Valiant; $3.99

A lot happens in this issue of X-O Manowar Unconquered. It starts with Aric of Dacia fighting Thyra who covets the Manowar suit, he meets Ursus Nox (the pontifex maximus and high emperor), and then Nimane, the soothsayer, shows him something both shocking and disturbing.

Much of this issue by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad is story building. The Romanus are a powerful people who know how to conquer others, both through strategy and brute force, and as Aric learns there’s more at stake than just his life.

Artist Liam Sharp is giving the book a unique look. There are moments in sharp focus and others with a blurry, dream-like quality. The whole ship has a dark background that sets the tone for how isolated Aric is and the danger of his circumstances. Sharp also uses a bunch of panel structures and designs to keep each page fresh.

-Amanda Sheriff