Archer and Armstrong Audio Episode 1 and Episode 2 Review: Consistently Growing

A moral compass for the “One who must not be named”? Apparently Ivar, The Timewalker so overcome with grief “resurrects” his brother Gilad, The Eternal Warrior with the fulcrum against Aram’s better sense of judgment. Thus destroying earth as they know it. Fast forward to the present and Archer is in training and raised in an amusement park to kill Aram (also known as Armstrong). He defeats all his brothers and sisters to go to the place of most evil – New York. So begins the audio version of “Archer and Armstrong.”

Based on the comic version this first issue of “The Michelangelo Code” has been converted to the audio making for several challenges. As visual formats go Armstrong is gregarious in physicality, while Archer in his view of New York and several fight scenes work in a comic book. You can always imagine what the voices would sound like. In audio format however, you don’t get that sense of Armstrong’s largeness or Archer’s physical capabilities. As a table reading it may work, but as strictly translated comic to audio there needs to be something to fill the empty spaces in between the dialogue. The only sense you get of Archer being in big, bad New York is a few paltry background noises, ironically this is one of the few times where the audio version of this first issue works. Narration from the voice-actor who plays Archer is the highlight of this episode. His timing in a matter-of-fact, deadpan voice pulls you in. But in issue one he’s in desperate need to play off someone who would do Fred Van Lente’s words justice.

Fortunately, things get better in issue 2. There is subtle music that plays in the background and the sound effects heighten Van Lente’s narrative. Both lead voice actors bring the witty banter, irony and comedy of the comic to the forefront. The slight hesitancy that was in the beginning is no longer there. It’s as if they’ve been given permission to allow these larger than life people to be themselves. These characters are complicated. The complexity of Archer’s sheltered life is being constantly challenged by Armstrong’s worldly experience. As in the comic that should be in the audio version and it translates a bit more smoothly this time around. Equally, the mystery and storyline intensify as Michelangelo, cults and the creative history connect to Armstrong’s long life. His extended life has made him bitter to religion and what society sees as a natural world order. Still both Archer and Armstrong need each other, if for nothing else than to call each other on their narrow-minded beliefs. And to defeat ninja-nuns, lots of ninja-nuns. Before you know it the episode is over and you want to know what’s going to happen next.

What can be left out is the near 20-minute commentary by the producers. What could have been an opportunity to get an understanding of the process of adapting a visual art form into a purely auditory one instead turns into a set of unnecessary observations. Essentially it dampens the experience. You’ve just listened to the story and now hear a version or what you’ve just heard.

Audio versions can be tough. And for the sight impaired or the person who doesn’t have the time or chance to read the comic book it’s a necessity for people who want to get their fix. Luckily Van Lente’s written work, for the most part, can be adapted for your listening pleasure.