TGON Meets Purpah, Creator of Suitor Armor, at SDCC 2025

In July, I had the opportunity to not only attend San Diego Comic-Con as The Game of Nerds’ representative, but I was also able to sit down in person with Burbank-based artist and author Purpah, creator of the acclaimed romantasy series Suitor Armor. Readers may recall, from previous interviews, that Suitor Armor originated as a scroll comic launched in September 2020 by the global storytelling platform WEBTOON. However, as of last year, the Ten Speed Press imprint Ten Speed Graphic released the first physical volume of Suitor Armor. Later on in May 2025, Ten Speed Graphic released the second volume of Suitor Armor, and as of August 12, 2025, Suitor Armor: Volume Three, containing episodes 39-51, behind-the-scenes content, and a bonus storyline about Baynard and Peres that is exclusive to the physical book, has been made available for purchase.

As a journalist and longtime fan of the series, I received an advanced copy of the third volume before its public release. Spoilers ahead. Suitor Armor: Volume Three picks up where Suitor Armor: Volume Two ends, with the main characters and love interests, Lucia and Modeus, in an illegal market to meet V, a character who supposedly can shine light on the strained relationship between fairies and humans and help Lucia live among them. However, to Lucia’s horror, she discovers that fairies have been subjected to torture and mutilation viciously for over a century, and that the elves forced into servitude are fairies who have had their wings removed. The elf known as V offers his surgical expertise and services to fairies who wish to escape human persecution, losing their wings and access to magic. V also informs Lucia that she is likely the last surviving monarch, fairies that were once regarded as royalty and often blamed for the misfortunes fairies face at the hands of humans.

Ridden with immense guilt and angry with her ignorance, Lucia returns to the castle and meets King Reimund’s uncle, Lord Ricon, who brings with him two elves in tow. Afraid for her safety, Lucia must decide whether or not she can continue hiding herself among humans or commit to a plan for escape beyond the castle and everything she has ever known. Modeus offers his support, acting as her friend and protector, but whispers amongst the castle courts threaten to drive a wedge between him and Lucia. As the future queen, Kirsi sees such gossip as a great offense, but rather than rushing to defend Lucia, she furthers the wedge, straining their friendship and leaving Lucia feeling utterly alone.

Like with previous volumes, I was hooked from the start. Yes, I have read up to the 158 episodes found on WEBTOON, but to have the story physically in my hands brought on another feeling entirely. I squealed when it arrived in the mail, and I immediately and eagerly devoured it in one sitting. The cover art was my favorite among the three existing volumes, and the artwork inside was equally stunning. As I read, I knew where the story was going, but I loved revisiting these segments via a physical copy, especially the scenes exclusively between Lucia and Modeus. I love their relationship, blossoming from friends to something much more. Throughout their story, they encourage each other to be themselves, explore new ideas, and grow as individuals. Suitor Armor: Volume Three ultimately ends on another cliffhanger, leaving readers, like me, wanting more. 

When I landed another interview with Purpah, this time in person, I was ecstatic. Following her creative journey and seeing her succeed is honestly a huge component as to why I attend conventions like San Diego Comic-Con. I get the opportunity to meet amazing creators and showcase their hard work to readers worldwide. If YOU are interested in learning more about Purpah, her journey, and ambitions, read the following passage.

With popularized webcomics like Omniscient Reader, Freaking Romance, and Lore Olympus being adapted into live-action films and animated television series, do you have any desire to see Suitor Armor become a film or TV series? 

It would definitely be a dream come true. I’d be really curious to see what they would do with Suitor Armor. I’m not necessarily the type of person who would need it to be 110% accurate because it is an adaptation. I always say that if I were able to see it adapted, it would be really fun to see it as a live-action television series, because that would allow for different artistic expressions depending on who’s doing it. So, yeah, an adaptation would be surreal, and I definitely would have to pinch myself a few times if that ever happened. 

What kind of changes would you want implemented in an adaptation? Would you introduce new characters and concepts, or expand on themes of the original story?

I would definitely want to expand more, especially on some of the side characters. I don’t know that I would necessarily add any more. I already have a pretty stacked cast, but it is hard sometimes to balance screen time between side characters. I have my bonus chapters that cover Peres and Baynard, but I would definitely like to see more expansion on side characters. But as well as some of the ideas I try to present in the story.

