X-O Manowar 10 Discussion

[jmatt]

With that amount of dialogue / speaking aloud one's thoughts, it would have read like a 1970s/1980s comic book.

Yes. Those darn words getting in the way again. Since the armor can't speak back, the speaking aloud thing is all we have. Aric did it all the time in VH1.

[erwinrafael]

I'm so sorry to be that guy, but I couldn't get past the art on this book. Aric looked like some Image Comics character from the '90's the whole time. It just angered me so much, it took me out of the story. I'll re-read it with a different perspective, but had a hard time with the art.
After reading the boards on this, I can see that everyone really dug the story, and all the new things we witnessed, and questions to be answered. I'll try to re-read with all those things in mind.
Bring back Lee Garbett!

Yeah, very inconsistent from last issue where the art was solid if unspectacular. Seemed rushed here, sloppy. Looking forward to Nord's return on Planet Death!

Well if there is one thing Nord's art won't be it's rushed

My understanding about the Nord issue is that he did not really have that much of a lead time when they launched X-O Manowar because they were trying to hit the summer launch date. Thus, when he was given a break, he was given enough time to finish one whole story arc. He was gone for six issues so that he can draw substantially the whole six-part Planet Death story arc before the first issue of the story hits the shelves.

[erwinrafael]

With that amount of dialogue / speaking aloud one's thoughts, it would have read like a 1970s/1980s comic book.

Yes. Those darn words getting in the way again. Since the armor can't speak back, the speaking aloud thing is all we have. Aric did it all the time in VH1.

And it sounded unnatural and dated. Maybe a thought caption would be better. But then again, that's not really the writing style established for the book. Even in the case of Alexander, we were asked to think with him, not to read his thoughts.

[somewhatlazy]

Trill is not dead or, as someone mentioned, we would have seen it on panel. I think Trill as defacto leader of the Vine plantings on Earth would make for an excellent villain in the future.

DAMNIT

I hate that guy . . .

[lorddunlow]

It did KILL the wearer...it's not like he could just snap his fingers and "poof".

Yeah, but it wasn't much more than a snap. I guess I would have felt more fulfilled if there was another page or two of battle buildup before the crescendo. Some dialogue between Gafti and the armor while they jinked about the firing spacecraft as they probed for a weakness and a strategy, firing back in return.

"The armor senses they are operating at full energy capacity in battle mode. Ho, they're just pouring dilithium crystals straight onto the atomic piles! Look at the gamma flows they're venting!"

"Shanhara wants to absorb the flows and feed them straight back into their overload fail-safe switches. Let's fight our way into the center of the armada formation..." Pew pew pew!

"It's working! The fail-safes are down and the piles are uncontrolled! Absorb more Shanhara! Yes, I know I won't survive this but I cannot let our people... my family, go unavenged."

Cut to a tender flashback with wife and kids, a tear in his eye, seen through the visor.

"Now, Shanhara. Now! Release it all!"

Grunt. Kablooey.

Or sump'n like that.

Now you've written it! We can all benefit from your insight on what VEI didn't have the space to tell us. I like your version, and I'm going with it.

This was an awesome issue. For me, the fast destruction wasn't a problem. Sometimes that just the way it is. I actually like when characters get to the point. Like in Indiana Jones when he just shoots the guy with the swords.

[carter3175]

I know I'm late to the game but I just finished reading this issue and I was blown. Something that I have noticed about Valiant, these books get better and better. on this issue. I want to wear that X-O armor.

[Phoenix8008]

I know I'm late to the game but I just finished reading this issue and I was blown away. Something that I have noticed about Valiant, these books get better and better. on this issue. I want to wear that X-O armor.

Fixed that for you. Or maybe you're just that lucky.

[pixierosa]

I know I'm late to the game but I just finished reading this issue and I was blown away. Something that I have noticed about Valiant, these books get better and better. on this issue. I want to wear that X-O armor.

