Yvel Guichet: Immortal Brothers Commission

 

 

Long-time Valiant fan John Born recently commissioned artist Yvel Guichet to draw this spectacular image. Here, in all their 90s glory, we see Gilad (the Eternal Warrior) and his brother time-traveling brother Ivar. You'll also find his jovial brother Aram (who goes by the name Armstrong these days), and Armstrong's partner Archer. 

What a great present to give yourself for the holidays! Congratulations, John, on your purchase! And congratulations Yvel on capturing such a masterful portrayal of these classic characters!

Dragon Dave

Archer & Armstrong Forever?

 

 

As you can tell by the beautiful cover art, plenty more story remains to be told in Archer & Armstrong Forever. Thus, it was with great sadness that I noticed the series looked to be cancelled on Comiclist.com.

 

It didn't jive with what I remembered from the release schedule on Valiant's website. So I went to check.

Oh no!!!

 

Nothing more appeared on the slate for 2022. Even Book Of Shadows #3 had been rescheduled for January 2023. So is this the end of Archer & Armstrong Forever? 

Or might the series get a reprieve?

If you want to read this second story arc, featuring the return of fan favorite character Mary-Maria, beg your local comic shop to push word up the distribution chain. Write to Valiant, and request more issues.

Heck, send them a petition, signed by ten thousand of your closest friends, demanding the return of Archer & Armstrong Forever!

 

 

Your passion in action might help Archer & Armstrong live on...forever.

Dragon Dave

P.S. It goes without saying that, if for whatever reason, you haven't checked out this crazy-fun series yet, now's the time to pick up your physical or digital copy of Archer & Armstrong Forever #1-4. Every purchase counts! 

Archer & Armstrong Forever: Classic Covers

 

I have yet to learn the truth behind recent internet rumors. Nor--lacking a crystal ball--can I foretell Valiant's future. But I know that these Pre-Order covers for Archer & Armstrong Forever are awesome.

I love the way they seem inspired by the old masters.

Even if you're not a Pre-Order fan, I encourage you to snap these beauties up for your collection.

Thanks to artists Ro Stein and Ted Brandt, and Valiant Entertainment, for some truly classic covers.

Dragon Dave

Archer & Armstrong Forever #4 Review: The Perpetual Danger Machine

 

If you live long enough, you learn not to sweat the danger. Anxiety is for the short-sighted. Aram Anni-Padda, who currently goes by the name Armstrong, definitely doesn't sweat the details.

Sure, each individual danger may offer its momentary fright. But life is so rich and wonderful, and perpetually renewing, that it continues to offer up more opportunities to worry.

Danger is a constant, so roll with the punches, baby.

 

That way, you can relax a little, and savor each moment as Armstrong does. After all, even the biggest villains possess colorful personalities.

Of course, as you get older, it's natural that you'll forget some of the dangers you've faced in your many years of life. After all, they were just passing struggles along life's rich and eventful path.

Occasionally, certain dangers may threaten again. Such moments all you to reflect on how much you've learned--and grown--as you've faced danger after danger after...

In Archer & Armstrong Forever #4, you'll see how far Armstrong has come. While he always takes life as he finds it, he's learned a thing or two along the way. This time out, his friend Archer will undergo a similar, albeit unexpected transformation. 

That's the joy of confronting the dangers life continually produces. You keep growing, and changing. Hopefully, like Archer and Armstrong, you also become a better person along the way.

Dragon Dave

Details, details...

Jungle Fever

 

 

Archer: So Punk Mambo hangs out in trees?

Armstrong: Yeah. She's a regular Tarzan of the Bayou. 

Archer: I wonder how she and Savage would get along.

Armstrong: They could definitely party together, but I wouldn't want to see the pub afterward.

 

A Colorful Character

 

Archer: I haven't seen much of Solar lately.

Armstrong: That guy was nothing but trouble. Kept on creating alternative universes.

Archer: So what happened to him?

Armstrong: I think X-O flung him out into space. Let the Psi-Lords deal with him, I say.

