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X-O Manowar (2012)
X-O Manowar, Vol. 3: Planet Death
The invasion is here – and X-O Manowar is the invader! From superstar creators Robert Venditti, Cary Nord and Trevor Hairsine, jump on board one of the year’s most ambitious series as X-O Manowar ignites an interstellar war and changes the landscape of the Valiant Universe forever!
Aric of Dacia, a fifth century Visigoth armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon, is all that stands between the Earth and all-out annihilation at the hands of the alien race that abducted him from his own time. Now, the day of Aric’s reckoning has finally come. As his Visigoth forefathers sacked Rome, Aric will take the battle directly to his oppressors on the Vine homeworld of Loam. He will decimate their armies, he will level their cities – and he will not stop until the whole of their empire is reduced to ash. This is PLANET DEATH!
Collecting the complete PLANET DEATH saga from X-O MANOWAR #9-14 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Surrogates) and superstar artists Cary Nord (Conan) and Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis), start reading here to find out why X-O Manowar’s one-man revenge mission has IGN declaring “X-O Manowar still kicks butt. Bring on Planet Death.”
Aric of Dacia, a fifth century Visigoth armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon, is all that stands between the Earth and all-out annihilation at the hands of the alien race that abducted him from his own time. Now, the day of Aric’s reckoning has finally come. As his Visigoth forefathers sacked Rome, Aric will take the battle directly to his oppressors on the Vine homeworld of Loam. He will decimate their armies, he will level their cities – and he will not stop until the whole of their empire is reduced to ash. This is PLANET DEATH!
Collecting the complete PLANET DEATH saga from X-O MANOWAR #9-14 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, The Surrogates) and superstar artists Cary Nord (Conan) and Trevor Hairsine (X-Men: Deadly Genesis), start reading here to find out why X-O Manowar’s one-man revenge mission has IGN declaring “X-O Manowar still kicks butt. Bring on Planet Death.”
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2013
27 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Robert Venditti
795 books393 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 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 13, 2019
Aric continues to be an annoying and unlikable character to me, but I'm in the minority with those feelings. Almost every one of my friends continues to absolutely love this title.
The gist is that Aric heads into space to take the war to the Vine on Loam. He finds a spoilery surprise that could change everything for him. <--GASP!
I'm honestly not sure what I'm missing. The guy is an ASSHOLE. Just an absolute asshole who acts like a 3 year old throwing a tantrum. All the fucking time!
And this isn't some side effect of being held prisoner by the Vine. Oh no, he was rushing head first into things and getting people killed long before the Vine ever snagged his Visigoth ass and turned him into a slave. I keep waiting for someone to just kick is teeth down his throat and shove him off a cliff.
But I'm not hating this title, so I plan to continue.
The gist is that Aric heads into space to take the war to the Vine on Loam. He finds a spoilery surprise that could change everything for him. <--GASP!
I'm honestly not sure what I'm missing. The guy is an ASSHOLE. Just an absolute asshole who acts like a 3 year old throwing a tantrum. All the fucking time!
And this isn't some side effect of being held prisoner by the Vine. Oh no, he was rushing head first into things and getting people killed long before the Vine ever snagged his Visigoth ass and turned him into a slave. I keep waiting for someone to just kick is teeth down his throat and shove him off a cliff.
But I'm not hating this title, so I plan to continue.
June 26, 2018
The strongest volume yet of Aric's adventures, well written and with some eye-popping Space Opera art. Will definitely continue.
October 2, 2013
After repelling the Vine’s invasion of Earth, Aric, together with Shanhara the sentient X-O Manowar armour, takes the fight to the Vine homeworld in an attempt to end the threat to Earth and free his people, as well as every other race captured by the Vine, from enslavement. What happens next? The title says it all: Planet Death.