Fixed that for you. Or maybe you're just that lucky.

[grendeljd]

I know I'm late to the game but I just finished reading this issue and I was blown away. Something that I have noticed about Valiant, these books get better and better. on this issue. I want to wear that X-O armor.

Fixed that for you. Or maybe you're just that lucky.

+1

[carter3175]

Believe it or not. I am that lucky!
Good one thought!

[Blood of Heroes]

Did they update the QR code or something?

[jmatt]

With that amount of dialogue / speaking aloud one's thoughts, it would have read like a 1970s/1980s comic book.

Yes. Those darn words getting in the way again. Since the armor can't speak back, the speaking aloud thing is all we have. Aric did it all the time in VH1.

And it sounded unnatural and dated. Maybe a thought caption would be better. But then again, that's not really the writing style established for the book. Even in the case of Alexander, we were asked to think with him, not to read his thoughts.

Of course, I agree. I wasn't auditioning to be a comic writer, merely giving an example of how the thing could have been fleshed out and given more space to develop the drama before the battle's conclusion.

[jmatt]

Now you've written it! We can all benefit from your insight on what VEI didn't have the space to tell us. I like your version, and I'm going with it.

This was an awesome issue. For me, the fast destruction wasn't a problem. Sometimes that just the way it is. I actually like when characters get to the point. Like in Indiana Jones when he just shoots the guy with the swords.

I agree that was a cool moment. But it was only one moment of a running battle. And the conclusion of the movie is so memorable because we got to see plenty of neat stuff like incantations and faces melting and the Arc releasing it's powers to the heavens etc. It was meaty.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the issue. The finale was all to brief for me, that's all.

[jakgrimm]

I really liked your version.
I wish these comics were more like it. It would give us a greater understanding about what was going on. This armor is too powerful without some explanations.


Yeah, but it wasn't much more than a snap. I guess I would have felt more fulfilled if there was another page or two of battle buildup before the crescendo. Some dialogue between Gafti and the armor while they jinked about the firing spacecraft as they probed for a weakness and a strategy, firing back in return.

"The armor senses they are operating at full energy capacity in battle mode. Ho, they're just pouring dilithium crystals straight onto the atomic piles! Look at the gamma flows they're venting!"

"Shanhara wants to absorb the flows and feed them straight back into their overload fail-safe switches. Let's fight our way into the center of the armada formation..." Pew pew pew!

"It's working! The fail-safes are down and the piles are uncontrolled! Absorb more Shanhara! Yes, I know I won't survive this but I cannot let our people... my family, go unavenged."

Cut to a tender flashback with wife and kids, a tear in his eye, seen through the visor.

"Now, Shanhara. Now! Release it all!"

Grunt. Kablooey.

Or sump'n like that.

_________________
When the Cambrian measures were forming, They promised perpetual peace.
They swore, if we gave them our weapons, that the wars of the tribes would cease.

[pixierosa]

"Now, Shanhara. Now! Release it all!"

Grunt. Kablooey.

Maybe it's my filthy mind, but this reads like soft-core porn. 50 Shades of X-0?

[lorddunlow]

"Now, Shanhara. Now! Release it all!"

Grunt. Kablooey.

Maybe it's my filthy mind, but this reads like soft-core porn. 50 Shades of X-0?

[BugsySig]

What if we were to get an issue reviewing all the events thus far, but from Shanhara's perspective? It would make for a nice fill-in issue if it were needed, and would give more insight into everything that has happened with Aric and Gafti.

[jmatt]

"Now, Shanhara. Now! Release it all!"

Grunt. Kablooey.

Maybe it's my filthy mind, but this reads like soft-core porn. 50 Shades of X-0?

That's just wrong.

We only get to see what's going on outside the armor. Lord knows what could be going on with the wearer inside the armor.

