X-O Manowar Annual Review: A New Fate?

Nearly everyone starts out in the world as a child. But in the Valiant universe that is not a safeguard from the pain of war. It seems that all his life Aric of Dacia has been embattled. From the Huns who took his home, to being hunted by the Romans and finally being enslaved by the alien race the Vine, Aric just hasn’t been able to catch a break. In a way the armor called Shanhara chose the best of warriors to synthesize with. Many, including Aric’s nemesis Commander Trill, have often wondered why the representation of a savior for an alien race would decide that a human would make the best fit. That’s where the annual edition of “X-O Manowar” comes into play.

Told in five acts, Aric’s life seems to have always been in preparation to be a leader. And though his childhood had no sense of permanence it did have an aspect of hope. In Robert Venditti’s “Prologue” we see what it means to be a refugee through a child’s eyes. His home taken, his tribe on the run, a young Aric is reminded by his mother that home cannot be a place, it has to be in your heart. It’s the one place where your enemies won’t be able to infiltrate. But that’s a difficult concept to grasp for a child who hasn’t reached his 10th birthday. Still you see that drive in comic book series. One does tend to wonder after all that Aric has been through how he carries on. Resolve is a precarious thing and no matter what, a childhood no matter how it is forged is an important foundation for the man you’re going to be.

In the midst of this annual there’s Amy Chu’s “The Prisoner.” If you’re new to this world then you’d wonder what does this story have to do with Aric’s life. Jamie Capshaw (first introduced in issue 15) wants to use the sentient armor as a weapon for the U.S. Not understanding how Shanhara works is not unusual. What this chapter gives the reader is insight into a character who has yet to unravel the secrets surrounding her own life. We learn the colonel has skills that even she isn’t aware of. If you don’t understand yourself, then how do you think you can “capture” Aric’s armor? That also seems to be the point of Jodi Houser’s story featuring Commander Trill. Having to seek out the help of plantlings, Trill is schooled into learning tolerance and not prejudging. However, there is that sense of entitlement that is like a stench around him. He still believes that Aric is his enemy because he “stole” his birthright. He still thinks it’s beneath him to seek out the help of lesser beings. Essentially, Trill still doesn’t get it. And that’s a big problem.

One gets the sense that unlike most annuals “X-O Manowar” serves a purpose in the continuity of the series. There is much of the idea of past being prelude to what’s about to unfold in Aric’s part of the Valiant universe. And in order to understand a man you need to look at his enemies. For this work knowing the history of Shanhara alongside Aric’s childhood puts his life into perspective. You may not believe in destiny or fate, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t believe in you.