Booknote: X-O Manowar, Volume 1:Soldier

Matt Kindt, X-O Manowar, Volume 1: Soldier. New York: Valiant Entertainment, 2017. ISBN: 9781682152058.

Genre: comics and graphic  novels
Subgenre: adventure, science fiction
Format: e-galley
Source; NetGalley

This was a cool discovery for me from the folks at Valiant Comics. Aric of Dacia lived during the times of the Roman Empire on Earth. He was a warrior, so great a warrior than an alien race noticed his skill in war. The aliens kidnap him and made him into a slave. He escapes and then bonds with the X-O Manowar armor, a powerful weapon. He returns to Earth, but by now, it is our present time. That's the background. Our story opens years later. Aric has a new quiet life in a farm in some far off world, a new mate, and is trying to forget his past. However, war is not done with him. An alien army conscripts him, and he becomes a soldier once more, a fearsome one.

This comic grabs you from the start. There is a text prologue to give you the basics, and then we jump right into Aric's new life. Peace does not last long for him. Once he gets drafted, the fast pace and action do not stop. It is a fast and entertaining read with a good story. The strong art brings the story to life with good detail and color.

This is one to pick up. It is a comics title that is easy to get into, a rarity these days. It also recalls the spirit of adventure tales like Conan the Barbarian. If you enjoy that, you will likely enjoy this too. A pity this volume only had the first three issues. I wanted to keep on reading, so I will be seeking the rest of the series out.

This is a good selection for libraries with graphic novel collections.

5 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2017 Reading Challenges: