X-O Manowar #7 Review

 

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

In X-O Manowar #7, writer Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum opens with Shanhara having dropped out on Aric again. One minute she's there for him--his second skin--and the next he's naked. 

Exposed to the world. 

Defenseless.

While things like crashes and reboots are familiar to contemporary computer users, Aric isn't used to Shanhara malfunctioning on him. But then, he's let Troy Whitaker--a Human technology pioneer--attempt to improve his sentient armor made by aliens.

When your computer stops working, it only affects you. But when your suit's malfunction results in the destruction of part of a densely populated city, likely causing not just property damage, but also injuries and deaths, this raises the question of responsibility. The situation leaves Aric understandably flustered.

After all, his intent was to protect our world from dangers such as the growing nanite swarm.

 

Writer Matt Kindt's previous X-O Manowar series wrestled with the relationship between Aric and his sentient alien armor, as I suspect any X-O Manowar series must. Kindt often chose to deal with that unique partnership in brutal terms, with Aric denying Shanhara's sentience, and roughly using her as an object.

Or, perhaps more accurately, as a slave.

In the present series by writer Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum, Aric has made peace with Shanhara. As friends, the two formed a partnership with brilliant tech innovator Troy Whitaker. Sadly, in X-O Manowar #7, Aric, Shanhara, and Troy discover that while a superhero duo can be dynamic, a trio may lead to tragedy.

Aric finds Shanhara's frequent breakdowns and unreliability particularly heartbreaking, as he's recently formed a tight bond with the sentient consciousness inhabiting his armor. Still, that doesn't rock his trust his Troy Whitaker. It seems that, once Aric has pledged his friendship, it takes a lot for him to break faith with him.

Despite the hiccups in their relationships, and the setbacks they encounter, Aric and Troy continually try to save Earth from the dangers of the growing nanite swarm in X-O Manowar #7. Amid her struggles, Shanhara likewise attempts to provide what aid she can.

Yet there's a feeling of bleakness in X-O Manowar #7. Developments in this action-heavy issue suggest that this comfortable and supportive family Aric has forged may not last. Sometimes, as hard as you try to grasp hold of something precious to you, it crumbles away between your fingers.

What will our world be like at the end of X-O Manowar #7? Will the family Aric has forged survive this struggle? Are events as dire as the writer's nickname?

In X-O Manowar #7, writer Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum delivers a pulse-pounding blockbuster, filled with scares, drama, and the occasional touch of humor. As always, he leaves me anxiously awaiting the next installment of this exciting and engaging series.

Dragon Dave