X-O Manowar # 10-22

Title: X-O Manowar # 10
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Renato Guedes
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Kenneth Rocafort, Renato Guedes, Felipe Massafera
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: On a prison moon dark sinister figures gather. Maw-Teth and Bat are recruited by Rawn. Rawn also wants Hesnid back in the group as well. 
  We get a look back at when Rawn met Hesnid. Hesnid is one bad butt dude. 
  The art is dark letting you know these are dark characters. 
  The four beings are hunters so what are they going to hunt? 
  Hesnid knows how to defeat an opponent. It is not always about a direct frontal assault. Rawn has a plan of attack. That plan involves the thought that Aric's hide is only as tough as what's on the inside. In Aric's case he tough outside and in. The target is Aric and these hunters are just ruthless enough to get the job done. 
  It is going to be four against one. These hunters are as tough as they come but so is Aric.
  The whole issue focuses on these Hunters and setting the mood for them beginning their hunt for Aric. 
  

Title: X-O Manowar # 11
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Ryan Bodenheim
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Giuseppe Camuncoli with Brian Reber, Ryan Bodenheim with Andrew Dalhouse, Ariel Olivetti, Jay Ancleto with Brian Reber
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric is finding out being Emperor of a planet is no easy task. Plus add on some aliens dropping in to attack him. They are bounty hunters and they planned well in their attack. Aric is beaten but never out.
  Aric is already planning to win. We see he never wavers as long as he is living he has fight in him. The Bounty Hunters beat Aric because they attacked his friends as well. So Aric learns and uses the same form of attack just slightly different. 
  Aric in his X-O Manowar armor is so powerful and there is very little that can stand up to it and him in it. Aric is getting ready and someone is going to pay. This issue sets up for the coming battle against the bounty hunters where Aric will go all out. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 12
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Ryan Bodenheim
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Giuseppe Camuncoli with Brian Reber, Ryan Bodenheim with Andrew Dalhouse, Ariel Olivetti, Ben Oliver
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric is naked and without weapons when three warriors find him. They are all armed and clothed. So it is three to one and unfair fight for them ensues. It is over fast. Aric though is coming for his armor and the Bounty Hunters who took it.
  One of the Bounty Hunters, Bat decides to try on the armor. You can just feel it building. You know its coming. Well there were four Bounty Hunters now there are three. The Bounty Hunters all have a unique design to them. Their armor/costumes stand out like something you have not seen before. These guys are tough. They need to be to face Aric. 
  Aric lays dying and almost defeated. But he is a warrior that does not give up and never surrenders. He calls and Shanhara answers. The good skin joins again with him fully.  This is Aric as he was meant to be. Aric and Shanhara are one woe to any in their way. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 13
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Ryan Bodenheim
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Giuseppe Camuncoli with Gabe Eltaeb, Ryan Bodenheim with Andrew Dalhouse, Howard Chaykin with Dean White
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric here is a warrior but also a peace maker. He brings peace to a whole planet with his character and his will. He sets an example to follow. Aric is a man first and foremost and he stands up for himself and protects others. 
  Aric must follow his heart and that takes him to new adventures and protecting others who need it. He has a wonder lust. But his heart is still on Earth his home planet. 
  The art is gorgeously done. Aric is drawn amazing in the full armor. It is the man in the armor that makes this comic stand out and well worth reading. He may be a super-hero, a warrior, a King even for a short time, but he will always be a man first and foremost. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 14
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Ariel Olivetti
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Kaare Andrews, Raul Allen with Patricia Martin, Renato Guedes, Felipe Massafera, Feron Grant
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric gets a distress cal from Earth. As he travels back he think's of the past. The art is stunning as he travels through space and his looks back at his past are illustrated beautifully. You also see his love for his wife and child. You will feel his loss. 
  Aric talks to his suit as if it were a living person and it is alive Shanhara and they are bonded. 
  Wow once Aric returns to Earth he enjoys the ocean and what he does there is simply amazing. Than he goes home and your heart breaks for him. You feel his strength come out. 
