It’s time to check out the third of four new Valiant comics, which are part of the rebooted, all new continuity known as Valiant Beyond. Following on from Bloodshot #1 (which has been, understandably, mired in controversy since launch) and Tales of the Shadowman #1, it’s time for the classic, armored hero X-O Manowar to get the Beyond treatment.

In this issue, we’re introduced to a wasteland inhabited by dangerous gangs, and a lone outcast who seems to be the only person who can help protect the innocent. Who is Aric of Dacia, and why does no one even seem to have heard of Dacia itself? And who’s in charge of the Mad Max-esque band of roving bandits?

Though a little confusing at times in its setup and exposition, there’s some solid action in this opening issue and some really nice artwork too, particularly during the opening sequence with a rhino-esque creature.

There’s a bit of a melting pot of influences here, from the aforementioned Mad Max to Borderlands, Conan, Thor and Iron Man (the latter of which shouldn’t be a surprise, given the nature of X-O Manowar as an armoured hero), and it doesn’t quite gel as a coherent whole in this issue, and doesn’t yet feel much like an X-O Manowar story at all.

That said, it’s certainly a unique setting, and a different take on the character; I’m intrigued enough to check out the next issue at least. Time will tell whether it becomes something more than just intriguing, I suppose.

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