Review: X-O MANOWAR #14

X-O MANOWAR #14
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Cary Nord
Release Date: June 26, 2013

XO_014_COVER_LOZZIVenditti and Nord storm through the end of Planet Death, bringing a small conclusion to what they began over a year ago with X-O Manowar #1.

With issue #14 Robert Venditti shows he’s been playing the long game with X-O Manowar so far. The conclusion of the Planet Death arc rounds out what has effectively been a 14 issue story of Aric harnessing the power of the armour and bringing vengeance down upon the Vine who changed his life forever. Venditti’s Aric lets it all loose in this issue, hitting the Vine with everything he’s got in a brash fashion unlike many other characters in comics. The character’s voice grows stronger with each issue, and issue #14 is proof that he is one of the most steadfast and powerful characters in comics. Venditti’s dialogue throughout the issue is excellent, showing conflict within the upper echelons of the Vine while all hell breaks loose by Aric’s hand. The pacing of this issue is fantastic, blending slower moments with the breakneck pace of the revolution to create a huge amount of tension throughout the issue. The action sequences warrant being the conclusion of an arc called Planet Death, and the issue provides solid resolution to what Venditti has been building toward these 14 issues. Venditti caps the issue with a situation that is both exciting and ominous, and a great lead in to issue 15.

Cary Nord’s art is the strongest it has been through this arc, with great colours from Moose Baumann. Nord’s inking work is coming into form and his layouts within this issue are excellent. They provide an excellent visual compliment to Venditti’s script, filling the issue with an energy and spark befitting the story being told. Nord and Baumann are a strong battery and Valiant has done well pairing the two. Their work gives X-O a grand feel that fits the high octane nature of the title and this issue is very well served by their work.

The future is bright for X-O Manowar if the quality stays as high as what is found in issue #14. This is an energetic and action filled issue that rounds out what has been a strong arc in a well crafted series. The anchor of Valiant’s line is definitely worth checking out as this comic holds its own with many of the Big Two superhero books on store shelves today.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Authors

Related posts

Top