When Suitor Armor debuted and became quickly popular, would you say that publishing traditionally later became a goal of yours?

I actually didn’t think it would happen at all, and I didn’t think of it as a goal necessarily. I was definitely mostly focused on trying to get episodes out and working on the story and stuff. But when the opportunity presented itself, I definitely jumped at it, because it was one of those things that manifested as soon as it became a reality. But now that I’ve like had the experience of it being published into like a physical format, I’m a little addicted to being able to hold my work. 

As an author who has published digitally and traditionally, what would you suggest to any aspiring creators looking to publish or just start?

I think if you’re looking to do traditional publishing, there’s the classic way of submitting. But the wonderful thing about the internet and platforms that allow you to post your writing and your work, it’s a really good way to create and engage with your audience. So when you take it to more official formats, you can show them that I already have an audience. This has a reader base. Here are the numbers and everything. So I think it, in a way, digital allows for new ideas to be picked up easier, because there’s a way to find an audience and then take that audience to a publisher and be like, see, here’s proof that it will do well. After all, they’re more likely to pay attention to those numbers because it is a gamble every time.

How did working directly with publishers like WEBTOON and Ten Speed Graphic affect you as a creator or your process?

It was definitely a learning curve. Both sides of it are different in their respective ways, but it allowed me to kind of learn how production works on both. One is very fast-paced with constant deadlines and breakneck speed. And then when it came to traditional publishing, there’s a set schedule and set times that are very important. You have more wiggle room, but it’s still important that you be your own boss and make sure that you’re on time because the second you’re late on something, someone else down the pipeline is late on something. So in terms of that, I definitely learned a lot in terms of productivity and how to self-manage myself when it comes to projects. I’m really looking forward to taking everything I learned in both instances, like on my next project eventually, and it’s going to improve every time. And I’m excited to see how that affects it.

Now that you have physical copies of Suitor Armor sold on bookstore shelves and online, have you noticed an expansion of your fan base?

I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they had found it physically, or they were waiting for it to be physical, because there’s a whole group of people who prefer to have tactile stuff in their hands. And quite a few librarians have told me that they have put it in their libraries, which is an absolute dream come true. So I think, yes, it has kind of expanded to a new realm of people who were unfamiliar with the digital format.

How does it feel to see your series become so popular among readers, in person and online?

Surreal. It’s very easy for me to forget that people actually read it, because I just write it, I draw it, I send it out to the ether for people to put, either into physical format or digital format. So places like cons or interviews like this help me actually remember that people do read my work. It’s a really amazing feeling, especially because up until Suitor Armor, I had only ever really posted my artwork online, not my writing or my storytelling. So it’s a very validating and inspiring feeling that makes me excited to continue in this line of work.

How did meeting your fans and signing physical copies of your book at San Diego Comic-Con feel?

Again, I feel like surreal is the best word for it, and also just really humbling because it takes time to read a book, and it takes their money out of their pocket to buy a physical copy as well. So it’s really humbling, surreal, and flattering as well, because obviously, without readers, these books wouldn’t exist. I wouldn’t have a job. So I’m very grateful to be able to meet the people who make this a possibility for me.

Is there anything you would like to say to fans who could not make it to Comic-Con this year?

I just want to say thank you, because without you guys as readers, I quite literally would not have a job. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to tell this story. Every opportunity that’s come my way has been a result of people reading my work, telling other people about it, word of mouth, the support they offer, and I recognize fully that without them, I would not have the opportunities that I do now, and so, they make things possible for me, and I’m very, very grateful for that love and support.

Do you have any concepts for future projects?

I actually have three ideas that I’m working on separately for different platforms and formats that I’m hoping to explore. I’m a really big fan of taking classic fairy tales as inspiration, adding my own flavoring, to the point where it kind of becomes unrecognizable from the original fairy tale, but that’s where its roots are at. So there’s a Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Pan adaptation that I am playing around with right now, and I’m really excited for all of them.

As a fan of fairy tale retellings, I am eager to see what Purpah has planned for future projects, but for now, I am excited for what’s coming next in the world of Suitor Armor. Stay tuned and tell us in the comments if this review and interview with Purpah convinced you to read Suitor Armor and fly with fairies.