Re-Reading: X-O Manowar #4

[xoken]

I thought we could do a book a day (that way people can read one every day or catch up on weekends), talk about it on its own, in the context of whats next, in regards to what expectations it creates and vote on how good it is. I don't have to be the one that posts everyday. If I miss a day or if someone wants to take over please do

For voting think of your single favourite comic book (not just VALIANT) as the benchmark - thats a 10 - and grade according to that.

Make sure to mention what you like'd about the book, what you didn't, what you wish they would have done, your favourite panels, lines of dialogue, little bits of trivia etc.

X-O Manowar #4

[xoken]

First Shadowman!

[magnusr]

Must have been a difficult issue to write with the Harbingers and even a bit of the Shadowman feeling. They manage well. The story does not flow as well as usual, but that's hard to avoid with so much going on.

/Magnus

[Daniel Jackson]

This was a fun issue, seeing Jack Boniface (small world huh?) and watching Aric battle with Sting and the gang.

[Todd Luck]

I'll give them props for having Harada and Aric talk peace after last issue's "mistake" by Harada. This is perfectly in character for Harada and very plausible. It was a joy seeing Harada "wine and dine" Aric just like any professional would do to a client or business partner. He knew how to appeal to what Aric liked and understood. And the fact that they're allies is such a wonderful twist.

The Harbinger kids in this issue aren't as much fun. We only see them in they're "let's kill Harada" mode. None of the characterization that makes their book work shows up here. But we get a decent fight out of it atleast.

And the scene were Lydia ducks Aric just seemed silly.

But the overall idea for the story and the dialog are strong enough to overcome any flaws. An 8

Continuity Notes: Shadowman 1 takes place during this issue. Harbinger 5 picks up were this issue left off for the Harbinger kids.

[jedimarley]

Must have been a difficult issue to write with the Harbingers and even a bit of the Shadowman feeling. They manage well. The story does not flow as well as usual, but that's hard to avoid with so much going on.

/Magnus

There is alot going on in this issue. But the writers still pull it of. 8

[muzzsucker]

And the scene were Lydia ducks Aric just seemed silly.

Is that really her? Why did she not recognize Aric, or did she?

[caxiotis]

This was personally my least favorite book of the pre-unity x-o manowars. I mostly had a problem with the art. For some reason the art just influenced how I perceived the story. When I was reading it all I can think is this is the best art they could come up with? Also, we saw the harbinger kids (Pete specifically) do a lot of amazing things in the harbinger series up to this point, but for some reason they just could not really handle x-o. In personality and actions they seemed like a shell of what there are in the Harbinger series. I might just be picky, but I give this one a 6 out of 10.