rltinha's review against another edition
4.0
Com uma Kindt Surpresa no argumento era já expectável um certo patamar de qualidade. E, de facto, assim acontece com esta primeira trade de Unity: uma coisa nova (com a arte Braithwaite e as cores de Reber a adensarem a novidade), um entertainment, e uma narrativa tipo-chocolate-com-75%-de-cacau: doce na medida da sua qualidade.
crookedtreehouse's review against another edition
3.0
One of my least favorite editorial decisions in comic reading is when a crossover is collected across multiple titles, and isn't collected in a logical reading order. This volume of X-O Manowar is intended to be read in tandem with Unity, Volume 1: To Kill a King. I think you're intended to start with Unity #1, then read X-O Manowar #19, then go back and forth until the conclusion of this trade. It's a hassle. But if you read just this collection, there are huge gaps in the story that would make it a frustrating read.
I didn't realize this when I was reading it, as I read this Before [b:X-O Manowar, Volume 5: At War with Unity|20300538|X-O Manowar, Volume 5 At War with Unity|Robert Venditti|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392030357l/20300538._SY75_.jpg|28134297], and was confused when characters referenced important storybeats that didn't exist in this book. Don't make the same mistake I did.
I mentioned in my review of the other half of this crossover, this event isn't a good intro to the Valiant Universe or to X-O Manowar, but it is a strong intro book for Unity.
Toyo Harada, who's been a main character in Harbinger and Bloodshot showed up in this book, and his role means that I have wildly misorganized my shelf for how to read this universe. If you are reading those series, you want to read this Before [b:Harbinger, Volume 6: Omegas|23230472|Harbinger, Volume 6 Omegas|Joshua Dysart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1416182016l/23230472._SY75_.jpg|42772024].
I didn't realize this when I was reading it, as I read this Before [b:X-O Manowar, Volume 5: At War with Unity|20300538|X-O Manowar, Volume 5 At War with Unity|Robert Venditti|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392030357l/20300538._SY75_.jpg|28134297], and was confused when characters referenced important storybeats that didn't exist in this book. Don't make the same mistake I did.
I mentioned in my review of the other half of this crossover, this event isn't a good intro to the Valiant Universe or to X-O Manowar, but it is a strong intro book for Unity.
Toyo Harada, who's been a main character in Harbinger and Bloodshot showed up in this book, and his role means that I have wildly misorganized my shelf for how to read this universe. If you are reading those series, you want to read this Before [b:Harbinger, Volume 6: Omegas|23230472|Harbinger, Volume 6 Omegas|Joshua Dysart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1416182016l/23230472._SY75_.jpg|42772024].
jones53084's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
carroq's review against another edition
4.0
One thing about this story is that it helps to have an idea of what was happening in the Valiant universe previously. I feel like there is a good recap of the most important pieces, but it is brief. It is possible to appreciate the story for what it is without being familiar with the events/characters involved.
Aric of Dacia, aka X-O Manowar, is public enemy number one in this book. From the beginning he has been a troublemaker, even if that wasn't his intention. To put a stop to him, a U.S. government agency brings in one of the most powerful men in the world, who puts together a team to challenge Aric.
There are some pretty cool events in this book. A lot of it is action oriented, so it moves along at a good pace. The highlights for me are the character oriented moments that expand on the world, particularly in regards to Livewire. My reading sequence for the Valiant books is all over the place, so I had a chance to see some of what she's done leading up to this story as well as what takes place afterward. This ties things together nicely.
With all the Valiant books I've picked up, I really enjoy the art. The company does a great job of picking artists that create a style for their comics without tying them down too much. Braithwaite's art highlights the best parts of the story without being intrusive.
Aric of Dacia, aka X-O Manowar, is public enemy number one in this book. From the beginning he has been a troublemaker, even if that wasn't his intention. To put a stop to him, a U.S. government agency brings in one of the most powerful men in the world, who puts together a team to challenge Aric.
There are some pretty cool events in this book. A lot of it is action oriented, so it moves along at a good pace. The highlights for me are the character oriented moments that expand on the world, particularly in regards to Livewire. My reading sequence for the Valiant books is all over the place, so I had a chance to see some of what she's done leading up to this story as well as what takes place afterward. This ties things together nicely.
With all the Valiant books I've picked up, I really enjoy the art. The company does a great job of picking artists that create a style for their comics without tying them down too much. Braithwaite's art highlights the best parts of the story without being intrusive.
invertible_hulk's review against another edition
3.0
Second reading due to reading the tie-in X-O Manowar issues.
miguel's review
2.0
As a newbie to the Valiant Comics universe, I thought this Avengers knockoff (meant in the most endearing way possible) would be the best place to start. I was wrong. Though the art is fantastic, the overarching plot is such a mess and the plot turns are incomprehensible to new readers. The weighty political plot comes across as utterly outrageous. It's unclear to me what stage of development this universe is in, but the desire to nuke one particular super person and leave the rest untouched seems confusing at best and nonsensical at the worst. Even more troubling, the final plot turn has absolutely no buildup and no explanation. A former member of the team is suddenly considered to be a fundamentally evil individual? Truly baffling.
Maybe this volume hits a little harder for longtime readers. If you're looking for a point of entry to Valiant, look elsewhere.
Maybe this volume hits a little harder for longtime readers. If you're looking for a point of entry to Valiant, look elsewhere.
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