AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #3, from Red 5 Comics on October 19th, 2022, follows the crushing outcome of August’s latest confrontation with Baron Siegan.
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: $3.99
- Release date: October 19, 2022
Is It Good?
AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #3 is another rip-roaring, bone-crunching issue in the space cowboy series from Benjamin W. Morse. If you’re a fan of Westerns, Sci-Fi, or Western/Sci-Fi, this issue is right up your alley.
Morse’s script follows the game plan of a Hero’s Journey with unabashed accuracy. August confronts an old nemesis who is more dangerous than ever, August takes a beating, and August lives to fight another day – humbled and worse for wear. Now is the time for the hero to choose – give up and die or pick himself up and find a path to victory. A classic hero will choose the latter, and the setup guarantees a rematch for the ages.
This is the part where we normally point out a significant flaw in the script, but there’s none to be found in this issue. This is as classic a hero’s tale as you can get with excellent plotting, melodramatic dialog that manages to stay away from becoming over-the-top or corny, and pacing that matches a steady sprint.
The excellent script is matched by excellent artwork. Morse’s character designs are athletic and powerful, the coloring provides an impressive amount of shading and texture, and Morse’s montage layouts are outstanding.
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]
Check out our AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #2 review to find out how August encounters Baron Siegan.
We pick up the cliffhanger from the last issue where August stands alone against an enemy he thought was long dead – Baron Siegan. The Baron is now an enhanced cyborg after his injuries from the Battle of Mars, and August is outmatched in every way. Knowing he has no hope of winning, August hopes to buy the miners enough time to escape.
Meanwhile, the Sheriff gets the miners to safety and decides to go back for August. The Sheriff guides a remote mining cart down to the fight just in time to see August get his hand crushed by the Baron’s cyborg fist. With a last surge of effort, August leaps into the mining cart for a hasty escape.
We conclude the issue with the refueled Rebels ready to bomb the planet, a plea for help, and several upgrades.
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 #3 is a dramatic, action-packed issue with high stakes and a classical blueprint for a hero’s journey. The pacing, dialog, and action are excellent, and the art exemplifies classical hero comics from the Bronze Age.
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