Ever since Jim Shooter, Bob Layton and Barry Windsor-Smith's 1992 Archer & Armstrong #0, the young assassin and his immortal pal have been a fundamental part of the Valiant Comics Universe. The duo's exploits have run across countless comics and inspired an upcoming movie adaptation. As endearing as the rapscallions are, they haven't appeared in their own comic series since 2017's The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong #12 by writer Rafer Roberts and artist Mike Norton.

Luckily, author Steve Foxe and artist Marcio Fiorito are bringing the odd pair back into the spotlight in their upcoming series Archer & Armstrong Forever. The new series puts the heroes' abilities to the test when Armstrong discovers he is no longer immortal, so Archer endeavors to restore his friend's powers. CBR recently interviewed the two creators who discussed the endearing dynamic between Archer and Armstrong and their collaboration. Foxe and Fiorito talked about striking a balance between their sense of humor and the high stakes of the new series. Also included with this interview is an exclusive sneak peek at pages from Archer & Armstrong #1 with artwork by Fiorito, colors by Alex Guimarães, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The series' debut issue hits comic stands on May 4.

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CBR: How did you two begin collaborating?

Steve Foxe: The creative team on the book is a result of Rob Levin and Audrey Meeker, our fantastic editorial duo, having excellent eyes and instincts. I wasn't familiar with Marcio's work before we started looking at portfolios, but we all immediately gravitated towards his clean lines, dynamic storytelling, and great "acting." Archer & Armstrong is really a tightrope. You can fall too far into slapstick and then the action starts losing any sense of stakes, or lean into the seriousness and the jokes start to fall flat. Marcio is the total package in that he keeps the book grounded and action-packed while delivering the kind of subtle details that help my jokes pop (at least I hope they do!).

The rest of the team is just as instrumental — Alex Guimarães' color choices are fresh and lively, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou brings so many fun, unexpected touches to the lettering to cap things off. And the best part is that we're all in constant communication, which isn't always the case on books like this. It's a true team effort and we're all invested in making the book as awesome as possible.

Marcio Fiorito: The team was assembled by Rob and Audrey, but Steve's work got me the second I started reading the script for #1. From that moment on, I was completely hooked! Not only that, but I think throwing Alex and Hassan in the mix really pushed the book to a new level.

I would've been reading Archer & Armstrong Forever anyway, but I just happen to be in the best seat ever.

What appeals to you the most about the friendship between Archer and Armstrong?

Foxe: On the surface level, there's a classic odd-couple dynamic here: a long-lived drunkard without much regard for the consequences of his actions, and a young, sheltered boy with a great amount of power and a sense of responsibility that's still recalibrating after a lifetime of conditioning. But what really sells the pair as a DUO — a dynamic one, even — is the way they've grown together. Archer and Armstrong could have reached a point of mutual respect and gone their separate ways, but each learns something from the other and values the parts of themselves that their friendship brings out. This is also why I knew I needed to kick off our run by trying to literally kill this friendship. No pain, no gain, right?

Fiorito: To me that is THE POINT of the book. Their chemistry and the history they share are what make this book tick. We all have that best buddy in our lives, where you may not get along so well, and yet, it's the best company you want to keep.

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How does Armstrong's newfound mortality impact their dynamic?

Foxe: Ever since Archer and Armstrong got over the whole "raised since birth to assassinate you" thing, Archer has felt a sense of concern for Armstrong, but it's been tempered by seeing his erstwhile mentor get impaled and blown up and whatnot and just shaking it off. Archer's never really needed to consider a world where he'd outlive Armstrong — the pathos has usually been the other way around, with Armstrong reckoning with the knowledge that Archer isn't his first, and probably won't be his last, little buddy. But with Armstrong finding himself a bit less invulnerable at the start of Forever, their entire dynamic is tossed in the air. Archer doesn't just have to keep himself alive — suddenly the big bruiser who's used to charging into danger face-first could actually lose that face if he isn't careful. And beyond that, Archer is realizing that one of the few constants in his life might actually be less constant than he expected.

Fiorito: I think Steve went and shook the status quo in a big and amazing way. What happens when something changes in a relationship? People may react differently, and they may assume other parts they never thought of before. I think that's the direction we're heading here.

Has it been difficult for you to preserve the series' sense of humor in the context of these new high stakes?

Foxe: Even though I do a lot of writing for kids, I personally have a pretty dark sense of humor, so this kind of gallows material is right up my alley. It's been really important to me since the start of this project to make sure things never tip into pure comedy; Archer & Armstrong works best, in my humble opinion, when it's an action-adventure book with humor and heart, not a zany cartoon where nothing matters. I've said it elsewhere, but I spent a lot of the early days of the pandemic binging classic action movies like Police Story and Die Hard, which I think provides a really strong template for how to thread humor into thrilling action set pieces and intense stakes — versus modern action movies that seem like they have a meaningless-quip-per-minute quota. If I can channel some of that into Forever. I'll pat myself on the back.

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Are there any specific moments from Archer and Armstrong's history that you looked to for inspiration for this new series? Do you have a favorite era?

Foxe: Since I was born at the tail end of the eighties, I was a little young to enjoy the first glory days of Valiant — although I do have a lot of trading cards from back then! My favorite era is the Fred Van Lente/Clayton Henry/etc. run, as that was my first introduction to the boys and really showed off how globe-trotting action could meet off-the-wall comedy in a successful way. We’re definitely putting our own stamp on Archer & Armstrong Forever, but that's the run that looms largest in my mind.

Fiorito: I definitely got for the Clayton Henry era artwise. Just because it's totally iconic. But all the eras have their own charm and I think add to the mythos of A&A in the end.

Can you give the audience any clues as to where in the world this new adventure will take Valiant's dynamic duo?

Foxe: Much like spiders, I think we hit every continent except Antarctica -- which is maybe a hint that I should fit Antarctica into the second arc… But seriously — Marcio, Alex, Hass, and I are sending these boys around the globe, and to realms beyond our own. When you get an opportunity to tell big stories, you take it.

Fiorito: Oh, I think Steve would kill me here if I reveal anything... But buckle up, kids! These two are going places!!!!

How important is the setting to the story in Archer & Armstrong: Forever?

Foxe: The heart of the book is the bond between Obadiah Archer and Aram Anni-Padda, but I think the wild settings and scenarios they find themselves in are a key part of the series’ ongoing appeal. Just like you wouldn't set an Indiana Jones movie solely in his academic office, you can't keep these boys confined to one spot for long. Luckily, Marcio and Alex are fantastic environmental storytellers, so we're really getting to make the most of various locales we visit across the series.

Fiorito: I think both Archer and Armstrong as characters are highly reactive to the situations they are put into. With that in mind, we get to see them trying to find their new dynamic in a lot of different places, and that is exactly where their learning curve will lead them: into new and unexplored territory.

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What can you tell fans about the villains in this series?

Foxe: We've got two new big threats breathing down Archer and Armstrong's mortal necks: The Eccentric and The Maw.

The Eccentric has some past ties to Armstrong, but he's no wandering immortal demigod. His grudge is a lot more personal, and he intends to see it settled before his limited time on Earth is up. But he's not one to personally get his hands dirty, which is why he keeps folks like The Maw on call.

The Maw is my opportunity to bring my love of horror and repulsive freakishness to Archer & Armstrong Forever. Even though Valiant has a strong supernatural and terror-tinged side, we don't often see Archer and Armstrong clashing with those darker elements, and I'm having a lot of sick fun exploring this new intersection. He's pretty gross, folks.

I can't say a lot more without spoiling things, but there are ways that The Eccentric and The Maw perversely mirror Armstrong and Archer, which makes them even more fun to write. If there's one thing everyone loves, it's being confronted by their biggest fears, shortcomings, and character flaws, right?

Fiorito: Creepy. 100% creepy. Steve scares me when he writes his stuff! LOL

What are you most excited for readers to discover as the series unfolds?

Foxe: Even though we’re putting Archer and Armstrong through the wringer and creating some very real and permanent stakes, the underlying goal of the book is FUN. Whether you’re an Archer & Armstrong diehard who’s been reading since the nineties or you’ve never picked up a single issue before, all of us behind the scenes have been pouring our hearts into telling a thrilling, emotional, and entertaining story about one of the most enduring duos in comics. I want folks to see the cover of the comic and know a fun time is going to be had in these twenty-page installments.

I'm also excited to reveal how [redacted] gets his powers, how [redacted] dies, and why [redacted] and [redacted] break up, but you’ll have to actually buy the series to hear more about those plot points.

Fiorito: I think it's more of the journey than the destination. I really want to see readers go "Whoa! I never thought they would go THERE or do THAT!" I always look forward to the next script so I get to see what crazy shenanigans we get to tackle next. But there's always the thing with Armstrong. Will he get his immortality back? Does he WANT it? We'll see.

Archer & Armstrong Forever #1 goes on sale May 4 from Valiant Comics

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