The Escapists TPB
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Cover Artists: Philip Bond, Paul Pope, & Steve Rolston
Artists: Steve Rolston, Jason Shawn Alexander, Philip Bond, & Eduardo Barreto
Colorists: Dave Stewart, Matt Hollingsworth, Paul Hornschemeier, & Dan Jackson
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Publisher: Dark Horse
Review by Anelise Farris
The Escapists is a six-part comic series inspired by Michael Chabon’s novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000). The novel is about two young men in 1940s New York who become comic-creating partners. If you have not read this novel yet, DO IT! But, lucky for you, if you have not read it yet, The Escapists does not require any prior knowledge of Chabon’s world. The Escapists is not a strict adaptation of Chabon’s novel. The script is entirely Brian K. Vaughan’s, but the story Vaughan tells is set in Kavalier and Clay’s world.
Even more than Chabon’s novel, this is a very meta-esque read: it’s a comic book about creating comics. In the beginning of The Escapists, we meet aspiring comic writer Maxwell Roth. Roth has dreams of writing comics that feature the superhero of Chabon’s book (The Escapist). However, the continual rejections he receives from publishers has him working as a repairman. Fortunately for Maxwell, but unfortunately for his mother, a death in the family leaves him the inheritor of a large sum that he uses to make The Escapist a reality. What follows Maxwell’s jump into full-time comic creator is the difficult task of getting the book to sell. Money can help you amass a team, but it can’t buy you a publisher or a reading audience. So, the question of how Maxwell’s vision can reach readers becomes the ultimate mission. Lucky for Maxwell he has some pretty devoted collaborator friends who are willing to risk their safety (and pride at times!) to help him out.
The art, though executed by different artists throughout, consistently delivers emotional depth, bright colors, and a style that marries well with the content—be it Golden Age character designs or a more contemporary style. One of my favorite aspects about the designs of the “real” world and the “created” world is that they are not distinct. Slowly, the lettering, the art, and even the characters move—either literally or figuratively—in between the worlds. This smart move conveys that the amount of investment that creators put into their creations is no small quantity. Through the writing and the art you begin to feel that you fully know and understand these characters. As we witness Maxwell and his friends try and fail again and again, you empathize with not only their disappointment but also their renewed determination. And, that’s what makes The Escapists such a compelling read.
Verdict
Buy it! The Escapists is a comic about the emotional journey of not only creating comics but also of getting them into the hands of readers. This is an affecting read for creators and readers alike. So, if you have read Chabon’s novel, this is a must. And, if you haven’t read Chabon’s novel, purchase BOTH The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and The Escapists. You can thank me later.
One thought on “The Escapists TPB Review”