Iron Empires

(Dark Horse, 2004)
™ and © Christopher Moeller

Printed a decade earlier under the title Shadow Empires, this is a tale of the remnants of the human kingdom known as Cotar-Fomas, which spans the Milky Way galaxy—and one man, Trevor Faith, who is set upon remaking it. Exiled to guard the distant planetary outpost of Hotok, he confronts a temple council unwilling to mend its ways and decides that reform is best served at the point of a gun.

The universe’s common foes are the Vaylen, who use mind-controlling worms to enslave countless worlds. But is the theocratic establishment too soft or in league with the enemy? Regardless, Faith and his command of “iron” armored troopers are prepared to cleanse the church by any means necessary.

Intricately plotted and colorfully painted by Christopher Moeller, this volume lays a complicated groundwork of jargon and large cast of characters well suited to a role-playing game. However, the same density and revolving narrative makes for a confusing reading experience; but Moeller’s battle scenes drive the narrative along when his script gets stuck.

— Oliver Chin

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