It feels like a long time since I last read about our friend(s) X-O Manowar, and when I saw X-O Manowar #1 (2017) slide into my inbox I had a feeling what something good was waiting for me. I knew there must be something solid inside these pages pages, and it seems I was right! X-O Manowar #1 is a great way to kick of this latest run.
The story itself is, despite being very simple and linear, is more than interesting, with several plot twists and an 80s sort of feel, making a curious mix between past and present style in both script and art. It’s a nice kind of hybrid that I haven’t seen for a long while, and something I’m very thankful for.
Also, there are many elements that I liked within the book, like the diversity in Aric’s character and the way his humanity is reflected in X-O Manowar #1 (2017). It reaches this nice middle point between fiction and reality, as it wasn’t that difficult to imagine a common man archetype in Aric’s situation. His struggle in trying to keep the past in the past is an interesting one many of us can relate to.
However, many might say that this comic has a slow start, making it a little hard for the reader to get started with the whole idea. There’s a point where the action arrives, sure, with blood, flesh, bone and carnage, but it’s a very calm issue for the majority. I wish it would have been a bit be more balanced in this respect, but that’s not the case here.
What I do like about X-O Manowar #1 (2017) is that it is not necessary to have read past comics in the long X-O mythos to get into what’s going on and enjoy the concept. This story explains its premise very nicely, and I’m sure the writing team will provide the proper background story when the right time comes.
And just like with the script, the art has a sort mix between contemporary style and an 80s touch, making it a quite amazing read. I dare call it a visual marvel, with the perfect level of detail for each panel. It’s almost a shame that there weren’t enough pages (in my opinion) in this book, but in reality I just wanted more because of how much I like it!
The only thing that I didn’t like, because of personal taste, was the bloodbath in the action segment of the book. I liked it from an artistic point, finding the beauty in the middle of so much barbarism, but it was still hard for me to see such explicit scenes, in that number, in just a few pages. It felt like visual overload, but this is more a personal issue and not something against the book in concept or execution.
I’d like everyone to keep an eye on Valiant and especially X-O Manowar so you won’t miss this promising story! If you like adult-oriented, wild fantasy stories with Sci-Fi elements, then X-O Manowar #1 (2017) is the right comic book for you!
Final Score:
4/5
Publisher: Valiant
Written by: Matt Kindt
Art by: Thomas Giorello
Page Count: 39 Pages
Release Date: March 22 2017
Age Rating: 15+ Only
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