Escapist Reading: You Can't -- And Shouldn't -- Escape THE ESCAPISTS!

[Scott Shaw!]

I've just finished reading the first issue of THE ESCAPISTS (yes, "EscapistS" with a third "s"), a new six-issue series, "inspired by Michael Chabon's THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY", from Dark Horse -- and it's OUTSTANDING. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and drawn by Philip Bond (with a Golden Age sequence drawn by Eduardo Barreto), this is the story of a boy who discovers his father's collection of ESCAPIST comic books and memorabilia after his old man dies. The kid becomes fascinated and inspired by this obscure comic book character who ultimately changes his life -- and friends -- to become "emancipators of the imprisoned" through the medium of comic books.

It's been a looong time since I've urgently wanted to read the "next" issue of a new comic book, but that's exactly my reaction to THE ESCAPISTS. It also features an ingenious look at the fictitious "history" of THE ESCAPIST as a back-up feature.

Go get THE ESCAPISTS right now -- it hit shelves last Wednesday and it's only a dollar, but it's got a front cover by Frank Miller and a back cover by Brian Bolland, so it'll probably sell out fast to the fanboys. I GUARANTEE that you'll absolutely dig it. THE ESCAPISTS is an Oddball combination of alternative and mainstream sensibilities, with excellet writing and artwork that will touch anyone who's ever loved funnybooks, and especially those who frequent this forum.

THE ESCAPISTS gets my very HIGHEST recommendation!

Aloha,

Scott!

[scratchie]

Thanks for the rec, Scott. I read about this comic recently but didn't know if it would be any good (and had half-forgotten about it until I saw this thread). I'll definitely check it out.

[zilch]

Get this book!!!!

[Tony Bang]

Oh it was wonderful.

The great think about BKV is every character he creates is wonderful. All his character always feel like something new.

[DarthAstuart]

amen amen amen. i can't believe this was just a buck. best buck I spent in months.

i'm not a HUGE fan of the whole "let's pretend the escapist is real" bits from the back end of the book, since I think it's a bit of a one-note joke that gets old fast. but the meat of the story itself is terrific, and I love the way it's clearly meant to eventually echo the intertwined relationiships between kavlier, clay, and rosa in the novel.

[Andy S.]

This was an awesome read! Will it be an ongoing series or a mini?

[DarthAstuart]

This was an awesome read! Will it be an ongoing series or a mini?

to the best of my knowledge, it's a six-issue mini.

[Ronnigon]

I just got The Escapists, and loved it.

Thanks, Scott.

[Matthew K.]

I just got The Escapists, and loved it.

Thanks, Scott.

The Hardcover just came out from Darkhouse--it's one of the best comics I've read in years. Well-said words, Scott.