Xo Manowar #19 discussion

[swtor1091]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here is my review... now what are your thoughts? also did anyones issue comes damaged. Mine was bent and I had to peel the pages apart to get to read the entire thing.

[lorddunlow]

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Here is my review... now what are your thoughts? also did anyones issue comes damaged. Mine was bent and I had to peel the pages apart to get to read the entire thing.

And this is from your LCS that would throw a fit if you don't pay an exorbitant price for a variant? Seems like you need a new LCS.

[swtor1091]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
Here is my review... now what are your thoughts? also did anyones issue comes damaged. Mine was bent and I had to peel the pages apart to get to read the entire thing.

And this is from your LCS that would throw a fit if you don't pay an exorbitant price for a variant? Seems like you need a new LCS.

Well i just told him today that i didnt want those to comics so i dont think it was from him... he had no idea i was going to tell him that I didn't want those two comics until today and he seemed okay. He said that I was one of his regular customers and loyal so not to worry about it. So it wasn't from him. I don't know when it happend

[tchalla8]

As far as the book goes....I gotta say...while the art wasn't bad by any stretch I felt it was distracting. I didn't feel like I was reading the same X-O I had become accustomed to. I didn't feel like I was in the same world. And I know this is just a personal taste thing. I'm sure everyone else will love it.

Story was very good, however.

[caxiotis]

I felt that the story was phenomenal and mixed with Nord's art makes it is the best single comic I have read in months. 5/5

[Talisman]

Good. I just expected more than a what he's doing while he waits for the members of Unity to attack him issue. The art was beautiful and brilliant, tho. If we get 4 issues of this, I might be disappointed with this arc.

[Phoenix8008]

As far as the book goes....I gotta say...while the art wasn't bad by any stretch I felt it was distracting. I didn't feel like I was reading the same X-O I had become accustomed to. I didn't feel like I was in the same world. And I know this is just a personal taste thing. I'm sure everyone else will love it.

Story was very good, however.

I know others LOVE this art, but I'm with you. The lines are great. I love Nord as a penciler, but the coloring throws me for a loop like you said.

[Bl00dsh0t]

did it have much about him capturing Ninjak as per the XO #19 preview pages of Unity #1?

I'm thinking of picking it up but have reservations about it...is it set pre or post Unity's attack?

[blujay]

did it have much about him capturing Ninjak as per the XO #19 preview pages of Unity #1?

I'm thinking of picking it up but have reservations about it...is it set pre or post Unity's attack?

It starts with Ninjak in a cell.

This book was a "character book", as in not much happened but it made Aric look like a hero again, and we know that's been in dispute as of the last arc. I'm 100% team X-O, Aric is kind of a hardcore BA

Also Nord's art, holy *SQUEE* I love it! The art definitely makes up for the fact that very little happened.

10/10 (bumped up 2 points cuz of the Nord-ness)

[jkingman]

my first "day of" Valiant comic post

The art was stunning. I wish it was like this from the start, although I would like a deeper, richer blue for the XO armor. It often looks white. But the depth and texture it adds, and emotion and "artiness" of it is brilliant.
The story...I had to re-read it after some of these high praises...I thought it was bland and predictable. The fight with Volo...seemed pretty obvious this was coming, and that Volo would beat the snot out of Aric without his armor, but then Aric would dig deep, show his strength, and win back his people...as if rescuing them from spider-aliens and returning them to Earth and giving them land wasn't enough, Volo, a slave of unknown generations of slaves instantly stands up to fight Aric and his unstoppable armor...it didn't seem true to me, and then rushed to quick, predictable resolution just in time for Unity. And Aric is cautious enough to rip out a tooth but he leaves the weapons and uniform in the same cell as Ninjak?

I guess it is written in some ways for people who haven't read XO but picked up Unity, so it shows his character and situation and stakes involved...which could be interesting, having Unity not showing things from XO's side, and then have his title show his perspective, it worked with Harbinger Wars for the most part. But I felt this issue was dead. not much happened, it didn't move Unity forward at all...so overall I was not that thrilled... 6/10

[obijuan]

I have to say the story was very well written. Unfortunately, for me the art was horrible. I had to double check that Cary Nord drew this. I then had to go back to his first issues to make sure that I wasn't imagining this art style. His earlier work was waaaay better than this issue. The best art in the book was the centerfold. That was awesome. Compare the colors from the centerfold to the rest of the issue and you're left wanting. This issue just seemed really lazy from the art standpoint.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

Wow, this was the best issue of X-O Manowar in a long time. I love the book, but this was fantastic. I've really hated Aric ever since his return from Planet Death, and I've been rooting for his death, but this issue went a long way towards making me care for him again. I wish we got his respect for the dead before this issue, I always assumed he didn't care about desecrating the bodies of his enemies.

