The X-O Manowar property has been a part of Valiant comics since the 2008 third series kicked and we’ve seen a lot of different things going on for it over the years. I originally connected with it during the 1992 run from Valiant Comics and still have a fondness for that version and what’s been done in the modern incarnation with it as well. The most recent run of it began in 2017 with Matt Kindt working on it but that’s all wrapped up and now Valiant is looking toward the next run. They’ve put out a tease that a new series will debut this fall but didn’t provide any information about it yet. For fans, however, knowing more is coming is definitely helpful.
Valiant Entertainment has published 71 issues of the character since their pickup of it in 2008.
Plot Concept: Born into battle, Aric of Dacia, heir to the throne of the Visigoth people, never knew peace. Raised under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire in fifth century Europe, his entire life was a never-ending series of campaigns against Rome, until a far more terrifying enemy came into play: the brutal race and alien colonizers known as the Vine. Abducted during a midnight scouting raid and taken to the far reaches of space, Aric and his fellow Visigoth captives lived their lives as slaves to the Vine, with no hope of escape.
After several years of captivity aboard a Vine colony ship, Aric led a revolt against his alien captors, storming the hallowed temple of the Vine and stealing their most powerful relic, Shanhara, the sentient X-O Manowar armor. Aric bonded with the armor-the first being in living memory to survive the process-and turned the Vine’s most powerful weapon against them. But a crushing counterattack by the Vine left many of Aric’s allies dead or dying. Inexperienced with the armor himself, Aric barely escaped the Vine fleet before rocketing back to Earth.
Upon his return, Aric learned that due to the effects of time dilation, 1,600 years has passed since his abduction and he was now stranded in the 21st century. Distraught by the loss of his family and people, Aric secluded himself in the Peruvian jungle, but the Vine were unwilling to leave their most sacred relic in human hands. Vine legend told that their greatest champion would one day wear the armor; news of a human controlling the suit could spell massive civil unrest for their empire.
