After last week’s release of Unity #1 most readers couldn’t wait to see what X-O Manowar #19 held for Aric and his attempt to reclaim his homeland for his people. This issue pays off in a big way and is a perfect place for new readers to get on board.

Official Description from VALIANT:
All-new arc, all-new jumping-on point! X-O Manowar goes head-to-head against the forces of UNITY! Aric of Dacia has fought to reclaim the ancestral lands of the Visigoths – and he has bled for it. But nothing he has faced before can prepare him for the combined might of UNITY – and the deadly combination of Harada, Ninjak, Eternal Warrior and Livewire! New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Green Lantern) and Eisner Award winner Cary Nord (X-O Manowar: Planet Death) reunite for a landmark, standalone story arc at the heart of UNITY.

Now that Unity is officially underway, writer Robert Venditti, ties-in this issue after Aric has captured Ninjak with an intense sequence that’s less of an interrogation and more like a battle of wills between giants. It’s a short but brilliant debate on the logic of Aric’s attempt to bring back his home for the Visigoths. Aric’s desire is honorable and even understandable to a degree but terribly misguided which makes him an intriguing character to root for since it’s never been a black or white issue at hand.

The majority of this issue focuses on a new threat to Aric at the hands of one of his own and outside of Toyo’s Unity team and the Russia army. Volo will challenge Aric for his right to be king and the stand-off and battle begins after Aric tries to defend the honor of the dead Russia soldiers he killed in his fight with them. Again, he will kill for his right yet defend a fallen soldier’s honor even if it’s of the enemy. Honor is at the core of Aric soul and it shines brightly here.

Cary Nord’s art is simply gorgeous. At first glance it feels off putting but you quickly see that his style in comics is so uniquely his and takes a moment to take effect. Once it does it is stunning and a real work of art. The plain, stark backgrounds with muted and washy tones really place focus on what’s important and the details close up are a beautiful contrast. I could go on and on about his art but rest assured it’s bar none the unique and eye-popping work I’ve seen in a long time.

Venditti writes Aric with honor and complexity which is why X-O Manowar is a stand out Valiant title and with Nord’s art makes this my absolute favorite book this week hands down. New readers should jump on this book immediately and once you read it you’ll be sold on why it’s so good. X-O Manowar is truly hitting it’s stride and there’s no doubt only greater things lie ahead.

5/5