Gafti

Origin

Gafti fought for The Visigoths against the Roman Empire. One night during an attempted attack on the Romans led by Aric of Dacia, Gafti and other Visigoth warriors stumbled upon an alien race called The Vine. The Visigoths were captured and enslaved on board the Vine mother-ship were they were held for many years until a prison break.

Creation

Gafti was created by writer Robert Venditti and artist Cary Nord. He first appeared in "Blades and Open Fields" in X-O Manowar #1 (2012).

Major Story Arc

After being enslaved by The Vine for a number of years, Gafti aided Aric and the other humans in a prison break. Gafti was one of the escapees to reach the ships armory where Aric gained the X-O Manowar armor. Gafti then followed Aric's lead in an attack on The Vine however he was killed in the ensuing battle. With his dying breath, Gafti told Aric he was the greatest warrior he had ever known and wished for Aric to take care of Gafti's family.

Prelude to Planet Death

During The Vine invasion of Earth, it was revealed that Gafti had in fact been kept alive by The Vine so he could be tortured into revealing more information about Aric. The Vine have also altered Gafti's brain through a painful procedure to allow him to understand their language. When the aliens finally begin their assault on Earth, Commander Trill uses Gafti as a bargaining chip to get the Manowar armour from Aric. However Trill shoots Gafti nonetheless. Aric brutally kills Trill in retaliation and he commands Shanhara (X-O Manowar Armour) to heal Gafti. Shanhara bonds with Gafti who then attacks Aric, blaming him for all the suffering he has endured. Aric doesn't fight back and manages to talk sense into his friend who then, sensing The Vine invasion is about to begin, sacrifices himself to save Earth. After Gafti's death Shanhara returns to Aric.