X-O Manowar #3 Covers Part 1

 

X-O Manowar #3 Cover A by Christian Ward

While we await the stirring climax of Dennis Hopeless Hallum and Emilio Laiso's run in X-O Manowar #9, I'm looking back at how we got here. X-O Manowar #3 showcased Aric battling a Hawaiian volcano and a Southern California wildfire. It also featured the first appearances of Shanhara's new look and the nanite swarms, the latter being portions of the singularity that threatens New York City in X-O Manowar #9.

And then there's Yakiov. Yeah, you remember Yakiov. That crazy Ukrainian warlord, who's formed a personal obsession with our man Aric. Gotta love Yakiov...

Anyway, on to the covers. Christian Ward's Cover A reminds us of a significant moment in X-O Manowar #1, which is the reason Aric now resides in Tina and Desmond's home. It also pays homage to Superman's first appearance in Action Comics #1 back in 1938. Someone even calls Aric a superman in X-O Manowar #3!

I like all the lights shining behind Aric, and the blue wavy light distortion up front. I also like that he's so strong and confident that he's holding the car up with one hand. It's like he's getting reading to throw a long game-saving pass in a football game.

Incidentally, that's American football, for all you Valiant-loving international readers.

X-O Manowar #3 Cover B by David Nakayama

David Nakayama has done some terrific covers for Valiant recently. Some impressive examples include his covers for Rai #9 and Ninjak #1. The man has a gift for imbuing his covers with a strong 3D effect, as you can see.

The way Shanhara is unraveling (or reforming?) reminds me of a crucial moment when Aric is battling the wildfires, only to then be attacked by the nanite swarm. If you don't remember that scene, take a moment to give X-O Manowar #3 another read, as it's central to this run.

Sure, I'll give you a helping hand, Aric. Can you stretch a little closer to me?

 

X-O Manowar #3 Cover C by David Lopez

David Lopez's cover seems more conceptual than tied to story events. Still, it's interesting that he shows hints of red on Aric's shoulders, as well as a red reflection on his leg. So that could be hinting at the change to Shanhara's appearance that will occur in X-O Manowar #3.

Alternatively, combine the red accents with the green reflections on his side. That could suggest the wildfires and the green nanite swarm he battles in this issue.

Of course, X-O Manowar #3 came out on December 23rd last year. Why shouldn't Aric help usher in the holiday season? And if you don't have Cover C, or any of these three terrific covers, why shouldn't you hunt down a copy and place it under the Christmas tree for your favorite X-O Manowar fan?

Dragon Dave 

Ninjak #2 Pre-Order Extras

Ninjak #2 Pre-Order Cover by David Lopez

 

As with Ninjak #1, the Ninjak #2 Pre-Order cover features a gorgeous painting that best conceptualizes the issue's story. While it doesn't highlight Ninjak (and Myna's) fight with the bounty hunters, it shows them on the run, with the psiot known as the Kingmaker following their every move.

Even if you're not a rabid fan who picks up every cover, the Pre-Order edition gives you a small version of the artwork that graces each one. You'll also get this close-up of the final page, featuring Ninjak without the background.

 

 

You'll get to see some of Javier Pulido's uncolored artwork. Here's an image of Mr. Growling Guy. In Black & White, the distorted, fish-eye perspective seems more pronounced.

 

You'll learn more about the Kingmaker, as well as the organization Daylight, which he and his sister run. If you haven't picked it up elsewhere, you'll even learn his sister's name!

 

Once again, the best feature remains Myna's field reports. I don't know if she wrote these on postcards, or if she sent copies to Valiant along with MI-6. In any case, I appreciated learning more about the trio. Thanks for putting us in the know, Myna!

Dragon Dave

Ninjak #2 Review: Knowledge is Power

 

Ninjak #2 Pre-Order Cover by David Lopez

In Ninjak #2, writer Jeff Parker and artist Javier Pulido introduce Ninjak and Myna to three superpowered bounty hunters. The first is a woman who flies and uses weather as a weapon, the second is a steel-skinned giant, and the third is a gargoyle-like creature. This trio wishes to cash in on a reward they've been offered for Ninjak's head.

Between you and me, I'm not sure the bounty hunters understand the enormity of the task they've taken on. They've read the classified information that the organization known as Daylight made public. Don't they know how many others have tried--and failed--to capture or kill the incredible Colin King?

 

Before the bounty hunters derailed the train, Ninjak had intended to return Myna to safety in England. After all, Colin is used to working alone, and the young agent is only on her first field assignment. She certainly looks to be in shock, when she gazes down at the wrecked train car she and Colin traveled in.

Yet when Colin urges her to flee, she offers to stay and help.

Colin doesn't know who these bounty hunters are, or the full extent of their powers. So his first strategy is to turn each one against the other.

 

Initially, he achieves some success with this, as the bounty hunters are naturally competitive.

Then he notices Myna is still there. Even though the bounty hunters are only after him, she lingers because she believes she can help him. As skilled and experienced as he is, Ninjak finds it difficult to see how.

Still, he seems touched by her concern.

 

In addition to emphasizing the mood or feel of a scene through his use of color, artist Javier Pulido has a way of flipping your perspective. Consider this panel, which consumes the upper half of a two-page spread. 

You have to think for a moment to realize that Ninjak's flying upside down through an overturned train car. Javier's colored the scene blue because of the stream of cold wind and hail the bounty hunter blasted Ninjak with. Oh, and then there's the sound effect, which gives you the crack of thunder to accompany the lightning.

Incidentally, the train car Myna and Colin traveled in had crashed on its side. So Myna's followed Colin's orders, and opted to wait out the battle in another one. She's obviously surprised by his explosive appearance. But despite whatever happened in the first train car that shook her, she's not traumatized.

 

It's not only the bounty hunters who are consumed with the power of three in this issue. After the flying bounty hunter hurtles Colin through the upside-down train car in the above panel, Myna offers to help a third time. This time, Colin proves more amenable. To his surprise, she renders him vital assistance.

Rest assured, when Myna and Colin leave the vicinity of the train wreck, he no longer plans on taking her to safety, and continuing the fight against Daylight alone.

 

 

Speaking of Daylight, in the second section of Ninjak #2 you'll learn more about this brother and sister team that made the closely guarded secrets of MI-6 public knowledge. Intriguingly, all these scenes are colored red. Also, you'll find a two-page layout that requires some work to follow. But if you think that's the most that artist Javier Pulido will demand of you, think again.

The third and final section of Ninjak #2 will bring you to a locale first hinted at on the inside front cover. This two-page layout will keep you guessing, even after several readings, if you've charted the correct path. 

 

 

The way Javier Pulido challenges the reader in this issue, by breaking the natural progression of panel arrangement, reminds me of those Make Your Own Adventure novels that were popular a few years (or decades?) ago now. 

If you want Ninjak and Myna to flee the Dragon, turn to page 43. If you want Ninjak and Myna to fight the Dragon, turn to page 48. 

Remember those? Perhaps that's part of the charm of Pulido's retro-style art. It evokes earlier eras that we remember fondly.

Ultimately, this issue reminds us of the importance of working with and relying on other. The story emphasizes the need to fully understand the world around us, and the obstacles that beset us, before we can overcome them. At its heart, you could say that Ninjak #2 is about teamwork, friendship, and the power of knowledge.

Yes, Jeff Parker: you've made me obsess about the power of three!

In closing, I'll leave you with this panel from Ninjak #2. Myna shares her thoughts with us as she watches Colin use her help to formulate a new strategy to combat the bounty hunters. Despite the wide array of weapons he has mastered, she realizes that Colin King doesn't rely on weapons to achieve his objectives. 

He is the weapon.

He is Ninjak.

Dragon Dave

Ninjak #2 Spotlight: Coloring

 

Ninjak #2 Pre-Order Cover by David Lopez

Once again, Valiant Comics has served up a stunning Pre-Order cover that captures the heart of what this issue is about. Here we see Ninjak and junior Mi-6 agent Myna on the run, ready for the next attack that awaits them. Meanwhile, overlooking them is the brother from the brother-and-sister psiot team who read MI-6 manager Neville Alcott's mind in Ninjak #1. 

Remember, it was these psiots who shared the identities of MI-6 secret agents with the world. Their disclosure of Neville's closely guarded secrets painted a target on Ninjak and Myna's backs.

Great job on a fantastic cover, David Lopez!

In this introductory panel, we see the flying bounty hunter condemning Ninjak and Myna to death. Only Ninjak and Myna have a normal skin color. The bounty hunter's skin looks a little too yellow to me, as if she's glowing with the electricity she channels.

Also, the sky is beige or the color of a Caucasian who, like this reviewer, doesn't get out in the sun all that much.

This 3-part title panel has a black background. Even Ninjak seems somewhat obscured by darkness. The flying bounty hunter is suddenly all teal green, like the G on her belt buckle. The bright white of the titles and the lightning emphasize that this story is about casting light on secrets intended to be locked away in the dark.

Here we see our growling bounty hunter in silhouette. As artist and letterer Javier Pulido uses color so thematically, I wonder if he's signaling the dubious morality of the missions MI-6 has often sent its agents out on. There are reasons why Ninjak left the MI-6 program, after all. 

Not only is the bounty hunter painted black, but Ninjak and Myna are both wearing black. Is Pulido signaling that all three individuals are tarred by their professions?

Notice that Myna is also wearing teal pants. All three bounty hunters sport teal on their outfits. Could Javier Pulido be suggesting some sort of link between her and her attackers?

Here the immensely strong, metal-skinned bounty hunter holds up the train car. The train car is colored with red stripes. Red typically signals some sort of accident or emergency.

I can't help but notice the sky is a yellow-brown. Well, the flying bounty hunter's skin is yellow-brown. She does kind of own the sky in this issue.

Here's another shot of the growling bounty hunter. You'll notice that despite his purple skin, he's also wearing the teal green that unites the three team members. In a coloring sense, I'm most intrigued by why Javier Pulido left the background white here. 

He certainly doesn't leave a background white in many panels. Perhaps it had something to do with the overall composition of this page?

 

 

Next, the metal-skinned teal-colored bounty hunter slams down the train and hurls it away. Notice how the teal he wears overtakes not only the sky, but also the train? Even the red stripes on the train are obscured by the power he exerts.

The teal sky in the next panel intrigues me, as the flying bounty hunter is attacking Ninjak. Usually the sky is yellow-brown, like the flying bounty hunter's skin. Does this suggest the metal-skinned giant has, at least momentarily, overwhelmed the mood of the characters by his display of strength? 

Or does the teal sky, when the flying bounty hunter attacks him with a stream of hail, indicate how cold it makes Ninjak feel?

Okay, one last picture, and then we're done. I promise.

Below, in the left-hand panel, we see the sky yellow-brown, colored just like the flying bounty hunter. Then we see teal sky in the adjacent panel. In the first panel, she's in her domain. In the second, she's sending another attack his way. The energy she's summoning is so intense that it's white, and consequently devoid of color. Yet at the center of her palm, the energy she summons has colored her skin a light teal.

Does the teal and sky color in the latter panel go with her words, that you can't fight nature? Well, a natural sky is blue. At least, it is when there's no wildfires burning nearby, or volcanoes filling the sky with gases and ash, or a flying bounty hunter shooting lighting and hail at our heroes.

In Ninjak #2, Javier Pulido gives us much to think about in his usage of color. But then, that's the power of employing a limited color palette, especially when dealing with secret agents, bounty hunters, and ninjas.

Dragon Dave

Savage #2: All The Covers & Why You Need Them

 

Savage #2 Cover A by Marcus To

Cover A for Savage #2 looks wild, doesn't it? These guys Kevin Sauvage (aka Savage) is fighting remind me of Deinosuchus, the prehistoric "terrible crocodile," and the ancestors of our modern alligators and crocodiles. More important, it reminds me of how Aric of Dacia fought dinosaurs in the pit arena in the 1990s X-O Manowar series (as part of the Unity crossover). Old School Conan the Barbarian fans may also remember a Roy Thomas written story, in those early Marvel Comics issues, in which Conan fights off an army with only the chain to which he was once manacled. 

Well done, Marcus To!

 

Savage #2 Cover B by Michael Walsh

Cover B is another mock advertisement, akin to the Retailer Incentive cover for Savage #1 by artist Stacey Lee. This time, instead of hawking shampoo and conditioner, Kevin Savage is the poster child for cologne named after him. At the same time, it also pairs nicely with Savage #1 Cover B by Christian Ward, which I call the Social Media cover. Best of all, retailers won't have to purchase a certain number of issues to get this cover, so if you missed out on the Savage #1 Stacey Lee Cover, you should easily snag this beauty. 

Beautiful job, Michael Walsh!

 

Savage #2 Pre-order Cover by David Lopez

 

Whoa! This Pre-order cover is hot stuff! If you picked up the Savage #1 Pre-order cover, you'll know there was an encyclopedia entry on the dinosaur on the cover. I can't wait to pick up my copy of this beauty. Hopefully, they'll be another entry on this guy. I love learning about new dinosaurs!

Most intriguing, David Lopez!

If you haven't ordered your copy of Savage #2, head down to your comic shop first thing Wednesday, March 17, so you can secure your favorite cover, if not all three!

Dragon Deinosuchus Dave

X-O Manowar #3 Review: When Priorities Collide

Cover A by Christian Ward

 

In Valiant Comics' new X-O Manowar #3, writer Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum takes us to Hawaii, where Aric works inside a volcano to divert the lava flow. 

Lava flows creep slowly but relentlessly upon homes and villages. Nothing natural or man-made can stop them. People all over the world sit before their televisions for weeks and months, watching news coverage of the devastation--until these Acts-Of-God cease. 

Thankfully, Aric possesses extraterrestrial armor, driven by an alien consciousness called Shanhara. Guided by Shanhara, as well as billionaire industrialist Troy Whitaker, our 5th Century Visigoth has two counselors to help him accomplish what would ordinarily be impossible.

That doesn't necessarily mean the two will agree on what Aric should say or do or think.

 

While Aric aids local Hawaiians, his thoughts return to the Ukraine. Warlord Vlad Yakiov overturned Aric attempts to orchestrate an end to civil war, killing thousands in the process. Troy has counseled patience, which isn't a virtue that comes readily to Aric. In time, Troy argues, he will help Aric overthrow Yakiov's coup, and bring peace to the troubled country.

 

While Aric yearns to accomplish something substantive, Troy reminds him that, in order to get people to accept him, he must first engage in "Humanitarian Aid" that wins over their hearts and minds. Build up his street cred first, so to speak.

 

While Aric is correct about the preeminence of saving lives, Troy is correct that saving people's homes matters too. Sometimes, preserving one's way of life, and the things that matter to them, is even more important than one's continued existence. Or at least, it often seems that way.

Why else would the residents of Kalapana have worked so hard to save their beloved Star of the Sea church, when the advancing lava flow destroyed most of the Hawaiian community in 1990?

 

While Aric may doubt the necessity of saving homes, and Shanhara and Whitaker debate the wording of Aric's heroic utterances, X-O Manowar succeeds in diverting the lava flow. This family and their neighbors will sleep easily tonight in their own beds, and not be forced to find new homes in the future.

 

Once the frenzy of fighting a raging volcano ends, Emilio Laiso's panels take on a more normal--and sedate--organization. Aided by Ruth Redmond's warm coloring, Aric looks like your all-American hometown hero. You know, the high school football player who gets a chance to go professional, and represent his town on national television.

 

With Troy to feed him the right lines, Aric even sounds like your average guy-next-door. Or at least, your average guy-next-door-wearing-an extraterrestrial-armor-suit-housing-an-alien consciousness, that is.

 

X-O Manowar #3 takes an unexpected turn when the focus moves to the Ukraine. Vlad Yakiov, not content with having solidified his power, mobilizes his forces to bring the fight to Aric. This seems an irrational decision for someone who ought to be strengthening his powerbase as the would-be dictator of the Ukraine.

For more on that evolving story, you'll want to pick up a copy of #3, and see what happens in coming issues.

 

Cover B by David Nakayama

Aside from Whitaker's public relations mission, and Yakiov's seeming fixation on X-O, there's a lot going on in #3. At home, Aric seems delightfully unattached to his adoptive family in New York City. Young Desmond and his mother are building a strong relationship with Shanhara. An incident occurs which could tie in with the rebuilding of Project Rising Spirit. And something occurs that harkens back to a certain change that occurred to the original 1990s X-O Manowar, after the tumultuous events of the Unity crossover event.

 

Cover C by David Lopez

In fact, there's a lot in this new series that reminds me of the original X-O Manowar series. Take, for example, the fixation on the power of corporations. While Aric may not helm Orb Industries, Troy Whitaker channels the resources of his vast multinational company to build combat robots, and shoot rockets into space. As in the '90s, Aric distains the commercialism of modern life. And then, there's the lighthearted and inviting artwork.

 

Pre-Order Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli & Ulises Arreola

With a whopping five covers for issue #3, Valiant's rolling out all the stops for this new X-O Manowar series. But the bonus is that, with so much going on in each issue, editor Heather Antos and writer Dennis Hopeless Hallum have presented a smorgasbord of interweaving plot lines for the reader to follow. 

 

"Sword of Shanhara" Retailer Incentive Cover by Dustin Weaver*

The lighthearted tone of the series also harkens back to the 1990s series. Robert Venditti and Matt Kindt helmed impressive runs that introduced X-O Manowar to modern readers. But in Dennis Hopeless Hallum, Emilio Laiso, Ruth Redmond, and Hassan Otsmane Elhaou, I see less angst--and more of the sheer fun and excitement--that captures the heart of the original series.

I'm curious to see if you agree with me, when you read through Issue #3.

Dragon Dave

* Dustin Weaver produced an interesting and beautiful anthology series titled Paklis a few years ago. I urge you to hunt down all five issues from Image Comics, and hope to see him renew the series in the near future.