I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: RUSH on Archer (2011-2012).

Not really a soundtrack, but I wanted to mention some of the Rush references in Archer.

I was really hoping to use the Rush in Cleveland DVD as my Soundtrack, but I haven’t finished it yet.  And yes, I am padding this out a bit so that the pictures fit nicely.

Cobra Cobra Cobra (that’s a joke to the book below).

The Archer guys like Rush and they put nods to Rush in occasional episodes–usually through mad-scientist (I want to call him The Professor), Krieger.  Here’s three of Krieger’s vans.

I love the detail that went into “Vanispheres.”  Since Krieger always wears a lab coat, it’s a wonderful detail to have him wearing it as the nude man.  And, of course to have him as both the nude man and the clothed man is perfect.

Since it’s my favorite obscure Rush album, the Caress of Krieger van just cracks me up the most.

And just to add to the fun here’s a video of Krieger’s Neil Peart-like drum set

It’s pronounced “Why Why Zed.”

[READ:May 9, 2012] How to Archer

Although the Archie Meets Kiss comic proved to not be the joy I’d hoped, How to Archer easily made up for it.  I love Archer, it is one of my top ten shows ever, I think.  And this book is basically a print version of the show.

It’s designed as a how-to manual written by Sterling Archer himself.  He gives you tips on how to become the world’s best secret agent.  He teaches you how to dress (the details about buying shoes are amazing), how to drink (he provides cocktail recipes and his own opinion of subpar drinks), how to eat (a recipe for Eggs Woodhouse that sounds divine) and even a secret to gambling!

The fact that Archer is an abrasive, cocky, sexist, racist dick only makes the book that much funnier.

If you haven’t seen Archer (on FX), it’s a cartoon about a spy.  His mother, Malory, owns the spy agency and they have a very contentious relationship.  (The fact that his full name is Sterling Malory Archer should be just one clue to that).  Malory gets the introduction to the book, which is pretty darn funny as well.

But perhaps the most amazing thing about the book is how factually accurate it is.  Archer may be an asshole with no sense of decency or decorum, but he’s smart.  I love how in the show he’s always telling people to read a book.  So I guess it’s no surprise that there are lots of factually accurate comments in the book.  True, he writes at the end that all the information in here is available for free online (which is where he found it), but it’s nice to have a book where you can actually learn something amidst dick jokes.

The book is also jam-packed with footnotes.  It comes pretty close to giving Infinite Jest a run for its money. And, naturally the footnotes are hilarious.  My favorite is the one that says “That sounded less racist in my head.”

There are a few running jokes that I found very funny–the man-hating editirix at Harper Collins who won’t let him write bout what he wants (cobras) and who is making him alphabetize his lists (she’s anal about something, at least), and is forcing him to write 30,000 words (with a very funny punchline at the end).

Most of the book had me laughing and a few things had me belly-laughing out loud.  The picture he chose for Archer Sutra is not very funny in itself, but his explanation of how he got it and the description of it as a centaur is hilarious once you really look at the picture.  And there was a wonderfully subtle joke (yes, subtle) about the girls at his barber shop getting caught pregnant that really had me cracking up.

The couple things I didn’t like were mostly the illustrations–I thought Archer looked weird in a few of them–there was something simply off about him (and that cover picture is creepy!).  I also wished he had mentioned the other characters on the show just a little bit more.  I know the book is about him, but a few nods to Lana…Lana….LANA!  would have been awesome.  And maybe a Krieger joke or too.   I do like that Pam got  few mentions (and a drawing, too).

As for the content of the book, I don’t want to be a secret agent, so I probably won’t be attempting any of his suggestions.  However, I’m going to have to give his grooming recommendation a try–Aleppo Soap sounds amazing and,oooh, bay rum with lime.  Only.  Ever.  And I may even try to make Eggs Woodhouse (but not the $130/serving version–I’ll skip the truffles).

The only thing that could have made this book better is if it was an audio book.  H. Jon Benjamin  has the best voice in cartoons today–he’s in Bob’s Burger’s too!  Of course, I read the book in my best Sterling Archer voice, but the real thing–wow that would be amazing.

This book may not be very funny if you don’t watch the show.  Although, really it is anyway.  And also shut up.