The notorious tale of the escape Alcatraz has intrigued me for years, speculating about the fate of convicts and the mystery surrounding it. Out of Alcatraz by Christopher Cantwell and illustrator Tyler Crook is an exhilarating tale where history and fiction collide.
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.
Christopher Cantwell and Tyler Crook craft a cinematic premiere issue hooking me from the very first panel. Cantwell’s writing shines through in his characterization of Frank Morris and Clarence Anglin. The two prisoners aren’t just fugitives; they are a pair of individuals driven by desperation and hope. After meeting up with their handler—a mysterious young woman with her own secrets—things start to move quickly towards an exciting series. The dialogue between the three main characters is sharp and realistic, capturing the tension and excitement of being on the run.
One would think escaping from Alcatraz and fleeing from justice would be enough to sink our teeth into Out of Alcatraz, but what unravels in the double-sized first issue is even more than one could expect. Morris and Anglin washing up onshore after their daring escape from the infamous island seems to be the least of the duo’s worries. Their struggle for freedom is palpable as they embark on a mysterious journey northward desperately attempting to evade capture while also dealing what life may through at them.
Tyler Crook’s artwork elevates this outstanding tale further into something truly extraordinary. His attention to detail and his unique style of art brings each panel to life—whether it’s the foggy bay or a dive bar. Crook captures each character with a unique vision making it easy to follow each characters expressions and motivations. The pairing of Cantwell’s script and Crook’s artwork works so well for this type of historical fiction story. After seeing the opening panels, I couldn’t imagine another artist taking this story to the level Crook has taken it.
While the entire issue was worth experiencing, the most compelling part in this premiere issue lies within its conclusion—a cliffhanger expertly crafted to leave us wanting more without taking away from the first issue.
Out of Alcatraz serves as both an homage to historical events while simultaneously offering something entirely new. What Chris Cantwell and Tyler Crook have put together is a truly outstanding premiere issue that lays a fantastic foundation to the series and leaves you yearning for more. With its blend of suspenseful storytelling and stunning artwork, Out of Alcatraz is a beautiful and outstanding historical fiction comic.
Out of Alcatraz #1 hits local comic shops on March 19, 2025 from Oni Press.
Out of Alcatraz #1 Preview
