A thought about X-O

[jmatt]

Although I've been enjoying X-O Manowar since release, I've been thinking a bit about the book.

You know what this book isn't? It's not clever. Or surprising.

I find that odd since Venditti wrote The Surrogates which was both of those. The book is somewhat predictable as it unfolds.

Yes, we've seen a few things such as Gafti's reappearance and the discovery of the human tribe on Loam, but those were not entirely unpredictable. And perhaps his ability to surprise the reader is hurt by the fact that VEI pretty much tips his hand with teasers and such six weeks before we ever see them in print.

I have been utterly surprised many times with Harbinger and AA, and even BS. But somehow or other, every time I'm done reading X-O I think "that's about what I was expecting."

I guess I'd have to say that the closest thing I've seen to clever was Alexander helping X-O and Ninjak trick their way in MI-6.

While I am definitely enjoying the book, it needs more cleverness, unpredictability and cliffhangeriness.

EDIT: And I'd like to add that there are two different ways to be clever: One, in which a character does something tricky (like Alexander) but more importantly ... two, clever in the way the writer surprises the reader. The latter is what I'd like to see.

[bygranddesign]

i agree

I think it is a solid, consistent book every month

but i think its very slow moving, where other books have multiple plot points being inter weaved into an over-arching storyline, Vditti slow plays a few plot points over a full arc - with like you said not many surprises - its the book that makes use of decompression the most out of the valiant universe.

I think this Visigoth's claiming their own land storyline is a cool idea with some interesting underlying subtext ... but its not as compelling as it should be ... Perhaps, Unity and Matt Kindt can raise the stakes and make it more impactful ... from the Unity preview it looks like he is on the right track - showing the perspective of a reporter covering the mayhem.

[jmatt]

I think this Visigoth's claiming their own land storyline is a cool idea with some interesting underlying subtext ... but its not as compelling as it should be ... Perhaps, Unity and Matt Kindt can raise the stakes and make it more impactful ...

Yes, I think Unity will certainly add some dimension to the title. And we've seen one character that will probably surprise us (hopefully) when we learn his identity: the person who delivered the X-O to the Vine in ancient times.

X-O reads more like a history text than an edge-of-your-seat technological thriller. I've always assumed that's why VEI chose Venditti for the title but I'm just not seeing it.

[lorddunlow]

Although I've been enjoying X-O Manowar since release, I've been thinking a bit about the book.

You know what this book isn't? It's not clever. Or surprising.

I find that odd since Venditti wrote The Surrogates which was both of those. The book is somewhat predictable as it unfolds.

Yes, we've seen a few things such as Gafti's reappearance and the discovery of the human tribe on Loam, but those were not entirely unpredictable. And perhaps his ability to surprise the reader is hurt by the fact that VEI pretty much tips his hand with teasers and such six weeks before we ever see them in print.

I have been utterly surprised many times with Harbinger and AA, and even BS. But somehow or other, every time I'm done reading X-O I think "that's about what I was expecting."

I guess I'd have to say that the closest thing I've seen to clever was Alexander helping X-O and Ninjak trick their way in MI-6.

While I am definitely enjoying the book, it needs more cleverness, unpredictability and cliffhangeriness.

EDIT: And I'd like to add that there are two different ways to be clever: One, in which a character does something tricky (like Alexander) but more importantly ... two, clever in the way the writer surprises the reader. The latter is what I'd like to see.

QFT!

[BugsySig]

I can agree. It's probably one of the reasons I haven't loved two of the three arcs thus far (Enter: Ninjak being the exception). I do think this latest issue was pretty clever in that I really didn't know what to expect after Gilad left and before Unity.

I also agree, though, that VEI does not do a great job of allowing us, the reader, to be surprised. They almost let us be surprised by Dr. Mirage's appearance in Shadowman, only to spoil it the day before the book hit stands. I know they do it to sell more books, but there are other ways to create buzz.

Look at Chew #30 (or was it #35?...there goes my memory again!)...I heard so much about this thing that happened in that issue (whichever one it was...damn memory!) that I couldn't wait to read it. No one spoiled me about a it and it was that much more effective in drawing me in. End

[Sir Sandrick]

Definitely needs some more grenade stuffing moments... I am never unhappy with the issues, but I definitely want more from them. Harbinger Wars was the best reading for me thus far because it went places I never thought of. X-O is solid for me but not taking any risks. I think that we need more character exploration for Aric that makes him more than just an impulsive hothead with aggressive tendencies. I think that the last issue was one of my favs in a long time for this very reason, because you saw more of the Visigoths and young Aric.

[Baramos]

I really like the new arc. I was a big fan of Cable and Deadpool and the back half of that had a very similar story arc in it. It's interesting to see a similar storyline play out in the Valiant universe where this appearance overnight of a veritable new superpower puts the world into chaos.

