The World of Dio Noir
Dio Noir is an articulated Action Figure toy line from DioWarriors. The line begins during the 1920's / 1930's gangster era and progresses through the years to the high tech modern world and beyond. It is a mix of Dieselpunk and Cyberpunk, an Art Deco world where civilians and giant robots are the norm, where a mom & pop invention can change the world, and where heroes and villains can be the person next door.
Dio Noir is segmented into three core releases -- Gangster, Adventure, Militar Noir. Additional sub-themes interweave throughout the primary theme releases.
Primary Theme:
Dio Noir: Gangster ("Gangster Noir") -- a strong setting of civilians as gangsters and detectives. It is Dieselpunk of the Prohibition Era -- an era of change and transition for the world in general. An age of discovery and exploration where machines such as the automobile and the aeroplane enable adventure throughout all reaches of the globe. Gangster Noir sets the urban tone for Dio Noir.
Dio Noir: Adventure ("Adventure Noir") marks a rural theme. Moving away from civilians of the cities, Adventure Noir highlights the country and the world beyond. This is the release where global adventure begins. It is a humble beginning appropriate for any town or village, but through invention and innovation the world becomes accessible. Anyone can be a hero with this line, and anyone can achieve greatness through science, cleverness, and a little bravery. Let there be mad science, mechanical men, amazing creations, and daring adventure in the tombs, jungles, deserts, and snow mountains of the world with Adventure Noir.
Dio Noir: Militar ("Militar Noir") spices up the line with a strong influence of military things. Heavily infused with Dieselpunk, Militar Noir explores high tech and war. It's a grim and gritty line appropriate for any fan of apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic themes. Yet humanity is still in control. Or is it? You decide.
Militar Noir marks the end of the Dieselpunk influence, but not the end of the Dio Noir line. Throughout the series you will see we do explore facets of possibilities with other genre themes, especially Cyberpunk. Militar Noir is heavily influenced with Dieselpunk, but also blends and becomes Cyberpunk, and this is where things really get interesting.
Sub-Themes:
Dio Noir: Alien is not an independent theme. Instead it’s an “in-between” theme that makes an appearance now and then to enhance the three core themes — a “proto-theme” if you will. Alien Noir enables a government involvement with aliens and other worlds. Imagine an X-Files style conspiracy tossed into Gangster Noir. Imagine a “man-in-black” involvement with Adventure Noir. Or an alien threat with Militar Noir.
Dio Noir: Cyber - A technology inspired theme, "Cyber Noir" is strongly influenced by Cyberpunk and Cyber Goth styles and fits best with dark dystopian environments. Cyber Noir is DioWarrior's reach into post-apocalyptic themes.
Dio Noir: Steam - Is there a Dio Noir before Gangsters? Yes, and "Steam Noir" links the DioWarriors line with the wild west through a Steampunk theme.
Dio Noir: Beasts - Creatures and animals.
DioWarriors and Dio Noir
As the name suggests, Dio Noir is a world of dioramas, and DioWarriors is all about the diorama. DioWarriors’ Modular Diorama Construction System (MDCS) will integrate with the urban theme of Gangster Noir. Other MDCS themes will follow as production through Dio Noir progresses. Smaller props and kits highlighting the three core themes are currently in design and are now reaching various stages of completion. However, more about this later.