One of the things that I absolutely love about the Valiant Universe is that there’s serious corners of the universe and there are these corners that are filled with humor and lightheartedness, but then also heart. So much heart, but it only works because of the humor. Archer & Armstrong resides in that corner and it keeps the Valiant U from looking like other large comic universes that can’t support funny books for more than six issues.

This is an interesting issue. Though it doesn’t say it on the cover it’s the perfect place for new readers, but not just for the series as it recaps a lot of the Valiant Universe making it a great place for new Valiant readers as well. I really felt like I was reading a first issue as even Matt Kindt took a different approach to the story than what he’s done before on the series.

There are a lot of ways to approach villains and really to make a good villain there is no one formula or system that works. Anyone that tells you differently is trying to assign black and white facts to an area that’s all grey. Stjepan Sejic’s approach is for us to get to know the villains of the story and it works incredibly well with his structure.

With each issue of Thomas Alsop the question is, “Will it somehow best the last issue?” That’s honestly my question and concern each time I pick up the next issue. You can’t climb the mountain forever and yet somehow this freaking series manages to do just that. The thing is I’m not looking at it in terms of if this issue is better than that issue, but rather can it continue to deliver the same experience and feeling that first won me over and never let go.

Last year I struggled to find a BOOM! title to enjoy. I’ve actually been reading and following their properties since their debut and so it was sucky to find myself not enjoying their product anymore. But if there’s one thing about comic books, it’s that you should never write anyone off.