X-O Manowar #1: All the Covers & Why You Need Them

 

X-O Manowar #1 Cover A by Christian Ward

For this post, I thought I'd take a step back in time, and highlight the debut of the current X-O Manowar series. Valiant Comics rolled out an impressive array of covers to celebrate the launch. I thought you'd like to see them all again.

First up is this beautiful cover by Christian Ward. Is that the New York City skyline reflected on his visor? If so, I'm guessing the black shape is the damaged Vine spaceship falling through the atmosphere. I like the determination in Aric's face, as he races to catch it.

Can he prevent the alien spaceship from crashing and causing death and destruction?

X-O Manowar #1 Cover B by Jeff Dekal

Next up is one of my favorite covers--if not the favorite--from this entire run (although those recent Rahzzah covers have been mighty impressive). Is this Aric rejoicing after destroying an alien invasion fleet sweeping toward Earth? Is he cooling off a superheated Shanhara in Saturn's icy rings after protecting our world? How does the image speak to you?

This cover reminds me of why Aric of Dacia so embodies the term Valiant for me. Thanks to the good folks at Valiant Comics, a poster of Jeff Dekal's cover hangs in my bedroom. I gaze upon it regularly. It inspires and strengthens me in these difficult, pandemic times.

Yes, I know. Some of you think the pandemic is over. Well...

In any case, if you've ever wondered why I chose Jeff Dekal's beautiful painting for the banner of my blog, now you know.

(Still, those recent Rahzzah covers!)

X-O Manowar #3 Cover C by Rod Reis

This is a very intriguing image by Rod Reis. As Aric fires a blast of energy at something ahead of him, he also carries a laser sword into battle. Evidently he's going to cause what damage he can with his blasts, before diving in and finishing things off up close with his sword. 

I like how Aric has become the protector of New York City in this series. That's important, as Valiant Comics is headquartered there. Of course, he doesn't want anything to endanger Desmond and his mom, or any of the other residents in the neighborhood he now calls home.

Protecting loved ones from harm is always valiant.

X-O Manowar Pre-Order Cover by Greg Smallwood

Here's a cool (or hot) switch-up: two paintings in one! At one glance we see Aric both as modern-day X-O Manowar, and also as a 5th Century barbarian warrior, defending his Visigoth tribe from the armies of the Roman Empire. Fire seems a unifying theme: as Shanhara's laser-sword burns bright, fires rage on the battlefield behind Aric. 

Have the Romans razed all the wooden huts in Aric's 5th Century village? Is mighty X-O defending the Bronx against the Ukrainian warlord Yakiov? A very intriguing image!

X-O Manowar #1 Blank Cover

Do you like to draw your own covers? Do you enjoy having an artist do a personalized sketch for you at a convention? If so, you'll be glad to hear that Valiant produced a blank cover. Perhaps your local comic shop can still order one for you?

X-O Manowar #1 Retailer Incentive Cover by Raul Allen

Lastly, here's an impressive specialty cover, personally overseen by Travis Escarfullery, Valiant's Director of Design and Production. The cover may not have been extruded from Shanhara's living metal, but it was fashioned from bronze. It's a beautiful cover from the artist of Secret Weapons and the first story arc of Livewire. Although we didn't realize it at the time, the cover hints at at the way Shanhara gets upgraded in later issues.

Retailers had to order two hundred-and-fifty copies of X-O Manowar #1 to purchase one of these, so expect this cover to be pricey. Still, for the true blue and yellow (and red) X-O Manowar fan, and the collector who must have everything...

There you go: all the covers and why you need them. If you don't yet have all these X-O Manowar #1 covers, or just want one or two of the images that speak to you, happy shopping!

Dragon Dave