X-O Manowar #9

X-O Manowar #9 provides a compelling read of war and politics. Aric is makes a great impact as a character, Crains artwork is incredible, and every page left me more and more curious what would happen next. Matt Kindt has a real winner in this series. Read Full Review

Ultimately,while X-O Manowar #9 is a powerful look at the effects war has on people, cultures, and their way of life, this issue is a bridge from the previous three arcs (Soldier, GeneralandEmperor) to the upcomingBounty Hunters. And while one could say that Lemire could have made that bridge with a paragraph (hell, even a sentence) in the first few pages of that arc, had he done so we would have missed out on an incredibly dark comic that deserves to be read by anybody who visits a comic shop (or digital storefront)this Wednesday. Read Full Review

This is a series that has always been an entertaining one. What comic book fan who loves fantasy and sci-fi wouldn't love Spartacus in space? The thing that separates the series from the standard pulp of a bygone era is the meticulous care that has been placed into the story. There are consequences to actions, and it makes decisions meaningful. It is what makes this series great. Read Full Review

X-O Manowar (2017) #9 is yet another solid issue in a series that continues to impress. The overall quality of this series has, thus far, failed to waver in the slightest, and X-O Manowar remains to be one of the best series currently being published. Read Full Review

This issue does a great job of exploring the somber aftermath of recent battles and the idea that the planet may not actually be better off for having been liberated. However, there is a slightly repetitive quality to the script, as Aric does little more than fly from one location to the next, getting scolded by the very people he's been trying to help. Read Full Review

What can you say about Matt Kindt's writing? He can spin a tale out of anything this is pure gold and it's only issue 9! In my opinion this was a set up issue with hints at character development, because as I learned from Chris Claremont that is the making of great story telling. Read Full Review

"X-O Manowar" has the opportunity to use it's sci-fi setting to explore the effects of colonialism and how a byproduct of that structure could perpetuate it, if it gave itself more time to actually explore the issue. Read Full Review

GL Mike

Feb 11, 2018

The art alone is worth the price of admission and absolutely amazing! The story is best summed up by Schon who says to Aric, "you've won the battles, but you've lost everything else in the process."

Bill Blaze

Nov 27, 2017

Reminiscent of the modern day imperial invasions of MENA. Ghaddafi and Saddam are gone but their countries have collapsed into failed states. This issue deals with a similar aftermath.

Gizmo

May 17, 2020

The artwork is better than ever, and we find out that Aric is not necessarily as good an emperor as he is a warrior.