**SPOILER** Archer & Armstrong #1 PREVIEW!

[magnusr]

I love the line art on this. Not sure on the colors. The tie in to the Bible is cool.

Never been a fan of this style, but it sure does the job, so no complaints. The bible quote is interesting. They just left out the naming of Noah. Which is related to the epic of Gilgamesh, which was related to Gilad in the original universe. Googled a bit. Seems Ur was later than Gilgamesh though. And it seems Anni-Padda means "chosen by An" (a god) or "chosen by heaven" and was part of the name of the first king of Ur, so that explains the settings.

/Magnus

[grendeljd]

Damn...

I'm going to activate that latent Harbinger ability that was triggered in me when I fought down the urge to look at the Harbinger #2 preview...

Meaning I'm using extreme willpower to not!! look at any more than the first page up on that link. I'd like to save it for looking at in Bloodshot #1 if at all possible.

Looks great though...

[Donovan]

Newsarama has a few more pages that I didn't see in the PDF:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/archer- ... lente.html

[grendeljd]

Newsarama has a few more pages that I didn't see in the PDF:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/archer- ... lente.html

Double damn!!!

While I refuse to look at those pages, I had to read that interview. Sounds like A&A is in good hands, though its interesting to note FVL made the Valiant management 'nervous' with some of his ideas...

I really like that he is making Archers parents members of the sect [& thus, Archer]... it makes a ton of sense to link that together.

[etos45]

"He who is not to be named"??? Aram is Voldemort?

Other than that, I'm liking the setup. I have a feeling this is going to be my favorite title.

[caniac]

Newsarama has a few more pages that I didn't see in the PDF:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/archer- ... lente.html

Going after Aram...

[BugsySig]

A few thoughts as this may end up being some of the most important pages in th new Valiant Universe (also known as "Dinesh" according to FVL )

1) I would imagine if Ivar sets off an event that effectively kills a large portion of the Earth's population, he may spend the next 10,000 years trying to redeem himself. Even possibly trying to undo the act. But due to the event itself, he can't travel past that point. Would be an interesting twist.

2) Ivar seemed to imply that the device belonged to "Gods" and Aram says they dont kow if it will work on humans...could this be The Vine? I have thought it would be interesting if the Vine were the original inhabitants of Earth and were only trying to take back their home. Or the "faraway" could have been a Vine ship, or their home world (if it's not Earth).

3) there were many other people present at this event. Why would the brothers be the only ones to become immortal? Or are there others...?

4) Based on what I have read of A & A, including the Formation of the Sect story from the Hardcover Trade, it seemed to me that Aram was not always so...Aram. His personality changed over time as he realized he would always have to leave his friends and families so as not to watch them die, or go on the run from those who would always hunt him. That would make anyone pretty pessimistic about life.

[Zaphod]

The only thing missing so far, The Geomancer. One of the most important "deus ex machinas" in all of Valiant exposition.

[iwantvaliant]

The bible quote is interesting. They just left out the naming of Noah. Which is related to the epic of Gilgamesh, which was related to Gilad in the original universe. Googled a bit. Seems Ur was later than Gilgamesh though. And it seems Anni-Padda means "chosen by An" (a god) or "chosen by heaven" and was part of the name of the first king of Ur, so that explains the settings.

Gilgamesh is an awesome story. Especially in Klingon.

[BugsySig]

The bible quote is interesting. They just left out the naming of Noah. Which is related to the epic of Gilgamesh, which was related to Gilad in the original universe. Googled a bit. Seems Ur was later than Gilgamesh though. And it seems Anni-Padda means "chosen by An" (a god) or "chosen by heaven" and was part of the name of the first king of Ur, so that explains the settings.

Gilgamesh is an awesome story. Especially in Klingon.

I also prefer Shakespeare in its original Klingon.

[Chiclo]

The bible quote is interesting. They just left out the naming of Noah. Which is related to the epic of Gilgamesh, which was related to Gilad in the original universe. Googled a bit. Seems Ur was later than Gilgamesh though. And it seems Anni-Padda means "chosen by An" (a god) or "chosen by heaven" and was part of the name of the first king of Ur, so that explains the settings.

Gilgamesh is an awesome story. Especially in Klingon.

I also prefer Shakespeare in its original Klingon.

Gorkon did say it best.

I was working on a project to translate Titus Andronicus several years ago with the KLI but that was abandoned.

[iwantvaliant]

The bible quote is interesting. They just left out the naming of Noah. Which is related to the epic of Gilgamesh, which was related to Gilad in the original universe. Googled a bit. Seems Ur was later than Gilgamesh though. And it seems Anni-Padda means "chosen by An" (a god) or "chosen by heaven" and was part of the name of the first king of Ur, so that explains the settings.

Gilgamesh is an awesome story. Especially in Klingon.

I also prefer Shakespeare in its original Klingon.

Gorkon did say it best.

I was working on a project to translate Titus Andronicus several years ago with the KLI but that was abandoned.

I'd have bought that!

