X-O MANOWAR: UNCONQUERED #1 – Comic Review

X-O MANOWAR: UNCONQUERED #1, from Valiant Entertainment on March 22nd, 2023, weaves a new tale of Aric’s adventures when a ruthless warlord from space sets his sights on Aric’s armor.

The Details

• Written by: Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad
• Art by: Liam Sharp
• Colors by: Liam Sharp
• Letters by: Troy Peteri
• Cover art by: Liam Sharp (cover A)
• Comic Rating: Teen+
• Cover price: $3.99
• Release date: March 22, 2023

Is It Good?

X-O MANOWAR: UNCONQUERED #1 is just okay. It’s a simple story wrapped in jaw-dropping art hindered by a tone that’s trying too hard to feel epic. If the picture you have of X-O Manowar is Conan in Space Armor, this issue will work for you. If, however, you believe Aric has a more distinctive voice than a stoic barbarian, you’ll find the tone a bit odd and not at all consistent with the previous arcs.

Cloonan and Conrad’s story centers on Aric intercepting an asteroid heading for Earth, only to find out the asteroid is the harbinger of an attack, and the attackers are ultimately intent on claiming Shanhara (Aric’s armor) for themselves. Everything about this first issue says “BIG”. There’s a big weapon attack, followed by a big explosion, which sends Aric crashing to an icy planet where he’s attacked by a big monster, and then the warlord’s forces arrive in a big ship. The creators put in extra effort to make the issue feel big, so at least superficially, it works.

The odd point of this issue is that the bigness feels like the creators are trying too hard. When you peel back the layers, the plot is pretty simple, so the bigness feels like style over substance. Imagine hiring a 50-piece orchestra for an 8-year-old’s birthday party, and you’ll get the picture. It’s overkill for the plot, as written.

The second oddity is Aric’s speaking voice. The characterization of Conan in Space Armor is not an exaggeration. With the dialog written for Aric, you’d half expect him to take a pause and say, “Shanhara! What is best in life?” before he struts off to slay a dragon with a spork. Aric’s voice and personality are tonally odd enough to almost be offputting.

It sounds like we’re down on this issue, but to be clear, it’s not bad. But for longtime readers of X-O, the intangible oddities may throw you off.

Let’s talk about the art. This issue is some of Liam Sharp’s finest work, and the word “epic” applies as a chief compliment to Sharp’s execution. The visuals present the story as a noble space opera of the highest order. Regardless of the writing, the art is sumptuous.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

We begin with a seer peering at Aric, aka X-O Manowar, as he lays waste to cities. It’s unclear how Aric came to this state of destruction as the seer loses her vision. She soon shifts her attention to Aric in the now as he flies to intercept an asteroid headed for Earth. The mission is successful, but the resulting explosion sends Aric hurtling down to an ice planet with barely enough power to survive.

Soon, Aric regains consciousness as Shanhara (his armor) works its magic to heal him and protect him from the elements. Aric and Shanhara discover the asteroid was man-made and the precursor to an alien attack. Between surviving the cold and fighting giant ice lizards, Shanhara barely manages to regain enough power for full armor mode.

We conclude the issue with an icy invitation, a trap, and a warning.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.

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