Armorclads is the newest series from Valiant Entertainment and a co-writer’s dynamic entry into comics. Featuring a new grimdark universe independent from X-O Manowar and Ninjak, the stakes are high. Between child slavery, propaganda, hostile alien environments, and the legends behind them there’s ambition in it all. Because the TTPRG writing feels like a tribute to a certain franchise.
What’s Armorclads All About?
Armorclads is not really about the title group so much as it is about who they affect. Even then, they’re just a tiny part of an inhumane universe. Nowhere is that more apparent than with the Ironclads, the genetically engineered slaves of this Alphan Empire. They’re all minors with no families besides themselves. They have to work in suicidal tasks for their right to exist. But that’s hard when their handlers treat them like they’re not human.
Then there are the Legionnaires, people who broke off from the empire. While they don’t think much of the Ironclads, they hate Alphans with a passion. All of this paints the Armorclads as a bunch of thugs bullying people for their survival. They can’t survive without their tech and even that can’t save them from an alien world.
As for an Alphan politician, he’s more interested in a legend that the Ironclads are tied to. All of which sounds strangely familiar in certain context.
Somebody Bring A Hammer?
JJ O’Connor, this series co-writer, seems to have a background in TTRPG campaigns. In fact this series follows a 5 step method that game masters use. Each issue discovers its plot and the journey to it for a showdown to highlight its progress. Not only that the world of Xeru has subtle mechanics that play into the story. It’s what allows readers to anticipate how things might go and root for the best scenario. I mean, there’s a reason why TTRPG streams are so popular.
Armorclads shares most of its influence with the Warhammer franchise. I don’t just mean the title faction look like Space Marines. But with the way the plot is developing, there might not be any real heroes. Sure readers will still root for the Ironclads, but there are shades of gray growing on them. And you know what, I welcome that development because I can feel the Ironclads’ growth. Plus the pacing gives a sense of urgency of how dire the odds are against them. I think I can credit the character development to Brian Buccellato.
Armorclads Art Team One
Armorclads hosts a robust art team that strongly presents scenarios. Between Miguel Sepulveda and Manuel Garcia, the mechanical designs are striking especially under certain angles. At times the architecture can look make the Ironclads look small. It also helps with how bold the outlines can get with Raul Fernandez’s inking. Not to mention how Rex Lokus color codes the Ironclads with bright yellow suits; it’s what allows the readers to pay attention to how at risk they are.
Time To Suit Up!
Armorclads is shaping up to be one of the best new IPs in Valiant Entertainment. By embracing an experience that comes from TTRPGs, readers get an intensely engrossing experience. The art just so happens to make this twice as engaging. If this was a game which role would you play? Anyway, this series gets 9/10. I can’t call it perfect because I really don’t know what to think of the epilogue.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.