Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Robert Venditti
Illustrated by Clayton Henry
Coloured by Andrew Dalhouse
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
The Book of the Geomancer was brought to the present by a young girl named Tama. The tome foretells a dark future for the Valiant Universe and speaks to the fates of many of its heroes. This is the story of the fall of X-O Manowar…
Actually this one is very different from the others and what I was expecting to see. Got to hand it to Robert to make this a sweet ending and then the next generation X-O Manowar introduction be a smooth thing to witness.
The Vine and Trill have long been the bane of Aric’s existence. Faith and anger sometimes go hand in hand to create something misplaced in one’s mind. Trill has uncovered a powerful relic with which he plans on ending the usurper and reclaiming his people’s destiny. It amazes me to see that Trill remains alive and kicking still in that time period though the Vine age differently and his own armour a variation of Aric’s looks good on him it’s still weird.
I was really surprised that by all the Fall of books this one was the most, tender of them all. I like the whole father/son field trip to the museum where it’s claimed that under the river both Aric and his uncle King Alaric are buried side by side and we see him tell Aric’s story to his son. This coincides with what’s happening currently with Trill and his associates entering the museum as well. It does make you wonder who the father is though and how he’s so familiar with Aric’s history. Is this someone who fought beside him at some point? It’s interesting since Robert is making you think as well as enjoy the history this character has left behind him.
The final moments of Aric with his wife and daughter in Western Nebraska, the new Visigoth homeland, are tender and caring. Quite the difference than how most of his life has been lived. It’s kind of nice to see that he didn’t die fighting but as a loving husband, father and ruler of old age when he was ready to let go. Now I don’t know how many children Aric and his wife had as we are introduced only to one, she who would his successor. She who would rule after he’s gone and would also wear the armour that helped forge the man he’d become.
So there are events that transpire and it’s really a legacy that Aric leaves behind in more ways than you’d think.
I liked this for a myriad of reasons among them shows the X-O Manowar’s legacy will continue and have a far reaching impact upon the world. Robert’s writing and characterization are wonderful and his approach to the story really blew me away. The interior artwork here is solid, and has great sense of emotion to it. The daughters suit differing from her father’s will hopefully be something we’ll see again.
An impressive one of showcasing the end of one of Valiant’s most recognizable characters.