Book Review: X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword by Robert Venditti

I quite liked this except that it ends at a point that needs more.

X-O Manowar, Volume 1: By The Sword
(X-O Manowar (2012- ) #1: Digital Exclusives Edition Kindle & comiXology
by Robert Venditti (Author) (Writer), Cary Nord (Artist), Stefano Gaudiano (Inker), Moose Baumann (Colorist)

ASIN : B01FIJ9XP0
Publisher : Valiant (May 2, 2012)
File size : 32876 KB
Print length : 35 pages
Genre: Comic, Graphic Novel, Sci Fi, Superhero
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

The beginning of the all-new Valiant Universe starts here!
Aric of Dacia is a brash warrior and heir to the throne of the Visigoth people. He has lived his life under the heel of the Roman Empire, but now a far more terrible enemy has come to subjugate him. Taken from his home and family, Aric is enslaved aboard a starship belonging to a brutal race of alien colonizers known as The Vine. If he is to have any hope of escaping and returning to Earth, he will have to steal the Vine’s most powerful weapon – a sentient suit of indestructible armor – and become X-O Manowar!

Review:
The Visigoth people have been battling the conquering Roman Empire for years. Aric of Dacia is the heir to the Visigoth throne and a brash warrior. He is ready to attack even as his uncle calls the troops to retreat in the face of the overwhelming numbers and superior weapons of the Romans. When Aric and a band of his soldiers seek to charge, they find themselves facing a brutal alien force instead of the Romans. They are taken captive by the aliens known as The Vine. Aric watches as the aliens hold a religious ceremony and pick their strongest warrior to step into a powerful sentient suit of armor. Although the warrior doesn’t survive the armor, Aric now plans to steal the armor and return as a superhero to his people on Earth.

I really liked the story and the bright, clear illustrations. I was ready to learn how Aric would steal the armor and what would happen to him if he did… But that would have to wait until the next book.

Apparently, this is a recreation of a Valiant comic series from the 1990s. I am definitely tempted to get the next book in the series but, on the other hand, I am not particularly inclined to commit to a series of 50 (plus?) editions at $2.99 each. This first episode is free and teases those who might really enjoy digital comics. Give it a try!

Source: December 25, 2018 Free Kindle Download. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021eBook, and 2021Alphabet goals.