Archer: You mean the kids who don't even know their own names?

Armstrong: He can name 'em after their colors. Solar loves colors.

 

A Galactic Hero?

 

Armstrong: Whoa! What do we have here?

Archer: An old Valiant book I found. It's called Starslayer.

Armstrong: Oh yeah, I was never quite sure about him.

Archer: Why's that?

Armstrong: Well, how can a kid wish upon a star, if some bloke goes around slaying them all?

 

 

Armorclads: Socially Distanced Bugs

 

 

Archer: Sir, why don't the Legionnaires and the giant bugs ever attack together?

Armstrong: That's a stumper. Ask Pulo. He'll drill to the heart of the matter for you.

Archer: I can't believe you just said that!

Armstrong: Sorry. Guess all this travel is wearing me down.

The Golden Voyage of Archer & Armstrong

 

Archer: I know you don't think I'll find a way to recharge the Boon--

Armstrong: That's the understatement of the decade.

Archer: If nothing else, I hope you've enjoying our adventures.

Armstrong: Each day of this farewell tour has served up a golden moment.

 

 

Archer: Please don't say things like that, sir!

Armstrong: Then I'll sign off by saying a big "Thank you" to you, and to all the good folks at Valiant for, well, everything. 

Archer: They are awesome, aren't they.

Armstrong: On that we'll always agree.

A Search Rescheduled

 

Archer: I need to do some rescheduling, what with the airlines canceling so many flights.

Armstrong: Whatever, kid. Knock yourself out.

Archer: You won't get bored if we just sit here awhile?

Armstrong: No. It's all good.

A Slash In Time

 

 

Archer: Shadowman looks like he's in pain.

Armstrong: Yeah, it's not fun to get slashed like that.

Archer: I'm guessing you're not a fan of slashing in general right now?

Armstrong: Depends on how much I've had to drink.

 

Archer & Armstrong: The Hungry Maw

 

Armstrong: So you're accusing the Maw?

Archer: He lurks in the shadows. He strikes without warning. He--

Armstrong: He nibbles the blue sprinkles off donuts?

Archer: There's no limit to his villainy.

Unity Chapter 3: Archer & Armstrong #1: The Link Between Faith & Violence

 

Archer & Armstrong #1: Cover by Frank Miller

Continuing with my Unity event read-through...

After nearly getting killed by his faith-healing parents, and being raised by Eastern mystics, Archer learns in Archer & Armstrong #1 that he is destined to become a great spiritual leader. He even discovers a cult devoted to his teachings in the Lost Land. 

 

 

Are you ready for it? Okay. The cult's name is...

No. Let the robots tell it.

 

Unfortunately, the cult leader has orders to kill him: the man whose teachings will eventually prove so influential. The only way the man can resolve this inner conflict is by imprisoning Archer, and challenging him every day to somehow inspire him with his teachings. 

 

 

As Archer devoted far more time honing his fighting skills in the eastern monastery than he did concentrating on his spirituality, that's a tall order.

Later, Armstrong really puts Archer's morals to the test by asking him to assassinate Albert's mother: Erica Pierce, the mother god of the Lost Land. Albert seems like a coddled boy who never quite grew up, and bears a real hatred for her. Nonetheless, killing Erica Pierce could prove integral to dismantling the Lost Land, and ending the threat it opposes to the rest of the universe. 

 

 

So, should Archer kill Erica Pierce?

If you could travel back in time, and kill Judas Iscariot before he killed Christ, would you? If you could travel back in time and kill Adolf Hitler before he began torturing and massacring Jews, would you?

 

Some intriguing thoughts on the link between belief and killing, from the writers and artists Jim Shooter, Bob Layton, and Barry Windsor-Smith.

Dragon Dave 

Archer & Armstrong on Magnus Cyborg Fighter

 

Archer: Sir, I thought we were going to swap copies?

Armstrong: Yeah kid, sure. Once I finish reading this one.

Archer: You're still not through?

Armstrong: Sorry. All this globe-trotting is tiring.

