Review by C.J. Bunce

I’ve consumed many versions and takes on Beauty and the Beast, old and recent, but the Academy Award-winning animated movie still remains at the top for me.  The second place may very well go with the Suitor Armor series.  In its third volume, available now in a hardcover edition at comic shops and here at Amazon, the story begins in darkness as our fey heroine and her iron Suitor dress in disguises to encounter a creepy character who changes fairies in ways lady-in-waiting Lucia never imagined in her worst nightmare.  If you’ve looked for a different take on Beauty and the Beast, something for older readers, and you are a fan of fantasy like Willow, it’s time to check out all three volumes of the Suitor Armor series. I reviewed the first book in the series here at borg, and the second here.

This book collects episodes 39-51 of the Webtoon by the writer-artist who goes by the name Purpah, all as a full-color hardcover storybook from Ten Speed Graphic books. This is fantasy for young adults, coming of age stories that pull from the tropes of fairy tales past.  The artwork is reminiscent of Saturday morning animated fantasy, and the story another chapter from the fairy tale kingdom.

With the vibe of Frozen, Ever After, and Ella Enchanted the book features Lady Kirsi, daughter of the king, and her lady in waiting, Lucia, the real star of the story.  Lucia is a fairy in a kingdom where they are the enemy.  Fortunately almost nobody knows she’s a fairy–she straps her wings back under her corset.  But the book is called Suitor Armor, which is a play on the robotic suit of armor called Modeus who protects Lucia.  It is their story that mimics the traditional Beauty and the Beast story.

Along with a new menace, from prior volumes the Lady Kirsi is more and more vile.  She is that self-centered fairy tale princess you want to get her just desserts.  In this volume Lucia learns more about her own existence.  Even more, she learns that she is more than special because she is a fairy.  It’s the kind of fairy that opens the story up to more possibilities in future installments.  Her plight, and the plight of the fey in this tale, are fine analogues to people with all sorts of challenges in our society in 2025.  If you’re in one of those groups, the tale may speak to you even greater.

For science fiction readers, Purpah’s handling of this possible, unrequited, romance will be similar to love stories between mechanical beings and humans, from cyborg tales going back to The Bride of Frankenstein.  I can hardly wait to learn more about the secret of Modeus, how he got to be how he is, and if he can be turned human or into another form by the end of this tale.

This edition includes new content not found with the webcomic, a bonus storyline with the ongoing backstory of a squire in the story.

As with the first two volumes, this is another attractive and engaging blend of fantasy, sword and sorcery, fairy tales, and adventure, with artwork that may conjure classic Don Bluth fantasy animation.  Just released this month, for young adult fans of fantasy and magic, Suitor Armor–Volume 3 is available here at Amazon.  Volume 1 is available here and the second volume is available here.  Or order them all from Elite Comics or your local comic shop.