XO Manowar #26 Discussion

[ilzuccone]

is it not safe to say that any space bar filled with various aliens would remind one of star wars?

[Phoenix8008]

So my question is was someone in that suit of armor? The visor didn't reveal it? Based on the idea that Shanhara sat motionless in the Vine temple I'd come to assume the armor needed a host to fully function. Further evidenced by how the one that is grafting itself onto Malgam as we saw in XO#24. Why then would Shanhara sit idle in a Vine temple if the "nature" of the armor was armageddon and death? Could some armors be evil, others not? How much self reliance to they have? Are they intelligent or just reactionary. Shanhara seemed to "react" in a rewarding way to Livewire, right? Yet the armor didn't seem to take to Gafti, yes?
The Vine was good to it, Shanhara did nothing and was passive. Other armors abused, lashed out in a primary, emotional rage and appear evil?

Here's a crazy theory for you...

What happened to the bodies of all of the vine soldiers in the ship Aric was imprisoned on who tried to bond with Shanhara and died? Could they have been scattered throughout space as the colony ship flew around? Maybe even winiding up on alien worlds with a little piece of the armor growing and taking over the corpse until there is enough of it there to 'animate'? Maybe the dead hosts only bring death and destruction while the armor finding an acceptible living host in Aric has no such compulsion. But the Armor Hunters may have only been dealing with the other kind and not even know the difference! How's that for a wild theory?!

Are you suggesting then that The Vine, for the centuries they've had Shanhara and testing suit bearers that failed have actually been seeding the armors by accident throughout the known galaxy? That because they are just a piece of a whole that is why they are unstable? Shanhara then is a defacto "queen" and the out of control armors are "bad seeds"? Since the Vine travel in "out of time" ships and LOAM is so far away that news of other armors just passed them by because they weren't in "real time" contact with any other species then?

Maybe not unstable because they are part of a whole, but because their 'hosts' are corpses instead of living beings. We know the armor seems to deposit some of itself in anyone that dons it. I would assume that was the same even with those that died. In fact, Gafti could now be a 'death-armor' growing among the ruined ring of tech around Earth!

[kjjohanson]

is it not safe to say that any space bar filled with various aliens would remind one of star wars?

I don't know. Quark's never reminded me of the cantina.

[Blood of Heroes]

So my question is was someone in that suit of armor? The visor didn't reveal it? Based on the idea that Shanhara sat motionless in the Vine temple I'd come to assume the armor needed a host to fully function. Further evidenced by how the one that is grafting itself onto Malgam as we saw in XO#24. Why then would Shanhara sit idle in a Vine temple if the "nature" of the armor was armageddon and death? Could some armors be evil, others not? How much self reliance to they have? Are they intelligent or just reactionary. Shanhara seemed to "react" in a rewarding way to Livewire, right? Yet the armor didn't seem to take to Gafti, yes?
The Vine was good to it, Shanhara did nothing and was passive. Other armors abused, lashed out in a primary, emotional rage and appear evil?

Here's a crazy theory for you...

What happened to the bodies of all of the vine soldiers in the ship Aric was imprisoned on who tried to bond with Shanhara and died? Could they have been scattered throughout space as the colony ship flew around? Maybe even winiding up on alien worlds with a little piece of the armor growing and taking over the corpse until there is enough of it there to 'animate'? Maybe the dead hosts only bring death and destruction while the armor finding an acceptible living host in Aric has no such compulsion. But the Armor Hunters may have only been dealing with the other kind and not even know the difference! How's that for a wild theory?!

Are you suggesting then that The Vine, for the centuries they've had Shanhara and testing suit bearers that failed have actually been seeding the armors by accident throughout the known galaxy? That because they are just a piece of a whole that is why they are unstable? Shanhara then is a defacto "queen" and the out of control armors are "bad seeds"? Since the Vine travel in "out of time" ships and LOAM is so far away that news of other armors just passed them by because they weren't in "real time" contact with any other species then?