That said, even if there is a lot of fighting in this book, it’s a surprisingly deeper read than you’d expect. I mentioned in a review of an earlier volume that writer Robert Venditti has portrayed the Vine – the spider-faced aliens who abducted Aric – as more than just the villains of the piece, and he continues to write them as more complex and interesting characters than simply one-dimensional bad guys fulfilling a role.
A lot of the book goes into exploring the Vine culture and divided peoples, some of whom favour war, others who prefer a more peaceful solution, and both groups of people will suffer Aric’s wrath. It’s a gifted writer who can have you sympathizing with a supposedly villainous race and actually feeling pangs of sadness at seeing them die, and Venditti is nothing if not gifted.
Aric’s character continues to be explored too as he’s confronted with an old friend whom we met in the first volume and has reappeared here in altered form. Aric’s response is impressively noble and broadens his character from that of his seemingly thoughtless fighter, ask-questions-later persona. Cary Nord and Trevor Hairsine contribute amazing art to the book with Hairsine bringing his robust style to the Planet Death prologue and Nord showing us why he’s an award-winning illustrator with his action set pieces.
This is a book that doesn’t need to be as smart as it is, and yet it is. The cover, the title, the main character, all put you in mind of a brainless slug-fest and, yes there are some fantastic fight sequences, but the characters are well written and at Volume 3 in the series are definitely well rounded and realistic - even the aliens!
The story is completely engaging and is a fascinating one that straddles the line between fantasy, sci-fi and superheroes, taking elements from all genres and creating something original. X-O Manowar is just a remarkable series that’s well worth your time - Volume 3 is another success in the series and, having switched to the monthlies now, I can only say the series continues to be of a high quality. Well done, Valiant and co!
That said, even if there is a lot of fighting in this book, it’s a surprisingly deeper read than you’d expect. I mentioned in a review of an earlier volume that writer Robert Venditti has portrayed the Vine – the spider-faced aliens who abducted Aric – as more than just the villains of the piece, and he continues to write them as more complex and interesting characters than simply one-dimensional bad guys fulfilling a role.
A lot of the book goes into exploring the Vine culture and divided peoples, some of whom favour war, others who prefer a more peaceful solution, and both groups of people will suffer Aric’s wrath. It’s a gifted writer who can have you sympathizing with a supposedly villainous race and actually feeling pangs of sadness at seeing them die, and Venditti is nothing if not gifted.
Aric’s character continues to be explored too as he’s confronted with an old friend whom we met in the first volume and has reappeared here in altered form. Aric’s response is impressively noble and broadens his character from that of his seemingly thoughtless fighter, ask-questions-later persona. Cary Nord and Trevor Hairsine contribute amazing art to the book with Hairsine bringing his robust style to the Planet Death prologue and Nord showing us why he’s an award-winning illustrator with his action set pieces.
This is a book that doesn’t need to be as smart as it is, and yet it is. The cover, the title, the main character, all put you in mind of a brainless slug-fest and, yes there are some fantastic fight sequences, but the characters are well written and at Volume 3 in the series are definitely well rounded and realistic - even the aliens!
The story is completely engaging and is a fascinating one that straddles the line between fantasy, sci-fi and superheroes, taking elements from all genres and creating something original. X-O Manowar is just a remarkable series that’s well worth your time - Volume 3 is another success in the series and, having switched to the monthlies now, I can only say the series continues to be of a high quality. Well done, Valiant and co!
May 11, 2015
Planet Death. Hard to go wrong with a title like that, eh?
The Vines invasion of Earth has been repelled, and Aric of the Visigoth takes his newfound armor of Shanhara to the world of Loam, the home planet of the Vine itself.
You can guess from the Planet Death title of this arc what happens next.
I am really impressed with this series so far. It blends the whole fantasy/sci-fi tropes nicely and even feels a little super hero(y). There's a lot more depth then one would expect as well from a comic that titles itself Manowar. It looks closely at the separation of religion and government and gives us, the readers, a little food for thought. At its heart though, this book is a glorious slug-fest of a man that has fallen out of his time and gifted with the ability of destruction. Now that he has had his vengeance it will be interesting to see where things go.
