AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #4, from Red 5 Comics on December 28th, 2022, brings the arc to a bare-knuckled conclusion as August faces off against Baron Siegan for the fate of a forgotten world.
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: December 28, 2022
Is It Good?
AUGUST: PURGATORY UNDERGROUND #4 brings the stellar, action-packed sci-fi drama to a close with one fight scene. Strangely, one fight scene is all that’s needed to end the arc on a high note, providing maximum satisfaction.
Simple is good. In most comics, simple is best. Benjamin W. Morse proves that maxim beautifully by establishing the scenario where the villain holds all the advantages, and the hero plays to the villain’s ego to goad the villain in a winner-takes-all fight. In this case, the stakes are huge, and even if he wins, the hero may sacrifice his life to do it, so you’re immediately on August’s side as the underdog.
We often talk about the power of the hero’s journey in these reviews, and Morse takes advantage of the “hero’s journey” by creating a mini-journey within the journey with a simple fistfight designed to settle all impossible challenges. Once the fight begins, the stakes are clear, August’s odds of victory are depressingly small, and at best, all you can do is hope he can survive long enough to buy time.
Likewise, Morse’s Bronze Age-inspired art style earns high marks for raw, gritty, knuckle-busting action. The punches fly, the chins crack, and the combatants give the fight their all. Morse delivers great lines, great action choreography, and phenomenal coloring.
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 #3 review to find out how August was captured.
We begin with August and Sherriff Cossato captured and at the mercy of Baron Siegan. When all hope seems lost, August offers a deal. He’ll provide the secret code to a recording he made that will allow the Rebel forces to attack Earth without resistance if the Baron agrees to let the Sheriff’s planet survive.
The Baron agrees, and then they fight.
We conclude the issue with two warriors giving their all.
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 #4 ends the arc with a bare-fisted, no-holds-barred fight between August and Barren Siegan. The “less is more” approach to storytelling works when set up properly, and Morse sticks the landing in this epic sci-fi adventure.
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