Out of Alcatraz

by Christopher Cantwell, Tyler Crook (Illustrator)

Born from one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the 20th century, Eisner Award–nominated writer Christopher Cantwell (Plastic Man No More, Briar) and Eisner Award–nominated illustrator Tyler Crook (Harrow County, The Lonesome Hunters) present the year’s most taut and breathtaking graphic novel event . . . 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 Life on the run is an even more hellish prison than Alcatraz could have ever been . . .

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Josh J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully told Alcatraz escape story following a heartfelt cast of characters who are seeking freedom just as much as the prisoners on the run.

[Gary Sassaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This is for the hardcover edition; for some reason Goodreads is only listing the Kindle one.)

I’ve been fascinated with this book since I saw the first issue’s cover at my local comic shop, but I knew immediately that it would be a much better experience to read it in a collected edition. This hardcover from Oni Press is a beauty, too, with great design and featuring all the variant covers for the 5-issue mini-series by writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Tyler Crook. The latter did all the art chores on the series, too, including painted color and even the lettering. It’s the story of three escapees from Alcatraz in 1962, the only three whoever got away from the Rock … or did they? The real life theory is they all drowned in San Francisco Bay, but Cantwell and Crook’s story posits that they survived and met up with another accomplice, a woman who aided their escape on the mainland and has her own agenda. Beautifully drawn—and written—this little piece of film noir on paper (a rare thing in today’s horror-infused comics industry) is a great read.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This impressively-illustrated graphic novel speculates on what could have happened had the 3 men who escaped the infamous Alcatraz prison in the early 1960s made it to shore. It's high-energy and thought-provoking, and works around the principle that many people are running from something--not just prison escapees.

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

GodDAMN was this good, from the cover design to the melancholy and emotive writing to the downright stunning art. Cantwell and Crook deliver a wonderful throwback noir that packs punch after punch with a lot of existentialist themes and a heavy, heavy mood. Sure, the plot may be a little too full of story beats, but the way they weave back into the central subject is masterful and fun, harkening back to some of the best movies in the genre. One of the best comics of 2025, in my opinion.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My pick for best limited series of 2025.
Read my full list of comics awards on urbaneturtle.com!

Out of Alcatraz is a stunning historical fiction piece that examines what might have happened to the men who famously escaped from the island prison Alcatraz in 1962. Though the Feds closed the book on the case concluding that the three men died in the escape, there were enough loose threads to question that conclusion. Cantwell and Crook’s gripping narrative is a tale that questions what it means to be free–and if any of us ever truly are. Each of the characters, from the escaped inmates, to their accomplices, to the investigators on their trail, are all trapped in one way or another. Though it is set in the 60s, Cantwell and Crook put the lie to the empty nostalgia for the days where America was “great.” We feel for all of this cast as they push against the bigotries that force them to hide their sexuality, their race, or their complicated pasts. Crook’s art, with its muted color palette sets a somber, hopeless tone, as do the wide, empty landscapes and stark white prison bars of the gutters between panels. Escaping Alcatraz does not set these men free, and they are reminded of it in every moment. It’s an emotionally gripping, taught crime thriller.

[Cody Wilson]

Out of Alcatraz is a crime book with surprising depth. Writer Christopher Cantwell turns what could have been trite speculative fiction about the 1962 escapees from Alcatraz into a compelling exploration of what “escape” means for various characters under systems of oppression. I found the relationship between the two police officers particularly compelling. Cantwell sympathetically explores the complexities in how two gay men subject to a repressive legal system could in turn work to uphold that system.

The art by Tyler Crook has put the artist on my radar going forward. His lines evince a solid grasp of cartooning. What makes Crook’s work special is his gorgeous watercolor finishes. Even though I raced through this story on a flight, I often paused to admire the beautiful landscapes and environments that Crook depicts. With that said, I occasionally felt like he was mismatched with this project, bringing too light of a touch to a story that could have used more severity. Cantwell has effectively written a crime book in the style of Ed Brubaker, but swapped out Sean Phillips, Brubaker’s frequent collaborator, for art better fit for adventure fiction.

