X-O Manowar #18 Discussion

[Keith]

Pretty good issue to finish up the arc. The Russians make their move, Volo presents himself as a more legitimate challenge to Aric's authority than by just raiding a Circle K, and a guest appearance from Harada shows the pieces are moving into place for our much anticipated new title!

So pretty glaring typo on the "next issue" teaser unless I'm missing something. Reads like Unity is coming out next week!

[blujay]

I absolutely loved this issue and this arc (even though it was basically the prelude to Unity). This arc saw so much development for Aric. And in this issue you can tell Aric begrudgingly respects Volo (who is almost outright trying to usurp him) when he compliments him for disposing of the Russian troops. The character of Volo, while kind of a *SQUEE*, is very sympathetic and believable.

I thought V-Ditti did a masterful job in encapsulating Aric's love of his homeland and why he refuses to just up and leave, this is something that he's believed in and fought for for his whole life. He's reclaiming his homeland for his people, while other people who already live there don't quite like that. A very thoughtful and relevant parallel.

The only down side to this issue is that it went by so fast.

This was the perfect lead up to Unity: 9/10

Side Note: The new Shadowman looks freaking amazing (I didn't read all of the preview but what I did read looks fantastic)

[pixierosa]

It did seem like a fast read, but I had already read the previews. I think the writing is getting better. Aric has more dimension, and he's growing a bit - recognizing the value of using his experience in battle. I wonder if Aric sees a bit of himself in Volo - headstrong, brash, self-righteous. It's what you call a "teachable moment".

[hawkeyeps]

I thought it was great, really strong week for Valiant.

The thing I liked best was all the ramifications that are sure to come from what happened in this issue, it was like tipping the first domino. If Aric has Wolf Class armours on the ship, what about Commando class? Does anybody think Colonel Capshaw is Vine?

I think Aric will come out of this thinking he should listen to Ken..ahem...Alexander once in while.

4.5/5

[Sir Sandrick]

Volo... Visigoths Only Live Once?


Also, I wonder if there is any significance to the 2515 score on the 8-bit cover for this one?

[comicsyte95]

I thought that this issue was a strong lead in to Unity.One obvious thing I didn't consider is that there were weapons on the vine ship and the world and Unity team up will be fighting them as well.

If by some miracle Harada and his team defeat the X-O armor,the slaves might just rescue their "king"

[first_citizenx]

The end of the book said that Unity is out next week, but the ads all say its in November. When is it out?

[Phoenix8008]

The end of the book said that Unity is out next week, but the ads all say its in November. When is it out?

Everything I've heard was for it to drop in Nov. Maybe this book was originally going to come out on the 30th of October or something?

[comicsyte95]

I believe November 13th that is what it is listed here on the main website ,under future comics, next month.

[jmatt]

One obvious thing I didn't consider is that there were weapons on the vine ship

Score one in the "I didn't see that coming" department.

Good issue, but perhaps the fastest read so far. It zoomed by in an instant.

Thoughts:

"New arms race in space". We haven't heard much about that but it must refer to the ring of Vine debris.

The flashback explains Aric's mistrust and intransigence well. I like Volo's impertinence.

Minor military nitpick: SLBMs are launched vertically and do not change direction until airborne; the do not launch off to the side. And that wasn't an SLBM, it looked more like a medium range air-to-air missile. I suppose it could have been some kind of cruise missile, didn't much look like one though.

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Good action sequences.

Why does MERO need the X-O? For Harada? Is there any organization in this line he doesn't secretly control?

Oh, and thank you Valiant for not printing the barcodes on the cover! Big win there.

[comicsyte95]

One obvious thing I didn't consider is that there were weapons on the vine ship

Score one in the "I didn't see that coming" department.

Good issue, but perhaps the fastest read so far. It zoomed by in an instant.

Thoughts:

"New arms race in space". We haven't heard much about that but it must refer to the ring of Vine debris.

The flashback explains Aric's mistrust and intransigence well. I like Volo's impertinence.

Minor military nitpick: SLBMs are launched vertically and do not change direction until airborne; the do not launch off to the side. And that wasn't an SLBM, it looked more like a medium range air-to-air missile. I suppose it could have been some kind of cruise missile, didn't much look like one though.

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Good action sequences.

Why does MERO need the X-O? For Harada? Is there any organization in this line he doesn't secretly control?

Oh, and thank you Valiant for not printing the barcodes on the cover! Big win there.

[BugsySig]

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Must still have the same trainers as all those soldiers in those 80s movies I used to watch.

[Blood of Heroes]

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Must still have the same trainers as all those soldiers in those 80s movies I used to watch.

Stormtroopers too.

[blujay]

I thought that this issue was a strong lead in to Unity.One obvious thing I didn't consider is that there were weapons on the vine ship and the world and Unity team up will be fighting them as well."

