Straight Forward Reviews : X-O Manowar # 22

Directly tied into the events of Unity # 4 comes X-O Manowar # 22.

Writer - Rober Venditti

Artist - Cary Nord

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

After the events of Unity # 4 Aric gets back into action, this time with the United States at his corner. The issue's story is all a build up to something that seems to be the next story arc.

Rober Venditti does a great job of adding a sense of foreboding throughout the issue. Even with all the peace and happiness you see in the beginning, you can't help but feel something sinister is in the works.   As cliche it is for me to say, the story really is gripping.

Art

Cary Nord's lines always looks good. The coloring style introduced in this issue is fantastic as well and probably more likely to be liked by a majority of people. Though I did like the way the recent previous issues were colored I do realize that the style wasn't as widely liked.

Verdict

If you read Unity # 4 it's a no brainer that you should read this. If not it's still highly recommended but I recommend picking up Unity as well. This story is well written and has great action and sense of atmosphere. I give X-O Manowar # 22 a 9 out of 10.

ARMOR HUNTERS is Coming

BEND THE KNEE...OR TAKE THE HEAD.

ARMOR HUNTERS IS COMING

SUMMER 2014

FROM VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT

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Straight Forward Reviews : X-O Manowar # 19

Welcome again to Straight Forward Reviews! Where we take a look at those wonderful things we read and have interesting pictures known as comic books. Was that intro too cheesy? Anyway this time we're looking at Valiant's X-O Manowar # 19. With the events of Unity just beginning you can bet this is going to be important to that story.

Writer - Robert Vendetti

Artist - Cary Nord

Publisher - Valiant

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

This issue focuses on Aric's point of view of what happened right after the events of Unity issue 1. Which goes to show how Aric can be seen as both a villain and a hero if you read both of these books.

Besides dialog with Ninjak this issue really isn't about the wider plot as much as it is just about Aric and what kind of man he is. We get to see plenty of action still but it isn't about determining the fate of the world or anything that major. It is however really awesome and gives more insight into Aric and his people.

The dialog in this is very well written, you get the sense these really are people from another time that were forced into our modern world. They are confused and a little lost with the new world but willing to fight. Just as you would expect warriors from another time to be like if they did see our world today.

Art

I remember in previous issues of X-O Manowar that Cary Nord has worked on I mentioned them being some of my favorite art of the year. Seeing this has only made me feel stronger in that belief. The art in this comic has flavors of the art I would see for fighting games. It's a western comic drawn in a realistic style but the style has the flavor of the more realistic art that was made to promote Street Fighter 2 and
King of Fighters. It's what the art invokes memories of, for me.

Verdict

Looking through this book, I couldn't find anything that I didn't like. Not a thing. The dialog and the wonderful art all gelled together so well that all I left with after reading this issue was a smile. With that I have to give X-O Manowar issue 19 a 10 out of 10. It really is amazing to see the different views and worlds of the people of the Valiant universe and how villains can be heroes and heroes, villains.

Review: X-O Manowar Issue 6

If you haven't been following X-O Manowar I recommend reading Frankie Rodriguez review of issue 1 and my review of issue 4

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Aric has been attacked by Ninjak in the previous issue and was knocked out. This issue follows it up with what seemed like a victory for Ninjak into more fighting and also more plotting by not only the Vine but by Manowar and what just might be a new ally.

The story moves at a brisk pace but doesn't go too fast as too confuse the reader. If you haven't read the previous issues especially issue 4 where a certain event happens that gets referenced a lot you might not get as much out of what goes on in this issue but you still won't be lost as there's a handy recap at the beginning of the issue. Things are starting to get really interesting now as loyalties are tested and there seems to be a buildup of people who are going to stand up to the Vine.

Art

Lee Garbett does a fantastic job with showing action and this is some of my favorite art in a comic all year. Seeing Ninjak and X-O Manowar square off is really awesome, it's all so well drawn. Their bodies don't seem too exaggerated when moving and the effects of the Manowar armor and Ninjak's gadgets looks well, just, cool.

Verdict

X-O Manowar is certainly building up to something huge with the Vine showing the type of allies they have on Earth. After some of the Vine's allies clash with Aric in the suit seeing their loyalty tested and wondering if something formidable is coming together to stand up to the Vine. This issue is a turning point in X-O Manowar's story and it shouldn't be missed, definitely pick this one up. With the story recap you won't be lost and the action just can't be missed. Ninjak is pure awesome and the X-O Manowar suit is always a spectacle. I wholeheartedly give this a 9.5 out of 10.