Valiant is proud to present the X-O MANOWAR (2017) #19-22 PRE-ORDER EDITION BUNDLE – available only as a pre-order set to fans who reserve the next captivating jumping-on point, “AGENT,” with their local comic shop by the final order cut-off date (FOC) of September 3rd, 2018!
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Valiant is proud to announce X-O MANOWAR COMPENDIUM ONE – a MASSIVE, 800+ PAGE COLLECTION of the chart-topping, award-winning series that relaunched the Valiant Universe, released for the very first time in a value-priced softcover format!
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Valiant is proud to announce X-O MANOWAR (2017) #14 – a STAGGERING STANDALONE MILESTONE and ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT that will return Aric of Dacia to his home world after a year of cosmic conquest...and finally answer the monumental questions that have shadowed Earth's most powerful hero at every turn! On April 25th, the heart-wrenching revelation at the center of New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt's relentless sci-fi epic will be laid bare, as veteran artist Ariel Olivetti (Incredible Hulk) comes aboard for a blockbuster finale to X-O Manowar's blistering first year...and a new chapter begins as HARBINGER WARS 2 looms beyond the horizon!
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Valiant is proud to present your first lettered look inside X-O MANOWAR (2017) #11– the FIRST ISSUE of “VISIGOTH,” an ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT for 2017's best-selling comics powerhouse from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (ETERNITY, Mind MGMT) and astonishing artistRyan Bodenheim (The Dying & The Dead)! From “SOLDIER” to “GENERAL” to “EMPEROR”…to outcast! The whole of X-O Manowar's battle-fueled past year in the Valiant Universe has all led to this...and now the fate of Earth's last Visigoth – and the extraterrestrial kingdom he brought to order beneath his armored gauntlet – is about to be decided in blood and steel...
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Valiant is proud to present your first lettered look inside X-O MANOWAR (2017) #10 – an ESSENTIAL JUMPING-ON POINT featuring the first appearance of the most feared band of trackers the Valiant Universe has ever known! On December 27th, New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (ETERNITY, Mind MGMT) and blockbuster artist Renato Guedes (Wolverine) begin the march toward “VISIGOTH” – the next chapter in X-O Manowar’s critically acclaimed conquest – with an essential, standalone introduction to a cold and cunning band of interplanetary bounty hunters racing toward a singular goal: kill Aric of Dacia..or die trying…
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Valiant is proud to present your first lettered look inside X-O MANOWAR (2017) #7 – the FIRST ISSUE of AN ALL-NEW JUMPING–ON POINT for the chart-topping, cosmic epic that has rocked the Valiant Universe to its core! On September 27th, New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (ETERNITY, Mind MGMT) takes up arms alongside superstar artist Clayton Crain (RAI, Carnage)…and sends Aric of Dacia to his hard-fought place on the throne of the embattled world of Gorin! With a kingdom to claim and reign to begin, the warrior known as X-O Manowar plans to lead his people into a new era…until a monolithic threat from the stars forces him back into the line of battle!
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Valiant is proud to present your first look inside X-O MANOWAR (2017) #7 – the FIRST ISSUE of A POWERFUL NEW ARC and AN ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT for the most successful independent comic book series of 2017… One that will bring Aric of Dacia’s one-man conquest on a hostile alien world to its ultimate breaking point! On September 27th, “EMPEROR” starts here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (DIVINITY, Mind MGMT) welcomes aboard superstar artist Clayton Crain (RAI, Carnage) for a startling new chapter elevating X-O Manowar from the trenches of an extraterrestrial civil war…and into the throne of the galaxy’s most powerful seat of power…
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X-O Manowar is a very difficult comic to review. The problem is there’s almost nothing wrong with it. Every time I read the latest installment, I just want to say: “It’s awesome. Read it. Leave me alone.” This time, though, the story isn’t perfect, so I’ll have a little more to say.
