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| X-O Manowar Issue 19 Story, Coloring, and Cover Art (Coloring) by Jorge Gonzalez |
Here's a few links to articles and sites I enjoyed.
The
Early 1990s was an explosive era in comics. Speculators drove the
market to new heights. Old companies took their last gasps, as they were
crowded out by newcomers. Valiant rode that market swell, and
unfortunately crashed with it also. But one man who helped steer
Valiant's ascendancy was Jorge Gonzalez. He's written a post on his blog
about his time with the company, and in particular, about his time
working on X-O Manowar. Here's a link to that post:
Jorge Gonzalez on Valiant Comics
Online magazine publisher Sequart Organization did a nice article on the
rise and fall of Valiant. Titled "Valiant Days, Valiant Nights," the
piece offers some fascinating glimpses of the company's history, and
interviews with people instrumental in the creation of X-O Manowar, such
as Bob Layton and Jim Shooter. Well worth reading.
Valiant Days Valiant Nights
Tony Bedard lettered X-O Issue 19. He went on to become a writer and
editor for CrossGen, Marvel, and DC. Here's an interview on his years at
CrossGen, in which he compares the company to Valiant, and discusses
his relationship with Valiant founder Jim Shooter:
Tony Bedard CrossGen Interview
Jim Calafiore penciled several covers and issues of X-O Manowar. You can
check out examples of his work, and read his weekly online comic
"Crooks & Nannies" at www.jimcalafiore.com
Jim Calafiore's website
Mike Cavallaro worked as an assistant colorist on X-O Manowar. He's
still active in the field today, working on a variety of projects for
major publishers. You can read his bio, and see examples of latest work
(such as Nico Bravo, Vulcan's Celestial Supply Shop, and Foiled) at his
website www.mikecalafiore.com
Mike Cavallaro's website
David Chlystek worked as a colorist on X-O Manowar. Valiant fans will
remember him as the person who suggested the name for another popular
Valiant character, Bloodshot. After Valiant, he worked for Marvel and
DC, and even published a few comics of his own, such as Megahurst, for
Image. Since then, he's become a much-in-demand storyboard artist for
animated TV shows such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. You can check out examples of his work on his website, and see all the TV work he's done on his IMDB page.
David Chlystek's IMDB page
Andrew Covalt worked as a colorist on X-O Manowar, doing interior and
color coloring. These days, he sculpts retro figures of classic comics
figures for retailers like Diamond, and paints backgrounds for animated
TV shows like Courage the Cowardly Dog and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
He's posted some of his painted backgrounds for these shows on his
blog:
Andrew Covalt's Painted Backgrounds
Steve Ditko had a long history in the comics field
before working as a penciler on X-O Manowar. He may be best well known
as the co-creator of Spider-Man, as well as his work on early Doctor
Strange and The Incredible Hulk. At Valiant, then-editor Jim Shooter had
trouble finding work for Steve, who held strong views on what a hero
should and should not be. The fact that he worked as a penciler on X-O
Manowar thus means he held Aric of Dacia in great esteem. You can read
Jim Shooter's reminiscences of Steve Ditko, and the early days of
Valiant, on these two posts from his blog:
Ditko at Valiant and Defiant Part 1
Ditko at Valiant and Defiant Part 2
Randy Elliot worked as an inker on X-O Manowar. He's worked on lots of
titles for other companies, including Bionicle, Scooby Doo, and Archie.
He's also done sketches and paintings for collectible trading cards. At
his website, you can see a gallery of his comics work (including a page
from X-O), other illustrations and paintings, and commission an original
sketch.
Randy Elliot's website
Few stores shows more Valiant
love than Knowhere Games & Comics. If you're a Valiant fan, you'll
enjoy the visit, whether you find an issue or variant cover you don't
have, or you just enjoy admiring all the posters, banners, standees, or
chatting with the owner Mathias about all things Valiant.
Knowhere Games & Comics
