Armorclads #3 Review: The Rise of the Everyman

 

Armorclads #3 Pre-order Cover by JUNGGEUN YOON

In Armorclads #3, a Utility-class Ironclad really comes into his own. His name is Jac. Unlike Lela, he's not a miner, or in Alphan terminology, an Excavator. He's a mechanic, or a Utility-class Ironclad, and rarely leaves the perimeter of Outpost 12. 

Because of Peris' act of rebellion, the only home he had ever known--Outpost 12 on the planet Xeru--was abandoned. Soldiers force-marched Jac, along with other Ironclads stationed at Outpost 12, to Outpost 14. There he got caught up in a battle between their Alphan overlords and the mysterious Legionnaires. 

This battled destroyed Outpost 14. So that won't be his home either.

Now Lela wants Jac to leave the wrecked Outpost 14. She asks him to march for several days through difficult terrain to reach yet another outpost. Ultimately, she wants him to take part in a rescue effort, march on the city where Peris is being held, and help secure his release. Is she crazy, or what? 

After all, Jac's no fighter. He's not even an Excavator, used to leaving the periphery of his outpost, and facing the dangers that entails. He's just a mechanic: a Utility-class Ironclad.

Still, even an Everyman like Jac can use his skills to save the day.

One of their Alphan overlords, a man trained as a soldier, and shipped to Xeru to keep the genetically-engineered Ironclads in line, isn't afraid to point out how crazy Lela's scheme is. 

But Jac, and the rest of the Ironclads aren't willing to give up.

Meanwhile, a new territorial governor arrives on Xeru. While he's presumably been tasked with keeping the shipments of the Pure--necessary to the Alphan war effort--on schedule, the governor has his own agenda. One that touches on mythology underlying Alphan society.

While Armorclads evokes great science fiction franchises such as Starship Troopers and Avatar, and perhaps the video game Halo, issue #3 reminds me of Frank Herbert's classic novel Dune. There's talk of great families, and a breeding program the governor believes could lead to one gifted individual who could stop the interstellar war and unite the cosmos. 

Technically, I think Valiant has got the mix just right on this series. The writing, art, character design, worldbuilding are great. Likewise, there' a balanced mixture of drama and action. Dialogue and exciting events drive the plot forward. Midway through this developing story, Armorclads really satisfies.

Armorclads #3 will show all the Ironclads--even the Utility-class Everymans like Jac--stepping up to tackle world-changing events. 

And yes, for fans of monster movies, powered-armor warfare, and in particular, the movie Starship Troopers (as well as Robert Heinlein's immortal novel), there will be giant bugs.

I don't usually rate comics. That said, I don't hesitate to give Valiant an A+ on Ironclads Armorclads #3. So march on down to your local comic shop and secure a copy. I mean...

"Come on, you apes, you wanna live forever?"

Dragon Dave

All the details...

ARMORCLADS #3
Created by JJ O'CONNOR
Written by JJ O'CONNOR AND BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Pencils by MANUEL GARCIA
Inks by RAÜL FERNÁNDEZ
Colors by REX LOKUS
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Cover A by BAGUS HUTOMO
Cover B by IKHWAN WALLIYUDDIN
Cover C by BAGUS HUTOMO
Pre-order Cover by JUNGGEUN YOON 

After getting their first taste of combat, the Ironclads realize their construction-class suits aren't suitable for battle. They'll need to add some upgrades before they head after their missing leader. Meanwhile, Peris comes face to face with the Alphan Governor and discovers there may be much more going on than mining Pure on the planet Xeru.