Straight Forward Reviews : X-O Manowar # 23

In this prelude to Armor Hunters we see Aric get taken on a new mission to space to search for something interesting. Well, it looks like that won't be hard to accomplish at all.

Writer - Robert Venditti

Artist - Diego Bernard

Publisher - Valiant

Story

Aric is tasked with a mission to outer space to look into the debris of a wreckage of a Vine ship and possibly recover something that can interest Uncle Sam. Simple enough for the X-O Manowar.

Of course though there's going to be something that will complicate matters. Something that is such a big obstacle that it can possibly even become Aric's main problem. The dialog and most importantly the tension building with this foray into space is quite well done. However it wasn't anything I wasn't expecting. Well, mostly what I wasn't expecting. There was one scene in the beginning of the issue where I have to wonder if Vendetti has been hanging out with Fred Van Lente or James Asmus because it's a scene that would be right at home in Archer and Armstrong or Quantum and Woody. That was quite a welcome change of pace. There's also the villain himself, while nothing much is known about him his design raises a lot of questions, especially about his connection to the Manowar armor.

Art

Although I admit I did see a lot of this issue's story coming, it was still pretty entertaining and the art is a big reason why. The characters have a presence to them, especially Aric which is what you want since he's always described as quite an intimidating person.

The action looks great too, movement and hits and explosions look great. The art has this added touch to the action that I don't see in many other comics where it doesn't just look good, it looks deadly. Like every punch or shot has a consequence of pain or even death.

Verdict

I already mentioned that this issue was a little bit predictable. However that didn't make it any less enjoyable. Possibly because the action and art were so good. There is good dialog in there, and some character exploration for Aric and his wife and for the woman who gives Aric his orders. I recommend picking this book up it's solid and makes a good segue in Armor Hunters. I give X-O Manowar an 8.5 out of 10.