Archer & Armstrong #11 Discussion

[Zaphod]

Also, on another note, anyone else notice Armstrong's eyes go white when he was healing himself? I obviously saw it in issue 4 when his eyes were healing, but only thought that was because it happened to be his eyes that he was healing, not that it happened whenever he used some of his "boon power?"

It seemed like an artist choice the first time, that it occurs again with a different artist (and both MM's parents are shown with the same pupil-less eyes means something. What that something is, I haven't a clue.

I wanted to see if MM had the same thing occur when she healed, but her face was downturned.

And so it was the "Archies" that the 3 brothers took the Boon from a long long time in the past. and yet they are inspired by Archer...time seems to be wibbly wobbly and timey wimey. Perhaps my theory we are going to find a blue telephone box isn't so far fetched. I am very curious to see how they explain it, if they do.

[bygranddesign]

The Faraway is completely wibbly wobbly timey wimey. There are aliens/evolved humans that are hundred thousand years in the future to go along with dinosaurs that are 200 million years in the past and everything in between. When the brothers in the past met the "Archie's" they were meeting people from the future. Thats why one of them knew Ivars name. This was speculated when # 0 came out but I think the Faraway was created in the distant future with portals that allow you to enter and leave from different time periods. And I do agree that there is a whole bunch of potential paradoxes .. But the next issue is called Timewalkers so I'm sure Ivar will be featured and maybe there will be some more clarity on how time works in the faraway .. Or maybe we will be even more confused. Time will tell...

[hunter_peterson]

Loved this issue, SO MUCH!

General Redacted is awesome, Mary Maria is awesome, Archer and Armstrong are awesome, Ambrose Bierce is awesome, the greys are a really neat idea, the Roanoke tribe is cool, dinosaurs are cool, there's a fake sun and *SQUEE* ARCHIES! That means there's a direct link to the 4001 era or its equivalent... so does "TIMEWALKERS" refer to the Archies, Ivar himself, Rai or all three at once? I think we might get a glimmer of the future next issue, and maybe a teensy Rai cameo in Bloodshot 0 next month when we learn his origins. Either way, this *SQUEE* is *SQUEE* awesome and I love it!

Plus, any day when I read the words "it's like an enema for the soul" in a context that make sense is a good day.

[apainter]

I don't know that it's my favorite issue, but "DINOPUNCH!" is among my favorite sound effects ever.

Art

[Captain Craig]

Seriously this book is on the verge, of becoming my #2 favorite book, it may as well be a tie with BS really.
The series that keeps improving with every issue.

"I sometimes have them probe me 2-3 times a day now"

So the gal whose shooting up thugs in a skirt and bra(#10) is all "H-E double hockey sticks!!" LOL! Her upbringing kicking back in.

Whose president? Hilarious answer...."but I've recently found my parents lied about so much else so..."

The Roanoke Indians is a great tie to history, be funny if Colonial Era Settlers also turn up as well.

What does the star on the shirt represent again? It's importance is now...kinda important. Has it been explained and I've missed it?

[greg]

What does the star on the shirt represent again? It's importance is now...kinda important. Has it been explained and I've missed it?

It hasn't been explained, but I think it's just as fun if it doesn't mean anything...
The sages just wanted to be like Archer in every way possible, from the short blond hair to the shirt with the star, even though none of it is important.

[BugsySig]

What does the star on the shirt represent again? It's importance is now...kinda important. Has it been explained and I've missed it?

It hasn't been explained, but I think it's just as fun if it doesn't mean anything...
The sages just wanted to be like Archer in every way possible, from the short blond hair to the shirt with the star, even though none of it is important.

+1

I see it the same way as VH1 Archies who shaved their heads and wore the monk clothing to imitate Archer.

[vaevictis]

I truly enjoyed this issue. It had everything in it and certainly left no doubt that Unity was on the horizon. I think this book is going to be a pivotal issue.

[jmatt]

I don't know that it's my favorite issue, but "DINOPUNCH!" is among my favorite sound effects ever.

Art

Yeah, I caught that and it made me laugh right on the first page.

[lorddunlow]

I don't know that it's my favorite issue, but "DINOPUNCH!" is among my favorite sound effects ever.

Art

Yeah, I caught that and it made me laugh right on the first page.