Also, one of the best looking issue VEI has put out to date, I believe. It was stunning. Easily the best work Cary Nord has done on this book so far, I hope there aren't any fill-ins during this arc. It was so unique. Absolutely gorgeous, really impressed. I am loving everything Unity right now, bring on the rest of the event!

[erwinrafael]

I have to say the story was very well written. Unfortunately, for me the art was horrible. I had to double check that Cary Nord drew this. I then had to go back to his first issues to make sure that I wasn't imagining this art style. His earlier work was waaaay better than this issue. The best art in the book was the centerfold. That was awesome. Compare the colors from the centerfold to the rest of the issue and you're left wanting. This issue just seemed really lazy from the art standpoint.

I would understand some people not liking the art, but LAZY? The thought given on the layouts alone makes the art in this issue anything but lazy.

[BugsySig]

While there were a few panels that were less detailed, like the initial scene with Ninjak and Nigel, I thought the rest of the art was fantastic. I know its different from what a lot of people are used to, but I really can't believe anyone would say it was horrible. I love that VEI took a risk and allowed Nord to experiment with his style. You'd never find a book that looks like this at Marvel or DC, and that's a good thing IMHO.

As for the story, I quite enjoyed it. I always love me some Ninjak, but this was a great character issue for Aric. While still bull headed and stubborn, we are seeing growth in his character as he takes on the responsibility of being a king. I do wonder where the rest of the arc will go with the Unity tie-ins, but I'm excited to find out.

[Carson]

Two words: *SQUEE* gorgeous.

Story was decent. Made me like Aric more than I did before. Really showed his honorable side. Looking forward to next issue! 9/10

[pixierosa]

my first "day of" Valiant comic post

The fight with Volo...seemed pretty obvious this was coming, and that Volo would beat the snot out of Aric without his armor, but then Aric would dig deep, show his strength, and win back his people...as if rescuing them from spider-aliens and returning them to Earth and giving them land wasn't enough, Volo, a slave of unknown generations of slaves instantly stands up to fight Aric and his unstoppable armor...it didn't seem true to me, and then rushed to quick, predictable resolution just in time for Unity. And Aric is cautious enough to rip out a tooth but he leaves the weapons and uniform in the same cell as Ninjak?

it didn't move Unity forward at all...so overall I was not that thrilled... 6/10

I just had this same discussion on the Facebook Canadian Valiant fan page - perhaps that was you, too? Anyhoo -- Volo and the others were slaves, yes, but look at him - he's huge, muscular, well-fed. They were captives, forced to work, but physically he looks like he thrived, as do many of the others. Also, the story mentions them burning their dead to keep the Vine from using the bodies as plant food. That's outright defiance - and defiance is not something a slave with no hope would normally participate in. Like slaves and the repressed in our own world history (for example Capoeira - Brazilian disguised martial art openly practiced as dance), bodies may be enslaved but their minds might remain free. That is the case here, I believe. Volo was a leader amongst his own slave peoples, and like most leaders who are "replaced", he was butthurt about his usurper.

I agree that a *SQUEE* contest is completely what I expect whenever two alphas start beating their chests, but I was happy to see that this was resolved without one dying. Volo made his point about his people being drug across the galaxy and put into the unfortunate position of a fight for a land that they never claimed as their own. Aric showed restraint (who knew?!?) despite his rash response to fight it out. He displayed some wisdom, and earned the respect of Volo and probably Volo's followers, not by winning the fight but by his actions during and after. His carrying the bodies of fallen enemies for a proper burial (without his armor) spoke volumes about his own personal code as well as a work ethic.

I wasn't expecting this to propel Unity along - Unity is its own book and should be the source of new material. X-O should enhance that story during this arc, but I don't think it would be wise to have X-O independently move that story along. Readers would need to buy both books for the whole story - and that wouldn't go over well with many potential readers. I loathe having to do that. I made the exception with Marvel's Battle of the Atom but it still chaps my hide that I bought a Wolverine title.

Also, I don't think it's in the best interest of the story to start an additional storyline beyond supporting Unity. That would be too much going on for 16 pages of story space. I know it doesn't seem like much happened in this story, but I think there was some very good character development, and we learn a bit more about Ninjak, see the return of Neville (who seems to now be in a position of some authority after his alien theory turned out to be true), realize the suit has some limits (dentistry, lol), and had an internal battle. It may seem lame or stereotypical, but in reality, a nation's internal struggles are a much greater threat to peace than aggression from outside forces.

I'll pipe up about the art, too - I love this coloring style. While I admire the slick computer coloring we usually see, I think this is beautiful, and I bet the original art is gorgeous. The effect is similar to watercolor. I think it lends to the adventure style of the story - harkens back to classic illustrated types of works.

[jkingman]

that was me. I get that he has some backbone, I just think it was rushed, just a day or two after coming to Earth...

