X-O Manowar # 25 Review

X-O MANOWAR # 25

Written by Robert Venditti, Justin Jordon & Andy Runton

Art by J.G. Jones,Bryan Hitch, Diego Bernard, Barry Kitson, Andy Runton, Rafer Roberts & more

Valiant Comics

This will be a spoiler free review.

                Multiple stories happen throughout the issue. We get a quick look at Aric’s origin as X-O Manowar to him paying respects to a prelude to Armor Hunters starting the team with the same name to the armor having its own little adventure to a small crossover between Valiant Characters.  This issue seemed to have a little of everything to celebrate X-O Manowar’s and Valiant’s relaunch anniversary.

THE GOOD:

                A lot was packed into these pages and it definitely felt worth it. We got some great personal development for Aric as we see him pay his respects to one of his fallen relatives. Venditti definitely uses loss and mourning a lot this issue to kind of set up transitions, not only for Aric but for the Armor Hunters as well. Venditti takes time to not only do more set up for the Armor Hunters event, but also gives us some solid characterization of the Armor Hunters team.

                All of the stories and segments were paced well, allowing each writer to give their own spin on things. And while the other stories didn’t do character building, they were fun in their own way.

                Artistically, you have so many styles in there that it really is a feast for the eyes. To classic comic book strip cartoony to Hitch’s hyper detailed style, there is a buffet of art that surrounds you this issue. Hitch and Bernard have the most significant portions and do a great job showing of their art. This book looks and feels fun while giving strong characterization and great art.

THE BAD:

                Nada. Zero. Zilch.

FINAL VERDICT:

                X-O Manowar # 25 was a strong, fun anniversary issue with great art and excellent story. The varied amounts of stories and extras make the book fun of value and it was great to see so much talent within the book do so many different things.  I give X-O Manowar # 25 5 stars out of 5.

Preview: X-O MANOWAR # 25

Valiant Preview: On Sale May 21st, 2014 – X-O MANOWAR #25 (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS) |


 

X-O MANOWAR #25 (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with TOM FOWLER and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by DIEGO BERNARD, SEAN CHEN, TOM FOWLER, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, BARRY KITSON, CARY NORD, RAFER ROBERTS, and ANDY RUNTON
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (MAR141400)
Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141401)
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI (MAR141402)
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN (MAR141403)
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON (MAR141404)

VALIANT FIRST delivers another must-read milestone this May with a blockbuster, 48-page celebration of X-O Manowar’s 25th issue…and an essential introduction to the comic book event of 2014 – ARMOR HUNTERS!

Find out why the galaxy’s most feared team of hunter-killers have journeyed across the stars to destroy the X-O Manowar armor and the Earth along with it in ARMOR HUNTERS: BURIAL by Robert Venditti & Diego Bernard. Then, revisit the roots of Aric of Dacia’s transformation from Visigoth conqueror into the 21st century’s alien-armored guardian, as told by Robert Venditti & J.G. Jones! Plus, all-new tales of X-O Manowar from Robert Venditti & Bryan Hitch, Justin Jordan & Rafer Roberts, Tom Fowler, Sean Chen, Cary Nord, Andy Runton, and much, much more!

$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 5/21/14 (FOC – 4/28/14)

Comics News: VALIANT Plans Star-Studded Anniversary Celebration for X-O MANOWAR #25 – with ROBERT VENDITTI, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, JUSTIN JORDAN, PETER MILLIGAN and More!

VALIANT Plans Star-Studded Anniversary Celebration for X-O MANOWAR #25 – with ROBERT VENDITTI, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, JUSTIN JORDAN, PETER MILLIGAN and More!


 

Valiant is proud to announce that it is pulling out all the stops for X-O Manowar #25 – the publisher's first 48-page anniversary spectacular from ongoing series creators Robert Venditti and Diego Bernard, and an all-star cast of special guests including Bryan Hitch, J.G. Jones, Justin Jordan,Peter Milligan, Rafer Roberts, and more!