[David_Cody]

I'd say that I would be even less likely to get A&A after reading that. Outside of using the names from VH1, it felt NOTHING like the magic from the BWS classic.

[SJS4]

Not gonna lie...that preview has me more worried then psyched...

I am seeing the Acclaim influence (i.e. "the boon" sounds like it is essentially the same origin for the immortals as Acclaim...which I thought was horrible), but I am hoping I am wrong. I think these characters (A&A, EW) were done right the first time and don't need to have their history/origin changed up too much.

[tchalla8]

The VEI trend of releasing previews seems to be backfiring in the case. Driving some of us away rather than drawing us in.

But seriously...this was the one most likely to fall short of the classic version in my opinion. I wanna see all of it first, but this is the one that worried me the most from the get go.

[etos45]

I can't believe there are so many against this. I really liked the preview in this case. I don't know how tight it is with the original, but I really like the direction the story seems to be taking. It looks like A&A might have a more important role in the VU then it did in VH1 and I like that.

[tchalla8]

I can't believe there are so many against this. I really liked the preview in this case. I don't know how tight it is with the original, but I really like the direction the story seems to be taking. It looks like A&A might have a more important role in the VU then it did in VH1 and I like that.

Just FYI, I haven't read the preview yet, so my opinion isn't formed. I just see a lot more backlash for this preview than any othe other three.

[orbitalshift]

I liked the preview. I guess in my mind I know it's just a prologue setting things up.

There are things that worry me about the title, but after the first 3 books being so well done, and seeing the conviction Dinesh has about these characters, my confidence is way up.

Personally I like the clean lines of the art. I think artistically this one will be great. It's a tough act to follow Barry Windsor-Smith.

The story will have to prove itself. Like all do. Some of the covers we are seeing now with a more comedic bent, gives me hope that they will be able to capture some of that original charm. Let's be honest, if it ends up being half as good as the original, it would better than most of what's on the shelf today. A&a's brand of quirky comedic adventure will be tough to replicate, but maybe they can make something that honors the original in a fresh way.

I don't believe Dinesh or any of the Valiant guys would release something that they didn't truly believe would be a winner.

[grendeljd]

I can't believe there are so many against this. I really liked the preview in this case. I don't know how tight it is with the original, but I really like the direction the story seems to be taking. It looks like A&A might have a more important role in the VU then it did in VH1 and I like that.

Just FYI, I haven't read the preview yet, so my opinion isn't formed. I just see a lot more backlash for this preview than any othe other three.

For the record, I haven't formed an opinion of the new A&A yet - I shall reserve any judgement for the day I read the full comic.

If others around here are anything like me, they hold those BWS issues close to their hearts as a golden, treasured run and a very high standard to compare any other attempts at the characters to.

I am also quite nervous that this won't live up to that, but I also don't think it should try. If it is funny, adventurous and all around awesome in its own manner, I want to be ok with it. It's time for a distinct interpretation of these guys that can hold its own.

I'm looking forward to a storyline that has more purpose and connection to the valiant universe, exploring all the untapped potential of plot points in the original like the satchel that were not as fully explored as they could have been, in addition to a crazy fun sense of humor.

[etos45]

I can't believe there are so many against this. I really liked the preview in this case. I don't know how tight it is with the original, but I really like the direction the story seems to be taking. It looks like A&A might have a more important role in the VU then it did in VH1 and I like that.

Just FYI, I haven't read the preview yet, so my opinion isn't formed. I just see a lot more backlash for this preview than any othe other three.

Maybe you shouldn't be in the spoiler thread, then.

Join the dark side... read the preview.

[etos45]

There are things that worry me about the title, but after the first 3 books being so well done, and seeing the conviction Dinesh has about these characters, my confidence is way up.

I don't believe Dinesh or any of the Valiant guys would release something that they didn't truly believe would be a winner.

The only thing I've read that worries me is that he was talking about how it was going to have South Park like comedy. I like South Park, but I'm not sure how that is going to fit in a world outside my window. I don't want A&A to get so out there that it can't fit well with the rest of the universe. While I worry about this, I'm not all then concerned that this will happen.

After the panel, I have no worries about the direction Valiant takes. They really seem to care about making this IP a success.

[BugsySig]

Just as a side note, the outlook on other boards is all positive thus far based on the previews.

I like it thus far, but reserve final judgement for after I read some scenes involving Archer & Armstrong interacting. That was the key element to the original that made it great. Feel free to , but the original didn't have the greatest plot outside of "run away from the Sect". What people remember is that relationship. If FVL can capture some of that BWS magic AND make the book integral to the Valiant Universe (not skirting along on it's fringe), that's a win for me.

[Zaphod]

A&A 0 (which I equate this to) was an origin story also and was a quite different tone to the rest of BWS' run.

but man...Ivar is a *SQUEE*!

[x-omatic]

I am looking forward to this.

[MoonChild]

Officially the least exciting of the relaunch thus far for me, especially visually. Hopefully ill be pleasantly suprised.