Archer & Armstrong Forever of Valiant Entertainment is the latest romp of this super buddy team. Since the 90s, the Archer & Armstrong series epitomizes living in the moment no matter how weird it gets. But what happens when those days are numbered? Is it enough to live your last days in the moment like Armstrong does? Or is Archer’s quest to prolong his best friend’s life the best option?
Who Are Archer & Armstrong?
All that you need to know about Obadiah Archer is that he was raised by corrupt fundamentalists as an assassin. With his psychic powers that allow him access to the Akashic Records (or morphogenetic fields) Archer can recall all human knowledge and adapt his body for any skill. When the Sect wants the same immortality Armstrong has, they send Archer to keep Armstrong out of the way. Archer, discovering his family’s evil helps Armstrong stop them. Now he pairs with Armstrong to live life in the real world.
Armstrong (real name Aram Anni-Prada) is an ancient Sumerian warrior. He is one of four immortal siblings empowered by the Boon machine. Armstrong’s brand of immortality comes in the form of regeneration powered by souls he absorbed. Unlike his more serious brothers, Armstrong prefers living in the moment; sometimes he sounds wise, sometimes he’s just buzzed.
These two goofballs perfectly complement each other. Archer struggles to move on from his past and try to plan his future. Meanwhile Armstrong stays in the moment so much, he forgets to take care of himself or others.
Should Archer & Armstrong Go On Forever?
Full disclosure, I love stuff that’s not afraid to get weird! I really needed something from Valiant after Quantum & Woody (2020) was canceled. So what madness comes out here? Why it’s the existential kind that wonders if it can last. Oh, well I guess comedy and horror are interlinked. No, I’m not kidding; Steve Foxe, this series’ writer, does horror and children’s fiction. In fact this and X-Men ’92 House of XCII are his first led series.
Which I gotta say this is a pretty good start. Foxe perfectly captures the campiness with jokes like a gang of gardeners. But he also puts in display a concern I have for this series. For some reason comedy comics don’t tend to last long. Well unless they’re aimed at kids or on strips; but the only comic book I can name in recent times is DC’s Blue & Gold. I don’t know, it’s like everyone treats this genre like it’s more of a trend or stock. Which can feel kind of insulting because the gags can get very memorable. I still can’t forget the Ningyo scenes. Or when Foxe brings back fun past elements like the Faraway. Basically more fantastical H.G. Wells Center of the Earth.
For The Displays!
Which is why Armstrong’s condition fits that theme of longevity vs conserving. With Armstrong’s immortality on the fritz, Archer feels like a fan trying to keep alive what he’ll miss. Meanwhile some Eccentric wants to put Armstrong on display, like a collector going through a list of rare comics. Don’t judge me; have you ever heard of DC’s The Heckler or Vext? I imagine Armstrong would be bothered by this instead of going out happy. But have you ever had a friend or relative who was too stubborn to take a treatment that could save their lives? It’s topics like this that allow readers to really connect with the characters.
Why Didn’t The Villain Come Sooner?
Although the Maw, a hitman the Eccentric sends out to catch Armstrong sure is taking his sweet-ash time! Seriously just looking creepy isn’t notable, I almost forgot he was in the second issue! Sure his appearance in the third issue makes up for it with his unique powers but still. I would’ve liked to see how eating meats allows him to use different powers earlier. He’s every bit as weird and off the walls as the main duo. In fact by issue 4, he’s an ever better foil to Archer & Armstrong than the Eccentric.
What?
With all of this in mind, the climax of this series’ first arc is really something to behold. Not only is everything from before issue 4 executed so well, the payoff is even better. Without going into spoilers, a new method for immortality is discovered. But with it comes a powerful look on the worth of such a state.
Armstrong’s lifestyle revolves around coping with harsh realities, including himself. It’s like this, the Boon and these Apples of Idunn revolve around draining life from others. By going into a new vessel, they make people functionally immortal. But Armstrong was filled with guilt that he lives on the life force his brother stole. It certainly doesn’t help that he can hear the voices of those souls. So why would Armstrong go through a similar process?
Better yet, the Eccentric brings up a point common point on why he doesn’t want to be immortal. While it requires the reader looking at the real world, it’s a subtle application. Reading back on it makes this sequence timeless, even years later.
Archer & Armstrong, Thanks For Proving My Point… Forever
I have to say that there’s art in Archer & Armstrong Forever not in a lot of comic books. Very few comic scenes have action as good as Marcio Fiorito’s telegraphy and panel work. I can only compare it to the art of Spider-Woman‘s Pere Perez; nevermind the expressive faces and fine detail on characters. The coloring by Alex Guimarães perfectly complement and highlight the moments as they happen.
And who can forget Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, host of Strip Panel Naked and letterer extraordinaire? Hass gives every character and action a distinct voice with specially designed SFX and word balloons. They each capture moments readers will never forget like Archer kicking gardener “butt”. Wait why did I censor that? Or in another case the effects of magic mushrooms as distorted multicolored word balloons.
Do You Think This Is Forever?
Archer & Armstrong Forever makes a big impression as creatives put their best foot forward. Each issues holds a unique pace and character to them. Will fans love these two screw-ups enough to love them or hoard them? Similarly, why can’t more comics be like it? So far this series gets 9/10.
But the ink’s not dry yet. Thanks for coming and as always remember to look between the panels.