Scan barcode
intorilex's review
4.0
Find this and other Reviews at In Tori Lex
I was pleasantly surprised by how great this time traveling, alien adventure is. It was funny, engaging and full of action. Aric is a wonderful protagonist who wants to defend the Visgoth people and his honor at all costs. When the story begins in 400 AD, Aric is Visgoth Warrior leading his men to battle. Despite being quickly captured by aliens and facing technology he has never seen before, he was able to adjust to his circumstances and rise up to escape the grasp of The Vine Alien's. The action while non-stop is accompanied by a fast paced plot, that hints at more mystery and intrigue to come.
This first volume included characters to love, plots to remember and well done art work. The Vine alien's are intelligent but uncaring towards humans. They enslave Aric and other Visgoth people they capture so that they can care for their extensive revered gardens. I'm excited to learn more background and history, about the Visgoth and The Vine in later volumes.
This short volume ends introducing a story arc set in present day. I can't wait to see how Aric adapts and maneuvers in present times while facing time traveling enemies. I noticed the diversity of the individuals illustrated in present day. I would recommend this comic to readers who enjoy science fiction, action and historical fiction.
I was pleasantly surprised by how great this time traveling, alien adventure is. It was funny, engaging and full of action. Aric is a wonderful protagonist who wants to defend the Visgoth people and his honor at all costs. When the story begins in 400 AD, Aric is Visgoth Warrior leading his men to battle. Despite being quickly captured by aliens and facing technology he has never seen before, he was able to adjust to his circumstances and rise up to escape the grasp of The Vine Alien's. The action while non-stop is accompanied by a fast paced plot, that hints at more mystery and intrigue to come.
This first volume included characters to love, plots to remember and well done art work. The Vine alien's are intelligent but uncaring towards humans. They enslave Aric and other Visgoth people they capture so that they can care for their extensive revered gardens. I'm excited to learn more background and history, about the Visgoth and The Vine in later volumes.
This short volume ends introducing a story arc set in present day. I can't wait to see how Aric adapts and maneuvers in present times while facing time traveling enemies. I noticed the diversity of the individuals illustrated in present day. I would recommend this comic to readers who enjoy science fiction, action and historical fiction.
tmaluck's review
3.0
I enjoyed the pulpy, action-adventure mix of historical origins and sci-fi hero's quest - "an ancient nomadic warrior Aric is abducted by aliens and turns out to be worthy of their superpowered suit of armor just in time to come back to earth in the modern day," with all the trappings of Aric missing his old way of life and not understanding what's happened since then. Between The Force Awakens and this book, I've seen a lot of space-age claymores. Nord's artwork is up to the task of showing off the disparate settings (ancient field of battle, alien jail & plantation, modern-day Colosseum), and the action satisfies in all four issues collected here.
However, this book has a problem with women, and it's particularly bothersome because of how this book frames itself within the Valiant universe. A foreword (and lots of marketing) points to X-O Manowar as a launch point for the Valiant universe, a shot fired across the bows of Marvel and DC. Good for them! Show the big two the errors of their ways! Subvert some cliches and show us what superhero comics can really do! When Aric has a flashback to his passionate nights with his wife then wakes up and mourns her absence, I can almost let the trope slide. He's not just fighting for his freedom, he's fighting... for love! ...Or he would be, but his flashback shows that she only existed to love him physically (when he's away in battle, she "thinks of new tactics" to use on him, nice fantasizing there Venditti). Is Aric the ancient nomad warrior only aware of murder and sex? Is he the equivalent of a caveman crossed with Iron Man's armor and a lightsaber?
At the end of the book, the perspective shifts to a new character (I suspect Ninjak, Valiant's equivalent of Bruce Wayne) who's watching the news of Aric's arrival on Earth while two women pine for him in bed, observing that perhaps it's the "other" ladies' turns with him. He steps out of his bedroom and there's a whole waiting room of young women waiting for their number to be called to sleep with the billionaire playboy. Watch out, Aric the bold warrior who challenged the Roman empire, you're about to go toe to toe with... some lothario? I appreciate the division of characterizations, but there's a side effect that I hope was unintentional:
Unless I missed a background cameo, these scenes tell me that the only roles for women in the series are "fondly remembered nympho wife" and "prostitutes for the male rival." This element of the story is a cringeworthy blind spot that should be addressed in later volumes. As it stands, based on the first book, this pulpy adventure hits some fun beats but is not at all what I would recommend to people interested in trying out the Valiant universe beyond seeing "Who's Manowar? Okay, back to the great stuff."
However, this book has a problem with women, and it's particularly bothersome because of how this book frames itself within the Valiant universe. A foreword (and lots of marketing) points to X-O Manowar as a launch point for the Valiant universe, a shot fired across the bows of Marvel and DC. Good for them! Show the big two the errors of their ways! Subvert some cliches and show us what superhero comics can really do! When Aric has a flashback to his passionate nights with his wife then wakes up and mourns her absence, I can almost let the trope slide. He's not just fighting for his freedom, he's fighting... for love! ...Or he would be, but his flashback shows that she only existed to love him physically (when he's away in battle, she "thinks of new tactics" to use on him, nice fantasizing there Venditti). Is Aric the ancient nomad warrior only aware of murder and sex? Is he the equivalent of a caveman crossed with Iron Man's armor and a lightsaber?
