X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #2, by Valiant Entertainment on 6/12/24, finds Aric flying into the heart of the lion’s death with a new ally by his side to attack Ursus Nox where he lives.
Credits:
- Writer: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
- Artist: Fernando Baldo
- Colorist: Brushu Studio, Ludwig Olimba
- Letterer: Ezequiel Inverni
- Cover Artist: German Peralta
- Publisher: Valiant Entertainment
- Release Date: June 12, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 26
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #2:
Plot Analysis:
When you’re on a quest to vanquish your enemies, there’s no time like the present. Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad seize the day when Dalgan Pith arrives to join Aric’s fight, setting the warrior Visigoth on a path to total victory or a suicide mission.
When last we left Aric in X-O Manowar: Invictus #1, Aric trained the refugees how to hunt and survive on Scythia, fully intending to leave them once they learned the ropes of roughing it. Thyra tried to dissuade Aric from taking on a fight he couldn’t win, especially since Shanhara’s connection to the Manowar armor was disrupted. Suddenly, a ship entered orbit flown by a pirate with a familiar voice.
In X-O Manowar: Invictus #2, we learn that the voice belongs to current pirate and former Vine soldier Dalgan Pith. The pirate explains he’s been living life as a scavenger of destroyed ships left behind after waves of Romanus forces overtake a planet or sector. Eager for revenge against the destruction of the Vine, Pith agrees to join Aric’s fight.
On Vulturnus, the Golden Three completed the ritual to separate Shanhara from the Manowar armor and incase her in a giant crystal to be Ursus Nox’s slave. She warns Nox that Aric will come for her, and Nox will not survive the encounter.
Later, Aric and Thyra take passage on Pith’s ship, looking for Romanus ships to destroy. When they find a small convoy, the armored warriors take flight and attack. During the battle, Aric can hear a voice from his armor that doesn’t sound like Shanhara. The voice urges him to destroy everything in sight.
The Romanus soldiers contact Vulturnus for aid. Ursus Nox responds by thanking the soldiers for their service before unleashing a devastating space cannon, codenamed Chimera, on the battle. Aric and Thyra barely survive, but Aric is encouraged because he believes Ursus Nox is afraid and desperate to stop Manowar.
Ursus Nox visits the soothsayer to demand she show him the future. All she can see is that Aric is coming. Her vision doesn’t take long to come true when Aric, Thyra, and Pith arrive in orbit to launch an attack against the Vulturnus capital.
Character Development:
Cloonan and Conrad focus their energies on the character work by showing instead of telling, which is a strong positive. Aric’s unflappable focus to destroy the Romanus forces, single-handed if necessary, is painted with just enough optimism to get you to believe he might actually pull it off.
Thankfully, Cloonan and Conrad don’t counter Aric too strongly, with Thyra and Pith as aggressive naysayers.
Artwork and Presentation:
This is the first time we’ve encountered Fernando Baldo’s work, and it looks very good to great. Baldo’s figurework is well done, the action is solidly choreographed and energetic, and the coloring by Brushu Studio is on point.
It’s unclear why there was an artist change between issues one and two, but the quality hasn’t suffered from it.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Cloonan and Conrad’s pacing is brisk, enthusiastic, and engaging. You almost get the impression Aric is enjoying the thrill of the fight, and the enthusiasm carries the reader along.
In terms of plot structure, there’s not much complexity to track. Aric flies off with his allies to murder/death/kill Romanus forces, eventually heading for the heart of the Empire. For most readers, that simplicity will be good enough.
Thematic Exploration:
Thematically, Aric’s on a revenge quest, which seems to be the most common comic theme these days. Aric wants revenge for what was done to him and his allies. Pith wants revenge for the destruction of the Vine. And Thyra wants revenge for being betrayed.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
If you’ve followed the new partnership between Valiant and Alien Books, you may have heard about a forthcoming event called Resurgence, coming in September 2024. The event is intended to combine all the Valiant heroes to face a world-ending threat, but so far, this series is constrained to itself. Whatever developments that would push Aric toward Resurgence haven’t popped up yet.
Final Thoughts:
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X-O MANOWAR: INVICTUS #2 is a decent enough issue that puts Aric on the offensive to attack Ursus Nox where he lives. The action, pacing, and general atmosphere of the issue are solidly entertaining, and the cliffhanger ends on an unpredictable note.
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