ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK: ESCAPE FROM CHICAGO #1 (Mad Cave Studios)

Sep 23

Snake Plissken is back and he has another city to liberate. This time Snake finds himself in Chicago helping people escape the city. But now that the leader of Chicago’s underworld is looking for a more important target, Snake must face his past and put his personal rules to the side.

Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago #1 - Written By Kyle Higgins – Art By Val Rodrigues - Colors By Natalia Marques – Letters By Jeff Eckleberry - Edited By Sarah Brunstad - Published By Mad Cave Studios

* POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *

STORY OVERVIEW:

We catch up with Snake Plissken as he is helping people escape the hell that is known as Chicago. Of course, he is doing this for money as that’s the mercenary way. He still has his own stringent rules and never escapes the city even though he has the means to. However, he gets a call from the Northside and has to go for a meeting that will make him break his own rules. A very important rebel named Maya Torres is being hunted by the boss of Chicago. But what makes her interesting as far as Snake is concerned is his connection to her parents. Know despite wanting to stay out of the mess that she is in, Snake must protect her out of a sense of duty. But this decision will put a giant target on his back as well.

WRITING:

This first issue captures the magic of the John Carpenter franchise while forging its own identity. Kyle Higgins takes the template from the movie franchise and expands on it for this new sequel in comic book form. Higgins instantly reconnects readers to who Snake Plissken is and puts him in a whole new setting. But where he truly succeeds is the personal tie in with Maya Torres. The fact that it appears that Snake failed her parents adds a bit of intrigue and drama to this story. Even though Snake is a mercenary, his sense of duty to Maya shows that he still has feelings and cares. This drama sets this story in the franchise apart from other entries from the franchise. Higgins milks that drama, well at the same time delivering the action and violence that is synonymous with the world of Escape from New York.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this first issue brings the world together and to life. Val Rodrigues brings this dystopian Chicago to life and brings a great deal of hopelessness along with it. The run down streets and buildings create this air of a dangerous and unpredictable world. Well the character designs enforce this idea further. But the depiction of the violence and action really gets the readers’ blood going. It’s the perfect amount without becoming to gratuitous or over shining the dramatic backstory that is also unfolding. The colors match the artwork perfectly and really make the scenes stand out. Natalia Marques’ pallet is a perfect fit for this world; well Jeff Eckleberry’s lettering ties the story and the art together.

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF LAZARUS ORDER #1

Final Thoughts:

Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago #1 delivers a gripping return for Snake Plissken, pairing brutal action with a compelling personal stake. Strong writing and atmospheric artwork make this an exciting start to the series. This should be on the top of the list to pick up at the shop for any fan of the franchise. Well nonfans of the franchise will still enjoy it and should also consider grabbing this first issue.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10

Let me know your thoughts on Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Richard Coryell

Comic Book Reviewer for Fanlight Zone, Video editor extraordinaire, Host of the 3FN Podcast & 607 TWS, and lover of all things Nerdy, especially independent comics.