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rbreade's review
I thought I would enjoy this more than I did, having found Chabon's Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay amazing in every way. However, Chabon's only involvement here is the introduction, after which a number of artists and writers present stories of the Escapist, the hero written and drawn by Chabon's eponymous duo. The trouble seems to be that the stories here are all so brief, none has the time to develop anything more than the most obvious plot. The parts I enjoyed most were the essays written--including one by novelist Glen David Gold, author of Carter Beats the Devil-- about the character and the history of the fictional publishing company that presented the Escapist stories; these essays are written as if the company, Empire Comics, and the Escapist comic book had actually existed, a conceit that's pulled off well in each case.
mrninjaviking's review
4.0
A companion book to the award winning novel "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". It is a collection of comic book stories talked about within the novel.
Essentially this was Chabon, along with some other writers and artists, creating some of the stories that made up the world of the Escapist and Luna Moth, two of the comic book heroes that Kavalier and Clay created in the novel. There are some write-ups within this collection, which includes what was supposed to be the first Escapist story, describing some of the history behind the characters and where they went after Kavalier and Clay walked away from them. It is done in a documentary style, adding to the story within the novel, and probably more geared to the comic book fans out there. But like the novel, this is all fiction. And I am not talking about the comics themselves.
I enjoyed the Sandman series created by Neil Gaiman and have found myself interested in some others. However, after reading this novel, it got me interested in reading actual comic, the famous ones from the Golden Age when the beginning of Kavalier and Clay's story begins. I also, in a way, yearned to actually see what kind of vision Chabon had for these "famous" stories and characters within the novel. This did very nicely to put images to those wishes.
It jumps around from different time frames so you can see the Escapist and Luna Moth change as "the years go by." And the collection finishes with a "previously unreleased" story that would have tied up a huge story line within the Escapist universe. I found some of the stories very entertaining. All the art, very different from story to story, all very good.
In some ways it filled in a few blanks and helped add to the universe that those geeks that get into this would just love. For me though, it just made a nice way to finish off the thrill of the novel. I picked up this copy for $2 on eBay (before shipping costs). I didn't want to pay full price for something I wasn't sure about. It turned out to be a smart move. Reading it right after was the key for me. And though I enjoyed it, I doubt I would go and get the next two volumes.
Essentially this was Chabon, along with some other writers and artists, creating some of the stories that made up the world of the Escapist and Luna Moth, two of the comic book heroes that Kavalier and Clay created in the novel. There are some write-ups within this collection, which includes what was supposed to be the first Escapist story, describing some of the history behind the characters and where they went after Kavalier and Clay walked away from them. It is done in a documentary style, adding to the story within the novel, and probably more geared to the comic book fans out there. But like the novel, this is all fiction. And I am not talking about the comics themselves.
I enjoyed the Sandman series created by Neil Gaiman and have found myself interested in some others. However, after reading this novel, it got me interested in reading actual comic, the famous ones from the Golden Age when the beginning of Kavalier and Clay's story begins. I also, in a way, yearned to actually see what kind of vision Chabon had for these "famous" stories and characters within the novel. This did very nicely to put images to those wishes.
It jumps around from different time frames so you can see the Escapist and Luna Moth change as "the years go by." And the collection finishes with a "previously unreleased" story that would have tied up a huge story line within the Escapist universe. I found some of the stories very entertaining. All the art, very different from story to story, all very good.
In some ways it filled in a few blanks and helped add to the universe that those geeks that get into this would just love. For me though, it just made a nice way to finish off the thrill of the novel. I picked up this copy for $2 on eBay (before shipping costs). I didn't want to pay full price for something I wasn't sure about. It turned out to be a smart move. Reading it right after was the key for me. And though I enjoyed it, I doubt I would go and get the next two volumes.
obnorthrup's review
2.0
In the context of the novel this comic draws from it might be great, but without that I found it forgettable.
settingshadow's review
3.0
a fun graphic depiction of the Escapist. It adheres closely to Kavalier & Clay canon. Nothing breathtaking that wasn't done in Kavalier and Clay proper, but a joy to see the story laid out as a real comic.
kindleandilluminate's review
4.0
A fun & enthralling companion to Michael Chabon's excellent novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. This volume of Escapist comics purports to be an anthology of the "real" Escapist (and Luna Moth) comics over the decades, placing the fictional series in real comic and superhero history. The excerpts are drawn and written in a variety of styles (one of my favorites is the audacious bit of Escapist manga -- the Golden Chi? How can you not love that?), and accompanied by scholarly essays and introductions to the legacy of Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay.
This wouldn't be particularly interesting for anyone who hasn't already read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, but for those who have, I highly recommend it. And for those who haven't, go read Kavalier and Clay. It's great. Then come back and enjoy the Escapist.
This wouldn't be particularly interesting for anyone who hasn't already read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, but for those who have, I highly recommend it. And for those who haven't, go read Kavalier and Clay. It's great. Then come back and enjoy the Escapist.
jackieeh's review
4.0
This gets a sentimental fourth star because a) this is such well-executed fanfiction and b) I loved Kavalier & Clay so, so much. The premise is that Chabon used to read Escapist comics as a kid and this is a selection of works from every era. As a framing device, this is right up there with Frankenstein and all those other I-found-these-papers-in-an-attic-I-so-didn't-write-this stories, and I always love those.
Favorites: "Sequestered" was hilarious, "Old Flame" was gorgeous, but "The Lady and the Tiger" stole. the. show. From one-liners about malfunctioning Subarus that I over-identified with to repudiated kisses atop famous buildings (gah!), to the shades-of-grey conclusion, this was one that both hearkened back to the novel in all the right ways and stood on its own.
Nicely done, boys.
Favorites: "Sequestered" was hilarious, "Old Flame" was gorgeous, but "The Lady and the Tiger" stole. the. show. From one-liners about malfunctioning Subarus that I over-identified with to repudiated kisses atop famous buildings (gah!), to the shades-of-grey conclusion, this was one that both hearkened back to the novel in all the right ways and stood on its own.
Nicely done, boys.
lexlibris's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
I loved Kavalier & Clay & this was fun but a little too meta & inside itself. could do without the “historical” pages about the comic company’s history. I just wanted the comic part