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I need to go back and find out how Aric lost his damn hand and when the suit started going by its name and talking because Matt Kindt’s dialogue and characterization for these two is great. It’s vastly different from what Robert Venditti was doing with the character, but in a way continues the natural progression of the character. It’s not one of those hard shifts in comics that make you miss the previous creative team, but rather appreciate them more for getting the story to where it is now. It is my great hope that Matt Kindt will be given a solid 50 issues of X-O before he hands it off to someone else that understands the character as well as he and Venditti have.
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As revealed today during the #ValiantSummit 2017 event live from Twitch TV’s Hyper RPG studios in Los Angeles, Valiant Entertainment is proud to announce “ICONS” – an all-new wave of ongoing series, prestige format projects and standalone events spanning the Valiant Universe’s greatest heroes and top talents! Out of the record-setting success of X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 – the year’s best-selling series debut from any independent publisher – “ICONS” will continue throughout 2017 with one major new series launch each month, featuring the publisher’s most enduring heroes:
Read MoreToday at 2 pm ET / 11 am PT, I'll be at Twitch TV's Hyper RPG Studio in Los Angeles for Valiant's third annual #ValiantSummit media event, where you can expect a "blockbuster line-up" of reveals from guests like Christos Gage (Netflix's Daredevil), Eric Heisserer (Secret Weapons), Jody Houser (Faith), and Matt Kindt (X-O Manowar).
Read MoreIf you watch this trailer, you don't need to read my glowing review of the first issue of X-O Manowar... no wait... read it anyway. If you don't, then you're not internet friendly and fucking up my bounce rate and other analytical terms that really mean nothing to a small site like this one. What were we talking about? Oh, right, X-O Manowar is pretty bad ass. I'm tired of talking about the first issue, though; I wanna sink my teeth into Aric's... I mean the second issue already.
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Valiant is proud to present your first look inside X-O MANOWAR (2017) #2 – the next planet-shaking chapter of the EPIC NEW ONGOING SERIES launching Earth’s most formidable hero onto the frontline of an alien civil war that will leave no soldier unscathed! On April 26th, “SOLDIER” continues here as New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Divinity, Mind MGMT) and Valiant-exclusive rising star Tomas Giorello (Bloodshot Reborn, Batman & Robin) push the unstoppable X-O Manowar into the fiercest warzone he’s faced yet… Deep in the trenches, and locked in combat against an extraterrestrial war machine bent on extermination, must Aric of Dacia – wielder of the universe’s most powerful weapon – abandon his quest for a more peaceful life…and surrender to the warrior within?
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005 - Welcome back to another week of podcasting. Do you enjoy the every other week format? We hope so, but feel free to give us some feedback about the show, be that the content, the duration or the schedule. On to business, we have a new Unpopular Comic Opinion for you, spearheaded by Steve. On the Best/Worst Comic I read this week, we have Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps and Hungry Marie... we'll see which is which. Lastly, an advanced review for X-O Manowar #1, coming soon from Valiant Comics. Oh, I should mention that we had internet problems several times throughout so the video is way jacked up, but the audio is fine.
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The only reason this is getting posted is that Broomfield, CO is my hometown! That's right, represent... or something. But seriously, it is my hometown... and the only reason I'm posting this.
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It’s fair to say that in this new volume of X-O Manowar, Aric gives zero fucks. His fucks are in the red so much that the “fucks” bank might be foreclosing on his ass. Don’t misunderstand Aric’s lack of giving of fuck as a negative point on this comic. Instead, it's rather refreshing and amazing.
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As the all-new X-O MANOWAR #1 prepares to begin its war-ravaged journey into deep space on March 22nd, Valiant is proud to reveal that one of the year's most anticipated comics debuts will now ship in the VALIANT PREMIUM format -- a brand-new form of deluxe packaging created specifically for Aric of Dacia's battle-worn conquest of a savage alien world!