Out of Alcatraz gets two thumbs up from me and represents a solid project from Oni. It’s been a while since I’ve read an original project from the publisher, and I hope they keep them coming.

[Shivesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Alcatraz is one of those books that leaves you torn between admiration and frustration. On the surface, it’s a visually striking work—every page feels meticulously crafted, with bold compositions and a moody palette that captures the claustrophobia, grit, and strange beauty of the island prison. The artist clearly poured intention into the atmosphere, and the result is a book that’s genuinely enjoyable to look at, even when the narrative falters.

And unfortunately, the narrative does falter. The story leans heavily on familiar prison‑break tropes without adding much that feels fresh or earned. Character motivations are sketched rather than explored, and key emotional beats land with a thud because the groundwork simply isn’t there. It’s not that the premise lacks potential—it’s that the script seems content to coast on the setting and the art rather than push deeper into the psychology or stakes of escape.

Still, the book isn’t without merit. If you’re drawn to strong visual storytelling, there’s plenty to appreciate. But as a complete package, Out of Alcatraz feels like a missed opportunity: gorgeous to behold, yet weighed down by a story that never quite breaks free.

[Sighthounds_and_stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a free of charge eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alcatraz has been used as a prison since the civil war. In 1934 it was made into the most secure prison in the world, and remained that way until 1963. During that time 36 men tried to escape. 23 were recaptured, 6 were shot and killed, 2 drowned, and 5 are missing, presumed drowned.

John and Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris escaped Alcatraz in 1962, leaving behind dummy heads in order to fool the guards. They were never found. The case has captivated the public interest, and has already been the subject of a number of films and documentaries. Here Christopher Cantwell gives readers a glimpse into one of the possible outcomes of the escape. Filled with rich characters, and a narrative that tackles a number of important issues of the time, Out of Alcatraz delivers a thrilling, high-octane adventure that readers will love.

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comic uses the real attempt and unsolved mystery of the 3 convicts that escaped Alcatraz in 1962 (and are presumed to have drowned) and writes the story of them actually making it to shore - and what happens next.

I was hoping for a fictionalized "true" crime like From Hell, but Cantwell doesn't really attempt to tell a "what could have happened" story. This is very fictional! I did like some of the elements, like the convicts need to make their way up north to work on a farm to pay off their escape. It's still quite entertaining and fans of fast-paced crime comics will enjoy it.

[Alexis Berman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

I have no strong opinions on this book which is unusual for me. I love reading anything having to do with Alcatraz and I love fiction conclusions to unsolved nonfiction mysteries. I liked the art and the characters. I would recommend it to the right person. I just didn't get excited by it. 3.5 stars.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of men escape from Alcatraz and try to settle themselves into the real world in this graphic novel. The premise and artwork were fun, but I had trouble at times following the plot, which jumped from scene to scene with little to no transition. I also felt that some of the characters were very similarly drawn.

[Matt Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this and makes for a perfect Noirvember read. Total scorcher of a fugitive story with some interesting wrinkles involving race, class, and sexual identity. Gorgeous art and the HC edition with the cover gallery looks fantastic. Highly recommended for crime comic fans everywhere.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Great comic. Had to read it straight through.
Tyler Crook’s art remains beautiful. The story is just some straight good noir stuff. The ending both surprised me and felt satisfying.
No complaints.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solidly entertaining and decently exciting, it feels a bit too by -the-numbers to be perfect

[Frank McGirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfyingly well-written story that uses vagueness and omission to enhance the story's message that we're all out there floundering in both our confines and freedoms.

[Ondrej · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many prisons, some of brick and mortar some of another kind. This book explores two of them in nice prison break story with surprising plot twist followed by neat art.