Agent Sterling Archer, codename Duchess, is known from Bangkok to Berlin as the world’s most dangerous spy.

Archer is an animated TV series on FX, which focuses primarily on its titular character and his co-workers — operatives at an agency known as ISIS. The show was created by Adam Reed, who’s known for his work on Adult Swim shows like Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo.

At first glance, Archer is your basic adult cartoon show about the exploits of its bumbling protagonist. But what Archer the character lacks in self-awareness and pragmatism he makes up for in wit and competence as a secret agent, which sets this show apart from other animated series with lovable knuckleheads for heroes (like The Simpsons, or Bob’s Burgers which actually stars the same voice actor, H. Jon Benjamin). Archer drops literary and historical references in almost every episode, and he always manages to thwart his attackers. He is almost always cool, collected, and confident. Especially under pressure. Sometimes Archer is so casually nonplussed during gunfights that he lets his mind wander to subjects and conversations that are entirely unrelated to the present-tense action.

In the season five opener, as unknown assailants are opening fire on ISIS agents, pinning them behind desks, Archer is wondering aloud to himself about a certain Muppet, whose name he can’t remember. And that’s pretty much par for the course.

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The show has built its reputation in part around its propensity for running gags and call-back jokes that reference prior episodes.

Among the most famous is Archer’s repeated allusions to the 1986 Kenny Loggins song — and de facto Top Gun theme song — "Danger Zone," every time his frequent partner Lana behaves in a way that Archer interprets as a romantic advance. Others include Archer’s cell phone going off during missions, his mother and ISIS head-honcho Mallory’s frequent abuse of power, and ISIS head scientist Dr. Krieger’s dubious science experiments. The running bits function as a nod to the show’s dedicated fans as well as a brilliant use of repetition-as-comedy.

One of Archer’s most puzzling aspects is what time period, exactly, the show is supposed to be set. The aesthetic of the series is very 60s. Some critics have compared Archer’s appearance to Mad Men's Don Draper, and between the wardrobe, analog technology, frequent references to the Soviet Union, and rampant drinking in the office, a compelling case can be made for the show taking place in the mid-to-late 20th century. But here’s the thing: Archer has a cell phone. The agents are frequently using GPS trackers and laser sights. The references to modern pop-culture (i.e. Top Gun, Burt Reynolds films like Gator) are countless. In one episode the agents are asked what year they believe it is, and none of them have an answer.

The show’s timelessness is achieved in large part through the actual animation.

The clothes that the agents usually wear, the appearance of their office with its 80s-era computers and reel-to-reel mainframe — all of these contribute to the highly stylized, old-school aesthetic of the series. The studio that created the show’s pilot actually based each character off of a model, to give a realistic aspect to the appearance of each one. The series isn’t afraid to show off its self-awareness about this aspect. In season three’s premiere, we’re introduced to a character named Rip Riley who dresses like Indiana Jones and flies a seaplane. Archer continuously makes fun of Rip Riley for harkening back to the aesthetics of a previous era, which is an even-handed nod to the show’s audience.

As one of the most distinctive animated series on television, Archer has inspired no shortage of fan art, which both explores the show’s aesthetic and pays homage to it. For your viewing pleasure, here is our gallery of Archer fan art.