Read MoreToday, representatives of Valiant Entertainment, the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), and Geppi's Entertainment Museum are joining together at the Cadmus publishing plant in Richmond, VA to celebrate the 1,000,000th copy of X-O MANOWAR sold since the series' 2012 debut. The 1,000,000th copy will be removed directly from the presses today at Cadmus by Valiant representatives during the printing of the upcoming X-O MANOWAR #49 and subsequently entrusted to CGC's renowned team of preservation experts for grading and encapsulation. The one-of-a-kind, 1,000,000th copy – totaling all copies of X-O MANOWAR sold across print and digital in the United States and abroad since 2012 – will then be placed on display at Baltimore Comic Con 2016 before entering the permanent collection of the Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore, MD alongside the world's rarest and most valuable comic books. Valiant will also be offering fans at Baltimore Comic-Con 2016 the chance to join in the celebration of X-O MANOWAR’s 1,000,000th copy sold with the X-O MANOWAR 1,000,000th COPY COMMEMORATIVE SEAL. Fans who purchase or provide copies of X-O MANOWAR #49 (any cover) at the Valiant booth (#2008) will be afforded the opportunity to have their copy embossed with an official Valiant 1,000,000th copy seal – designed in honor of X-O Manowar’s legendary achievement and forever commemorating a new milestone in Valiant history – free !
"Valiant is privileged to enjoy a storied history with many millions of comics sold, legions of fans around the globe, and tremendous successes spanning nearly three decades. We're excited and proud to be adding to that legacy with today's milestone. This achievement, in particular, is noteworthy because it affirms the success that comes with a commitment to storytelling," said Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.
“Since the first issue hit stands in 2012, we had always envisioned X-O MANOWAR as an epic, long-term, 50-issue story for our signature hero. Today, as we stand on the cusp of that achievement, we are able to reflect on a title that has not only been one of the best-selling and best-reviewed books in comics every month since its launch, but one that is also about to print its 1,000,000th copy. That is simply incredible, and we owe a huge congratulations to Robert Venditti and all the artists and creators who have contributed along the way. Their work on X-O MANOWAR stands as a massive feat of long-form narrative and creative vision that is virtually unrivaled by any other series in recent memory.
As the launch series of "THE SUMMER OF VALIANT" initiative that defined the Valiant Universe for a new generation, X-O MANOWAR #1 by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern) and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord (Conan) debuted as the most successful independent series of 2012 and went onto to produce four sold-out printings of its first issue, as well as a myriad of year-end awards, nominations and "best of" citations from the industry’s most prestigious outlets. As the impetus for best-selling storylines like "ENTER: NINJAK" and "PLANET DEATH" and major crossover events UNITY and ARMOR HUNTERS, X-O MANOWAR continued to anchor the backbone of Valiant's award-winning publishing line over the course of writer Robert Venditti's unprecedented 56-issue run and set the tone and scale for the rest of Valiant's acclaimed series that would follow in its wake.
Now, Robert Venditti’s epic tenure is set to conclude with the 64-page X-O MANOWAR #50 series finale on September 28th and, with time, the title that forged the Valiant Universe anew has distinguished itself as one of the longest running and most renowned superhero series of the modern era.
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Born into battle, Aric of Dacia – heir to the throne of the Visigoth Empire – never knew peace. Raised under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire in fifth-century Europe, Aric’s entire existence was spent fighting a never-ending insurgency against history’s most brutal empire…until a far more terrifying enemy revealed itself and changed his destiny forever.
Abducted by a brutal race of extraterrestrials known as the Vine, Aric was forced into slavery on an alien world. Torn from his family, his people and his nation, he spent years plotting his escape…until the day came that he was able to seize a weapon of incalculable destruction – a sentient suit of alien armor – and become X-O Manowar!
Returning to Earth only to find that 1,600 years have passed during his journey across the stars, the world’s most primitive man now wields the universe’s most powerful weapon. Working in concert with Earth’s governments and other super-powered heroes like himself, Aric has defended the planet, brokered peace amongst the powerful, and even rebuilt his kingdom from the ashes of history.
But now he faces an unthinkable new foe far more terrible than any that have come before… They are The Torment – and their name means death. Thought to be a legend by the Vine, they have now become Earth’s violent reality. As old as the universe itself, they have traveled for eons to reach us…in search of Aric of Dacia and the unstoppable X-O Manowar armor. Can Aric challenge a seemingly omnipotent threat with motives beyond the comprehension of mortal men? Will the armor truly be our world’s salvation, just as the Vine’s myths foretold? And is this the beginning of the end for X-O Manowar – or the beginning of something even bigger?
