Archer and Armstrong

Fred Van Lente's irreverent 2012 relaunch of Valiant's odd-couple duo paired a brainwashed young fundamentalist, Archer, with the immortal, hard-drinking Armstrong for a globe-trotting conspiracy thriller. With artists Pere Pérez, Clayton Henry, and Emanuela Lupacchino bringing the chaos to life, the series gleefully skewered secret societies and historical myths. It remains a high-water mark for Valiant's modern era, proving the publisher could blend high-concept action with sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy.