This Week's Comics (Addendum) - The Escapists

[sdelmonte]

Last month, the shop I went to didn't have this comic. This week, I just managed to forget it was coming out. Sorta ironic that a book called The Escapists keeps escaping me.

But it's worth the wait. And the extra walk in the rain.

The Escapists 3 - As pubcliation nears, Max and Cass make a special effort to get the comic reviewed in the Plain Dealer. Only to get just what they want. Plus, we learn more about Cass' motivations, and the villain is revealed.

Oh, and this also wins the prize for best use of a succah in a comic book. Really.

We are halfway through this miniseries, and I am ready to say that it is shaping up to be one of the year's best. BKV, Steve Rolston and Jason Alexander are creating something special, at once an homage to super-heroes, a critique of the comic book industry, a peak inside the creative process, a slice of life urban romantic comedy, and more. If you aren't buying this yet, you could wait to see if Dark Horse collects it. Or you could track it down now. But hurry. it's selling well.

And we also have the quote of the week. Referring to a headline regarding the appearance of the "Escapist" - BIF! BAM! BOOM! - Cass asks "Whty does every article vaguely related to comics have to reference a bad TV show from forty years ago?" I wish I knew, but the short feature in current Jewish Week about the Comics exhibition does the same thing! Oy.

Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Now aren't you glad I called you last night?

"Mabfan! He's more than just annoying -- he's helpful!"

[sdelmonte]

Yes. Thanks.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

It's ironic. I stopped buying THE ESCAPIST because it didn't grab me. But this...this more sedate story, about regular people, filled with heart...I love it.

[sdelmonte]

Nothing ironic about it. Sales on the previous series reflected that opinion. It had some good art and some interesting fake history, but there was little about the stories that stood out from standard super-hero comics, even when Chabon was involved himself. What made Kavalier and Clay so good was not the reimagining of one super-hero (who is, after all, a cousin of Mister Miracle). It was, as you say, the heart in the tale.

And I think Dark Horse and Chabon knew this, and figured that they needed a new direction.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I do hope they publish a trade paperback collection of ESCAPISTS. It's worth the treatment.