[Bagged & Boarded] Top Comics: August 27th, 2025.

David @ 98 Comics
Aug 23
3 min read

Collectors, start your engines. The final week of August delivers a beast of a lineup, with massive debuts, variant heat, and a few stealth keys you don’t want to miss. We’re getting a terrifying new chapter from James Tynion, a brutal return to the Millarworld universe, and yes an actual Total Recall sequel in comic form. Add in a surprisingly deep X-Men character study and a jaw-dropping Black Cat exclusive from Warren Louw? This week’s got serious shelf appeal.

BLACK CAT #1 (Comic Mint)

I did call this one out last week, but the Comic Mint and dropped an awesome cover so why not stick with it.

Felicia Hardy makes her return in Black Cat #1, and she’s looking incredible thanks to artist Warren Louw. This Comic Mint exclusive trade dress variant is a stunner, all sleek lines, soft gradients, and classic Black Cat confidence. Louw’s art is a favorite among modern collectors, and this cover is already getting heavy buzz.

It’s not a crazy 1:100 ratio, just a retailer exclusive you can grab directly (if you’re quick). If you’re a Louw collector, a Black Cat fan, or just love sharp cover art, this is one worth slabbing.

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS: THE INVISIBLE MAN #1

Horror fans, this one’s for you. James Tynion IV (yep, the guy behind Something Is Killing the Children) is breathing new life into a classic monster: The Invisible Man. This isn’t just a spooky science story, it’s a full-on descent into madness. Jack Griffin finally figures out how to make himself truly invisible, and let’s just say… it doesn’t go well.

Now for the collector part: the 1:25 Joshua Middleton black & white variant is pure nightmare fuel in the best way. It’s creepy, classy, and already getting a ton of love online. Horror + Tynion + a ratio variant? This one checks all the boxes.

NEMESIS FOREVER #1

After years of silence, Nemesis is back and this time, he's got a plan. No longer just wreaking havoc for chaos' sake, this version of the white-suited psycho has evolved into something scarier: a global threat with resources, an army, and a terrifying vision of world domination through super-technology. This book feels like a fresh jumping-on point that ramps things up to 11.

What gives this one even more heat is the Jae Lee cover, which is all style. Lee’s art brings a sinister elegance to the chaos, and long time Millar fans know the guy never launches something without a big-picture plan..

TOTAL RECALL #1

Yes, this is real. Total Recall , the classic ‘90s Schwarzenegger sci-fi flick is back as a direct sequel in comic form, and it's better than you’d expect. This isn’t some loose spin-off; it’s a full continuation. The story follows Phil Trotter, a single dad plagued by dreams of Mars and rebellion. The catch? Those dreams might actually be his real memories and now he’s on the run from the shady Cohaagen Corp with his young daughter in tow. It’s got corporate conspiracies, memory manipulation, and old-school cyberpunk vibes all rolled into one trippy adventure.

Sumerian’s known for lower print runs, and their books don’t always stay on shelves long especially when tied to nostalgic IP like this. The Quadros cover adds just the right amount of grit and neon sci-fi weirdness to seal the deal. Even if you're not a die-hard Recall fan, this could be one of those sleeper indie hits that gains steam once fans start flipping it on social..

X-MEN: TOOTH & CLAW #1

This one’s for all the X-Men fans who love the messy, emotional side of the mutant saga. Tooth & Claw brings Beast and Magneto together in a world that’s turned its back on them. With Krakoa gone, these two former leaders have to figure out who they are without power and whether the X-Men are still worth fighting for. It’s a character-driven story full of reflection, regret, and surprising heart, all wrapped in some gorgeous panel work and moody storytelling.

The Rod Reis variant adds a beautiful, painterly touch that really makes the book pop, this could be one to grab now before it sneaks onto “underrated” lists later.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This week’s got big names, fresh stories, and some killer art. Whether you're into monsters, mutants, mega-villains, or just looking for the next hot variant to slab, there’s something here for every collector style.