Maybe not unstable because they are part of a whole, but because their 'hosts' are corpses instead of living beings. We know the armor seems to deposit some of itself in anyone that dons it. I would assume that was the same even with those that died. In fact, Gafti could now be an 'death-armor' growing among the ruined ring of tech around Earth!

I like these theories.

[ilzuccone]

is it not safe to say that any space bar filled with various aliens would remind one of star wars?

I don't know. Quark's never reminded me of the cantina.

true true. star trek would be an exception. they have a very specific design theme going.

is it not safe to say that almost any space bar filled with various aliens would remind one of star wars?
*revised.

[greg]

is it not safe to say that almost any space bar filled with various aliens would remind one of star wars?
*revised.

It is safe to say, but why would anyone ever need to say it (as revised)?

[Ibero]

So my question is was someone in that suit of armor? The visor didn't reveal it? Based on the idea that Shanhara sat motionless in the Vine temple I'd come to assume the armor needed a host to fully function. Further evidenced by how the one that is grafting itself onto Malgam as we saw in XO#24. Why then would Shanhara sit idle in a Vine temple if the "nature" of the armor was armageddon and death? Could some armors be evil, others not? How much self reliance to they have? Are they intelligent or just reactionary. Shanhara seemed to "react" in a rewarding way to Livewire, right? Yet the armor didn't seem to take to Gafti, yes?
The Vine was good to it, Shanhara did nothing and was passive. Other armors abused, lashed out in a primary, emotional rage and appear evil?

Here's a crazy theory for you...

What happened to the bodies of all of the vine soldiers in the ship Aric was imprisoned on who tried to bond with Shanhara and died? Could they have been scattered throughout space as the colony ship flew around? Maybe even winiding up on alien worlds with a little piece of the armor growing and taking over the corpse until there is enough of it there to 'animate'? Maybe the dead hosts only bring death and destruction while the armor finding an acceptible living host in Aric has no such compulsion. But the Armor Hunters may have only been dealing with the other kind and not even know the difference! How's that for a wild theory?!

Are you suggesting then that The Vine, for the centuries they've had Shanhara and testing suit bearers that failed have actually been seeding the armors by accident throughout the known galaxy? That because they are just a piece of a whole that is why they are unstable? Shanhara then is a defacto "queen" and the out of control armors are "bad seeds"? Since the Vine travel in "out of time" ships and LOAM is so far away that news of other armors just passed them by because they weren't in "real time" contact with any other species then?

Maybe not unstable because they are part of a whole, but because their 'hosts' are corpses instead of living beings. We know the armor seems to deposit some of itself in anyone that dons it. I would assume that was the same even with those that died. In fact, Gafti could now be a 'death-armor' growing among the ruined ring of tech around Earth!

I don´t think so, for what primary said about armors always being seen as heroes at first, i think they start with an inhabitant of that particular planet getting the armor, and being slowly controlled by it.

[Phoenix8008]

So my question is was someone in that suit of armor? The visor didn't reveal it? Based on the idea that Shanhara sat motionless in the Vine temple I'd come to assume the armor needed a host to fully function. Further evidenced by how the one that is grafting itself onto Malgam as we saw in XO#24. Why then would Shanhara sit idle in a Vine temple if the "nature" of the armor was armageddon and death? Could some armors be evil, others not? How much self reliance to they have? Are they intelligent or just reactionary. Shanhara seemed to "react" in a rewarding way to Livewire, right? Yet the armor didn't seem to take to Gafti, yes?
The Vine was good to it, Shanhara did nothing and was passive. Other armors abused, lashed out in a primary, emotional rage and appear evil?

Here's a crazy theory for you...

What happened to the bodies of all of the vine soldiers in the ship Aric was imprisoned on who tried to bond with Shanhara and died? Could they have been scattered throughout space as the colony ship flew around? Maybe even winiding up on alien worlds with a little piece of the armor growing and taking over the corpse until there is enough of it there to 'animate'? Maybe the dead hosts only bring death and destruction while the armor finding an acceptible living host in Aric has no such compulsion. But the Armor Hunters may have only been dealing with the other kind and not even know the difference! How's that for a wild theory?!

