Archer & Armstrong #14 Discussion

[greg]

[swtor1091]

good issue but all in all it was just okay for my taste which is okay it had to set up a war after all... I can't wait to see Armstrong show up though now i'm confident that Archer could hold a whole title by himself. He was bad *SQUEE* and funny as *SQUEE*... Good job Valiant... Review will be tomorrow at 2 on my facebook page

[tchalla8]

I'm taking a wait and see approach with this Black Bloc thing...

[KXXX]

When is this? Kozol looks old.

Khari Evans is not a favorite of mine, and even less so now that this book gets the 'everyone looks Asian' treatment.

[ValiantReader]

When is this? Kozol looks old.

Khari Evans is not a favorite of mine, and even less so now that this book gets the 'everyone looks Asian' treatment.

Yea i noticed that too, very odd. It defiantly not a great issue from a art stand point. It wasn't horrible. I just cant wait till part 2. I want to see what happened to armstrong and Ivar.

[bygranddesign]

I thought this was a solid setup issue

But I'm used to loving A&A issues .. And so this was a bit of a let down.

I thought FVL might have gotten a bit too silly at times with this issue ... I'm also a little wary of the black bloc.

The art was ok ... But Pere Perez was definitely missed.

7.8/10

[blujay]

"Some call it fried dough, some call them funnel cakes...I call it JUSTICE FUEL"

Great book, but I thought was strange was that Akhenaten looked like an Asian person. And I like the idea of the "Black Bloc" being henchman who want a shot at being the top dogs.

Usually I hate the mention of social media in comic books, I think making specific references only helps date something, in a couple years you'll probably look back at this one and go "Oh yeah, facebook...that was a thing". I remember ranting about how stupid I thought it was in Action Comics #1 when "people were tweeting about superman" (even though AC #1 is supposed to take place 5 years before the New 52 which is supposed to take place now but whatever). But FVL made the line funny so I forgave him

8/10

[pixierosa]

I thought this was a good read, and a great starting point for someone who hasn't read A&A before. Nice little summary in the usual tongue-and-cheek delivery. I liked the double-page layout of all the factions and finally getting the scoop on origin of the Sect.

I love that Archer is writing in his journal.

I had no issue with the art except for the depiction of Kozol and Akhenaten.

In regards to the black bloc, I'm wondering if they are a group of henchmen who decided to do their own thing, or are they being led (knowingly or unknowingly) by another party?

Can't wait to find out more about Archer's origins. The Prodigal. If he is a psiot, and his abilities lends credence to this, then why doesn't he ever exhibit the tell-tale glowing eyes? What exactly is he?

[Blood of Heroes]

"Justice Fuel" was the best line of the book.

[DirtbagSailor]

Yup, I'm very much enjoying this book. It's a no-s&$@ comicbook that entertains to no end.

Long live the Black Bloc! (and justice fuel too...)

[DirtbagSailor]

Can't wait to find out more about Archer's origins. The Prodigal. If he is a psiot, and his abilities lends credence to this, then why doesn't he ever exhibit the tell-tale glowing eyes? What exactly is he?

It wouldn't shock me if we eventually find out that Archer was infused with nano-technology much like Rai or Bloodshot, only prior to his birth which might explain his more normal appearance. Additionally, he would be programmed to learn and acquire knowledge/experience, which would be in contrast to other versions (e.g. Bloodshot) which were pre-programmed with such knowledge already in place.

[Phoenix8008]

Good issue, but not great. Can't expect much more though for a set up issue. Liked seeing Archer on his own and kicking *SQUEE*. Also loved the 'justice fuel' line. Hilarious! Most of all, I love finally being able to comment on these books when they are still new instead of not getting them all till the end of the month. Can't wait till next month to see what Aram, Mary-Maria, and Ivar are doing. I'm guessing that Archer now has to go back to the Faraway to get the info from Armstrong, so he'll end up getting all of them out and back to the real world before Ivar manages to steal back his Time Map and disappear in a time arc. This will leave Armstrong and the Archers to fight the Sect Civil War themselves. Also nonplussed by the Black Bloc so far, but we'll see how it is next issue before rendering too harsh of a judgement.

[tchalla8]

My problem with the Black Blok may be my own. I had a flashback to this silliness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:8-Ball_(comics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)_sleepwalker_cover.jpg

[greg]

My problem with the Black Blok may be my own. I had a flashback to this silliness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:8-Ball_(comics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)_sleepwalker_cover.jpg

My first thought was the TV-head guys in Saga.

[Donovan]

Loved Archer's talk about facebook and twitter. Possibly the funniest Valiant page ever. And considering Q&W is firing on all cylinders, that is saying something.

I did a paper in University on the Amarna period in ancient Egypt, and was pretty excited to see this era appear in a comic. FvL is my favourite writer in comics right now.

Khari Evans is not a favorite of mine, and even less so now that this book gets the 'everyone looks Asian' treatment.

I don't know if everyone looks Asian, but a HUGE drawback for Evans' art for me, going all the way back to Harbinger #1, is that everyone does look the same.

