AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #2, from Red 5 Comics on September 21st, 2022, begins the fight for freedom by the citizens of San Vertado. When Capt. August leads an attack to free enslaved miners, a ghost from the past emerges to stop him.
The Details
- Written by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Art by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Colors by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Letters by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Cover art by: Benjamin W. Morse
- Cover price: $3.95
- Release date: September 21, 2022
Is It Good?
AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #2 hearkens back to the sci-fi serials of yesteryear in a big way, so if you’re a fan of those classic films (or the blockbusters they inspired ala Star Wars), you’re going to love the tried and true adventure in this issue.
This is the point where we talk about the best part or what’s most memorable about the issue, but in truth, this comic is remarkable for its consistently high quality across the board. Morse’s plotting, pacing, dialog, and scene transitions are darn near perfect. The story has plenty of dramatic action, tension, and a sense of urgency to pull you along.
In terms of art, Morse is channeling the best example of Bronze Age styles from the likes of Neal Adams, John Byrne, and more. The characters exude power, even when standing still. The miner uprising is executed with military precision, and the big reveal in the last few pages both elevates the stakes and ratchets up the drama with a single panel image.
If you’re into sci-fi action/adventure stories ala the Lensmen series, Star Wars, or Battlestar Galactica, this issue will hit your sweet spot.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Find out how Captain August came to be on San Vertado in our AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #1 review.
We begin with Captain August in a planning session with Sheriff Cossato and their allies. August has an idea about how to free the miners and cut off the Rebel Army, but he needs everyone’s coordinated help to do it. The Sheriff agrees to the plan, banking on the assumption the Rebels are stretched thin.
Later, the assault begins on the mine, and August’s group clears the first checkpoint, gaining help from the freed miners along the way. After the second checkpoint is cleared, a grim-faced commander from the Rebel Army concludes an attack is underway. He announces his intention to deal with the attack personally.
When August, the Sheriff, and the miners reach the next station, they find it abandoned. Suddenly, an explosion throws everyone back, and Captain August sees a familiar figure approaching through the smoke. We conclude the issue with an unhappy reunion, a revelation about the Mars incident, and an upgrade.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #2 successfully merges the best of sci-fi action/adventure storytelling with the best of Bronze Age comic art. The plotting, pacing, and dialog are all excellent, and the art is practically perfect.
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