Hey folks! The team here at Sequential Planet hopes that you are and your family are safe and social distancing. While you are stuck inside, you might as well read some comics! Here are our picks for the best comics of August 2020.
Marcus Orchard – Mercy #5
Mercy is a delight to read. It is full of grotesque horrors and compelling drama. Mercy #5 is the penultimate issue and sets the series up for a thrilling climax. Mirka Andolfo brings her A-game again with terrifying moments that reinforce the stakes. The characters are constantly growing, showing Andolfo’s ability to create dynamic characters. The art steals the show again, with a wild blend of horror and beauty filling the pages. If Andolfo can stick the landing in the final issue, this series will be seen as a masterpiece in horror.
Ethan Maddux – Fantastic Four: Antithesis #1
Despite this book being by some of my favorite creators in all of comics, as it’s release drew nearer I found myself growing more cautious of it. I think I assumed a book released today couldn’t live up to the talent of these two guys I love so much, and yet it did. This issue feels like a lost issue of the Kirby run, and it’s delightful. Adams’ layouts, dynamism, his monsterish interpretation of The Thing, all elevated this book to a level that’s been lost to time. Waid’s mastery over the characters allowed for dialogue and a story that felt true to their core, without allowing the bombastic action sequences to fall by the wayside. You could call this classic comics, but more accurately, it’s good comics.
Matt Herman – Batman: Three Jokers #1
The only thing more surprising than this book’s premise is its follow-through. Johns manages to tell an incredible story by focusing the book around the trauma of Batgirl and Red Hood. Dramatic, engaging, and mysterious, Batman: Three Jokers #1 sets up a fascinating story. Whether it’s in continuity or not, this story is sure to leave an impact on the Batman universe.
Brandon Carlisle – The Ludocrats #4
The Ludocrats is a wacky series with colorful characters and silly, raunchy humor. This penultimate issue moves a mile a minute as it sets the stakes of the climax, all while keeping up the silliest and visual gags iit does best. The level of clever, nonsensical wordplay that this comic has can only be compared to Doom Patrol. Each issue keeps getting better, and this is where all of the series’ strengths are on full display.
Casey Woods – Yuna & Kawachan Episodes 32 – 35
My Webtoon pick of the month has to go to “Yuna & Kawachan” by Lauren Schmidt! Specifically for Episode 35, which was just posted two days ago. It’s got a jaw-dropping twist that I honestly didn’t see coming, and I’m dying to read what happens next! Waiting for the next update is going to be torture! It’s definitely worth the wait, though! Check out Yuna & Kawachan! You won’t regret it!
Alexander Cole – Transformers/My Little Pony #1
I’m a sucker for a good crossover and that’s exactly what this is. Transformers and My Little Pony seem like an odd pairing on the face of it. Giant robots who‘re constantly at war mixed with magical ponies who’re all about friendship and love. It’s not something I expected to enjoy but the writing of the issue itself was entertaining. These are two vastly different brands yet the writers have managed to make them work with one another while staying true to the spirit of both shows. The artwork is fantastic. I’ve said in my review that it’s a mix of 80’s Transformers and MLP: Friendship is Magic which works for ponies and robots alike. There’s a lot of great humour throughout the book and some great use of lettering. It’s an easy pick of the month for me. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy seeing Starscream in his crown and cape from the original Transformers movie?