My favorite part as well.

Oh man, Archer and Armstrong just keeps getting better and better! This issue puts it right in the running with my 2 favorite VEI titles (Harbinger and Bloodshot).

[FormerReader]

I have enjoyed this title since day one and this issue didn't disappoint! There was a lot of action with a lot of subplots going on. I love the characters in this title. The only thing not clear to me is, does Mary Maria still have her own personality or is it just her parents controlling her? Why is it that she is a host for them, but none of the immortal brothers serve as hosts to the millions that died to give them immortality?

[Captain Craig]

I have enjoyed this title since day one and this issue didn't disappoint! There was a lot of action with a lot of subplots going on. I love the characters in this title. The only thing not clear to me is, does Mary Maria still have her own personality or is it just her parents controlling her? Why is it that she is a host for them, but none of the immortal brothers serve as hosts to the millions that died to give them immortality?

Proximity? They were right there whereas the millions who died during the initial event with the Anni-Padi brothers were not?
Good question though.

[jmatt]

Having just reread issue #10 before #11, I have to admit something:

When Mary Maria opens the door in nothing but her bra and skirt and announces "It's twins", it took me several pages before I realized she was referring to her parents and not her sweater meat.

But I'm glad I did reread 10, I missed stuff the first time around and things make more sense now. On my first read through I was under the impression to old coot trapped Redacted in the portal, upon second read I now realize he entered voluntarily in search of his soldiers.

And I totally failed to grasp that some of the tech that Redacted sent back helped PRS with their nanite construction.

[BugsySig]

I have enjoyed this title since day one and this issue didn't disappoint! There was a lot of action with a lot of subplots going on. I love the characters in this title. The only thing not clear to me is, does Mary Maria still have her own personality or is it just her parents controlling her? Why is it that she is a host for them, but none of the immortal brothers serve as hosts to the millions that died to give them immortality?

I'm not sure if Mary Maria even realizes her parents are controlling her...Sometimes it seems to be her, sometimes it is obviously her parents...Are they pulling the strings or just using subconscious suggestion to influence her? That's something that could do with some clarification.

As for the brothers, only Aram was infused with the life forces drained by the Boon. Gilad was already dead and resurrected by the Earth. Meanwhile, we are still not sure exactly what happened to Ivar. But Aram has said he feels the souls inside of him. Perhaps it took him time (or lots of beer) to suppress them? Or perhaps there were not any souls who had the will or desire to control him the way the Archers do with MM?

[BugsySig]

Having just reread issue #10 before #11, I have to admit something:

When Mary Maria opens the door in nothing but her bra and skirt and announces "It's twins", it took me several pages before I realized she was referring to her parents and not her sweater meat.

I think she was referring to the 2 guns she had hidden in the fake belly...

...Either that or her jugs

[jmatt]

Having just reread issue #10 before #11, I have to admit something:

When Mary Maria opens the door in nothing but her bra and skirt and announces "It's twins", it took me several pages before I realized she was referring to her parents and not her sweater meat.

I think she was referring to the 2 guns she had hidden in the fake belly...

Man, am I dense or what?

[The Dirt Gang]

A&A is not BWS' A&A but it's definitely keeping the spirit. This book was dense is a great way. It felt meaty with so much going on. It's such a fun book and I'm really looking forward to Sect Wars. General Redacted is great!

DINOPUNCH!

[leonmallett]

They all are! Hard to believe people once thought this was the weakest of Valiant's lineup!

This is now my favourite VALIANT title (having overtaken Bloodshot which slipped during HW), and that has surprised me from what I expected going in. The book has been solidly entertaining, with lovely art and most of all has been a fun adventure. Great stuff.

[String]

This is one trippy book!

So many questions raised in just one issue, terrific characterizations, wicked dialogue, great art, just a stellar comic.

And yes, an Archer Star T-Shirt would rock!

[String]

I have enjoyed this title since day one and this issue didn't disappoint! There was a lot of action with a lot of subplots going on. I love the characters in this title. The only thing not clear to me is, does Mary Maria still have her own personality or is it just her parents controlling her? Why is it that she is a host for them, but none of the immortal brothers serve as hosts to the millions that died to give them immortality?

