First Look Review Of X-O Manowar #1

I’ve heard a bunch of good things about this series and the previous incarnations of this main character but this is the first time I’ve given it a chance. And I have to say I enjoyed it.

X-O Manowar #1: Soldier Part One by Matt Kindt, Tomás Giorello, and Diego Rodriguez. Published by Valiant, 2017.

Aric of Urth is a farmer who’s drafted into the local army but it appears he already knows a thing or two about soldiering. It seems he’s been to war in the past and though it isn’t clear in this issue, I’ve learned from outside research that he’s a fighter from Ancient Rome.

Regardless of wether you’ve read the previous incarnations or are just coming to this title as I am, you’re gonna love it. The art is gorgeous and the depiction of the battle scenes are tremendous. Kindt and Giorello do a really good job setting the pace and laying out the events that drive the story.

Aric may begin the tale as a farmer but he’s soon “enlisted” into an army. Actually he’s just dragged along as a meatshield to charge in front of the real soldiers. When he somehow survives the attack he’s brought before the general and “offered” a suicide mission to infiltrate the palace itself.

Between the brutality of the fight scenes and the narration of how the fighting takes place, I kinda get a sense of Conan the Barbarian and John Carter of Mars and it’s a lot of fun to read. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series and from what I’ve hear the quality remains high throughout.

I give this issue a First Look Rating of a A.

This comic can be found on Comixology or at your local comic book shop, and it’s even on Comixology Unlimited right now.

Comics Corner | First Look Review of X-O Manowar #1