X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #1, by Valiant Entertainment on 5/24/24, finds the one-handed Visigoth training the Novus Romanus refugees to survive in a harsh world when he receives a distant message.
Credits:
- Writer: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
- Artist: Fernando Heinz Furukawa
- Colorist: Nobi
- Letterer: Ezequiel Inverni
- Cover Artist: German Peralta
- Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
- Release Date: May 24, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #1:
Plot Analysis:
Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad return to Valiant after the new partnership with Alien Books to continue Aric of Dacia’s conflict against the spacefaring Romans known as the Novus Romanus. Let the space opera continue.
X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #1 follows Aric and a handful of refugees as they endure the harsh conditions and carve a meager life for themselves on the planet Scythia. Savage beasts and deadly scavengers roam the frigid terrain, and Aric leads the hunting parties to supply food to the meager colony and teach the refugees how to hunt for themselves before the day of Aric’s departure arrives.
Thyra, the Novus Romanus warrior who turned her back on the empire to help Aric, warns Aric against returning to face the empire to save Nimane the Seer. Aric feels duty-bound to help Nimane, even if it costs him his life. Despite her warnings, Thyra swears to go with him.
During a brief interlude, Ivar Timewalker appears to Aric while he’s alone, requesting Aric help him with some great catastrophe or threat. Aric shoos Ivar away, confident Ivar can handle his own problems.
Later, Aric checks on Shanhara’s repair progress and is disturbed to learn something is disrupting her mind. Suddenly, a refugee storms into Aric’s tent while possessed by Nimane to deliver a warning about Shanhara, but the words don’t make sense to Aric.
Aric suits up and launches into orbit. The possessed refugee tells Thyra what happened, so she launches into orbit to check on Aric. He explains that Shanhara has gone silent, and he hears something coming from space. Thyra and Aric both witness a small shuttle approaching orbit. The captain refuses to remove his helmet, but he swears with a message of great importance.
Character Development:
Unsurprisingly, Aric is the central figure of this issue, and it’s clear his single-mindedness is about to be challenged in a big way if not outright changed. New readers will get a clear understanding of his tough-as-nails personality.
Artwork and Presentation:
Fernando Heinz Furukawa’s artwork is dynamic, detailed, and visually engaging. Aric presents as an imposing character, even without his armor for most of the issue, and Nobi’s color choices and application are excellent.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Generally speaking, Cloonan and Conrad’s pacing and structure have a strong foundation. The scenes move well, and the transition from one scene to the other is smooth. You get plenty of worlds- and character-building in each scene, so nothing feels wasted.
However, the meat around the bones is where readers may struggle. Cloonan and Conrad stack mystery on top of unknown on top of uncertain problems throughout a majority of the issue, so the collective comic is almost entirely a jumble of questions. A pile of questions isn’t necessarily a problem unless, as in this case, most of those questions aren’t interesting enough to be a strong hook.
Why should I care that Shanhara is on the fritz when she’s been in some form or another of disrepair all through the previous arc? Why is Ivar Timewalker’s appearance a big deal? Why is Nimane’s message about Shanhara a big deal… or is it? It’s not enough to ask questions. Those questions have to hint at some consequence or urgency. Here, you get neither.
Thematic Exploration:
Thematically, this issue presents two prevalent themes in direct conflict with each other, providing the catalyst for drama. Thyra’s levelheaded warnings serve as the source of survival. Aric’s unwavering determination to invade the Novus Romanus, alone if necessary, serves as a beacon for revenge. Put together, survival and revenge are a potent mix.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Recent X-O: Manowar fans will recognize that this arc begins almost immediately after the previous miniseries arc, also written by Cloonan and Conrad. On the plus side, this issue gives Valiant a sense of continuity, which is healthy given their recent publishing realignment. On the negative side, this issue is a poor jumping-on point for new readers.
Final Thoughts:
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X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #1 picks up immediately after the events of Unconquered to find Aric biding his time for an opportunity to save Nimane from the Novus Romanus. Furukawa’s art is strong, and Cloonan and Conrad plant a crop’s worth of mystery seeds, but new readers will have trouble jumping in due to the lack of context, and the mini-mysteries are weak hooks.
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