All in all a very easy 4 stars!
May 22, 2018
More goodness with this series, yet still can't say I "LOVE" it.
So Alec has taken to space to declare war on the aliens that enslaved him and his people. However, once finding out that MAYBE not all of his people are actually dead. This is just one gigantic one man war against a alien race mixed with some uprising. It jumps from scene to scene, war to war, kill to kill very quickly.
Good: The pacing is so fast you can never be bored. The dialog is still pretty solid and the fights are epic in scope. I also do like the Manowar armor more and more. Reminds me of iron-man meets Guyver.
Bad: The art is okay. It kind of just feels flat sometimes. I also think the fights kind of go TOO quick that don't feel the weight of the fights.
This is fun for sure, and I'll probably keep going, I just hope I "Love" a volume but so far pretty good. A 3 out of 5.
So Alec has taken to space to declare war on the aliens that enslaved him and his people. However, once finding out that MAYBE not all of his people are actually dead. This is just one gigantic one man war against a alien race mixed with some uprising. It jumps from scene to scene, war to war, kill to kill very quickly.
Good: The pacing is so fast you can never be bored. The dialog is still pretty solid and the fights are epic in scope. I also do like the Manowar armor more and more. Reminds me of iron-man meets Guyver.
Bad: The art is okay. It kind of just feels flat sometimes. I also think the fights kind of go TOO quick that don't feel the weight of the fights.
This is fun for sure, and I'll probably keep going, I just hope I "Love" a volume but so far pretty good. A 3 out of 5.
April 20, 2018
This one went off world and changed the art up in a very cool way. I dig it.
June 1, 2016
Woah. I guess I have to write at least something about this series.
Today I have read three volumes of this, cover to cover, almost in one sitting. It's flippin' great. Who knew that such a great comic can hide behind such a lame title!
But yeah, X-O Manowar. Conan the barbarian in an Iron Man suit, abducted by spidery-looking aliens in the fifth century and brought back into modern world. It's exactly as awesome as it sounds. Explosions, ninjas, alien invasions and so much more, in a very well-written and nicely looking comic. Definitely give it a shot!
And while we're on the subject, what other Valiant comics should I check out? I have read a bit of this-and-that, but never delved too deep into anything.
Today I have read three volumes of this, cover to cover, almost in one sitting. It's flippin' great. Who knew that such a great comic can hide behind such a lame title!
But yeah, X-O Manowar. Conan the barbarian in an Iron Man suit, abducted by spidery-looking aliens in the fifth century and brought back into modern world. It's exactly as awesome as it sounds. Explosions, ninjas, alien invasions and so much more, in a very well-written and nicely looking comic. Definitely give it a shot!
And while we're on the subject, what other Valiant comics should I check out? I have read a bit of this-and-that, but never delved too deep into anything.
February 21, 2022
I'm really enjoying this re-read, and although I know there's at least one other volume, this is all I have from Humble Bundle so far. I will eventually track down the rest of this story, however.
I'm especially interested in the people Aric finds on Loam, the home world of the Vine and the place where Shanhara, or the Manowar amor, originated. It's not just the history of the amor itself, but a connection to the people he knew and loved.
I'm especially interested in the people Aric finds on Loam, the home world of the Vine and the place where Shanhara, or the Manowar amor, originated. It's not just the history of the amor itself, but a connection to the people he knew and loved.
September 15, 2020
the arc resolved too quickly and the holes in the timeline are glaring... but the insights into the vines' origins and religions were a welcome aside. i do like aric a lot but he's also not exactly going through much character development, positive or negative. hopefully homecoming will have a more in-depth look at his psyche and how he has to adjust to his new reality
July 30, 2016
Sick and tired of being targeted by the Vine, Aric of Dacia heads to the Vine homeworld of Loam in order to take them out once and for all, but not before getting a blast from the past in the epic conclusion to the first year of X-O Manowar stories.