Planet Death I think was a bit underwhelming, but the first two arcs of the book were pretty great in my opinion. I don't necessarily need a big "twist" like we saw in Harbinger this past month to enjoy things. Sometimes twists seem petty if they aren't properly set up. I'd rather have some good foreshadowing so I can go "Aha! I was right!" when things unfold the way I guessed. Or I can still be surprised if it ends up making sense but went a different way.

[blujay]

While I agree with much of what you say, I'd like to offer a defense: I didn't see Aric becoming a king and starting a war from the way planet death began. I wouldn't say that the Visigoth ancestors or Gafti were huge time Mind-F moments but, they did catch me off guard.

It may not be the most surprising book, but it definitely feels natural and intelligent. The series has progressed very logically so far, and to be fair Aric isn't the most clever or surprising person. He's inexperienced, hot headed and brash. As we saw when he fought Gilad a few issues ago, Gilad knew pretty much exactly what to expect from him (with the exception of the armor).

I think the surprises may come after Unity, which we all pretty much will know the outcome of that one thanks to the foreshadowing in the last few issues. Aric will probably wise up, or at least start coming to grips with the 21st century and start acting different. But I think V-Ditti has masterfully portrayed Aric as a fish out of water, I almost don't want to see him progress this quickly

[jmatt]

While I agree with much of what you say, I'd like to offer a defense: I didn't see Aric becoming a king and starting a war from the way planet death began. I wouldn't say that the Visigoth ancestors or Gafti were huge time Mind-F moments but, they did catch me off guard.

This is why I have sworn off not just the previews, but creator interviews and even panel talk. It ruins whatever surprises my be in store for us.

It may not be the most surprising book, but it definitely feels natural and intelligent. The series has progressed very logically so far, and to be fair Aric isn't the most clever or surprising person.

No argument there. As I've stated, I'm enjoying the title a lot and Venditti has done well in keeping it consistent.

[solidsteeze]

While I agree with much of what you say, I'd like to offer a defense: I didn't see Aric becoming a king and starting a war from the way planet death began. I wouldn't say that the Visigoth ancestors or Gafti were huge time Mind-F moments but, they did catch me off guard.

It may not be the most surprising book, but it definitely feels natural and intelligent. The series has progressed very logically so far, and to be fair Aric isn't the most clever or surprising person. He's inexperienced, hot headed and brash. As we saw when he fought Gilad a few issues ago, Gilad knew pretty much exactly what to expect from him (with the exception of the armor).

I think the surprises may come after Unity, which we all pretty much will know the outcome of that one thanks to the foreshadowing in the last few issues. Aric will probably wise up, or at least start coming to grips with the 21st century and start acting different. But I think V-Ditti has masterfully portrayed Aric as a fish out of water, I almost don't want to see him progress this quickly

Agreed on that last part. I'd love to see him continue to have the out of place feel. One of my favorite things about the idea of valiant was that supposedly they didn't use shortcuts like characters rapidly gaining understanding of things outside of their scope just for a story's sake.

[Peter]

While I agree with much of what you say, I'd like to offer a defense: I didn't see Aric becoming a king and starting a war from the way planet death began. I wouldn't say that the Visigoth ancestors or Gafti were huge time Mind-F moments but, they did catch me off guard.

It may not be the most surprising book, but it definitely feels natural and intelligent. The series has progressed very logically so far, and to be fair Aric isn't the most clever or surprising person. He's inexperienced, hot headed and brash. As we saw when he fought Gilad a few issues ago, Gilad knew pretty much exactly what to expect from him (with the exception of the armor).

I think the surprises may come after Unity, which we all pretty much will know the outcome of that one thanks to the foreshadowing in the last few issues. Aric will probably wise up, or at least start coming to grips with the 21st century and start acting different. But I think V-Ditti has masterfully portrayed Aric as a fish out of water, I almost don't want to see him progress this quickly

Agreed on that last part. I'd love to see him continue to have the out of place feel. One of my favorite things about the idea of valiant was that supposedly they didn't use shortcuts like characters rapidly gaining understanding of things outside of their scope just for a story's sake.

I agree wholeheartedly with you both here, as I see Aric having to come to grips with the modern world, but I hope it is a journey we all make with him together over many issues.

To see Aric become more worldly and wise will be good, but I want to see every cringe worthy mistake he makes along the way.

I guess for surprises, they will probably become more evident as Aric encounters more friends and foes, but recently I just finished re-reading the first three story arcs again, and realised what a fun ride it was, which really is his origin story complete.
Now comes the growing up.

It truly would be great to see X-O in a movie.

[String]

The man-out-of-time scenario is the aspect I enjoy the most about this title. Aric survives via his base instincts, strong emotions, and bull-headed pride. The more I think about it, the more I believe Aric is a good comparison to Conan; civilization being a source of corruption and someone as pure as will and uncivilized as Conan can overcome and defeat such evil.

So, when Aric finally decides to learn more of the modern world, what will he approve and disapprove about it? Having the sheer power to affect instant change, what actions will he take based on his discoveries? The old ways versus the new ways.

There may never be any last-page sudden shocking surprises, but for me, Vendetti has done a great job highlighting the differences and challenges of Aric.