A Look Back at X-O Manowar #1 (1992)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Valiant Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a key part of the Valiant Comics universe through a tale of X-O Manowar.

Valiant – under the banner of Voyager Communications – was established in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and Steven Massarsky. This happened following their failed attempt to acquire Marvel Comics. Early on, Valiant hired several creators from Marvel and together they brainstormed to create an all-new shared superhero comics universe which will have varied characters of originally creations as well as some licensed creations. In 1991, the company officially launched with titles of Magnus: Robot Fighter and Solar: Man of the Atom.

In 1992, the first wave of Valiant’s original intellectual properties were launched starting with Harbinger in January followed by X-O Manowar in February.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-O Manowar #1, published in 1992 by Valiant Comics with a story written by the late Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart with art by Barry Windsor-Smith.

Early story

The story begins inside an alien space ship traveling through deep space. A brave Visigoth warrior named Aric fights hard against Spider Aliens which he referred to as hard-skins. Even though he is naked and surrounded, he is determined to kill the aliens which have kept him as their slave and prisoner for many years.

Using the makeshift map marked by blood on his right palm, Aric makes his way through the ship until he finds a futuristic, metallic armor which puzzles him as he anticipated something useful in his desperate fight against the aliens. As a Spider Alien approaches him, Aric remembered the map giver advised him to take the ring which he does.

Suddenly, the armor moves to fit into him. Aric calls the armor a good skin and he realizes that it is stronger than fire-light. By instinct, Aric fires a powerful energy blast which not only kills two Spider Aliens but also damaged the hull of the space ship leading him into outer space.

When the space ship blows up near him, the armored Aric is pushed down into Earth’s atmosphere landing him on a snowy hill. He takes the armor off, leaves it behind and walks away fully naked. He still has the ring with him…  

Quality

Reading this Valiant comic book is indeed a great experience and it has indeed aged well. Right from the start, Aric is the protagonist designed to lead readers to get immersed into the story, follow his experiences, learn from his views and discoveries, and experience his development.

The story Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart came up with had a really strong structure and the narrative moved at a consistent medium-pace which allowed readers to follow the developments and learn the details.

As the titular hero, Aric here is a man from the distant past of Earth who got abducted by aliens and spent time as a prisoner and a slave in space for a number of years (note: time on Earth moved faster due to time dilation) before finally being able to free himself using his bravery and the armor.

Aric was written to be a man out of time and in this comic book, you will see how he struggles to not only survive but also adjust to life in 20th century Earth. He no longer has his tribe and the ancient world he lived in has long passed away. With the ring still with him, Aric holds the key and the ability to control the armor, and this makes the people of Orb Industries (a company serving as a front of the Spider Aliens who turned out to be operating in Earth for centuries) bothered. As such, Orb sees Aric as prey (who tasted power with the armor) and they have so much resources to commit mass murder and destruction just to get to him.  

The build-up of the tale gradually intensified as the narrative moved on. The good news here is that the pay-offs are very rewarding to see. The spectacle is a mix of explosive scenes, shooting and superhero action with a strong science fiction flavor.

Conclusion

X-O Manowar #1 (1992) is absolutely a great comic to read and also one of the very best superhero introduction ever told. It has an adulterated tale that is believable and compelling to follow. By the time I reached the end of the story, Aric became a more relatable protagonist and I am convinced to follow the next issue. The story Shooter and Englehart came up with is indeed immersive and there Valiant shared universe itself became even more attractive to discover. There is no surprise that this comic book is one of the most significant comic book launches of Valiant.

Overall, X-O Manowar #1 (1992) is highly recommended!

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

🔊 #NowPlaying on #KEXP's #Expansions

Aric:
🎵 I Love Your Love (Gerd Janson Remix)

#Aric
#newRelease 🆕 single

https://runningbackrecords.bandcamp.com/track/i-love-your-love

https://open.spotify.com/track/1W1gWHXywnvqEXU2IgKzhH

Debunked: Israel’s latest attempt to say Palestinians bombed Al Ahli Hospital | Vox Political
https://voxpoliticalonline.com/2023/10/25/debunked-israels-latest-attempt-to-say-palestinians-bombed-al-ahli-hospital/

#Al Ahli #hospital #air strike #bomb #claim #Israel #Palestine #Hamas #terrorist #missile #debunk #disprove #New York Times #Aric Toler

In A Hora da Europa, in partnership with #ARIC, I talk about my amendments to the #REMIT and the #EMD
We should create a true #eletricitymarket, with more #transparency, #stability and #competitiveness, and which involves and protects consumers
@EPPGroup
@psdparleuropeu
@ppdpsd https://t.co/XElOxOFaoO

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/mgracacarvalho/status/1672185127080689665

Dichiarato lo stato agitazione all'#Aric (agenzia regionale informatica e committenza), a rischio i fondi del Pnrr

Ad annunciare lo stato di agitazione è Paola Puglielli, segretaria Funzione pubblica Cgil Abruzzo e Molise

State of agitation declared at #Aric (regional IT and procurement agency), Pnrr funds at risk

Announcing the state of agitation is Paola Puglielli, secretary of the Civil Service CGIL Abruzzo and Molise

26-5-2023 18:10 #IlPescara https://www.ilpescara.it/ https://www.ilpescara.it/economia/stato-agitazione-aric-regione-abruzzo-cgil-abruzzo-molise.html

In A Hora da Europa, in partnership with #ARIC, I address the need to make a green transition in the EU and call for investment in research and innovation.

Only in this way we can achieve cleaner and more affordable technology.

@EPPGroup @psdparleuropeu @ppdpsd

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/mgracacarvalho/status/1656271644103507969