Archer: Maybe I could energize you by reading a little Magnus Robot Fighter to you?

 

Armstrong: No way! That's not even a Valiant book!

Archer: Still, it's a fun graphic novel about Magnus defending Earth against a deadly cyborg invasion fleet. The famous Jim Steranko even redesigned Magnus' look.

Armstrong: Pass! It's just not Magnus unless he's wearing a miniskirt.

Archer & Armstrong: Australian Clash & Klang

 

Archer: Sir, shall we read Quantum & Woody next?

Armstrong: I don't know. Those two are real kooks. What's their story?

Archer: Well, they visit Australia to meet Woody's biological father.

Armstrong: Yikes! Awkward!

Archer: Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla also figure in the story. 

Armstrong: What? No thanks! Those guys were too high-energy for me. Let's just go out and catch some rays.

 

Archer: But Mr. Armstrong, sir. The story also features Thedge the Hedge. You like him, don't you?

Armstrong: Tell you what, kid. Why don't we just swap our copies and read Archer & Armstrong Forever #2 again.

Archer & Armstrong Forever #2 Review: The Globetrotting Quest

 

Archer & Armstrong Forever #2 Pre-Order Cover by Ro Stein & Ted Brandt

Drawing on secrets derived from his upbringing, Archer compiles a list of all possible sources of eternal life. His first try at restoring Armstrong's vitality? The fabled Fountain Of Youth!

Artistically speaking, I'm immediately arrested by how the lettering and sound effects on page 1 amplify the energy in Archer's battle with the Spanish conquistadors.

Archer has mastered numerous kinds of martial arts. While growing up with others his age in the cult, Archer likely learned how to dance. Apparently, he even found ways to incorporate their movements into his fighting style.

Armed with the optimism of youth, Archer urges Armstrong to waste no time and leap into the fountain.

Archer seems to be running on a full pot of coffee throughout this issue. Or tanked up on energy drinks.

 

The panels may be overlarge, and convey less story than I'd prefer, but each one is fun and appealing. 

While I think of Armstrong as inebriated and taking everything as a joke, he seems more like the straight-man in this issue. I suppose losing an ear--if not realizing that your days of instant-healing are behind you--can be rather sobering.

Archer's obsession to restore Armstrong's immortality drives him to extremes. One minute the intensively trained and programmed former assassin is channeling Sherlock Holmes.

The next, he's reacting like a hyperactive teen. Like...

"OMG!"

 

  

"I can't handle that!!"

 

"Is that twisted or what???"

At no point does Archer stop to consider he obstacles they'll confront. Nor does he ever doubt that any particular stop on their immortality world tour might actually work. That job is left to the usually-carefree Armstrong.

Still, this issue suggests a possible reason for Archer's frantic obsession. Armstrong's healing seems to be proceeding rather slowly. His wound continues to reopen and bleed.

Imagine getting used to the idea of your closest friend being around forever, only to suddenly realize that he or she may be incapable of healing, and therefore die within a relatively short time.

Archer & Armstrong Forever #2 doesn't waste time on drama, argument or angst. It launches the reader on a fun-tastic globetrotting adventure guaranteed to make you smile, chuckle, and wish that this series could go on, well, forever.

OMG! 

I think I could handle that!! 

Would that be twisted or what???

Dragon Dave

Details, details...

ARCHER & ARMSTRONG FOREVER #2
Written by STEVE FOXE
Art by MARCIO FIORITO
Colors by ALEX GUIMARAES
Letters by HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
Cover A by BERNARD CHANG
Cover B by CHRIS WILDGOOSE
Pre-order Cover by RO STEIN/TED BRANDT

The triumphant return of Valiant’s best besties!

With Armstrong more mortal than ever, it’s up to Archer to find the secrets of immortality. One of history’s myths has to be true…right? Their quest will take them across the globe, from the Fountain of Youth to mythical creatures, with the deadly Maw in hot pursuit.

On sale JUNE 8th | 32 pages, full color | $3.99 US | T+