At the end of the book, the perspective shifts to a new character (I suspect Ninjak, Valiant's equivalent of Bruce Wayne) who's watching the news of Aric's arrival on Earth while two women pine for him in bed, observing that perhaps it's the "other" ladies' turns with him. He steps out of his bedroom and there's a whole waiting room of young women waiting for their number to be called to sleep with the billionaire playboy. Watch out, Aric the bold warrior who challenged the Roman empire, you're about to go toe to toe with... some lothario? I appreciate the division of characterizations, but there's a side effect that I hope was unintentional:
Unless I missed a background cameo, these scenes tell me that the only roles for women in the series are "fondly remembered nympho wife" and "prostitutes for the male rival." This element of the story is a cringeworthy blind spot that should be addressed in later volumes. As it stands, based on the first book, this pulpy adventure hits some fun beats but is not at all what I would recommend to people interested in trying out the Valiant universe beyond seeing "Who's Manowar? Okay, back to the great stuff."
all_hail_grimlock's review
4.0
Visigoths in space.
I mean, it's more complicated than that, and includes aliens, abductions, and sacred living weapons. It's a bit brutal, but I honestly sometimes crave that in my reading: it can be cathartic for me and I was in a stressful enough place that I needed that catharsis.
I mean, it's more complicated than that, and includes aliens, abductions, and sacred living weapons. It's a bit brutal, but I honestly sometimes crave that in my reading: it can be cathartic for me and I was in a stressful enough place that I needed that catharsis.
traditionson's review
3.0
High potential 3.5*.
I started reading this series with the free first issue many years ago but was unable to afford more. I am delighted to be able to come back but still feel very confused as to what is going on and the main players. It seems to have a lot of lore due to come and some interesting key points that I want to know how they will be explained but a great start.
I started reading this series with the free first issue many years ago but was unable to afford more. I am delighted to be able to come back but still feel very confused as to what is going on and the main players. It seems to have a lot of lore due to come and some interesting key points that I want to know how they will be explained but a great start.
grilledcheesesamurai's review
3.0
3.5 stars if I could.
I don't know jack in regards to the whole Valiant universe from the 90's. I don't know jack about the Valiant reboots of now. I do know, however, that this was a pretty fun read. I mean seriously, A barbarian in space?
Yes, please!
endymions_rage's review
4.0
As with all first volumes there is a lot of setup going on. But we ended up with a 4th Century Visigoth warrior in an overpowered holy armor in modern day with alien insurgents and impending invasion. Could be worse.
Entry Point into the Valiant Shared Comic Universe.
Entry Point into the Valiant Shared Comic Universe.
jogregg22's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
manuti's review against another edition
4.0
No es una maravilla de comic pero descubrir el Universo Valiant ha sido mejor de lo que me esperaba. Siempre me ha gustado el cómic europeo así que los superhéroes de DC y Marvel nunca me atrajeron, con la excepción de algunos de Batman. La cuestión es que esta editorial parece tener más libertad a la hora hora de plantear sus personajes e historias y eso me ha gustado bastante.
En todas las guías de lectura para Valiant este es el personaje recomendado para empezar. Se admiten recomendaciones en los comentarios.
Le doy 4 estrellas ****. Media estrella se la pongo solo por la novedad que supone para mí.
En todas las guías de lectura para Valiant este es el personaje recomendado para empezar. Se admiten recomendaciones en los comentarios.
Le doy 4 estrellas ****. Media estrella se la pongo solo por la novedad que supone para mí.
adelaidemetzger_robotprophet's review
4.0
I was first exposed to this series (and publisher) from Free Comic Book Day 2013. I had never heard of Valiant or Manowar until then and I don’t know why, but I was naturally attracted to the look, feel, and tone of the art and style of publication. I loved what I read in the free issue and couldn’t wait to get more. I finished this first volume and I still haven’t read enough of this series!
I guess this is a reboot of an older series, and I’m not sure what the plot was, but I love this concept. Aric, a Visigoth soldier, fights for his uncle against the Roman army in 402 AD. His wife is kidnapped along with his baby son, and his father is killed in battle all because he refused to retreat when his uncle said to. Though rash, he is as brave as John Carter and just as much the warrior with loyal followers. I would have read a whole series just of epic battles in ancient Rome, but it gets even more interesting when an alien race intervenes with history, kidnapping Aric and company.
I won’t give any spoilers, but I highly recommend this comic series. I love the emotion, I love the action, I love X-O Manowar.
I guess this is a reboot of an older series, and I’m not sure what the plot was, but I love this concept. Aric, a Visigoth soldier, fights for his uncle against the Roman army in 402 AD. His wife is kidnapped along with his baby son, and his father is killed in battle all because he refused to retreat when his uncle said to. Though rash, he is as brave as John Carter and just as much the warrior with loyal followers. I would have read a whole series just of epic battles in ancient Rome, but it gets even more interesting when an alien race intervenes with history, kidnapping Aric and company.
I won’t give any spoilers, but I highly recommend this comic series. I love the emotion, I love the action, I love X-O Manowar.