X-O Manowar #33

[hunter_peterson]

I thought this was a good set up issue. Not a very meaty issue but definitely created some intrigue and buzz for dead hand and a nice way of further developing Aric and fleshing out Deidre some more.

I think the scene on Loam is happening now ... The vine priest says "the prophecy will be borne anew" meaning this is a new armor - not the original X-O armor

This pretty much sums up my take on it. I think the new bloom could also be some kind of Hara vine reaction to the killing of the armors in AH.

Also, we don't know that Deidre is dead, do we? I know she was hauled away by the Romans but I don't recall seeing her die. Perhaps she was swept up by the Vine after Aric was.

While that is unlikely, I would love if this were the case. Sanaa kind of just... exists.

[Keith]

I thought this was a good set up issue. Not a very meaty issue but definitely created some intrigue and buzz for dead hand and a nice way of further developing Aric and fleshing out Deidre some more.

I think the scene on Loam is happening now ... The vine priest says "the prophecy will be borne anew" meaning this is a new armor - not the original X-O armor

This pretty much sums up my take on it. I think the new bloom could also be some kind of Hara vine reaction to the killing of the armors in AH.

Also, we don't know that Deidre is dead, do we? I know she was hauled away by the Romans but I don't recall seeing her die. Perhaps she was swept up by the Vine after Aric was.

Didn't Gilad fill in Aric on what happened to her in the issue where they fought pre-Unity? I recall something about him saying she was rescued and dying of old age. Or did I dream that?

---edit---

I'm part right. She was rescued, according to Gilad, but he lost track of her after the Visigoths sacked Rome. So her final fate is still a mystery.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I heart V-Ditti. I thought the art was hit and miss, not consistent. Some really great panels, some not so great panels. But, I did dig Sandoval's art on Harbinger: Omegas.
I'm sure a ton of the easter eggs V-Ditti planted will play out soon.

[dornwolf]

I thought this was a good set up issue. Not a very meaty issue but definitely created some intrigue and buzz for dead hand and a nice way of further developing Aric and fleshing out Deidre some more.

I think the scene on Loam is happening now ... The vine priest says "the prophecy will be borne anew" meaning this is a new armor - not the original X-O armor

This pretty much sums up my take on it. I think the new bloom could also be some kind of Hara vine reaction to the killing of the armors in AH.

Also, we don't know that Deidre is dead, do we? I know she was hauled away by the Romans but I don't recall seeing her die. Perhaps she was swept up by the Vine after Aric was.

Didn't Gilad fill in Aric on what happened to her in the issue where they fought pre-Unity? I recall something about him saying she was rescued and dying of old age. Or did I dream that?

---edit---

I'm part right. She was rescued, according to Gilad, but he lost track of her after the Visigoths sacked Rome. So her final fate is still a mystery.

Could always use what they used in that show Andromeda. Genetic Reincarnation

[jmatt]

While that is unlikely, I would love if this were the case. Sanaa kind of just... exists.

Well, truth be told, same holds true for Deidre. Apart from a handful of boudoir panels, we've never really seen her do or say anything of consequence. Her only importance to readers is that she's important to Aric.

That being said, she'd make a great hostage-girl, inspiring Aric to go batsh!t on some bad guys. And that's why I'd still like her to be alive.

[ilzuccone]

Seriously great read. A great tie in to the next big event. I liked the art quite a bit too and I was glad to see Loam and The Vine again. I like that Shanhara acted independently of Aric too! The last issue had some good action but was a bit light on substance- I felt that this one made up for that and sets the stage for something exciting to happen. Did I mention that I thought the art was pretty great?

Rafa Sandoval. He also did the kick *SQUEE* art on Harbinger Omegas. Get that dude a regular series.

+100,000,000

the art (pencils, inks, colors) in this book should be the new valiant standard.

fun read. can't wait for the next issue.

[ilzuccone]

Man Valiant is really picking up steam. Some great books coming out.

[String]

Terrific issue, no one uses flashbacks as well as V-Ditti does on this title. I loved Sandoval's art, especially in the flashback sequences (his Roman centurions look fierce!).

It's great seeing Deidre again, but as others have asked, I wonder too if they isn't more going on here with her. Granted, we knew little about her before now, but here, she seemed very interested in the stars and what lies beyond. And while that may have tied in with Shahara trying to warn Aric of an impending threat, it leaves me wondering if Deidre may have gotten swept up by the Vine at some later point, especially in light of their continued influence on Earth over the centuries. Hm...

Building up the Dead Hand threat (a planetoid with a face?!), the reappearance of the Vine and Loam, the possible birth of a new X-O armor?! Yeah, really looking forward to what's next now.

[jmatt]

Man Valiant is really picking up steam. Some great books coming out.

Ditto. I'm really psyched for Divinity.

[StarBrand]

Seriously great read. A great tie in to the next big event. I liked the art quite a bit too and I was glad to see Loam and The Vine again. I like that Shanhara acted independently of Aric too! The last issue had some good action but was a bit light on substance- I felt that this one made up for that and sets the stage for something exciting to happen. Did I mention that I thought the art was pretty great?

Rafa Sandoval. He also did the kick *SQUEE* art on Harbinger Omegas. Get that dude a regular series.

+100,000,000

Whoa.

[Dallow Spicer1]

VDitti's back on form!! After an uncharacteristic blip last month (#32) this issue was intriguing from start to finish. Great to see the Vine back and I have high hopes for Dead Hand!

Art was a little hit and miss, some great panels mixed with some odd facial panels?

4/5 - v enjoyable

[Captain Craig]

I've not read through the thread so I may repeat some ideas, sorry. Just read this last night finally.
A very solid read. I felt like it read as a good mix of prologue & epilogue on some storylines.

We get more on 6th century Aric, where it's a bit of both, moving us beyond X-O #0, almost making portions of this book X-O #.5
We go back to Loam and see that the mechanism which produced Shanhara has "bloomed" again and another X-O suit is forthcoming, what could this mean? Could a Vine inhabitant actually wear this suit and what would that mean for Earth?
Why did Shanhara take Aric into the debris field?

While the issue was more of a narrative tease I felt it was important on many fronts and I give VEI props for the issue. It shows how when you take a man of action and slow him down there are layers to his story to be told and dwelled upon. Very solid issue!

[leonmallett]

Much better than the issues of the last few arc (the Armorines arc was current run's nadir IMHO); the story felt nicely structured pulling past and present elements together.

Very good stuff overall, except for the Ryan Lee cover I got. Ugh.

[Donovan]

Yes. Please get Rafa Sandoval a regular series at Valiant!

Fantastic issue. I was critical of the Armorines arc. This was fantastic. One of the top issues of the series!