X-O Manowar #2: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions

X-O Manowar #2 is the perfect comic for anyone who has ever wondered, is X-O Manowar just another dude in a suit like Ironman? If so, why not just read Ironman? Dennis Hallum dives unapologetically into what makes Aric different from other armor wielding characters. He’s not a diplomat and not a smile for pictures and hug babies kinda hero. Instead he’s a battle hardened warrior king who has been so busy with conflict he’s never bothered to choose for himself just what he represents as a hero on Earth beyond destroying evil.

The introduction of the double talking business mogul Troy Whitaker helps nail this point, Aric is a meat and potatoes kinda guy in a not so straightforward world. Can he truly make an impact without dabbling in shades of grey or is Whitaker right and Aric needs to learn to play the game? The dichotomy of their vastly different perspectives adds entertainment but also real weight to the question posed here: “What would it take to truly be a hero in the modern world?”

The art team of Emilio Laiso, Ruth Redmond and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou brings these elements together perfectly. Balancing bright action and high impact energy with just the right sprinkle of humor and gravitas. Valiant needed the A-Team to really sell this new direction and they succeeded in spades.