[erwinrafael]

I wasn't expecting this to propel Unity along - Unity is its own book and should be the source of new material. X-O should enhance that story during this arc, but I don't think it would be wise to have X-O independently move that story along. Readers would need to buy both books for the whole story - and that wouldn't go over well with many potential readers. I loathe having to do that. I made the exception with Marvel's Battle of the Atom but it still chaps my hide that I bought a Wolverine title.

I agree with this. One of my fears when Unity was introduced was that it would hamper the storyline of X-O Manowar because of the need to tie up with the major events in Unity. However, it would seem that they would really not treat Unity as an "event book," which is good. This is different from Harbinger Wars which is an event book.

I'll pipe up about the art, too - I love this coloring style. While I admire the slick computer coloring we usually see, I think this is beautiful, and I bet the original art is gorgeous. The effect is similar to watercolor. I think it lends to the adventure style of the story - harkens back to classic illustrated types of works.

I read a good comment somewhere in the internet that the coloring style fits because it is a style that harkens to classic stories about kings. and at this stage, X-O Manowar is a story about a king.

[obijuan]

I have to say the story was very well written. Unfortunately, for me the art was horrible. I had to double check that Cary Nord drew this. I then had to go back to his first issues to make sure that I wasn't imagining this art style. His earlier work was waaaay better than this issue. The best art in the book was the centerfold. That was awesome. Compare the colors from the centerfold to the rest of the issue and you're left wanting. This issue just seemed really lazy from the art standpoint.

I would understand some people not liking the art, but LAZY? The thought given on the layouts alone makes the art in this issue anything but lazy.

Ok maybe lazy is a little harsh. But compared to his other work, I was not happy.

[Aomalle27]

Okay, I've reread the book, and I don't think I'm as bothered by the art as I was on first reading. While it still distracted a bit for me, it didn't hamper the book. Some scenes it actually seemed to elevate the emotion beyond what splashy/ glossy art would. The page image from a few posts above is a perfect example. Although the Ninjak imprisionment scene I feel would be better with standard artwork we've become accustomed to with this title. The story itself while not high on the wow factor, did seem to put the XO homecoming into perspective, although the conflict with Volo seemed rushed. A solid effort, and probably a 7.5 for me.

[lorddunlow]

The large number of negative comments crack me up. I've been down on this book since Planet Death, while most have heaped on the praise. This is the first issue that I've enjoyed quite a bit since the first arc, and now a lot of people didn't like it. Obviously, X-O has made a bit of a departure both in art and story for this issue. I loved it. Aric actually was thinking for a change, and I feel like we finally get a little depth to his character. The art - wow, just wow. I can't see how someone would not love this art. I could look at this all day long.

Great issue, especially since I was really not enjoying X-O for the last several months (I think the prelude to Planet Death was the last time I enjoyed this title) .

[Donovan]

I've been harping on the look of this for some time now. In the end, it read better than I expected. There is still WAY too much white, which I find distracting, and relatively no attention paid to backgrounds, which doesn't help set the story.

Nicely rendered faces, but in the end it looks like pretty, harshly lit figures floating on top of a scribbled background. Some great art scattered in with some quick sketches. Very inconsistent. The last panel struck me as being extremely scribbly and rough - what I would expect Nord's layouts to look like.

For all my detracting on this style, I'd love to see a full book done like this, but a) give Nord more time, b) less white - PLEASE, and c) more attention paid to backgrounds and colour theory.

Lazy was used above to describe it, and was then retracted. It's not lazy. But it seemed rushed at points, and not fully realized.

Storywise, wow. I loved it. Perfect continuation from Unity. Different in tone and voice, but still feels connected to the event!

[tchalla8]

I just read the perfect description on why I can't quite get past the art thing...

"Unfinished"

While at times its beautiful it gives off an subtle vibe of being unfinished or incomplete.

[Donovan]

I just read the perfect description on why I can't quite get past the art thing...

"Unfinished"

While at times its beautiful it gives off an subtle vibe of being unfinished or incomplete.

The page Carson posts above sums it up for me - beautiful faces and figures floating on top of a white background. It works for one page, but a majority of the pages ended up like this.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

I thought V-Ditti crushed it with this issue! Very much like the character development. Ninjak is friggin awesome! Liked Aric's development as well, and the burning the Harbinger guy. I'm assuming he was one of the original "Team Unity" members, but didn't recognize him?
As for MI-6, didn't Aric blow up the whole building?
As for the art, I didn't care for it. I see how people can like it, but it just didn't do it for me. Like others have said, it distracted me, and made me want to read it as fast as I could to stop looking at it actually. Not that it was bad, just didn't agree with my eyes for some reason. Very strange to me, not what I'm used to. If it was a print, or pin-up, like just 1 image, I think it would be amazing, I just don't think it's the best style to tell a whole story with.