Kickin’ It Old School: Archer & Armstrong #3

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another new edition of Kickin’ It Old School, our weekly column in which we look to the past and review books from the original Valiant universe! This week, I’ll be discussing Archer & Armstrong #3

Archer & Armstrong #3

Published in October 1992
Written by Barry Windsor-Smith
Penciled by Barry Windsor-Smith
Inked by Bob Wiacek
Colored by Maurice Fontenot
Lettered by Jade
Edited by Bob Layton

Synopsis:

Archer and Armstrong are returned from the Lost Land right to the point they had left, preparing to fight Mahmud and the Sect. They return prepared to defend themselves against gunfire, but not against gas. They are knocked out and taken to Italy, leaving behind Armstrong’s satchel, which is picked up by a teenager named Daryll. He returns home and discovers that he know has the power to control his parents’ minds, which is a plot point that will be left hanging until the next issue. Meanwhile, Armstrong awakens as Archer is trying to light a lamp so Armstrong can see.

They free themselves from their chains and set about escaping. Armstrong intends to lead them to a restaurant, but they find themselves in the Vatican instead, in the pope’s closet. They sneak out, but rn into Cardinal Cyn. Archer tells him their plight against Armstrong’s wishes, and the Cardinal gives them sanctuary until he can speak to the pope in the morning. Armstrong tells Archer that the Cardinal is part of the Sect and they sneak out, with Archer arguing all the while. When they come across a group of nuns, Archer seeks to prove Armstrong wrong, but proves him right, as they are attacked by the nuns. As they flee, they are caught between the nuns and Mahmud and Constantino. They run into an open door, and the issue ends.

Review:

I loved this issue. Archer and Armstrong felt lost in the midst of the Unity event, so it’s great to have them on their own again, continuing the adventure that began in the #0 issue. Barry Windsor-Smith’s art and writing are absolutely top notch in this issue, as well as Maurice Fontenot’s colors. I absolutely love the cover! The VEI version of Archer & Armstrong was the comic that got me into Valiant in the first place, and the VH1 version of Archer & Armstrong is just as great. Or maybe that goes the other way around. Either way, I’m amazed that both versions could be so deep and layered together. This may be my favorite VH1 comic.

Kickin’ It Old School: Archer and Armstrong #0

Originally from ValiantCentral.com