Join the history-making celebration live as it happens today on all of Valiant's official social media accounts (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram) as Valiant's staff travels from New York, NY to Richmond, VA to pick the 1,000,000th copy right off of the publishing line alongside special guest Robert Venditti and representatives from CGC and Geppi's Entertainment Museum. Use the hashtag #XOONEMILLION to follow the 1,000,00th copy of Robert Venditti’s X-O MANOWAR sold on its journey from the printing press and into the annals of comic book history!
Finally, X-O Manowar’s march into the history books continues on September 28th in X-O MANOWAR #50 – the final issue of "LONG LIVE THE KING" and a blockbuster tribute to the series that set the Valiant Universe in motion from longtime scribe Robert Venditti and extraordinary artists Joe Bennett(52) and Roberto de la Torre (Daredevil)! Plus: Don't miss special guest appearances by Cary Nord,Doug Braithwaite (ARMOR HUNTERS), Diego Bernard (NINJAK), Rafa Sandoval (Green Lantern), and Robert Gill (BOOK OF DEATH), Jody Houser (FAITH) & Javier Pulido (Amazing Spider-Man),Matt Kindt (DIVINITY II) & Tomas Giorello (4001 A.D.: WAR MOTHER), Philip Tan (Suicide Squad), and more along the way!
Also running through each issue of “LONG LIVE THE KING," Valiant is marking the road toward X-O Manowar’s landmark issue #50 finale with the X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY, running through each issue of “LONG LIVE THE KING“! For no extra cost, each issue of “LONG LIVE THE KING” comes bagged with one of 50 exclusive, 4-by-6 inch “micro-prints” featuring the one and only X-O Manowar as realized by a sensational cast of comics’ biggest talents – or full-blown, beautifully rendered original artwork randomly inserted in each issue!
Last issue saw a great deal of action and a new, unstoppable villain in The Torment. This issue, on the other hand, we have a whole series of uneventful events. Aric sulks that he could do nothing to stop The Torment. He rips Ninjak a new one for doing nothing when the Torment tore up the Visigoths. While donning the X-O helmet, Aric has a vision of the Torment that reveals a little something to him, but not much to the audience. A whole panel is dedicated to Gin-gr admiring a flock of seagulls. And in the last two pages, the action hits.
I know the anticipation lies in the buildup to the big fiftieth issue, but this issue feels like such a placeholder that I wonder how the master storyteller Robert Venditti allowed this banal issue to slip 
by. Don’t get me wrong: X-O, even at its lowest point (like this issue) far exceeds in quality over 95% of the books on the shelves. But I know Venditti can do better than what happened in issue 48.
We, the readers, felt the dread and despair in the wake of the Torment’s attack last issue. We did not need a whole chapter of X-O dedicated to Aric and the others sitting around and crying that they just got their asses handed to them. For 47 issues Aric rose above the most insurmountable odds with a never-surrender attitude. This version of the Visigoth king feels like a brooding and whiney individual. If this is intentional for the sake of the upcoming events, then I applaud Venditti for developing a deeper side to Aric’s character and making him the modern equivalent to Odysseus lamenting over the need to go off and adventure. Hell, Venditti is a great writer, and I will more than likely be eating my words. For now, I just don’t get the point of X-O #48.
Because this book is so much better than so many comics out there, I have no basis for comparison of judgment, save for other issues in this series. Therefore, compared to other X-O chapters, issue 48 struggles from lack of any action that propels the plot or explores character.
Achieving one issue of a comic is a milestone. Getting to number fifty deserves accolades, especially when the book redefines the action comic genre. But I will not let Venditti off the hook when he offers a placeholder episode like this. Work up to a big story milestone, like you have done before, Mr. Venditti. Do not temper your pacing with such a lull prior to the big moment. Build action with action. You have achieved it so well before, don’t let us down now.
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X-O Manowar #48 Writer: Robert Venditti Artist: Joe Bennett Publisher: Valiant Comics Price: $3.99 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital
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