A&A’s quest takes them to the snow-covered mountains of Norway, but whether or not they find the secret to restoring Armstrong’s immortality, they’ll definitely meet Frig — the sensational character find of 2022! But is she friend or foe, and what’s her connection with the Faraway…? There’s Maw that meets the eye in Archer and Armstrong Forever #3, a jam-packed issue!
Archer & Armstrong Forever is the kind of series that you can pick up and read without entirely remembering the previous issue (whether because of the fog of Covid brain, general forgetfulness, or just generally age is ultimately irrelevant). The third issue, much like the second, contains a story that takes all you know from the recap (or even the preview text copied above) and then builds a quirky, fun title that still celebrates the core relationship of Archer and Armstrong. Steve Foxe has such a brilliant way of writing this book that you can’t help but just have fun; his dialogue is brilliant, and the jokes brought to life by letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou hit every single time. It’s long been a hallmark of the character that whenever Archer uses a technique learned because of his powers that a little box pops up to inform the reader as to the nature of said technique. This issue has a pop up that had me laughing out loud.
Marcio Fiorito and Alex Guimaraes (artist and colourist respectively) again hit all the right notes; the comic is bold, bright and the visual gags add another level of enjoyment for this curmudgeonly old bastard.
Archer & Armstrong Forever #3 is essentially the story of a classic comic team up; fight, friendship, fight, and it works so well because of how the creative team pull together to tell the story. There isn’t a weak link on this comic, and despite the fairly straightforward and fairly simple nature of the story on paper, there’s a lot to unpack hidden within the panels and gags that will reward multiple readings.
You really can’t go wrong with any book featuring Archer and Armstrong together, but when they’re written well, holy shit, is that a comic that you should be reading. Archer & Armstrong Forever is a book where the characters are written really well – don’t miss this.
Story: Steve Foxe Artist: Marcio Fiorito
Colorist Alex Guimaraes Letters Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.1 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
Valiant provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
