X-O Manowar #7: All The Covers & Why You Need Them

 

X-O Manowar #7 Cover A by Rahzzah

 

The artist known as Rahzzah has produced some stunning covers for this "Upgrade The World" story arc. For X-O Manowar #7, he produces what may be his most affecting yet. Finally, Aric confronts the nanite swarm not from the outside, but from within. He and Shanhara must take on the strange and devastatingly powerful consciousness known as the Hive Mind.* X-O Manowar plunges into this maelstrom of artificial intelligence, and...

Oops! Can't tell you any more, or the good folks at Valiant Comics might accuse me of throwing out too many spoilers! Sorry!

X-O Manowar #7 Cover B by Dexter Soy & Veronica Gandini

This is Dexter Soy's first cover for Valiant Comics.  Nonetheless, he captures the essence of what we love about X-O Manowar. Here Aric is flying toward us, grim and determined, sword raised as he prepares to battle whatever comes his way.

Like Rahzaah's cover, this could easily be considered a purely conceptual cover. But once again, I believe it relates to the portion of X-O Manowar #7 in which Aric and Shanhara take on the Hive Mind.* Read the issue, and decide for yourself.

X-O Manowar #7 Pre-Order Cover by Chris Johnson & Allan Passalaqua

As with last issue, Chris Johnson and colorist Allan Passalaqua give us another story-centric cover for X-O Manowar #7. Once again, Troy Whitaker's attempts to upgrade Shanhara prove problematic. The consciousness that inhabits the alien armor tries, but simply cannot reconcile herself to the changes the billionaire technology genius has programmed into her.

The way Aric seems to be clawing at his helmet, even as the armor weaves itself around his head, makes me wonder if Shanhara, in her desperation to enclose and protect Aric, isn't giving him a tight squeeze. Or maybe she hasn't adjusted the suit's internal atmosphere, so Aric can't breathe.

Lastly, Valiant Comics delighted us a while back with Dexter Soy's penciling and inking for Cover B. His Black & White image is certainly powerful. Still, I think you'll agree with me how much Veronica Gandini, one of those often-unsung comic book colorists, contributed to the overall beauty of the final cover. 

X-O Manowar #7 Cover B by Dexter Soy (Not for sale, sadly)

There you have it: all the covers for X-O Manowar #7, and why you need them. Many thanks to Valiant Comics for offering fans three beautiful cover options. Congratulations also to Rahzzah, Chris Johnson, Allan Passalaqua, Dexter Soy, and Veronica Gandini on your efforts. Great job, everyone!

Dragon Dave

P.S. *I didn't realize the Hive Mind was a nanite swarm. I thought the Hive Mind was Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the dynamic writing duo responsible for Valiant's upcoming series The Harbinger. I wonder: could the Hive Mind be both?