X-O Manowar #48 Review

Doom & Gloom

Written by: Robert Venditti

Art by: Joe Bennett, Marcio Loerzer, Belardino Brabo and Ulises Arreola

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 27, 2016

Review by: Branden Murray

Your favorite longest running Valiant hero, X-O Manowar, is back for some more butt kicking action in the forty eighth installment of his long running quest to protect the people of New Visigoth.  When we last left the shiny blue and gold clad warrior, Western Nebraska was invaded by a Galactus type entity with nefarious intentions called the Torment. So, as we near the end of this critically acclaimed series, let’s see how Aric, confronted with his greatest nemesis, handles this pickle he’s stuck in the middle of.

Things kick off with a grizzly scene as we see the aftermath and terror left behind in New Visigoth from the Torment.  X-O saved who he could, but ultimately failed and had to retreat with everyone left headed for a top secret G.A.T.E. facility.  On the way, we see Aric taking this loss especially hard and questioning any plan put forth against such a strong enemy. This is normally where I would insert a smart ass comment or joke but shits just too real.

Just as X-O begins to receive encouragement and motivation to continue the battle, I’m going to jump to a conclusion and assume his armor grants X-O with a vision of his enemy. The vision combined with some exposition from their giant robot companion, Gin-Gr, reveals the Torment is essentially a literal soul sucking villain. They move from world to world and take people’s memories and feelings back with them, leaving slaughter in their wake. The Torment “have no interest in what we are (as humans) only who they are” which is an interesting twist to add at this point in the ballgame. An over the plate home run for Mr. Venditti with that move...didn’t see that coming!

Just as our heroes possibly assume and pray that the Torment have taken enough from this planet and possibly moved on, another attack occurs this time in Manhattan. Now I wasn’t the best student and I don’t do research per Weird Science policy, but I would think Manhattan is a much more populated area than Western Nebraska so this is bad bad news.  

Just as G.A.T.E. and X-O begin to amass the troops and start to leave and fight the Vine, who seemingly high tailed it out of town last issue return to unleash their own brand of hell of Manowar and company.  As the Vine scream for X-O to show his face our issue ends and we are left anticipating a big throw down next issue.  

Bits and Pieces:

While this issue slows the pace of our story a bit from the initial start to the arc, it gives us the necessary motivation to understand our villain’s sudden appearance. The art as usual is amazing and I’m always very impressed at how detailed not just the characters are, but the world around them is as well. Although issue forty eight isn’t as exciting as our last effort in the series, it builds momentum necessary going forward to have a huge finish for our final two issues. Don’t fret, X-O Manowar will go out with a bang.

8/10