Before Planet Death begins in earnest, we get a two-issue prelude story which sees the much-awaited armada of the Vine arrive on Earth, only to face a hell of a lot more than they bargained for as Aric takes them head on. I'm still iffy on how the whole time travel thing has worked, considering Aric and apparently everyone on the Vine ship he was on haven't aged sixteen centuries, and yet Earth has moved ahead that much time. I'm prepared to roll with it, but it's a nagging feeling since it's the only plotline unexplained so far.
Once the armada is deal with, Aric heads to Vine itself for a four-part conclusion to the story which sees him finally neutralize the Vine threat once and for all, but not in the manner you'd expect. There's a lot of story crammed in here, from the history of the Vine and the Shanhara armour to some flashbacks to Aric's past, as well as some philosophical debates about faith thrown in for fun too, plus the usual blasting and dismemberment. It feels like an epic storyline, something that Marvel might turn into an event story, however it's just business as usual for Valiant and it's all the better for it.
Cary Nord returns for the main Planet Death story, and seems to have picked up a lot more details than the first volume he pencilled, although it could just be the change of scenery gives him a little more to work with than before, whilst Trevor Hairsine steps in for the two issue prelude and delivers some very familiar stylings; his style doesn't seem to change much over the years, which isn't a bad thing.
With three volumes of X-O under my belt, it's safe to say I'm in for the long haul, so now it's time to see what else the Valiant universe has to offer (or at least, that's what my reading order tells me).
Before Planet Death begins in earnest, we get a two-issue prelude story which sees the much-awaited armada of the Vine arrive on Earth, only to face a hell of a lot more than they bargained for as Aric takes them head on. I'm still iffy on how the whole time travel thing has worked, considering Aric and apparently everyone on the Vine ship he was on haven't aged sixteen centuries, and yet Earth has moved ahead that much time. I'm prepared to roll with it, but it's a nagging feeling since it's the only plotline unexplained so far.
Once the armada is deal with, Aric heads to Vine itself for a four-part conclusion to the story which sees him finally neutralize the Vine threat once and for all, but not in the manner you'd expect. There's a lot of story crammed in here, from the history of the Vine and the Shanhara armour to some flashbacks to Aric's past, as well as some philosophical debates about faith thrown in for fun too, plus the usual blasting and dismemberment. It feels like an epic storyline, something that Marvel might turn into an event story, however it's just business as usual for Valiant and it's all the better for it.
Cary Nord returns for the main Planet Death story, and seems to have picked up a lot more details than the first volume he pencilled, although it could just be the change of scenery gives him a little more to work with than before, whilst Trevor Hairsine steps in for the two issue prelude and delivers some very familiar stylings; his style doesn't seem to change much over the years, which isn't a bad thing.
With three volumes of X-O under my belt, it's safe to say I'm in for the long haul, so now it's time to see what else the Valiant universe has to offer (or at least, that's what my reading order tells me).
April 21, 2014
"Planet Death". This should get five stars just based on the title alone. Sounds like a Black Metal Album.
The book is kind of Black Metal in itself, well at least Metal. I mean, here you have visgoth Warrior, using an incredibly advanced Alien Armor, to travel to a planet and slaughter the aliens that have done him wrong.
I mean, that is essentially what happens in this trade.
Was it the most surprising book I have read? No. Is Aric a super complicated character? not really but this book goes a long way just with its concept alone- Ancient Warrior in futuristic battle suit.
Planet Death does a good job setting up the new Valiant series "Unity" and is also leading into the upcoming crossover "armor hunters".
I absolutely love this rebooted Valiant universe. In case you haven't noticed.
The book is kind of Black Metal in itself, well at least Metal. I mean, here you have visgoth Warrior, using an incredibly advanced Alien Armor, to travel to a planet and slaughter the aliens that have done him wrong.
