Synopsis:
Drawn to New Orleans by strategic attacks performed on Orb Industries holdings, Aric and Ken go to investigate. While there, they are caught in an attack. Shadowman shows up on the scene, but Aric senses the Spider Alien virus in him and attacks. Shadowman strikes back, crippling the X-O Manowar Armor. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Blister appears on the scene!
Synopsis: In this mini-comic, the origin of Aric of Dacia and the X-O Manowar armor is unfolded in a brief story featuring Ken Clarkson. While there are no new story developments in this prequel, it does serve to introduce the new creative team for X-O Manowar showing that the Birthquake, Valiant's hiring of top-tier creative talent, means business.