  Aric is a man unlike any other he commands one of the most powerful weapons in existence. He is a viking warrior, a space traveler yet at his heart he is just an ordinary man. He is someone we can all look up to and hope to be like. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 15
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Inks: Brian Thies with Stefano Guardand
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Jim Hahfood, Shane Davis with Gabe Eltaeb, Veronica Fish, and Viktor Kalvachev
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric is looking back at 393 AD and it is filled with fighting. 
  Sabbas is a optimistic man. He is much more as well, a thief, a seer, a teller of tales. Sabbas is really played up here. It makes you think he will become important to this series.
 Aric as a young man is impetuous which does get him into some difficult situations. 
  This issue is slow with little action. The brief fighting with the Huns and Aric is fierce just way to short.   
  Having Aric is space looking down on the Earth you get the impression he is going to make a decision. What it is or about is the question? 
  The art is all gorgeously done. The X-O suit of armor is impressive even with it not being overly used. The past 393 AD is so wonderfully illustrated in its depictions of the period. 
  Aric is not one to sit by idle so once he decides on a course of action look out. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 16
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Inks: Brian Thies  
Colorists: Diego Rodriguez with Jose Villarrubia
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Jim Hahfood, Shane Davis with Gabe Eltaeb, Veronica Fish, and Philip Tan with Elmer Santos
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Sabbas and Kal these two friends do look out for each other. 
  Than we see Aric a Visigoth he is being hunted. This takes place before he gets the X-O armor. When you hunt Aric you can become the hunter. He is shown as a warrior who just does not stop. If you go after him he will come after you. 
  Aric of Darcia joins in the battle and the battle field turns red. Aric learns the lessons of war well use your enemies against your enemies and theirs. 
  This issue takes place well before Aric gets the X-O armor so we see him as a man one who is still the same just not as powerful. He still does not take any guff. 
  The art shows off this past era when Romans and Huns fought each other with sword and shield. Aric as well is drawn as a barbarian which he is and he is also shown as a man doing what he knows is right. He is learning as he grows, learning the art of war. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 17
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Inks: Brian Thies
Colorists: Diego Rodriguez with Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Jim Hahfood, Shane Davis with Gabe Eltaeb, Veronica Fish, and Barry Kitson with Gage Eltaeb
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric is picked up by Sabbas at sea and Sabbas narrates his tale. Now Sabbas using his abilities to lead a group of Thamud Warriors legendary fighters of Arabia to the lost Roman Ninth Legion. Sabbas knows how to manipulate people. He has the Romans doing exactly what he wants. 
  This is from when Aric did not have the X-O armor and he was just starting out on his adventures. Sabbas has a unique way of looking at things. Here his and Aric's paths are intertwined. 
  It is wonderful to learn more about Aric before he became X-O Manowar. The art shows him off as exactly what he is a traveler and a fighter. The Romans are beautifully illustrated just as you would expect them to look. 
  Having Aric without the X-O armor is great as long as t is not drawn out to much. 
  Aric's character is being established here so you see what helped to make him the hero he now is. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 18
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Inks: Brian Thies
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez 
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Lewis Larosa with Diego Rodriguez, Jim Hahfood, Robert Gill with Gabe Eltaeb, Veronica Fish, and Renato Guedes
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric and Sabbas escape from Rome as we follow along on Aric's adventures when he was younger without Shanhara making him X-O Manofwar. 
  Aric and Sabbas are out to do right by Aric's friends son. The rescue mission has unexpected results. 
  Aric we see the beginnings of what he will become. These adventures and how he handles them helped shape him into the man he is today. 
  In the present Aric has returned home to New Dacia and it is changed from how he remembers it. Aric spends his time thinking of what to do next. Also a friend from his past is shown in the present. You know these two are fated to meet again. 
  The X-O Manofwar armor is a thing of beauty to behold. It is one of the most powerful weapons in existence. Its power is not shown off this issue but you do know it is there and waiting to be used. 