I mean, that is essentially what happens in this trade.
Was it the most surprising book I have read? No. Is Aric a super complicated character? not really but this book goes a long way just with its concept alone- Ancient Warrior in futuristic battle suit.
Planet Death does a good job setting up the new Valiant series "Unity" and is also leading into the upcoming crossover "armor hunters".
I absolutely love this rebooted Valiant universe. In case you haven't noticed.
July 3, 2021
This was so fun!
Aric fights the vine as they invade Earth and he has to fight Trill but then we see the twist that one of his friends survive and their sacrifice to save the planet and then he decides to go to Loam, the Vine home world. There he meets the High Priest and Dalgan and they are one of the worshippers of the Shanhara armor and together with them they fight the Vine empire. He meets the slaves from different planets and all and seeing they have survived and it leads him to fight the Vine harder and we learn of the secrets of the race and the armor, where it came from and all that and its just epic the way its told and finally the war and the aftermath!
Its an epic volume which details so much about the origins of the armor and is pure action as Aric takes the fight to them and takes out the aliens like no other and the rebellion he incites among the slaves is awesome to see. He is leading like a visigoth and his friend Gafti's sacrifice was such a great moment and probably a highlight of this volume. Next up they return to Earth and what will happen will be great to read. One of the best books there is and the art is just so awesome. It makes the writing so much better.
Aric fights the vine as they invade Earth and he has to fight Trill but then we see the twist that one of his friends survive and their sacrifice to save the planet and then he decides to go to Loam, the Vine home world. There he meets the High Priest and Dalgan and they are one of the worshippers of the Shanhara armor and together with them they fight the Vine empire. He meets the slaves from different planets and all and seeing they have survived and it leads him to fight the Vine harder and we learn of the secrets of the race and the armor, where it came from and all that and its just epic the way its told and finally the war and the aftermath!
Its an epic volume which details so much about the origins of the armor and is pure action as Aric takes the fight to them and takes out the aliens like no other and the rebellion he incites among the slaves is awesome to see. He is leading like a visigoth and his friend Gafti's sacrifice was such a great moment and probably a highlight of this volume. Next up they return to Earth and what will happen will be great to read. One of the best books there is and the art is just so awesome. It makes the writing so much better.
May 4, 2020
Another solid entry. Im having fun with these but I'm just hoping for a payoff
August 23, 2023
Picture Conan the Barbarian meets Ironman and you got this book
November 30, 2013
Ya se armó el belén. Y es que no podemos esperar menos con el titulo que cierra toda esta primera gran etapa de X-O Manowar. De hecho si compráis en bookdepository, hay un tomo con todo Manowar hasta el final de este arco, 14 números en total. La guerra entre los alienígenas de la rama mas militar y Aric ha llegado a su punto de no retorno.
Los planes sin embargo han cambiado y lo que en principio iba a ser la invasión y aniquilación de la tierra, se convierte en una guerra que Aric (y sus cojones) lleva hasta el corazón del imperio de los Vine.
Tenemos rencillas que llevan supurando siglos y que empujan a este conflicto entre los militares alienígenas que quieren acabar con Aric y la armadura sin importar ya nada, los alienígenas creyentes en la profecía de la armadura y en su portador y el propio visigodo Aric, que con el culo pelado de luchar contra romanos, no ve demasiada diferencia en entre el viejo imperio y esto aliens esclavizadores y militarizados.
Digno fin a un mega arco de presentación de la serie, que deja con bastante buen sabor de boca. Una serie muy disfrutable, con sus bizarrismos, sus paranoias y su libertad para ir por este nuevo universo de Valiant como le venga en gana. Si algo destaca esta serie es precisamente por esa sensación de dejarte satisfecho, sin tramas sesudas entretejidas en otras 12 colecciones, sin tie-ins de relleno y sin cortarse la mano para no afectar a otras series. Es diversión bruta sin mas cuentas que rendir.
