Escape #1

Escape #1

by Rick Remender, Daniel Acuña (Cover Art)

SERIES PREMIERE! SHOT DOWN. HUNTED. OUT OF TIME. THE NEW ONGOING TWO-FISTED WAR EPIC FROM REMENDER and ACUÑA STARTS HERE.

From the creative team of New York Times bestselling author RICK REMENDER (DEADLY CLASS, Uncanny X-Force) and powerhouse DANIEL ACUÑA (Captain America, Black Panther)—the duo behind Marvel’s Uncanny Avengers—comes a savage, full-throttle wartime thriller where survival isn’t given…it’s taken. Milton Shaw is a battle-hardened bomber pilot, flying missions over a war-torn world ruled by a ruthless empire. But when his plane is shot out of the sky, Milton wakes up behind enemy lines—in the smoldering ruins of a city he helped burn. And in less than 24 hours, his own side is dropping the big one to finish the job.

Now, injured, unarmed, and being hunted through enemy streets, Milton’s only shot at escape comes from the unlikeliest of places: a grieving father and his son—civilians shattered by the same fascist regime that rules this land with an iron claw. Enemies by blood. Allies by circumstance. Together, they’ll have to fight their way out before the bomb drops and erases everything…and everyone. Set in a brutal, fully painted world of anthropomorphic animals—think Inglourious Basterds meets Blacksad—ESCAPE is a gritty, bullet-riddled journey through war’s scorched aftermath. It’s about the violence we inflict, the souls we try to save, and the courage it takes to crawl out of fire.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2025

About the author

Rick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape #1 by Rick Remender and Daniel Acuña is a raw, gut-punch of a debut. Remender wastes no time throwing you into a collapsing world where survival is brutal, personal, and uncertain. Acuña’s painted artwork is stunning—cinematic, moody, and perfectly matched to the desperation of the story. A tense, emotional first issue that sets the stage for something powerful. I loved it!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

CHAPTER ONE: ONLY ONE WAY OUT
August 2025

"Step right up boys..first prize is a one way ticket to hell"

A war story ..that has been told before..but populated by talking animals.
the Writer does give a reason..

[Harry Palacio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wartime and dogfighting downed ship but not before they demolished the city… payback will be brutal

[Joseph Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible synthesis of narrative, dialogue and art.

Does more in terms of character and world building in about 30 pages than many similar books can manage in 300.

There isn’t an ounce of fat on this. Every panel is used. The action sequences are kinetic and raw. The dialogue is gritty and stylised without being overwrought. The work is haunting and humane.

Simply a perfect volume.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’ll see how this pans out.

[REDJACK201 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think i would rate this issue as a 3.71. It isn't necessarily dull as some other comics that i have rated as 3 stars but for some reason i can't give this a 4 star. The war theme is not necessarily my personal favorite but it is interesting to see the effects of war on individuals and even humanity as a whole. The concept is very unique with Rick using animals instead of humans and placing these animals in very human like scenarios. I like the fact that the writer flexes a little by showing us he is more than willing and capable of killing characters within this story in brutal and gruesome ways. I would like to read other comics that Rick has written
I am very interested to see how the story develops or unravels as other issues are released. The art is also solid and fits this theme really well i think.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pack of soldiers (americans), consisting of various anthropomorphic animals, on a mission to bomb a city full of other, non-varied, anthropomorphic animals (Germans).

I'm very tired of every single "bad guy" in american comics being a nazi. The writers just can't think of anything else to save their lives. This is likely to be a tale of the same subject, but now with animals.
Despite that, this was fun and well written. The art is great, and I am at least moderately interested in what will take place. Rick at least teases that he wants to explore the fates of individuals, rather than simply pasting a stereotyped stamp on it all. His recent run on The Sacrificers being decent also gives me some confidence that this can be good

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good american liberating animals (dogs, bears, cats) bomb the hell out of bad german nazi animals (bats. only bats). In the epilogue, author suggests that using anthropomorphism helps evoke empathy in the reader. We tend to feel more for the bad deeds animal does on animal than human does on human, and he's correct. Problem is he uses this plot device the same time he plays one of the oldest tricks in the war-stories book - West good, East bad.

I think as a collective, both readers and writers, we can do better than these stereotypes in 2026. And no, I am no german. Or a nazi. Or a bat.

Acuna's art is good but nothing to be remembered. Maybe gonna give this one one more try with issue #2. Don't know what I'd expect to change in the next 30 pages though.

[John Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's discuss the elephant in the room.
It's been done.
Anthropomorphic animal people.
It's even been done with WW II.
But this still feels new.
The story begins in the cockpit of a B29 bomber.
The crew discussing the morality of bombing civilians to destroy
a military target. Blaming the "nazis" bats who went on a pogrom
i.e. Germany invading Poland.
The bomb crew made up of canines and a cat is shot from the sky. Killing everyone but the pilot
who parachutes into the burning city he just bombed.
Fleeing the bat soldiers who he just tried to kill, his desperate
bid to escape ( see what they did? ) begins.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of hard to tell where this might be going, but I did enjoy this first issue, focused on a bomber crew of cats and dogs fighting against a regime of bats in what appears to be WWII. The art is good, the characters, though barely developed, are grizzled, hardened battle veterans. Knowing Remender's past works, this could turn into something pretty good. Will be on the lookout for it.

[Myles Gerber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing first issue, Rick Remender’s writing really pulls you into the story and Daniel Acuña’s art is amazing!

Can’t wait to read the next issue!

[Fritz J. Bitsoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

quality

Can’t wait for the next issue. Fast paced with gorgeous art and clever blocking with each cell. This one is another hit from Rick R

[Ryan Gässer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Every page turn was breathtaking. I could feel the tension among the crew. This is going to be an excellent story! Thank you Rick & Daniel. Thank you.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense.

Very good first issue. A highly recommended comic. Buy it. Its well worth your time and money. Very good art too.

[Amethyst · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not big on war books but I thought it was okay