Oh man, I am about as far removed from the target audience for this book as one can imagine. I've never seen Escape from New York. I've never seen Escape from L.A.. I have no desire to see them. I know next to nothing about the title character, save for the fact that he was portrayed by Kurt Russell on the big screen. Suffice it to say, I didn't pre-order this comic book, but the folks at CrossGen provided a review copy, so I figured I'd give it a look-see. Turns out, it's an action-packed, attitude-dominated adventure that's far from deep, but nevertheless entertaining. And most importantly, accessible for those unfamiliar with Carpenter's badass anti-hero.
After facing some rather unfriendly and greedy obstacles along the Garden State Parkway, Snake Plissken makes his way to Atlantic City, where he's scheduled to meet up with an old acquaintance. Plissken has come up with a plan and a deal that'll make him, his "friend" and a couple of thugs some major cash, and though the world is a harsh, lawless place, money still makes it go 'round. There's only one flaw with Snake's plan... it requires him to trust someone, and that scenario never works out well for him.
Tone Rodriguez's artwork is easily the book's greatest strength. His work will no doubt live up to the expectations of the movies' fans, as it boasts a photorealistic quality that brings the screen character to life on the printed page. Rodriguez maintains a dark and gritty atmosphere that's in keeping with Snake's attitude and the raw quality of the setting. The detail in his work is stunning, and he captures a strong sense of motion and action throughout the book. I enjoyed Rodriguez's work on Violent Messiahs: Lamenting Pain, but his efforts here are even stronger.
This issue sets up a fun caper story a la Ocean's Eleven, but it's just the set-up. O'Neill isn't satisfied with just that, though, as he throws a wrench into the works early on that promises to bring out the title character's angry and vindictive personality and methods. I also love how the creators capture a sense of the future that's alien to our own experience while keeping a foot planted firmly in the present.
Snake Plissken Chronicles is far from the most enlightening or even original storytelling, but it doesn't purport to be those things. It succeeds at what it sets out to do, and that's to tell an exciting story full of attitude, and it does so with a sense of humor.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
