During the early 1990s former Editor and Chief of Marvel Comics Jim Shooter struck out on his own and introduced Valiant Comics. The first books reintroduced modern readers to classic Gold Key Comics characters Magnus, Doctor Solar and Turok. All were extremely successful.Capitalizing on that success Valiant Comics introduced some new and original characters to readers that also proved highly successful.
Unfortunately because of the speculator glut of that time Valiant, like so many other independent publishers ceased publication, revived temporarily a few years later and faded away once again.
They say that the third time’s the charm so once again Valiant rises from the ashes and begins publication of its original character titles starting with X-O Manowar.
Robert Venditti provides the story and Cary Nord heads up the art. The story begins around 400 A.D. Aric the Visigoth has lost both his father and family to the Romans. Taking a small band of men with him he plans to free what’s left of his family. The only problem is that the Romans are not alone. Strange alien beings accompany them and they possess advanced weapons and technology.
Aric manages to escape and discovers the powerful alien armor known as X-O Manowar only to be recaptured. But, he now has a plan.
X-O Manowar #1 is a nice reintroduction to one of my favorite Valiant characters. I wish Valiant great success and hope to see a renewed interest in their titles.