Los planes sin embargo han cambiado y lo que en principio iba a ser la invasión y aniquilación de la tierra, se convierte en una guerra que Aric (y sus cojones) lleva hasta el corazón del imperio de los Vine.
Tenemos rencillas que llevan supurando siglos y que empujan a este conflicto entre los militares alienígenas que quieren acabar con Aric y la armadura sin importar ya nada, los alienígenas creyentes en la profecía de la armadura y en su portador y el propio visigodo Aric, que con el culo pelado de luchar contra romanos, no ve demasiada diferencia en entre el viejo imperio y esto aliens esclavizadores y militarizados.
Digno fin a un mega arco de presentación de la serie, que deja con bastante buen sabor de boca. Una serie muy disfrutable, con sus bizarrismos, sus paranoias y su libertad para ir por este nuevo universo de Valiant como le venga en gana. Si algo destaca esta serie es precisamente por esa sensación de dejarte satisfecho, sin tramas sesudas entretejidas en otras 12 colecciones, sin tie-ins de relleno y sin cortarse la mano para no afectar a otras series. Es diversión bruta sin mas cuentas que rendir.
May 21, 2018
Robert Venditti - author
Cary Nord - artist
Trevor Hairsine - illustrator
Another excellent volume of action and adventure from the Manowar crew! Trevor Hairsine and original X-O artist Cary Nord team up for solid art throughout, but it is Venditti's writing that really makes this volume sing. Aric's time-displaced-barbarians shtick remains fertile storytelling ground, and many interesting threads are explored here. Really great stuff from professional storytellers - can't wait for volume 4!
5/5 - Highly recommended!
Cary Nord - artist
Trevor Hairsine - illustrator
Another excellent volume of action and adventure from the Manowar crew! Trevor Hairsine and original X-O artist Cary Nord team up for solid art throughout, but it is Venditti's writing that really makes this volume sing. Aric's time-displaced-barbarians shtick remains fertile storytelling ground, and many interesting threads are explored here. Really great stuff from professional storytellers - can't wait for volume 4!
5/5 - Highly recommended!
November 9, 2014
I have to admit it. They really upped their game with this volume. I understand better now why the Shanhara armor is so revered, and why Aric seems to wield it so well. This volume also focuses on the conflict between religion and government to a surprising extent, while still telling a strong story, full of the best action scenes this title has had. It does resolve itself a bit too quickly (the final issue really could have been split out into a separate volume of its own to ramp up the intensity a bit more), but everything feels earned, and this would have been a good place for the story to end, although the strands that it looks to follow on to make sense as a continuation as well. I still don't think the book earns its self-assigned 'piece of history' moniker, but it definitely holds its own in the super hero genre.
February 19, 2018
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3+/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
December 24, 2024
X-O Manowar volume 3 raises the stakes in many ways. From large battles to big surprises, Venditti really delivers on the story front. It is cool to see new aspects of this world and these characters, and it leaves a lot of room for what comes next. It does often feel like the armor is massively overpowered. That can take away some of the tension, but the writing manages to still keep things interesting. The artwork continues to be solid, easy to follow and pleasing to look at. There are some strong panel layouts throughout this volume as well. Over all, another excellent edition to the series.
April 9, 2019
A decent albeit underwhelming end to the first arc of Valiant's 2012 reboot of their universe. I'm more excited for what's to come, and the tie-ins with X-O and the bigger world of Valiant. Recommended.
June 25, 2020
I’m not sure why I love this title so much, but it makes me extraordinarily happy.
The art is ok. The writing is... ok. But I still love it and I’m deeply emotionally invested in what happens. I really can’t explain why. Sorry.
The art is ok. The writing is... ok. But I still love it and I’m deeply emotionally invested in what happens. I really can’t explain why. Sorry.
March 29, 2017
Action packed and utterly satisfying from start to end.