Are you suggesting then that The Vine, for the centuries they've had Shanhara and testing suit bearers that failed have actually been seeding the armors by accident throughout the known galaxy? That because they are just a piece of a whole that is why they are unstable? Shanhara then is a defacto "queen" and the out of control armors are "bad seeds"? Since the Vine travel in "out of time" ships and LOAM is so far away that news of other armors just passed them by because they weren't in "real time" contact with any other species then?

Maybe not unstable because they are part of a whole, but because their 'hosts' are corpses instead of living beings. We know the armor seems to deposit some of itself in anyone that dons it. I would assume that was the same even with those that died. In fact, Gafti could now be a 'death-armor' growing among the ruined ring of tech around Earth!

I don´t think so, for what primary said about armors always being seen as heroes at first, i think they start with an inhabitant of that particular planet getting the armor, and being slowly controlled by it.

Well, there's my problem. I haven't actually gotten the issue in my grubby little hands yet to read. Another theory bites the dust.

[BugsySig]

So my question is was someone in that suit of armor? The visor didn't reveal it? Based on the idea that Shanhara sat motionless in the Vine temple I'd come to assume the armor needed a host to fully function. Further evidenced by how the one that is grafting itself onto Malgam as we saw in XO#24. Why then would Shanhara sit idle in a Vine temple if the "nature" of the armor was armageddon and death? Could some armors be evil, others not? How much self reliance to they have? Are they intelligent or just reactionary. Shanhara seemed to "react" in a rewarding way to Livewire, right? Yet the armor didn't seem to take to Gafti, yes?
The Vine was good to it, Shanhara did nothing and was passive. Other armors abused, lashed out in a primary, emotional rage and appear evil?

Here's a crazy theory for you...

What happened to the bodies of all of the vine soldiers in the ship Aric was imprisoned on who tried to bond with Shanhara and died? Could they have been scattered throughout space as the colony ship flew around? Maybe even winiding up on alien worlds with a little piece of the armor growing and taking over the corpse until there is enough of it there to 'animate'? Maybe the dead hosts only bring death and destruction while the armor finding an acceptible living host in Aric has no such compulsion. But the Armor Hunters may have only been dealing with the other kind and not even know the difference! How's that for a wild theory?!

Are you suggesting then that The Vine, for the centuries they've had Shanhara and testing suit bearers that failed have actually been seeding the armors by accident throughout the known galaxy? That because they are just a piece of a whole that is why they are unstable? Shanhara then is a defacto "queen" and the out of control armors are "bad seeds"? Since the Vine travel in "out of time" ships and LOAM is so far away that news of other armors just passed them by because they weren't in "real time" contact with any other species then?

Maybe not unstable because they are part of a whole, but because their 'hosts' are corpses instead of living beings. We know the armor seems to deposit some of itself in anyone that dons it. I would assume that was the same even with those that died. In fact, Gafti could now be a 'death-armor' growing among the ruined ring of tech around Earth!

I don´t think so, for what primary said about armors always being seen as heroes at first, i think they start with an inhabitant of that particular planet getting the armor, and being slowly controlled by it.

Well, there's my problem. I haven't actually gotten the issue in my grubby little hands yet to read. Another theory bites the dust.

Well the dead hosts could still serve as a cocoon for the armors, which then sprout from the husks and find living hosts.

[jmatt]

loved this issue. Wasn't expecting a backstory. I give Venditti props for creating some villains that aren't just bad for the sake of being bad.

Quite the contrary to that, in fact. I think this arc is going to serve to take Primary and Malgam from being anti-heroes to begin with up to a point where we're going to be very sympathetic to the mission of the Armor Hunters.

I felt the same way. The issue made you like these guys. I am shocked this wasn't sold as AH #0, actually.

