Archer & Armstrong Vol 2 0

I was right, when me and my brothers set off on our journey, that we'd find the world's greatest subject. My first work, "Gilgamesh," got hailed as a masterpiece. So I didn't bother writing anything else after that. I decided to dance, and feast, and be merry. I changed a bunch of stuff -- okay, I lied -- to get to the truth. Immortality, eternity... forever doesn't matter. What matters is what you've got now... before it's gone.

-- Armstrong

The Epic of Gilgamesh[]

by Aram the Strong (as told to Obadiah Archer)

Appearances[]

Featured Characters:

The Anni-Padda
- Aram "Armstrong" Anni-Padda (Flashback and main story)
- Gilad Anni-Padda (Flashback only)
- Ivar Anni-Padda (Flashback only)

Supporting Characters:

Keepers of the Timeless Word (First appearance) (Flashback only)
Obadiah "Obie" Archer

Villains:

Dinosaurs (Flashback only)
Spider-Men (Flashback only)
- Man-Scorpions (Flashback only)

Other Characters:

Bandit tribes of the Cedar Forests (Flashback only)
Cannibal tribes of Humbaba (Flashback only)
Enkidu (Mentioned only)
Gilgamesh (Mentioned only)
King of Ur (Flashback only)
Shamash (Mentioned only)

Locations:

529 A.D. (Mentioned only)
2800-2500 B.C. (based on when the real Gilgamesh)
- Mesopotamia (Flashback only)
  - Cedar Forest (Flashback only)
  - Humbaba (Flashback only)
  - Mountain of Mashu (Flashback only)
    - Gate to the Faraway
  - Sumeria (Flashback only)
    - Ur (Flashback only)
      - The Great Cataclysm (Flashback only)
The Faraway / Utnapishtim (First appearance) (Flashback only)
- Crystal Forest
Present day
- North America
  - United States of America
    - Nevada
      - Las Vegas

Items:

The Boon
The Epic of Gilgamesh (the real one; read by Archer...well, he tried)

Vehicles:

Credits[]

Writers: Fred Van Lente
Pencilers: Clayton Henry
Inkers: Clayton Henry
Colorists: David Baron
Letterers: Dave Lanphear
Cover Artists: Clayton Henry, Lee Garbett (variant), Tom Fowler (variant)
Editors: Warren Simons, Josh Johns (assistant)
Editor-in-Chief: Warren Simons

Synopsis[]

Armstrong interrupts Archer while he is reading the Epic of Gilgamesh. Armstrong begins to tell Archer his recollection of the tale.

The King of Ur tasks Ivar, Aram and Gilad with retrieving the Boon from the Faraway. During the months long journey the brothers encountered new tribes.

When they enter the Faraway, the brothers discover that the water is made of mercury and jade. They subsequently battle a dinosaur. While eating the dinosaur, Ivar and Gilad argue.

The trio make their way to the Boon and are surrounded the Keepers of the Timeless Word. The brothers claim the Boon in the name of Ur.

As they are attacked by Spider-Men, Aram escapes with the Boon. As they distract the Spider-Men army, Gilad is killed. Ivar returns to Ur and uses the Boon.

Archer notices the similarities between the book and Armstrong's tale. Armstrong infroms Archer that he was the author of Gilgamesh.

Notes[]

Utnapishtim is a character in the actual Epic of Gilgamesh.
A black-and-white version of this story, Archer & Armstrong (Volume 2) #0 Director's Cut, is printed in the trade paperback, Archer & Armstrong: The One Percent and Other Tales that was published in (September, 2015 ).

Quotes[]

Yo! Archer! What you doing solo out here? I got three 8's and two 10's from the bar to come up to our suite! If you know long division, the math's on your side!

-- Armstrong

I'm a strong believer in self-improvement! I strived to be the best I could be for centuries... then in AD 529 I realized I was as good as I was gonna get, so I stopped...I'm here to help!

-- Armstrong

Would I lead you astray?

-- Armstrong

Yes.

-- Archer

(about Gilad) He ran with the wild beasts at their water-holes so he could learn their ways of stalking. Of killing.

-- Armstrong

By Shamsah, twelve hours trapped in that lightless sphincter has left me near-dead of thirst...

-- Armstrong

Leading with your face instead of your head. You're getting too old tp keep fighting like a child, Gilad.

-- Ivar

HAH! Ever get tired of fighting like a woman, Ivar?

-- Gilad

And I was right, when me and my brothers set off on our journey, that we'd find the world's greatest subject. My first work, "Gilgamesh," got hailed as a masterpiece. So I didn't bother writing anything else after that. I decided to dance, and feast, and be merry. I changed a bunch of stuff -- okay, I lied -- to get to the truth. Immortality, eternity... forever doesn't matter. What matters is what you've got now... before it's gone.

-- Armstrong

Is this it? Is this all we have in life? To strive and conquer, only to lose it all in the end?