  Aric has suffered so much during his life and not even having the Shanhara armor can fix that. He is a man with a future just he has to figure out what that future is. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 19
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Kenneth Rocafort, Alan Quah with Komikaki Studio featuring Sean Lee, Mico Suayan, Renato Guedes, and Whilce Portacio with Raymund Lee
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Colonel Jamie Capshaw was in command of "The Loveboat" aka G.A.T.E. Aerial Headquarters. Jamie gets Aric to help her out on her new assignment. Her boss is illustrated with the greatest expressions you are likely to see in a long time. 
  What exactly happened with Jamie is not explained. How did she lose her command. 
  Jamie Capshaw finds Aric and she is good at her job. Aric agrees easily to help her. He is shown as a man as much or more so then he is a hero. 
  This issue is done from Capshaw's point of view. Aric to her is a barbarian in an alien suit of armor. He is perfect to help her investigate an alien ship. As Eric explores the ship he is greeted by a sight that is strange to see on an alien spaceship. Just as the action ramps up the issue ends making you want to come back for more. 
  This issue for the most part is toned down. 
  Colonel Jamie Capshaw is a woman that you will like and wish the best for her. She is more than just a pretty face. When the you know what hits the fan she is ready to act. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 20
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Kenneth Rocafort, Alan Quah, Zu Orzu, Renato Guedes
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Aric is in a battle with Atom-13 he is a freedom fighter and hero of his world. Here on Earth he wants only one thing his wife and he will go through anyone in his way including Aric. 
  Aric and Atom join forces. These two men are very similar in nature. Both warriors and both doing what they think is right. They journey to New Eden and there find the Cartographer. Aric is sure of himself even though he has been given signs to not be. 
  This issue has one battle but sets up for more. The Cartographer has not shown yet if he has any powers so it will be interesting to see what this cult leader can do. 
  Aric stands ready as he always does wearing the X-O Manowar armor. Here we are not really shown just how powerful this armor is. The other worldly energy is having a lot of effect on it. The armor's effectiveness is way down. Seeing the armor and Aric shown as at least partially defenseless is different. Aric even without the armor is a warrior of the highest order. That is not shown here as it should have been. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 21
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Kenneth Rocafort, Alan Quah with Komikaki Studio, Sean Lee, Jim Towe with Andrew Dalhouse, Renato Guedes, Whilce Portacio with Raymund Lee
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: The Cartographer has a huge bear creature attack Aric along with many others. Aric decides to up the stakes. Wait until you see what he does to this bear creature. It is frightening and sickening. 
  The art showing Aric's rage on his face is so amazingly drawn. It is frightening to look at. The Cartographer's main attack seems to be with butterflies that are brightly colored. They seem kind of ridiculous as a weapon of attack. 
  The Cartographer proves he is more resourceful than at first seemed. He knows how to use his powers to do more than control little butterflies. The graping creator in the ground where his foes stood testifies to that. Atom and his wife Tagg are they dead? What about Aric and Colonel Jamie Capshaw. We are let with a cliffhanger ending so you know you will be coming back for more. 


Title: X-O Manowar # 22
Publisher: Valiant
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Covers: Kenneth Rocafort, Alan Quah with Komikaki Studios, Sean Lee, AJ Jothikumar with Kat Hudson, Renato Guedes, Whilce Portacio with Raymund Lee
Price: $ 3.99 US
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Website: www.valiantentertainment.com
Comments: Wow Aric is impressive here. The art brings across his armor's strength and his own. He needed both to survive the attack on him and his friends and the Titan Patrol. 
  The newly promoted Brigadier General Jamie Capshaw has a new toy that she intends to make the best use of. She is turning out to be a wonderful addition to this series. Meanwhile the Cartographer is not out of the equation. He is planning, getting ready to strike. His face is illustrated wonderfully to bring across his expression so you know how he feels and what he is thinking. 
  After the first bit of action the issue slows down. It does set up for future issues. 
  Aric is the last true Visigoth. The way he carries himself lets you know he is a warrior and also a man in honor. He will fight for what he believes in. Now working with Capshaw he fights to protect the Earth from any incursions from beyond it.  

Richard Vasseur