Review: X-O Manowar #7
“Uneasy Alliances”
Published by Valiant Entertainment
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Lee Garbett
Coloured by Moose Baumann
The Plot
There is a flashback that helps explain how long the Vine have been on Earth. Back to the present and Alexander is trying to convince X-O to help resist the Vine’s invasion as he was partly responsible because he bonded with the armor in the first place. Ninjak is detected by X-O as he tries to sneak in, but still cleverly gains the advantage by gaining Alexander as a hostage (after another brief skirmish). Ninjak does not believe in Alexander’s story, but is soon convinced otherwise. At the same time in Deep Space, the Vine Invasion is preparing for battle, which leads to a conflict between Commander Trill and the priest. After some careful planning, Alexander and Ninjak are able to begin the initial stages of their own invasion with the aid of X-O!
The Breakdown
Another great issue. I am anxious to see both Ninjak and X-O take on the Vine as they (along with Alexander) will make a formidable force. Aric (X-O) is preparing to enter familiar territory as a war is looming on the horizon. The further explanation of the Vine as well as their prerogative was interesting as they are more than just a one-note invading race. The character of Alexander continues to be fleshed out as a conflicted individual caught between two difficult places. He doesn’t want to see the Earth destroyed and is even willing to pass on the opportunity to live in paradise with his brethren. Alexander also provides some significant insight into the Vine. I enjoyed seeing Ninjak continuing to use his wits and tricks to assist in being able to fight against X-O. He is outgunned and overpowered by X-O, yet Ninjak has been able to manage hanging with him. I am also looking forward to Commander Trill and X-O meeting up once again as their previous meeting almost seems like a long time ago. When Garbett originally took over from Nord it took me a few pages into that issue to catch on. I do miss Nord’s work, but at the same time, I am really enjoying Garbett’s work. He has stayed true to the artistic direction of the series and this has really helped with the transition. Also, he does really good action scenes, especially with Ninjak. The scene when Aric offered Ninjak some fruit made me laugh out loud. There were a lot of little details in the story that made it better and more cohesive. All in all, a great read.
BUT…
I can’t believe that I’m saying this because I am generally sick of company-wide crossovers, but the Vine invasion could actually work as an event. I didn’t feel like this until I saw them doing their training with their X-O looking armor. I think I’ll be perfectly happy with the story being contained within this book though because seeing X-O and Ninjak fighting the Vine will be pretty badass.
Buy It, Borrow It, Shelf Read It, or Ignore It?
Buy It. Then go and buy X-O Manowar Volume One: By the Sword for the low price of $9.99 on December 5, 2012. It’s a steal of a deal. Ninjak and X-O Manowar have two very different and distinct styles of engaging the enemy and I can’t wait to see how this plays out next issue. Valiant just continues to bring it each and every month.
