From writer Christopher Cantwell (Halt and Catch Fire, Plastic Man No More!) and artist Tyler Crook (The Lonesome Hunters, Harrow County) comes a desperate yet hopeful take on one of le last century’s greatest mysteries in Out Of Alcatraz. Now collected in a complete hardcover from Oni Press, Out of Alcatraz is a tense, focused tale inspired by both real events and stories like No Country for Old Men. With a tight, intense script and absolutely stellar visual work, Out of Alcatraz is a fantastic read.
“Convicts Frank Morris and Clarence Anglin have washed ashore in San Francisco after surviving their infamous escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in June 1962. They soon meet their gruff and disappointed handler, a mysterious young woman who’s also running from something, and hope to quickly get their way north to the border — if they can even make it out of Modesto alive. As a dogged federal manhunt and chance encounters threaten the desperate convicts, everyone involved is about to discover the same bloodstained truth: life on the run is an even more hellish prison than Alcatraz could have ever been.”
Writing & Plot
Christopher Cantwell’s wisest decision in the writing of Out of Alcatraz is that this is not a conventional prison escape story. Instead, this tale covers what happens right after the escape. Morris and Anglin wash ashore on the San Francisco Bay then disappear inland to escape to the North – only to find more hardship and pain on the way. Akin to some of the great stories similar to this – think Shawshank Redemption or Of Mice and Men – Out of Alcatraz never feels triumphant and constantly challenges the reader with its depiction of the world from the perspective of two men who made a mistake. While we meet a wide variety of extra characters throughout the story, the main ones are the woman (she goes nameless until the end of the series) who istrying to get the convicts up North, and the pair of FBI agents who are on the trail of the escapees. All of the main characters are much more than they initially appear, and all have their own deeply engaging stories to follow. Cantwell runs the gamut of socio-political issues in this series – racism, misogyny, homophobia, the dehumanization of prisoners, etc. – and at times it can feel like it’s almost too much for one narrative. On the other hand, these elements are a good reminder of the time period that this story takes place in, as well as showing how little progress we’ve made in many ways. Cantwell’s fictionalization of these events works so well not just due to his thematic writing but to the simple technical ways in which he writes. His dialogue flows naturally and punches hard, and his twists come off as vaguely predictable yet still genuinely gripping. Out of Alcatraz is a phenomenally well-written comic series, and one of the most compelling stories of its kind in recent memory.
Art Direction
I should be forward about the fact that Tyler Crook is one of my favorite artists in the business. Ever since his work on Harrow County I’ve been a huge fan of his approach, and that appreciation is only strengthened by his work here on Out of Alcatraz. Crook’s signature approach to character detail and animation, with his thin linework and shading, gives each and every character dimension and a sense of realism. His sequential direction moves the story along carefully, with quieter, more tense scenes dripping slowly like molasses while the breakneck sequences come across in a staccato of imagery. His color work here is an absolute treat, with shifting watercolors in each panel. Some panels, typically during the day, have a more conventional use of lighting in them to reflect a nice summer day (albeit with an almost dreamlike quality akin to Roger Deakins work in No Country for Old Men). However, his nighttime sequences make stunning use of lighting colors, with elements like moonlight and the glow of streetlights making for memorable and almost eerie visual work. The nighttime panels have an almost mono-color aspect to them that shifts based on the angle of the light – it’s really cool stuff. As per usual, Crook also does his own lettering and the results are also stellar. His word balloons have a reactive feel that gels perfectly with the dialogue and have a distinct, hand-drawn quality about them. His SFX work is a true gem, though, as it washes over the watercolor background to highlight its sharpness while never actually overtaking the page, making it feel more diegetic. Crook continues his spree of being one of the best artists in the business today with his work in Out of Alcatraz.
Verdict
Out of Alcatraz is a phenomenal fictionalized take on a true event. Christopher Cantwell’s script is rife with desperation and humanity, making for one of the most memorable stories of its kind in recent memory. Tyler Crook’s visual work is stupendous, with his signature use of pencils and colors crafting a one-of-a-kind reading experience. Be sure to grab the collected edition by Oni Press, available today!