I'm not sure if Mary Maria even realizes her parents are controlling her...Sometimes it seems to be her, sometimes it is obviously her parents...Are they pulling the strings or just using subconscious suggestion to influence her? That's something that could do with some clarification.

As for the brothers, only Aram was infused with the life forces drained by the Boon. Gilad was already dead and resurrected by the Earth. Meanwhile, we are still not sure exactly what happened to Ivar. But Aram has said he feels the souls inside of him. Perhaps it took him time (or lots of beer) to suppress them? Or perhaps there were not any souls who had the will or desire to control him the way the Archers do with MM?

I'm not sure that her parents are controlling her. They still bicker and fight amongst themselves, so wouldn't that affect their control of her? It seems to me that they are influencing her behaviour, as in 'leading' her to Area 51 based on Mom's PRS information.

Although it would be cool if this developed into a split-personality for Mary-Maria. Her parents assume full control of her to continue their goals, forcing Obie to save his beloved from his own parents.

So since she is infused with Boon energy, then technically she is immortal now, right?

Given his long history wandering the Earth, whose to say that something similar to Mary-Maria's condition hasn't already happened to Aram and been dealt with? I sense hidden story potential.

[BugsySig]

I have enjoyed this title since day one and this issue didn't disappoint! There was a lot of action with a lot of subplots going on. I love the characters in this title. The only thing not clear to me is, does Mary Maria still have her own personality or is it just her parents controlling her? Why is it that she is a host for them, but none of the immortal brothers serve as hosts to the millions that died to give them immortality?

I'm not sure if Mary Maria even realizes her parents are controlling her...Sometimes it seems to be her, sometimes it is obviously her parents...Are they pulling the strings or just using subconscious suggestion to influence her? That's something that could do with some clarification.

As for the brothers, only Aram was infused with the life forces drained by the Boon. Gilad was already dead and resurrected by the Earth. Meanwhile, we are still not sure exactly what happened to Ivar. But Aram has said he feels the souls inside of him. Perhaps it took him time (or lots of beer) to suppress them? Or perhaps there were not any souls who had the will or desire to control him the way the Archers do with MM?

I'm not sure that her parents are controlling her. They still bicker and fight amongst themselves, so wouldn't that affect their control of her? It seems to me that they are influencing her behaviour, as in 'leading' her to Area 51 based on Mom's PRS information.

Although it would be cool if this developed into a split-personality for Mary-Maria. Her parents assume full control of her to continue their goals, forcing Obie to save his beloved from his own parents.

So since she is infused with Boon energy, then technically she is immortal now, right?

Given his long history wandering the Earth, whose to say that something similar to Mary-Maria's condition hasn't already happened to Aram and been dealt with? I sense hidden story potential.

Well Aram had 1000s, maybe tens of thousands, of life forces infused into him, giving him the appearance of immortality. In actuality it would be limited eventually, just not for a very very very long time. MM has far fewer life forces in her since there was only a small number at the temple who were effected by the Boon, but enough to give her a 1000 years or more. Mary Maria 4001 FTW!

[Big Red]

Great issue!

I loved how Archer forgot that he was in a flying saucer when he jumped out of the window when trying to escape.

[CylonSteve]

What a great issue. FVL just get's better and better with each one. Anticipating that by the time of Sect Civil War, we'll be unable to get through an issue without our brains melting. And I did not expect that ending! Old time Valiant fans should get a huge smile out of that one!

All you holdouts and naysayers... seriously... you are missing out on some amazing comics and truly important reading in the Valiant Universe! Drop that 5th Avengers title (Super Secret Double Probation Avengers) and get with the program![\b]

I seriously said something like this to a diehard marvel guy, my Avengers title was X-rated, but I lended him the two trades of A&A, as well as 0, 10, and 11 and he flippin' loved it.

The aliens being evolved forms of makind, that are obsessed with Butts, therfore the anal probes had me laughing out loud.

[BugsySig]

Great issue!

I loved how Archer forgot that he was in a flying saucer when he jumped out of the window when trying to escape.

Well, at that point they had landed in Redacted's headquarters...which just happens to be near the "sun" in the Faraway...but no less hilarious when you see his expression. Great job by Perez on the art there.

[mlech415]

"Shame their dependency on super gadgets turned their brainpans to *SQUEE*."
That had me rolling, so sad and unfortunate, but hilarious!