Alcatraz has now been a museum for longer than it was ever a jail, but it surely stays probably the most well-known jail in popular culture. The very title “Alcatraz” connotes an inescapable jail — besides three males did escape in 1962, a yr earlier than the jail closed.
These had been Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin, who tried to row to freedom on the shore. (A fourth prisoner, Allen West, was a part of the breakout plan however failed to flee his cell in time.) Authorities finally concluded that the escapees’ raft by no means made it to land and so they drowned, however with no our bodies, imaginations have run wild about their fates. The brand new comedian “Out Of Alcatraz” by author Christopher Cantwell and artist Tyler Criminal will run with the premise that the lads did make it to land, however did they ever discover freedom? Oni Press has shared an unique preview of “Out of Alcatraz” #1 with /Movie (by way of Superfan Promo), together with three beforehand unseen pages. These may assist shed some gentle on that query.
Cantwell is finest recognized to TV followers for co-creating “Halt and Catch Hearth,” a “Mad Males” model 4 season drama in regards to the early days of the Silicon Valley laptop revolution. Nonetheless, he has additionally constructed up a prolific comedian writing profession; his work consists of a 10-issue “Physician Doom” solo collection at Marvel and “Briar,” a darkish fantasy reimagining of “Sleeping Magnificence” at Growth! Studios.
Criminal is usually recognized for drawing horror comics; he got here to fame working on the “Hellboy” spin-off “B.P.R.D.” He has since drawn the horror collection “Harrow County” (written by Cullen Bunn) in addition to writing and drawing the monster hunter collection “The Lonesome Hunters.” His expertise drawing darkish shadows, bloody violence, and haunted faces serves “Out of Alcatraz” completely.
Criminal’s cowl for “Out of Alcatraz” #1 is a piece of magnificence, mixing detailed illustration and minimalist graphics whereas binding type and narrative (i.e. the jail highlight serving because the dividing strains). The orange color-and-black coloration scheme, shadow determine cut-outs, and uneven lettering are carried out within the model of Saul Bass’ well-known posters for “Vertigo” and “Anatomy of a Homicide” — beautiful and interval correct!
Oni Press
The 1962 Alcatraz escape was beforehand dramatized within the 1979 Clint Eastwood image, succinctly titled “Escape From Alcatraz,” the place Eastwood performed Morris. Directed by Eastwood’s earlier “Soiled Harry” director Don Siegel, “Escape” is usually thought to be among the best prison-set motion pictures. “Out of Alcatraz,” although, skips over the incarceration and follows the imagined aftermath of the escape. Criminal has beforehand mentioned he considers the comedian akin to a “basic ’60s crime/highway film.”
Out Of Alcatraz will reply an unsolved thriller of historical past
The opening pages of “Out of Alcatraz” #1 (beforehand launched in previous previews) present the escape itself. The primary web page opens with a large shot of the island jail, with panels descending down the web page exhibiting the stormy tides; there are not any onomatopoeia sound results lettered in however you possibly can hear the roaring of the waves from only a look on the artwork. Because the imagery units the scene, the narration explains the true historical past of the case; the ultimate panel, captioned “no our bodies had been ever found” encompasses a close-up of Frank’s face as he swims.
In Cantwell and Criminal’s model, it seems that one of many prisoners did certainly drown whereas swimming to shore: John Anglin. Clarence tries to swim again to save lots of his brother however Frank pulls him to shore, the place they haven’t any time to mourn.
Oni Press
Oni Press
Oni Press
Oni Press
As soon as on dry land, the pair make it to Modesto. There they meet their contact and the mini-series third lead; an unnamed girl who Frank and Clarence are paying to shepherd them throughout the border to Canada. In a quote to /Movie, Cantwell defined she is a cornerstone of the collection and its themes:
“A vital character of this collection is one constructed out of entire dramatic fabric. Sure, the fugitives are on the middle of the story, however I researched profitable jail escapes in historical past, and sometimes they work finest when there may be somebody serving to from the surface. Enter our thriller character, who our fugitives should meet up with as soon as they get off the Rock. In a narrative sense, this provides the fugitive an actual vector, one thing to go in the direction of and never simply run away from. It provides them a plan. However our character on the surface is sophisticated. She is working herself. And what may compel somebody to assist males escape from Alcatraz? The reply could be very American — cash. However there may be extra to it than that and it is a thriller even the fugitives themselves might be unpacking for a while.”
The primary situation of “Out of Alcatraz” stays imprecise about who this girl is, however she appears to have a historical past with Frank. In three pages shared for unique preview by /Movie, Frank and the girl focus on plans exterior their protected home, from there being two fewer prisoners than anticipated as to if Clarence is value retaining round.
Oni Press
Oni Press
Oni Press
The actual destiny of Frank Morris and Clarence Anglin might by no means be really solved, however “Out of Alcatraz” is poised to supply a compelling reply.
“Out of Alcatraz” #1 is scheduled for print and digital publication on March 19, 2025.