I received an advanced review copy from the publisher. However, my copy had not been worked on by the letterer yet. So, most of the word bubbles were blank. Therefore, I can't really comment on the story, I can only comment on the artwork. Which was excellent. I wished I could comment on the story though. There was one part where it seemed like the character was shaving a marble with a knife. I wanted to know what was going on there. There was another part with a gun-wielding woman. I was intrigued by that too. I guess I'll have to wait for the book to come out with everyone else to find out the specifics of what was going on. I can say that in my opinion this is an adult graphic novel. Subject matter includes rape, guns, burying people, watery graves, etc. So, for reader's advisory=adult recommendations.

The notorious tale of the escape Alcatraz has intrigued me for years, wondering about the fate of convicts and the utter mystery surrounding it. In Out of Alcatraz by Christopher Cantwell and illustrator Tyler Crook we go on exhilarating journey 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 have crafted a cinematic series that hooked me from the very first panel. Cantwell's writing ability shines through telling a story that seems like it will go one way then with a twist goes a different direction. What we think this story is about not exactly what it may seem. Christoper's characterizations are fantastic. From our escaped prisoners, a set of individuals driven by desperation and hope, to their handler and beyond. The dialogue between these characters is sharp and realistic, truly capturing the tension and suspense of being on the run.

Having read the debut issue of Out of Alcatraz prior to reading the entire collected edition, I had no idea this book would go where it went. I had an idea that we would focus on the pair of fugitives and their handler, but Cantwell throws us for a loop and gives us a complete story that is better than even expected.

Tyler Crook's artwork elevates this outstanding story further into something truly stunning. His attention to detail and his unique style of art has each panel standing on their own, whether in the foggy bay or even at a dive bar. Crook captures each character with a unique eye 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 tale. After seeing the opening panels, I couldn't imagine another artist taking this story to the level Crook has taken it.

Out of Alcatraz serves as both an homage to historical events while simultaneously offering something entirely fresh. What Christopher Cantwell and Tyler Crook have put together is a truly outstanding comic miniseries that takes the blend of fiction and non-fiction to new heights. With its suspenseful storytelling and stunning artwork, Out of Alcatraz is a beautiful and outstanding historical fiction series.

Wow! Just wow! What a ride. This is a great noir/crime graphic novel based on the unsolved mystery of the fugitives from Alcatraz. Sort of a "what if?" story. I also like the watercolor/paint artwork that compliments this noir story. Enjoyed the twist at the end. Be warned though, on the mature content (violence, explicit curses and homosexual romance).

"Out of Alcatraz" is a story based on real people, three prisoners that escaped from Alcatraz in June of 1962. However, in many ways, it felt more like they were the backdrop used to tell the story of the two individuals that were following their trail. As you my imagine, this is not completely a feel good story. In many ways, this is a story about freedom. People just wanting to be free from the prison they are in.

The artwork is incredible. The story good. I read this because I thought the escaped convicts were going to be the center of the graphic novel. Instead, they were just a tool used to tell another story. So for that part, I was a disappointed. For what it was, "Out of Alcatraz" was not bad.