Archer & Armstrong #3 Review

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Archer & Armstrong #3 Review
By Andy Frisk
October 9, 2012 - 22:09

Valiant Entertainment
Writer(s): Fred Van Lente
Penciller(s): Clayton Henry
Inker(s): Pere Perez
Colourist(s): Matt Milla
Letterer(s): Dave Lanphear

Tracking down the Torque, a piece of the mystical weapon The Boon that The Sect is desperately trying to reassemble, Archer and Armstrong run headlong into the "nunjas" of The Sisters of Perpetual Darkness, The Daughters of Lilith. After an at times hilarious and at others flat out action packed battle, Archer and Armstrong find the Vatican's hidden library. It's a library full of secrets (and hints at the interconnectivity of the Valiant U), not the least of which is a collection of vintage wines. Will Armstrong be sober enough to help Archer fight off the next threat? A threat that strikes harrowingly close to home for Archer...

Smart, funny, and slyly subversive, Archer & Armstrong is the jewel in the crown of Valiant Entertainment's star studded lineup. Fred Van Lente's wit, sense of action and adventure, and smart socio-political commentary is nearly unmatched. All of Valiant's books are packed with intelligent commentary and powerfully realistic characterizations, but Van Lente's Archer & Armstrong is the sharpest, funniest, and most realistic (characterization wise) of them all.

Clayton Henry and Pere Perez bring Van Lente's story of Archer and Armstrong's battle against the "nunjas" underneath the Vatican to stunningly beautiful and action packed life. Their fight choreography and facial expressions, not to mention their attention to detail (always a fine point with me) are all impeccable.

All of Valiant Entertainment's books have been an incredible joy to read for this long suffering Valiant fan, but Archer & Armstrong just might be strongest of the lot (no pun intended!).

Rating: 10/10