Out of Alcatraz

"Mining the historical intrigue of the 1962 escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, which saw a trio of inmates slip away from the island and vanish completely, this gripping thriller proposes that escaping from prison was by far the easiest obstacle on the men’s path to freedom. Cantwell (Star Trek: Defiant) crafts a propulsive, noir-tinged narrative as the convicts limp into a murky Northern California underworld, pursued by lawmen, haunted by violence, and betrayed at nearly every turn. While the fugitives stumble toward freedom, they’re forced to confront a bleak truth: escape is not liberation, and the world beyond bars may be just another cell. Crook’s (The Lonesome Hunters) painterly and cinematic illustration heightens scenes of stark natural beauty by alternating them with grim interiors and bursts of violence. His use of color and light evokes a cinematic dread that matches the script’s fatalism. It’s rooted in crime fiction, but the graphic novel hints at metaphysical despair, transcending its genre premise to become something bolder, eerier, and more tragic. VERDICT Atmospheric, beautifully rendered, and psychologically rich, this is a standout thriller for fans of Ed Brubaker, Jeff Lemire, and True Detective."

“This book uses a real life incident in which convicts escaped from Alcatraz (and were never found) as a starting point for a new crime-suspense comic. The premise is great, but the execution of this series is absolutely perfect, from the art to the characterization to the plot twists."

“Cantwell and Crook craft a crime thriller steeped in paranoia that keeps the men trapped even though they’ve left their prison cells behind. …. The time and place are exquisitely captured by Crook, a versatile artist who is equally adept at thrilling action and more subtle character interactions, and he tracks the fraught emotional journey of these characters with crystal-clear specificity.” 

“A fantastic exercise of historical fiction, concerned about depicting the U.S. precisely as it was in the 1960s. That includes the racial tensions bubbling below the surface of a civilized country and the unfortunate objectification of women. These strokes of social analysis are perfectly intertwined with the plot, making the story all the more believable without deviating the focus from the main characters. It’s a phenomenal work of comic book storytelling, complete with an impressionist artwork that adds texture to what could be a bland realistic setting. Every reader interested in crime thriller and historical fiction will be well-served with Out of Alcatraz."

“An exhilarating tale where history and fiction collide… Christopher Cantwell and Tyler Crook craft a cinematic [story] hooking me from the very first panel. Cantwell’s writing shines through in his characterization of Frank Morris and Clarence Anglin… Tyler Crook’s artwork elevates this outstanding tale further into something truly extraordinary… Out of Alcatraz serves as both an homage to historical events while simultaneously offering something entirely new. With its blend of suspenseful storytelling and stunning artwork, Out of Alcatraz is a beautiful and outstanding historical fiction comic.”

“Showstopping…An escape from Alcatraz becomes a highway to Hell. Cantwell takes the two leads into deep levels with the writing. Crook’s art sets the stage with the painful repercussions of their actions. This story is one readers won’t want to escape from anytime soon.”

"This is noir at its best.”

“An intriguing and plausible tale that explores what might have happened after the escape… Populating the panels with energy and a water-colored palette that made the narrative jump from the page, Crook captures the pent-up frustration, fear and anger of the convicts in every close-up of their faces… A must read.”

“Cantwell did his homework on the inmates, as his portrayal of them here seems authentic. Credit his storytelling abilities and Crook’s illustrative details to make Out of Alcatraz a compelling story."