[Xtianhardy]

Re-read this issue again tonight, and Hairsine's art really felt appropriate for the story this time around. The hurried, sketchy quality of the pencils really captured the emotion of this issue for me, and I loved how when Gafti bonded with the armour it form seemed to reflect to his rage.

I wouldn't necessarily want him to be the permanent artist on the book, but I appreciated his take on the title and thought his contribution this issue was especially good, if very different from Nord's very clean, polished work on the first few issues. I like variety, so I'm hoping we'll see more of Hairsine's work in future issues of X-O.

[Phoenix8008]

I did love the story, but the art just didn't do it for me. Aric looked like a teenager in so many panels, not a man. It was fine for the flashback scene with Gafti, but then you switch to years later and he still looks 15 years old? Not the worst art I've seen in a Valiant book, but definitely not my favorite.

[nonplayer]

Re-read this issue again tonight, and Hairsine's art really felt appropriate for the story this time around. The hurried, sketchy quality of the pencils really captured the emotion of this issue for me, and I loved how when Gafti bonded with the armour it form seemed to reflect to his rage.

I wouldn't necessarily want him to be the permanent artist on the book, but I appreciated his take on the title and thought his contribution this issue was especially good, if very different from Nord's very clean, polished work on the first few issues. I like variety, so I'm hoping we'll see more of Hairsine's work in future issues of X-O.

Im really liking the Hairsine covers they b my favorite:-D

[Carson]

So shannhra can only bond with humans?

!SPOILER!

No, Shanhara bonds with any oppressed creature. When it first bonded with the Vine, they were slaves of another race.

!END SPOILER!

[Carson]

I have no problem with the idea of Shanhara bonding with Gafti - I think part of the secret in why it choose Aric may have simply been his genetic makeup. Shanhara is capable of bonding with human beings... and maybe not with the Vine. I think its possible that the ancient warrior in the Vine mythos was not necessarily of the Vine species...

Or that Shanhara prefers to bond with people who are being oppressed in order to help them in their struggles. In the past, that applied to the Vine, but not anymore...

BINGO

[Carson]

I'm so sorry to be that guy, but I couldn't get past the art on this book. Aric looked like some Image Comics character from the '90's the whole time. It just angered me so much, it took me out of the story. I'll re-read it with a different perspective, but had a hard time with the art.
After reading the boards on this, I can see that everyone really dug the story, and all the new things we witnessed, and questions to be answered. I'll try to re-read with all those things in mind.
Bring back Lee Garbett!

Yeah, very inconsistent from last issue where the art was solid if unspectacular. Seemed rushed here, sloppy. Looking forward to Nord's return on Planet Death!

Well if there is one thing Nord's art won't be it's rushed

Ha! He's had 6 months to work on Planet Death...unless he's been working on some super secret projects...

I hope our NC Comicon commissions didn't slow him down too much

[Carson]

I'm so sorry to be that guy, but I couldn't get past the art on this book. Aric looked like some Image Comics character from the '90's the whole time. It just angered me so much, it took me out of the story. I'll re-read it with a different perspective, but had a hard time with the art.
After reading the boards on this, I can see that everyone really dug the story, and all the new things we witnessed, and questions to be answered. I'll try to re-read with all those things in mind.
Bring back Lee Garbett!

Yeah, very inconsistent from last issue where the art was solid if unspectacular. Seemed rushed here, sloppy. Looking forward to Nord's return on Planet Death!

Well if there is one thing Nord's art won't be it's rushed

My understanding about the Nord issue is that he did not really have that much of a lead time when they launched X-O Manowar because they were trying to hit the summer launch date. Thus, when he was given a break, he was given enough time to finish one whole story arc. He was gone for six issues so that he can draw substantially the whole six-part Planet Death story arc before the first issue of the story hits the shelves.

Yeah, that AND he's now inking his own pencils. With a brush.

He didn't ink the first arc. Matter of fact, I don't think he's ever inked before. Could be wrong on that. Sonicdan?