Word Balloons: 'Archer & Armstrong' is coming to hardcover

By Matthew Price

Published: August 22, 2008

A buddy book with a twist, "Archer & Armstrong,” was one of the best comic books published by Valiant Comics in the 1990s. "Archer & Armstrong” was written and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, who first came to prominence drawing "Conan the Barbarian” for Marvel Comics. The new Valiant Entertainment is collecting the first seven issues of "Archer & Armstrong” in a new hardcover, on sale in September.

Archer is a young, idealistic man who has become the world's foremost martial artist. Archer meets Armstrong, an immortal with a taste for wine and women, who's being pursued by an ancient sect.

The hardcover, "First Impressions,” will feature an all-new cover by Michael Golden, co-creator of the X-Man "Rogue,” and a brand-new "Archer & Armstrong” story. The new story is written by original series creator Jim Shooter and drawn by artists Sal Velluto and Bob Almond. The story tells the long-awaited tale of how and why Armstrong has been pursued by the secret organization all these years.

For artist Sal Velluto, the "Archer and Armstrong” story is a return of sorts.

"‘Archer and Armstrong' represents both a return to my own personal ‘Valiant Era' of comics and a rediscovery of some beloved characters and stories,” Velluto said. "Working again with Jim Shooter is absolutely a treat, as it is joining forces — again — with my longtime art partner, Bob Almond.”

Velluto and Almond, who have worked together as artists for more than 10 years, actually began their collaboration on an issue of "Bloodshot,” a Valiant Comics character. Almond is excited to add to the storyline of these first-generation Valiant characters.

"It's such a hoot for us to further add to the tapestry of the Valiant Universe and history, as it's still so well beloved by the diehard fans after all these years,” Almond said. "Plus, some of my first and favorite comics were Jim Shooter's stories at Marvel from the '70s, like the ‘Avengers.'”

Velluto said the prologue in "First Impressions” required a lot of research by Shooter.

"Luckily, I was quite familiar with most of the historical and geographical settings, since I grew up not too far from where the story takes place, and have touched with hand many archeological artifacts of that time period,” Velluto said. "I think Jim did a wonderful job taking some pre-existing elements from ‘Archer & Armstrong' published stories and creating a plausible and interesting prologue.”

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