And as somebody else pointed out, they certainly do look human.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Amazing issue, and as someone pointed out, no Aric. Amazing character development in Malgam and Primary, leaving you wondering what the F happened to Malgam? But still, so friggin well written, and the art was great too. Really a well crafted book all around.
Theories, and questions now:
Do The Vine only think that there is 1 armor? All they ever worshipped was 1 single armor, Shanharra, right? I don't think they ever believed there was more than 1? And according to them, there needs to be a host, right? So, there is most likely someone alive, and thinking inside that armor that attacked the planet. Also--- lightning sword. That means the person in it is a warrior, like Aric, because the armor adapts to the wearer, which was said at some point when Livewire was wearing it.
What if that armor is Aric somehow?

[dornwolf]

What if that armor is Aric somehow?

Here's a crazy one, what if Aric never left the Vine ship and this entire time we've believed that Aric is wearing the armour when in reality the armour is wearing Aric.

[QUARTZ]

I didn't really like this issue. It felt very generic, from the alien designs to the plot. It did very little to thrill me about the Armor Hunter corps. The art was merely OK with a Saturday morning cartoon storyline. The most I got out of it was that Reebo doesn't seem to be a robot like I had originally thought. It does raise some questions about the bad vs good armor but in my opinion this thread does a better job of musing over these theories than the actual issue did.

[400yrs]

Awesome issue. Background sort of stuff is my favorite.

This issue reminded me of two things. The Star Wars cantina, obviously. Wince's task reminded me of Allen from Invincible in that a threat took over his world and he went off world to find someone to defeat the threat. Those are both good things. Also, the fact that the "bad guys" are shown as more than just crazy bad guys.

[Carson]

Really dug this issue. Robert has said time and again that XO is not about Aric or even Shanhara, it's all about the XO armor and the repercussions of such a powerful weapon. This issue proves to me that neither Aric nor Shanhara are irreplaceable. Kudos on a great book, art and story wise.


I do have to take a moment to grumble about how the current run of chromium covers pale in comparison to the originals. The originals had hard lines that complimented the artwork and logos. The new versions are dimpled messes.

Here are a few shots of the 1990s XO #0. Check out the lines.



Here are a couple shots from Unity and XO this month. Nothing but dots.




If the chromium vendor can't get it right and make some real lines, I'd prefer they not even bother with the dimpled chromium covers again.

I honestly think the new chromium process of printing hundreds of tiny dots is just mucking up the artwork.

[ilzuccone]

Really dug this issue. Robert has said time and again that XO is not about Aric or even Shanhara, it's all about the XO armor and the repercussions of such a powerful weapon. This issue proves to me that neither Aric nor Shanhara are irreplaceable. Kudos on a great book, art and story wise.


I do have to take a moment to grumble about how the current run of chromium covers pale in comparison to the originals. The originals had hard lines that complimented the artwork and logos. The new versions are dimpled messes.

Here are a few shots of the 1990s XO #0. Check out the lines.



Here are a couple shots from Unity and XO this month. Nothing but dots.




If the chromium vendor can't get it right and make some real lines, I'd prefer they not even bother with the dimpled chromium covers again.

I honestly think the new chromium process of printing hundreds of tiny dots is just mucking up the artwork.

Yeah i'll say it. these chromium covers blow. they are so dull. I don't see anyone being drawn to them if they were on a shelf full of new releases.

meh i'm still getting them all

[Tim]

New Chromium = ugh

[String]

Wow, terrific issue. Taking the time to flesh out the background and personalities of these Hunters, kudos to the creative team and VEI for doing a great job. More space opera please!

Amazing issue, and as someone pointed out, no Aric. Amazing character development in Malgam and Primary, leaving you wondering what the F happened to Malgam? But still, so friggin well written, and the art was great too. Really a well crafted book all around.
Theories, and questions now:
Do The Vine only think that there is 1 armor? All they ever worshipped was 1 single armor, Shanharra, right? I don't think they ever believed there was more than 1? And according to them, there needs to be a host, right? So, there is most likely someone alive, and thinking inside that armor that attacked the planet. Also--- lightning sword. That means the person in it is a warrior, like Aric, because the armor adapts to the wearer, which was said at some point when Livewire was wearing it.
What if that armor is Aric somehow?

