Bloodshot to my pull list. And it revealed the next two books: Eternal Warrior (late 2012) & Rai (early 2013).

Yes, the best FCBD offering that wasn't a whole issue of a book. Tons of info on the new series, and that splash page and the teasers!?! As if I couldn't get any more excited for the new Valiant! On top of all that, my LCS was running a huge sale and I got about 15 pre-Unity Valiant back issues for a song! Rockin day all around.

[Destro777]

so this book is pretty damn cool. had zero knowledge of this until this thread popped up and when i made my return the shop, i was lucky enough to still have some copies remaining. seriously, a visigoth coming across some insane cosmic armor? i am beyond sold with the hook. i hope the next issues can keep me interested, because this seems like something i could get behind. i told a few people about it at FCBD to grab the free issue and seemed impressed. like i said, looking forward to some coming issues.

You should try some of the beginning issues from the original X-O series from the 90s. They still hold up really well. The fast pacing, violence, and wide open unpredictabilty was quite ahead of its time and even by today's standards. Theres nothing quite like a good Valiant comic.

[crossbones]

I am also a big Cary Nord fan.

yeah, me too. what has he been doing since Conan anyway?

[BugsySig]

You should try some of the beginning issues from the original X-O series from the 90s. They still hold up really well. The fast pacing, violence, and wide open unpredictabilty was quite ahead of its time and even by today's standards. Theres nothing quite like a good Valiant comic.

The first 6 issues and the zero issue are available now on Comixology.

[Destro777]

The first 6 issues and the zero issue are available now on Comixology.

Didnt Valiant collect a hardcover recently too of some older stuff? Pretty sure X-O was one of the titles.

The new X-O writer did mention he is following the older series as a sort of template which is kinda cool for the old fans. From the FCBD issue: "The original series is the bedrock on which the new series will be built. That isnt to say there wont be any new characters, plotlines, etc...there will be plenty of those. But readers will always be able to find elements that have allowed X-O to withstand the test of time."

[BugsySig]

Didnt Valiant collect a hardcover recently too of some older stuff? Pretty sure X-O was one of the titles.

The new X-O writer did mention he is following the older series as a sort of template which is kinda cool for the old fans. From the FCBD issue: "The original series is the bedrock on which the new series will be built. That isnt to say there wont be any new characters, plotlines, etc...there will be plenty of those. But readers will always be able to find elements that have allowed X-O to withstand the test of time."

Yes, XO Manowar: Birth collects #0-6 and a new original story set in the original Valiant universe. It can be hard to find, but I bought one last month for a little over cover price.

[IsaiahPLG]

I know Valiant is a Universe driven company but I hope its not over lapping. I only plan on getting X-O and Armstrong & Archer and I don't want to be penalized with unknown events taking place in the books I choose, that I won't understand because I'm not picking up Bloodshot or Harbinger. That often happens in the Marvel U and it sucks.

Also on a side note, X-O is awesome but I think Armstrong & Archer is going to be the best!

[BugsySig]

I know Valiant is a Universe driven company but I hope its not over lapping. I only plan on getting X-O and Armstrong & Archer and I don't want to be penalized with unknown events taking place in the books I choose, that I won't understand because I'm not picking up Bloodshot or Harbinger. That often happens in the Marvel U and it sucks.

Also on a side note, X-O is awesome but I think Armstrong & Archer is going to be the best!

Valiant was always known for having events from one book having repercussions in others, but it was always done in a way that didn't make you feel left out. If you read the other books, you saw the threads, if not, you weren't lost.

It wouldn't surprise me to see an event next year. What was great about Unity back in 92, though, was that it took up two issues of a book, then dropped the character right back where they left off before. So if you read A&A #0, skipped Unity (though why anyone would do that is beyond me), you could pick up issue 3 and not miss a beat.

If Valiant were to do something similar in both cases it would be awesome. But you just don't know...