World: The art is getting better, the character designs are getting more detailed but still the aliens are indistinguishable which is an issue. The colors are also good, but I think lack the "pop" of say a GL book where the power of the rings are really illustrated well. The world building was very meaty this arc, and exactly what readers needed. We've been getting some bits an pieces of the world so far and it's been very good and with the tree and the lore behind the Vine told this arc it's great, it really makes the world so much deeper. Good stuff.
Story: This story still moves at a blistering pace, but with 6 issues instead of 4 there was more time for quiet moments and character building which we got today. The story was satisfying and basic in it's execution. It's an action movie and it was fun. The visit to Loam was great and the dynamic and forces at play was also good. Very satisfying.
Characters: There was some development this time around, Aric got a little bit of it but the rest of the cast got heaps of it. It's a shame that many will be in Loam and not Earth but this was surprisingly well done and tied with the world building. Priest was the standout.
Good solid fun action packed read.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is getting better, the character designs are getting more detailed but still the aliens are indistinguishable which is an issue. The colors are also good, but I think lack the "pop" of say a GL book where the power of the rings are really illustrated well. The world building was very meaty this arc, and exactly what readers needed. We've been getting some bits an pieces of the world so far and it's been very good and with the tree and the lore behind the Vine told this arc it's great, it really makes the world so much deeper. Good stuff.
Story: This story still moves at a blistering pace, but with 6 issues instead of 4 there was more time for quiet moments and character building which we got today. The story was satisfying and basic in it's execution. It's an action movie and it was fun. The visit to Loam was great and the dynamic and forces at play was also good. Very satisfying.
Characters: There was some development this time around, Aric got a little bit of it but the rest of the cast got heaps of it. It's a shame that many will be in Loam and not Earth but this was surprisingly well done and tied with the world building. Priest was the standout.
Good solid fun action packed read.
Onward to the next book!
August 23, 2015
The adventures of the Visigoth warrior Aric of Dacia continue in the third volume of X-O Manowar. The tyrannical alien race known as the Vine have lain siege to Earth in order to get to Aric and retrieve their sacred Manowar armor. But like any good Visigoth, Aric knows how to take the fight to the enemy. He travels to Loam, the Vine homeworld, to seek his revenge and along the way he encounters new threats and unexpected allies.
X-O Manowar continues to impress. The writing and art are solid. The action is fast-paced and engaging. Valiant Comics really seems to have a handle on how to tell a straitforward story with interesting characters without getting bogged down into a convoluted mess like many modern comics. A much needed fresh departure from the same old thing being done over at the "Big Two" (DC and Marvel).
I can't wait to see where Aric's story takes us next. Definitely check out X-O Manowar if you're a fan of science fiction, or of comic books in general.
X-O Manowar continues to impress. The writing and art are solid. The action is fast-paced and engaging. Valiant Comics really seems to have a handle on how to tell a straitforward story with interesting characters without getting bogged down into a convoluted mess like many modern comics. A much needed fresh departure from the same old thing being done over at the "Big Two" (DC and Marvel).
I can't wait to see where Aric's story takes us next. Definitely check out X-O Manowar if you're a fan of science fiction, or of comic books in general.
October 4, 2016
Este volumen pone fin al primer arco largo de la colección, Aric lleva la guerra al planeta de los vine en un despliegue de violencia y destrucción mayor aún de lo que se ha visto hasta ahora... la acción no deja respiro aunque por el camino se va desgranando la trama política de los vine, dividiéndose entre el bando de los creyentes, que creen que Aric es el elegido por la armadura lo que lo convierte en una figura religiosa y los que creen que eso es una tontería y simplemente la armadura de Shanhara aceptaría a cualquiera que no fuera vine.
Como toda la colección hasta ahora muy divertida y llena de acción, sin tramas sesudas que se pongan en medio de la acción pura, sólo lo justo para que las cosas se muevan.
