3. Archer And Armstrong #14 By Fred Van Lente And Khari Evans (Valiant)
This is the start of a new story arc for Archer and Armstrong, Valiant's comically mis-matched superhero duo, but if you're new to the series there's a 2-page catch-up on the characters and their story so far so you're up to speed on everything you need to know when you get to page 1. The is the beginning of the Sect War story arc where the various sects in the Valiant Universe from the One Percenters to the Sisters of Perpetual Darkness to the mysterious Black Bloc, and others, start to turn on one another. The opening scene to the comic is pretty amazing it's set in 1336BC Egypt with the Pharaoh quoting the Jon Favreau movie Swingers by announcing to his concubines that "This religion racket is so money!". This is what writer Fred Van Lente does best writing great comedic lines and putting them into scenes you least expect to see them. Even in a tense confrontation later in the issue between Archer and a powerful suit he still puts in a little moment between the two when the suit and his assistant tap the sides of their mouths to indicate that Archer has some powdered sugar on his face. And that Archer calls fried dough "Justice fuel" is a nice touch too. Archer's story is to obtain the Wheel of Aten in return for knowledge of who he really is and how he can do what he does. The various sects are brilliant and imaginative and this storyline looks to be A&A's best one yet. An excellent issue, Archer and Armstrong #14 is well worth a look to see why this is such a fun series.