Book Review: Armorclads

Brian O'Connor, et.al., Armorclads. New York: Valiant Entertainment, 2022. ISBN: 9781682154328.

 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: science fiction

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus

 

In the future, humanity developed the Armorclads, powerful armors that humans could use in war and construction. At one point, seven powerful families monopolized that power and kept social order. Conflicts were settled in arenas. Then, as often happens in empires, greed, corruption, so on came along. The golden era of peace and the original Armorclads and their technology were gone. Now a planetary governor, centuries later, wants to find the old armors. 

A lot of the background above is not really that important other than to provide a nice story. The present day story is a story of an empire exploiting resources and oppressing the local population and workforce. A team of miners, aided by their construction armor and tools, rises against the oppressors. Oh, and one of the miners catches the governor's eye because he may or not have a genetic connection to the old legendary Armorclads. 

The story overall is entertaining with some good action. Some of the background may feel like a red herring. As for the governor, while he proclaims he wants to bring back the good old noble days, readers can't help but wonder if he is a tyrant in the making. I am thinking he is a tyrant in the making. Meanwhile, the miners are fighting for their freedom, and they may be able to get help from a local insurgency. By the way, Peris, the one miner the governor is interested in, being somewhat ambivalent about the governor's plans-- he certainly becomes very curious when told of his possible connection-- at times can make readers wonder if he wants his group's freedom or not. 

Overall, as I said, this is entertaining. It is a story of planetary rebellion against an oppressor, so nothing terribly new. There are various other stories on that same theme. The action in this one is pretty good. The art is good too. The story ends with an epilogue that leaves an open ending, so we may have to wait and see if the story improves. 

For libraries, I'd say this is an optional selection. For readers, at this point I'd say this is one to borrow. It was fun, but no big deal. It's a quick read. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: