Product Description

Following in the footsteps of the massively successful Volume One, the second volume of Michael Chabon Presents. . .The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist collects issues three and four of the likewise popular quarterly series. Among the stories in this volume: Critically acclaimed writer Brian Vaughan (Y: The Last Man) pens "To Reign in Hell" in a classic 1940s spirit, richly illustrated by former Swamp Thing artist Roger Petersen. Marv Wolfman writes "Heil and Fear Well," a shocking and chilling tale of nefarious post-war Nazis in the infamous 1950s EC comics horror style, brought to life by veteran cartoonist Joe Staton and indie stalwart Bob Sikoryak. Also, the mysterious powers of Luna Moth may be up for grabs - is our favorite mild-mannered librarian worthy of them? Kevin McCarthy and Dean Haspiel serve up a tribute to Jack Kirby's 1960s Marvel work in "The Trial of Judy Dark!".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #415817 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

From Booklist
The Escapist, a superhero who uses Houdini-like skills to help those trapped in the chains of oppression, was the comic-book creation of the protagonists of Michael Chabon's novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (2000),the success of which spurred Dark Horse to launch a series purporting to publish stories taken from the character's decades--spanning career. Actually, the stories are created by some of today's top writers and artists. Many in this second collection, such as Y: The Last Man author Brian Vaughan's, focused on the Escapist's loyal assistant, strongman Big Al, are just above-average mainstream superhero tales. The most successful efforts are loving pastiches of specific vintage comics; for instance, one in the style of EC Comics' notorious 1950s horror comics that features post-World War II Nazis, and another featuring the Escapist's voluptuous comrade, Luna Moth, purportedly pseudonymously drawn by 1960s Marvel Comics artist Jack Kirby. The quality of these stories guarantee appeal to superhero fans, and the fame of Chabon's Pulitzer Prize-winner assures some other readers, too. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Running out of steam already
The first volume, consisting of the content of issues no. 1 and 2 of the comic book series based on the fictional comic book characters from Chabon's novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, was much more successful than this second installment, taken from nos. 3 and 4. Maybe the "try harder" rule about sequels applies here, too, but the quality of both art and plotting is much lower and the tongue-in-cheek fictional comics history that made the first volume such fun is almost nonexistent in this one. Give it up, guys.

Wonderful extension of Kavalier and Clay
Having read very few comic books before picking up Chabon's first volume of the Escapist, I was completely blown out of the water by the creativity that the authors put into their comic extension of Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay." Volume 2 picks up where Volume 1 left, with more of the wonderfully written comic book historical fiction that was peppered throughout the originial. This volume contains the third and fourth issues of the Escapist quarterly comic book, and while the book remains a brilliant addition to Kavalier and Clay, the comics stand on their own in terms of story line.
Overall a fun little book for the train or for an hour or so by yourself.
I must admit that when I recieved my copy of Volume 2 I was a little confused over the cover, as the one pictured here is not the cover that was sent to print. However as a side note, Michael Chabon himself is drawn into the cover at the bottom-right with the alias of "The Puppet-Master."