REVIEW: Archer & Armstrong: The One Percent #1

Written by Ray Fawkes
Art by Joe Eisma
Published by Valiant Entertainment
Release date: November 12, 2014

The focus of this book is on Austin, a new member of the ultra-rich and elitist group known as The One Percent, a devil-worshipping international group who control all aspects of the financial sector and large industrial conglomerates. Austin is no stranger to the group as his father has been a longtime member of their board of directors.

Unlike his father, and the rest of the organization though, Austin has his own plans for The One Percent, a plan to propel them into into a future, a future without the involvement of the old and tired ways of his predecessors. What ensues is a thrilling chase to escape an attack on One Percent gatherings, and the reveal of Austin’s plans.

Ray Fawkes makes his Valiant debut with this book and it is a thrilling and fun ride. In true Archer and Armstrong fashion, Ray Fawkes manages to keep a high level of humor without going overboard. The events that unfold through this book are just plain fun and build atop one another, leaving us with a satisfying ending that wraps up the book nicely while setting up the future of the organization. The pacing is fast and the dialogue is strong, making this book an easy but fulfilling read.

Joe Eisma’s recent backup story in Archer and Armstrong #25 really impressed me so it is great seeing him in another Valiant book. His pencil work is so clean and polished, with an art style similar to previous Archer and Armstrong artist Pere Perez. This book is gorgeous! Accentuating Eisma’s pencils is the color work of Ulises Arreola who continues to produce outstanding work for Valiant. There is almost a surreal feel to the colors which fits in great with the over-the-top attitude of this book.

Archer and Armstrong: The One Percent #1 should excite current fans of the series and really sets up some very interesting story possibilities for the future of these characters, and I can’t wait to see how this affects the rest of the Valiant universe.

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Author Profile

Martin Ferretti

Martin Ferretti is an avid comic book reader, Hearthstone player, IT professional, father, and all around geek. His fascination with Valiant Comics may be bordering on the insane, but hey, it keeps him happy. Follow him @Valiant_Central on Twitter or his Valiant news and reviews site ValiantCentral.com