Review - Archer & Armstrong #5

When you're immortal, skilled fighter and embroiled in an international quest to find artifacts with the potential to destroy the world, you never get a day off. Suffice it to say, things don't really get any more relaxing for the title heroes in Archer & Armstrong #5 from Valiant Comics.

The issue is written by Fred Van Lente, with art by Emanuela Lupacchino, inks by Guillermo Ortego, colors by Matt Milla and letters by Dave Lanphear.

While everything is being resolved for Archer's family life, Armstrong has some familial woes of his own. Woes in the form of Gilad, his brother. His brother is a little upset at the death of the Geomancer and is vowing revenge against the man he thinks is responsible in Archer. Of course, it's a little more complicated than that and it's up to Armstrong to prove Archer's innocence.

Van Lente manages to keep the dynamic between Archer and Armstrong lively and enjoyable. They've grown to respect each other's combat prowess and are starting to even like each other, which, admittedly, was harder for Archer than Armstrong. Considering the entirety of the first four issues focusing on Archer's family, it's nice to know a warrior as timeless as Armstrong has family issues of his own.

Lupacchino's art is equally as impressive. It handles combat very effectively, especially the battles between Armstrong and Gilad, which are knockdown, dragout fights. There some crazy vehicle scenes thrown in as well that help break up some of the all-out fighting. The illustrations are really just top-notch and help move the story along.

Archer & Armstrong #5 is just the latest issue in one of the most enjoyable comics out there. Pairing the two together as they face their family problems is a blast. Considering both are equally as adept at fighting as the other, it's pretty much guaranteed that every scenario they're faced with will be more exciting than the previous one.

Archer & Armstrong #5 is available now.