I don't know how I didn't even think to consider that, because that one really caught me off guard. When I was reading this and the Russians were storming the camp I said "Oh, well they're all *SQUEE*" glad that wasn't the case

[lorddunlow]

I actually liked it this month. I still hate Aric though.

[Knightt]

The part I liked best in XO #18 was the art in the Shadowman preview but then there was the punk rock chick. I thought it might have been Nettie but got a WTf moment instead. Somebody at Valiant likes Acclame a little too much.

I wish the art would return to how it looked in XO #1. Out of the gate, the art got me SO EXCITED to see Valiant again and really had me motivated to read the next issue.

I also liked the change in art when XO #5 came out with the team:

Penciller: Lee Garbett
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Colorist: Moose Baumann

The art was not as tight as XO #1 but it held its head well above water. Great stuff.

[jmatt]

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Must still have the same trainers as all those soldiers in those 80s movies I used to watch.

Stormtroopers too.

And A-Team villains.

[Carson]

Man, those Rusky troops are bad shots. Did they manage to hit any of the Visigoths?

Must still have the same trainers as all those soldiers in those 80s movies I used to watch.

Stormtroopers too.

And A-Team villains.

Don't forget GI Joe and Cobra

(In the cartoon at least, in the comic Larry Hama kills all kinds of people)

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

The part I liked best in XO #18 was the art in the Shadowman preview but then there was the punk rock chick. I thought it might have been Nettie but got a WTf moment instead. Somebody at Valiant likes Acclame a little too much.

I wish the art would return to how it looked in XO #1. Out of the gate, the art got me SO EXCITED to see Valiant again and really had me motivated to read the next issue.

I also liked the change in art when XO #5 came out with the team:

Penciller: Lee Garbett
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Colorist: Moose Baumann

The art was not as tight as XO #1 but it held its head well above water. Great stuff.

The artist on this one was Lee Garbett again, whose work I prefer to Cary Nords. Yep. Just an opinion. And I loved the writing of this issue. X-O had been consistently great since day 1! Go V-Ditti!

[ThatDarnCabbage]

I actually liked it this month. I still hate Aric though.

Agreed, I know it won't happen, but I'm hoping Harada kills Aric, and the suit somehow gets destroyed. I don't Toyo getting his hands on it. Aric is too dangerous with the suit. He's got the absolute worst qualities of someone who wants to be king. His only emotions are anger, bloodlust, and entitlement. He's a hypocrite, who believes that people should blindly follow their kind even when he didn't listen to his uncle, Alaric. He has total disregard for life, which makes it worse that he has the most powerful weapon on the planet. He outright murdered those men in the helicopter two issues ago, flying a white flag of truce. He's selfish and he's already started a war that looks to kill hundreds if not thousands, most of them probably from himself. Aric needs to go, for the good of the world.

I actually think Aric would make a really compelling, non-traditional villain if he wasn't the main character, so I'm curious to see him as the villain in the Unity series.

[iwantvaliant]

Volo is a great character. I look forward to more of him and Aric butting heads.

Can't wait for Unity next week!

[Carson]

Yeah, I had to look that up... "But unity isn't until November, right?!!!"

Durp.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Volo... Visigoths Only Live Once?


Also, I wonder if there is any significance to the 2515 score on the 8-bit cover for this one?

Solid issue again from VDitti! More layers, more characters as the 'world of XO' continues to build.

Not sure if this has been covered elsewhere, but if Unity is an ongoing title how will this effect XO's ongoing continuity?

Anyway, 3.5/5 for issue 18

[BugsySig]

Volo... Visigoths Only Live Once?


Also, I wonder if there is any significance to the 2515 score on the 8-bit cover for this one?

Solid issue again from VDitti! More layers, more characters as the 'world of XO' continues to build.

Not sure if this has been covered elsewhere, but if Unity is an ongoing title how will this effect XO's ongoing continuity?

Anyway, 3.5/5 for issue 18

The next few issues will look at the Unity issues from Aric's perspective. After that, I suspect the Unity team will turn their attention somewhere else.

[Dallow Spicer1]

Volo... Visigoths Only Live Once?


Also, I wonder if there is any significance to the 2515 score on the 8-bit cover for this one?

Solid issue again from VDitti! More layers, more characters as the 'world of XO' continues to build.

Not sure if this has been covered elsewhere, but if Unity is an ongoing title how will this effect XO's ongoing continuity?

Anyway, 3.5/5 for issue 18

The next few issues will look at the Unity issues from Aric's perspective. After that, I suspect the Unity team will turn their attention somewhere else.

I hope so! I don't want a Marvel/DC scenario where characters appear in multiple books as it messes up continuity. But then, what about Eternal Warrior, will he be appearing in 2 monthlies?