Como toda la colección hasta ahora muy divertida y llena de acción, sin tramas sesudas que se pongan en medio de la acción pura, sólo lo justo para que las cosas se muevan.
February 14, 2017
This was pretty damn good, really exciting, really fun, and had some great art...but it wrapped up too easily. It promised a massive battle, and we only got a glimpse of that. The resolution overall seemed too easy. Still, it was a good story, and continues to show the viability of the character.
December 16, 2017
BCDER: 92
Another great volume after the relaunch - my favorite thus far. I love the non constrictive feeling of the new Valiant universe and am thinking right now about reading everything.
I love the Gafti armor interaction issue.
Another great volume after the relaunch - my favorite thus far. I love the non constrictive feeling of the new Valiant universe and am thinking right now about reading everything.
I love the Gafti armor interaction issue.
January 7, 2019
The is best read as a complete story along with the Volume 1 and 2 or as a whole in the Deluxe Edition. Read my full Goodreads review of that here.
September 30, 2017
Heck of a demolition derby here. We finally get the whole story of the Shanhara armor and why some of the Vine worship it. We also finally get Aric wrecking shop on Loam in something of a genocidal rage until...well, I won't spoil it, but it's an interesting (though not wholly unexpected) development.
The religious aspect interests me. There are echoes of Christianity, some seemingly cynical, which is about what I wold expect from an off-the-mainstream comic. But on the whole, I don't think it was totally dismissive of religion; in fact, there seem to be some positive elements to the Vine's religion by the end.
I'm very curious to see what happens next. X-O is still my favorite Valiant book.
The religious aspect interests me. There are echoes of Christianity, some seemingly cynical, which is about what I wold expect from an off-the-mainstream comic. But on the whole, I don't think it was totally dismissive of religion; in fact, there seem to be some positive elements to the Vine's religion by the end.
I'm very curious to see what happens next. X-O is still my favorite Valiant book.
June 5, 2017
What's this? A Valiant trade that consists of a full six issues instead of the usual four? Whoa.
Aric of Dacia is looking for payback. He manages to stop an invasion (and extinction of mankind type of maneuver by the Vine) and takes the fight to their planet. Once there, he learns a bit more about the Vine and finds there are actual Visigoths among the slaves there. For there, he decides to go all Spartacus on the Vine.
A fine way to finish off Aric's first big storyarc, with the promise of another big one afterwards as Aric seems to have decided to reclaim his ancestral homeland centuries later. And it looks like this will bring him into conflict with a certain Eternal Warrior...
Aric of Dacia is looking for payback. He manages to stop an invasion (and extinction of mankind type of maneuver by the Vine) and takes the fight to their planet. Once there, he learns a bit more about the Vine and finds there are actual Visigoths among the slaves there. For there, he decides to go all Spartacus on the Vine.
A fine way to finish off Aric's first big storyarc, with the promise of another big one afterwards as Aric seems to have decided to reclaim his ancestral homeland centuries later. And it looks like this will bring him into conflict with a certain Eternal Warrior...
February 25, 2018
Žiaľ, tento volume ma trošku sklamal. Prakticky od začiatku tejto série všetko smeruje k invázii na Zem. Lode, pozemná armáda, všetko je na svojom mieste pripravené zaútočiť. Avšak k invázii ako takej skoro ani nepríde. Teda, je vyriešená tak triviálne, že sklamanie bolo obrovské. Keď sa dianie presunie do vesmíru, opäť to trochu získava grády, avšak už mi to pripadá, akoby tvorcovia netušili čo ďalej. Takmer neporaziteľné brnenie nedokážu vystaviť nejakej relevantnej skúške a pohľad na to, ako hlavný hrdina všetko bez zaváhania likviduje začína byť časom nudný. Chronológia pokračuje pri sérii Harbinger, tak som zvedavý, čo prinesie. Od X-O Manowar potrebujem asi chvíľku pauzu.
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