[Keith]

Great issue, really thought it continued the excitement from Far, Faraway! The art was a step up from Evan's work on Harbinger, in my opinion, but still not super fond of it. His Kozol was way to old. Artistic license, me thinks.

I really loved all the little ways this touched other areas of the Valiant Universe. Kozol from PRS, mention of going after Harada, the Vine as part of the Sect, mention of X-O conquering Romania. Have to say it again, Archer & Armstrong is the integral read to understand just how connected the Valiant Universe really is.

Anyone suspicious about the alarms going off when Archer's call was picked up. The word "Cosmic" was used. Designation of threat level, or recognition of Archer's capabilities?

[Savant]

After issue 13 being the only A&A issue I haven't liked so far, I'm glad to say I enjoyed #14.

I do agree that the art of Khari Evans can be odd, with the quasi-Asian look almost everyone has, along with Kozol looking older than usual. It's a stark contrast to Lupacchino's art in Bloodshot #14, where everyone looked young if you only focus on their facial features.

Contrary to others in this thread, I didn't care for the "Justice Fuel" bit (Simply didn't tickle my funny-bone), but that certainly didn't ruin the issue or anything.

[CylonSteve]

"Some call it fried dough, some call them funnel cakes...I call it JUSTICE FUEL"

A great line indeed!

Usually I hate the mention of social media in comic books, I think making specific references only helps date something, in a couple years you'll probably look back at this one and go "Oh yeah, facebook...that was a thing". I remember ranting about how stupid I thought it was in Action Comics #1 when "people were tweeting about superman" (even though AC #1 is supposed to take place 5 years before the New 52 which is supposed to take place now but whatever). But FVL made the line funny so I forgave him

I agree with this statement 100%, even with the conclusion of FVL Making the line so funny so it is forgiven.

Like most I am not much of a fan of Khari Evans (Not Terrible but not Great), people look to similar, and it is hard to differentiate people.

I was hoping for more from Ivar, Mary-Maria, and Armstrong, but I liked the insight on the Sect. I wonder how they are going to get out of that pickle of being stuck in the faraway?

I was hoping to for PRS to leak more info on his origins, perhaps ask him to join the H.A.R.D. Corps LOL.

[CylonSteve]

Also the Nanite theory on Archer, and his connection to him possibly becoming the Bleeding Monk, perhaps the Nanites keep him alive, and maybe his learning abilities; Archer has a Photographic Memory and he remembers the Ivar Time Scroll, and goes back in time?

Can I have my Tin Foil hat please?

[mateo107]

My problem with the Black Blok may be my own. I had a flashback to this silliness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:8-Ball_(comics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)_sleepwalker_cover.jpg

actually, they reminded me of Wonder Woman's old villain Doctor Domino.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Coming off the Far Faraway arc, it was a near impossible task to keep up that incredible level of awesomeness. Best Valiant Arc yet.
This one was good, but not as great as that one.
Like most of you, I prefer Clayton Henry, or Pere Perez' art on this book. But I agree with a previous post, that Evans' work is better here than on Harbinger.
Loved the line "What, I only brought 2 choppers and 4 guards. That's like practically being naked!" Hah!
FVL is damn amazing!

[BugsySig]

Good issue, though it had a lot of set up. I know that's needed as VEI wants each arc to be accessible to new readers, though.

Overall I enjoyed all the same things mentioned above. I also had an issue with Kozol looking so much older, but I liked Evan's art here. I understand the complaints about the similarities between faces, but I think he's improving there and there's no question the guy has a dynamic and recognizable style.

[blujay]

I thought this was a good read, and a great starting point for someone who hasn't read A&A before.

Above all else, this is the most important aspect of what Valiant does better than every publisher out there (and they do a lot of things better). Unlike other companies *cough*marvel*cough*, which will go 100 mph and throw 3 - 4 characters only regular readers know at you without explanation, Valiant gives you a plot synopsis and does well to make sure the narrative adheres to the long forgotten philosophy of Stan Lee "Every comic is somebody's first".

[jmatt]

Valiant gives you a plot synopsis and does well to make sure the narrative adheres to the long forgotten philosophy of Stan Lee "Every comic is somebody's first".

When I flipped open the book, I was shocked to see that the usual inside flap synopsis was missing. Then I realized it was gonna be fleshed out a whole lot more in the actual pages. It is vital that new readers not feel like they are completely lost-at-sea when purchasing their first Valiant comic, and the company does an excellent job of bringing readers up to speed.

I missed the clean art look of Henry/Perez/Lupacchino.

But a very good set-up issue with lots of interesting tidbits and laugh lines. The Sisters are all named after mass murderers. Ha! Very interested to see where the story goes from here.

[lorddunlow]

I really enjoyed this issue. It was approaching too silly, but never actually crossed that line.

Archer is fast becoming a favorite of mine. He needed to be dirtied up a bit.

Anyone suspicious about the alarms going off when Archer's call was picked up. The word "Cosmic" was used. Designation of threat level, or recognition of Archer's capabilities?

This was my thought as well after seeing that.