Archer & Armstrong #4

We're four issues in to Valiant's relaunch of Archer & Armstrong and so far it's been a great ride.  This issue wraps up the first arc with a bang.  The boon is finally assembled and we learn finally what exactly it does.  Needless to say, its activation causes some trouble for our heroes and it will have lasting effects for the future.

Writer Fred Van Lente continues to bring the funny along with the adventure.  The beginning of the comic starts to recap the story so far, but quickly gives up ("Ahh, screw it, it's too complicated...").  Armstrong still can be counted on for random, funny quips.  But the best part of the issue has to be the mystical, telepathic, Hitler monks who know martial arts.  Yes - Hitler monks.  Complete with mustaches.  The level of humor readers have come to expect from Archer & Armstrong is top notch here.

Series artist Clayton Henry (assisted for this issue by Pere Perez) continues to make himself known as a future star in the industry with his sleek, creative style.  Without his talent for drawing the perfect expressions, or successfully rendering the hilarious characters such as the previously mentioned Green Dragon Llama monks, a lot of the jokes could fall flat, but that is never the case.

This is a creative team that knows their characters and keeps the story moving along like a freight train.  They are proving to be among the best teams currently working and I don't doubt that their run has the potential to become a future classic.  If you aren't reading Archer & Armstrong yet, you need to start.