X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword (X-O Manowar #1) by Robert Venditti, Cary Nord (Artist), Stefano Gaudiano (Inker), Moose Baumann (Colorist)

Published By: Valiant Entertainment, LLC on December 5, 2012
Format Read: Paperback (112 pages)
Genre: Sci-fi/ Superheroes/ Historical
Series: Volume One of X-O Manowar
Source: Gifted Subscription to Comic Bento
Rating: FOUR  STARS

~Amazon~ 
Aric of Dacia is a brash warrior and heir to the throne of the Visigoth people. He has lived his life under the heel of the Roman Empire, but now a far more terrible enemy has come to subjugate him. Taken from his home and family, Aric is enslaved aboard a starship belonging to a brutal race of alien colonizers known as The Vine. If he is to have any hope of escaping and returning to Earth, he will have to steal the Vine’s most powerful weapon – a sentient suit of indestructible armor – and become X-O Manowar!

This volume of the acclaimed, breakout series by New York Times best-selling author Robert Venditti (The Surrogates, The Homeland Directive) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan)!

Collecting: X-O Manowar 1-4

VERDICT:

REVIEW:

I was pleasantly surprised by how great this time traveling, alien adventure is. It was funny, engaging and full of action. Aric is a wonderful protagonist who wants to defend the Visgoth people and his honor at all costs. When the story begins in 400 AD, Aric is Visgoth Warrior leading his men to battle. Despite being quickly captured by aliens and facing technology he has never seen before, he was able to  adjust to his circumstances and rise up to escape the grasp of The Vine Alien's. The action while non-stop is accompanied by a fast paced plot, that hints at more mystery and intrigue to come.

This first volume included characters to love, plots to remember and well done art work. The Vine alien's are intelligent but uncaring towards humans. They enslave Aric and other Visgoth people they capture so that they can care for their extensive revered gardens. I'm excited to learn more background and history, about the Visgoth and The Vine in later volumes.

This short volume ends introducing a story arc set in present day. I can't wait to see how Aric adapts and maneuvers in present times while facing time traveling enemies. I noticed the diversity of the individuals illustrated in present day. I would recommend this  comic to readers who enjoy science fiction, action and historical fiction.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Venditti is the New York Times best-selling author of The Homeland Directive and the sci-fi graphic novel series The Surrogates, the first installment of which was adapted into a feature film. He currently writes the ongoing monthly comic book series X-O Manowar, Wrath of the Eternal Warrior, and Green Lantern. His debut children's novel, Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape: Attack of the Alien Horde, was released by Simon & Schuster in June 2015.Website
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