I wonder if those scenes weren't some kind of foreshadowing. Wince and his warrior people, similar to Roman times and the Visigoth people. A fierce warrior who wields a lightning sword, reminiscent of Aric. The destruction visited upon these people by that warrior, portents of things to come perhaps?

I also liked how no one took the armor story seriously. Everyone shrugged it off except for those who've witnessed it firsthand. I have to wonder just how widespread these armor infestations are throughout the universe. Does that mean the Hunters have been THAT good at defeating them or are the infestations limited but spreading slowly through space?

Either way, some great theories given here and this AH story continues to entertain.

[swtor1091]

I really liked this issue a lot. Really great story that will make an interesting mini-series type arc. I just really want to see X-O other from the ten pages in the first Armor Hunters he hasn't had a lot to do haha. Armor hunters is just getting started however and I pumped to see what happens next

[Dallow Spicer1]

VDitti is smashing the whole Armor Hunters story for six!! This has been my favourite XO arc of the whole run and it's only just started! Did not see the Malgam connection coming at all and I thought it was superb! Great art too!!

5/5 - classic in the making!

[Dallow Spicer1]

Told VDitti on Twitter that XO #26 and Armor Hunters getting a lot of positive feedback from members of this board, his reply:

@robertvenditti: @dallowspicer That’s great to hear. We’re taking some chances with expanding the universe. Tell them all I said thanks for reading!

He's a class act!

[Phoenix8008]

I saw that the next X-O issue is also going to be flashback of Armor Hunters history/prequel. I wonder if all 4 X-O issues of the crossover are going to do this? If so, why not have those issues as Armor Hunters #1-4 and the material actually showing Aric that is in the AH books be the actual X-O books? So much for "each section of the mini series is a complete story unto itself that doesn't require reading the other parts'. If there's no Aric, then it's technically true, but not real nice to someone that just wants to read Aric's story and not pick up the rest of the crossover.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I saw that the next X-O issue is also going to be flashback of Armor Hunters history/prequel. I wonder if all 4 X-O issues of the crossover are going to do this? If so, why not have those issues as Armor Hunters #1-4 and the material actually showing Aric that is in the AH books be the actual X-O books? So much for "each section of the mini series is a complete story unto itself that doesn't require reading the other parts'. If there's no Aric, then it's technically true, but not real nice to someone that just wants to read Aric's story and not pick up the rest of the crossover.

In VDitti's own words:

@robertvenditti: @dallowspicer Thanks! You’ll get to follow Reebo and Malgam for the next two issues, too.

...I'm really pleased that we get to see more of how these characters started out!

[Phoenix8008]

I saw that the next X-O issue is also going to be flashback of Armor Hunters history/prequel. I wonder if all 4 X-O issues of the crossover are going to do this? If so, why not have those issues as Armor Hunters #1-4 and the material actually showing Aric that is in the AH books be the actual X-O books? So much for "each section of the mini series is a complete story unto itself that doesn't require reading the other parts'. If there's no Aric, then it's technically true, but not real nice to someone that just wants to read Aric's story and not pick up the rest of the crossover.

In VDitti's own words:

@robertvenditti: @dallowspicer Thanks! You’ll get to follow Reebo and Malgam for the next two issues, too.

...I'm really pleased that we get to see more of how these characters started out!

Don't get me wrong. I like getting the history as well, but it just feels like their history could have been covered in the mini-series with their name on it instead of the other way around. Not that Aric is necessarily irreplacable, but the swap out of stories if someone was just reading only the X-O title itself would be a bit disconserting.

[greg]

Don't get me wrong. I like getting the history as well, but it just feels like their history could have been covered in the mini-series with their name on it instead of the other way around. Not that Aric is necessarily irreplacable, but the swap out of stories if someone was just reading only the X-O title itself would be a bit disconserting.

The title is X-O Manowar, not Aric. X-O Manowar #26 did tell us about another x-o manowar.