Before X-O Manowar steps front and center for the Armor Hunters crossover event beginning in June, he'll be celebrating 25 chart-topping, critically acclaimed issues with a special oversized anniversary issue, bursting with all-new content from the top creators in comics today, including:

• ARMOR HUNTERS: PART ZERO by ROBERT VENDITTI (Green Lantern, The Flash) &DIEGO BERNARD (Eternal Warrior)
• THE ORIGIN OF X-O MANOWAR retold by ROBERT VENDITTI (Green Lantern, The Flash) & J.G. JONES (Before Watchmen: Comedian, Final Crisis)
• Plus: all-new tales of X-O Manowar by PETER MILLIGAN (X-Force), BRYAN HITCH (The Ultimates), JUSTIN JORDAN (Dead Body Road), RAFER ROBERTS (Carpool Buddies of Doom), and more special surprise guests!

Whether you've been reading X-O Manowar since issue #1 or you have yet to pick up your first issue, X-O Manowar #25 is a can't-miss comic book event celebrating the character's past and future with a spectacular array of brand new stories! Featuring stunning shelf covers by JELENA-KEVIC DJURDJEVIC (Thor) and BRYAN HITCH (Age of Ultron), X-O Manowar #25 will also feature an Armors Variant spotlighting the different incarnations of the X-O Manowar armor throughout the ages by artistARTURO LOZZI (Bloodshot); as well as Valiant's very first throwback cover by Valiant icon SEAN CHEN(Iron Man); and an iconic, fully painted variant cover by superstar artist TERRY DODSON (X-Men) – his first piece for Valiant!

"X-O Manowar #1 was the first issue of a monthly comic book series that I’d ever written, so I didn't know what to expect. I hoped I’d at least make it a year, and I really hoped I’d make it two.  So to be at #25 now, and to be planning far beyond, I feel very fortunate," said series writer Robert Venditti.

"When X-O Manowar #1 by Robert Venditti and Cary Nord hit shelves in 2012, it didn't just mark the return of one of the greatest characters in comics – it also marked the return of Valiant," said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. "Now, with our biggest story yet – Armor Hunters – just over the horizon, X-O Manowar #25 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible work that Robert, Cary, Lee Garbett, Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Gaudiano, Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic and Diego Bernard have accomplished."

"We're overjoyed to be celebrating our first major anniversary with X-O Manowar #25, and we're packing this issue to capacity to make sure it's the must-read milestone that this series deserves. With the Armor Hunters crossover event about to come crashing down on Aric of Dacia's world, summer 2014 is going to be the summer of X-O Manowar – and issue #25 is the perfect place to jump on board," said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.

Since debuting in the pages of X-O Manowar #1 in 1992, X-O Manowar has sold more than 8 million copies and featured work by a distinguished roster of comics luminaries including current Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, and comics legends Barry Windsor-Smith and Bob Layton.

Two decades later, as the first title of Valiant's 2012 relaunch, the all-new X-O Manowar #1 by Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord became one of the year's highest selling debut issues, warranting four sold-out printings. In the two years since, the series has continued to accrue critical and commercial accolades, including "Best Revival of 2012" by The Onion/A.V. Club, "Best Ongoing Series" by Ain't It Cool News, and a 2012 Diamond Gem Award nomination for Best Comic Book of the Year.

This May, find out why Valiant's X-O Manowar is a legend in the making, only in X-O Manowar #25 – a milestone 48-page celebration from a colossal cast of all-star talents!
 

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

X-O MANOWAR #25 (OVERSIZED ANNIVERSARY ISSUE)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with PETER MILLIGAN, JUSTIN JORDAN, and MORE!
Art by DIEGO BERNARD with J.G. JONES, BRYAN HITCH, RAFER ROBERTS and MORE!
Covers by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC and BRYAN HITCH
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
COMING IN MAY!

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (OF 4)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
COMING IN JUNE!