Reviews»Comic Books»X-O Manowar #28
XO_028_COVER_BERNARD
Kareem Ali 4.5

X-O Manowar #28

 

  • The good

    Gives crucial answers regarding the make up of the Armor Hunters team sent to Earth. Makes the entire concept of the Armor Hunters, including control, much more intriguing.

  • The bad

    Reebo's action here calls into question his decisions on Earth in the main series. Doesn't give insight into motivations of others on team

  • The ugly

    • X-O Manowar #28 picks up immediately at the end of the team’s successful first hunt led by Primary Reebo. GIN-GR updates the team’s log detailing the results of the first hunt while the others watch Reebo retrieve the spear that delivered the killing blow. Control contacts the team for an update about their hunt, and he’s impressed by the fact that their first hunt was successful and they only lost 3 members considering the armors wipe out entire teams on their first hunt. Control reassures Reebo about the success of this hunt by stating that they’re winning the war overall so to not lose heart. However that’s not so easy as the team hunts dozen of armors on over 20 planets, and each time they lose members as fast as Control can replace them, and it takes its toll. It’s unknown to the team that the armors are recontaminating worlds while they replicate, and the pattern that’s emerging has them returning to their origin planet, Gennin, where Control is located.  Control is preparing for this and orders all Armor Hunter teams to remain on the planet while those already on hunts aren’t to return until their assigned areas are completely clear. This message doesn’t get to Primary Reebo’s team but they’re hesitant to assume the worse when GIN-GR doesn’t receive a response to any of their transmissions. It doesn’t matter ultimately as Reebo is committed to the hunt and their mission hasn’t changed. This means they won’t get fresh recruits to replenish their ranks but will the team fare better with a proven squad of hunters as opposed to just adding those who probably wouldn’t even survive one hunt?

    XO_028_VARIANT_SEGOVIA
    Out of all the Armor Hunter related issues since the event started, X-O Manowar has exclusively done a great job in providing the backstories of the hunters as well as giving insight into the destruction caused by the armors. And since I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the event I’ve looked forward to each of these issues, and I had hope that this issue would answer some pertinent questions about the Armor Hunters and what led them to Earth. Yes, answers are given that help explain the current situation but some important ones are raised too. Right after the first hunt all the team members are fully committed despite the losses. However the issue shows a few more hunts in one panel each, and only to give a summary of the fate of the armor and the number of hunters lost. If the intent was to show how the team could become weary from the hunt over time due to the results then this works. It doesn’t give any insight into the team during these hunts or even show an example of what they’ve stated in the main series about planets resisting them to defend the armor. Granted it skips to their most crucial hunt and focuses on Reebo and Malgam, and this is pretty entertaining while also expounding on their friendship and beliefs. I won’t give away the series of events that take place next but I will say a very interesting decision was made that make the characters seem less rigid in the hunt and their understanding of the armors but could also fly in the face of some of the big decisions made in the main series. Primary Reebo was one who was initially shown as a more than capable leader but perhaps too ruthless in his dealings with the armor, and of course, Earth. What happens here makes him come off as less calculating and more as an individual of circumstances with his decision creating even more problems. This issue is however still a good read as there’s plenty of action, the story flows very well, and the artwork is enjoyable. So if you don’t have any problems with the way the characters have been portrayed compared to the initial impressions then you’ll really enjoy this issue. I enjoyed it, and now I’m looking forward to seeing the final piece of the puzzle to be answered next issue as the fate of a character is decided.

     

    SUMMARY

    X-O Manowar #28 is an entertaining issue that gives critical answers regarding the Armor Hunters and what created the situation prior to their visit to Earth, but raises some equally important questions about their portrayal in the main series. Reebo’s brutal action in ordering the destruction of Mexico City stands in stark contrast to the actions he takes here but it seems as if that will be answered next issue. At least I’m hopeful of that. However this issue did add more nuance to the characters and showed what they believed in. In addition to making me look forward to the next issue and anticipating the crucial answer it’ll contain, I’m also more intrigued by the Armor Hunters as a whole, and even the fate of Control. So in that regard, this issue succeeds.

     

    Release Date: 8/27/14

    Writer: Robert Venditti

    Artist: Diego Bernard

     

     

  • Rating ( 8.5 )
  • Total score 8.5

1 comment

  1. Pingback: The Heroic Universe – COMIC REVIEW: X-O MANOWAR #28

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