Greetings, avid readers and fantasy enthusiasts. In November 2024, Ten Speed Graphic released the first physical volume of Suitor Armor. For those unfamiliar with the series, Suitor Armor is a popular romantasy webcomic originally produced by Southern Californian artist and writer Purpah and published formally by the South Korean-American webcomic publishing platform WEBTOON as part of their ORIGINALS collection. Currently, Suitor Armor is an ongoing series that has reached a temporary hiatus to allow the author and her production team to take a break. With 150 episodes published via WEBTOON, readers can read and re-read the series to explore the story and predict where it may take a turn. As a longtime fan of the series, I eagerly await Suitor Armor to resume on June 5, 2025. But I also insist that fellow fans have patience and consideration for the author, Purpah. Let’s be patient and wish her well!
If you want to read my initial interview covering the first volume of Suitor Armor, click here to learn more about how the series came to store shelves! Without going into too much detail, the first volume covers the prologue, several chapters, and a bonus chapter that was designed specifically for the physical editions of Suitor Armor. The first volume introduces the main characters and love interests, Lucia, a fairy hiding in plain sight among humans, and Modeus, a sentient suit of armor created to kill her kind. Despite the initial intentions behind his design, Lucia feels pulled to Modeus. Eventually, Lucia and Modeus build the beginnings of a friendship, and the story progresses beautifully. With Lucia’s help, Modeus learns to speak and express himself and form new relationships with side characters Baynard and Peres. Meanwhile, her best friend Kirsi tries to build a real relationship with her future husband, King Reimund. Want to learn more? Consider reading the series.
Last year, I was presented with the exciting opportunity to interview Purpah and formally review the first volume of Suitor Armor. In exchange for an advance copy, I provided my honest opinion regarding the condition and contents of the first volume. In summary, I shook with excitement when Suitor Armor: Volume One arrived in pristine condition on my doorstep, and I was not disappointed when I read through it. I will not spoil its contents, but I highly recommend romantasy readers to give it a try. You can read episodes of Suitor Armor via the WEBTOON app for FREE, or you can purchase a physical copy of the first volume at your local Barnes & Noble.
After months of eager anticipation, I was presented with the opportunity to interview Purpah AGAIN and formally review the second volume of Suitor Armor, which was made available for purchase starting May 20, 2025. In exchange for my honest opinion, I was sent a free copy. I read through it and, well, I LOVED IT! I loved how the story was translated to fit print and keep readers, like me, wanting more. Without giving away too much, the second volume includes several chapters that delve further into the budding relationship between Lucia and Modeus and their relationships with surrounding characters, such as Norrix the magician, who created Modeus. Lucia, for example, chooses to explore her options outside of being Kirsi’s lady-in-waiting and learns magic under the guidance of Norrix. Lucia also learns more about the world of fairies through interacting with the imprisoned fairy, Quinn, and what she finds out forces her to confront some tough truths.
Keep reading to learn more about Purpah, her comic creation Suitor Armor, and what fans can expect from future physical editions of the series!
With Suitor Armor officially in print as an ongoing series, how does it feel to have your series physically on store shelves? Does having a physical copy change your perspective of your series and its characters?
Having Suitor Armor printed still feels a bit like a dream. Whenever I am at the bookstore, I check to see where they are to remind myself that it’s real. I have been working on the story in a digital format for so long, having it in my hands is a wondrous feeling. It makes all the time and effort more tangible and real! I can’t say it has changed my perspective on my story or characters, other than how long it actually is!
With physical copies for sale in stores nationwide, do you anticipate more readers will be introduced to Suitor Armors? How would you describe the world of Suitor Armor to new readers?
I would like to think that Suitor Armor being printed will allow it to be introduced to more people. There is always the thrill of picking up a new book, not knowing what is inside besides the premise, and falling into it. I hope that my book and story will provide some people with a new experience to enjoy. As for how I would describe the world of Suitor Armor, I would say that the world is full of wild magic and fairies – a world where more concrete knowledge of such things has been lost, allowing for the reader to learn alongside the characters.
From phone and computer screens to full-color print, how would you describe the process of translating Suitor Armor to print? What factors determine which chapters fill each volume?
The hardest part of transferring the story from digital format to physical was deciding where it was going to end, given that it was never formatted in a traditional three-act structure. That was the main determination of what chapters went where, based on what provided an ending that would leave people wanting to pick up the next volume!
What is your favorite moment in Suitor Armor Volume Two, and why?
My favorite part would have to be the sequence after Lucia casts magic at the campfire and Modeus gives her his cloak. I really enjoy the romantic moments between the two of them, and I was able to update the art for the two-page spread. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and while I obviously can’t redo all the art, I am happy when I get to polish up some of my favorite moments.
In Volume Two, readers learn more about the cultural conflict between humans and fairies, and Lucia learns that the ongoing war between them is nothing more than a lie. What inspired you to establish this conflict? Why make the war between humans and fairies a lie rather than a reality?
Well, the war between the humans and fairies DID happen. The lie is that it is still going on. That the fairies are an active threat rather than a side that had already surrendered, allowing the humans to continue treating fairies like a warring enemy. War is a common device for plot in stories, especially fantasy. I suppose I wanted to try and write a story where the war is technically over, but that does not mean the effects or pains of it are gone. The aftermath. One where the narrative is still being controlled by the winning side.
The end of Suitor Armor Volume Two introduces the mysterious V. Can fans expect this new character to be a friend or foe in Volume Three?
V is one of my favorite characters in Suitor Armor! Writing them was a really interesting process. As for friend or foe, V sits in a strange middle area and can tip from one title to the other depending on the character’s views and opinions. But they will most certainly be seen in Volume Three as well as more in the story of Suitor Armor.
When can fans anticipate Suitor Armor: Volume Three?
Volume Three of Suitor Armor will release in August 2025 and will deal a lot with Lucia’s coming to terms with some hard truths. As she learns more about the world around her, about what it means to be a fairy and the dangers and responsibilities that come with it, she will be forced to either remain as she was or grow within the knowledge she has acquired. And not just about the fairies and humans either, but about her feelings towards individual characters as well.
As previously said, you can currently read up to 150 episodes for FREE on the WEBTOON app, but if you are looking to own a physical copy of Suitor Armor: Volume Two, click here! You can also pre-order Suitor Armor: Volume Three by clicking here!
