Escape #2 – A Call of Duty Answered

A man can’t avoid his duty in Escape #2 by Rick Remender, Daniel Acuña & Rus Wooton, from Image Comics.

PREVIOUSLY ON ESCAPE #1

Before you realized, Escape #1 launched you in midst of a story already pointed towards an inevitable doom. Milton Shaw and his flight crew were in the middle of a bombing mission. If successful, they would have effectively disarmed the enemy. Therefore, bringing a long-standing war to a conclusion sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, their airplane was severely damaged. When flying over enemy territory they became easy target. Alas, under said conditions they nearly missed the intended target. Not completely to their fault. For the enemy was hiding the target between civilians. Making the mission even more complicated.

MILTON SHAW’s CONVICTION

Soon after, Shaw realized his plight. With a damaged plane and the enemy’s flight forces on their tail, there were only two options. Try to escape and fail. Or turn around and try to go for the target once more. Both options were fatal. Shaw knew the statistics for bombing flight crews.

The reality was they were on borrowed time. So, Shaw turned that airplane around and went all in. If they had managed to pull it off, they would’ve greatly helped to end the war. But as Shaw said, they were on borrowed time.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Their doom was imminent as soon as they turned around. Half of the crew was KIA (killed in action). Also, the airplane reached its limit. Milton Shaw and Flynn his officer were forced to bail. Shaw strapped a parachute on Flynn and send him out the door. While Flynn was unconscious and unresponsive.

Shaw kept his eyes on Flynn until the main canopy of his parachute deployed. Then it was time for Shaw to exit. After avoiding dangers in his descent, it dawned on Milton. Now he was alone behind enemy lines. Escaping was implausible.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #2*

FROM SOLICITATION:

“Wounded, hunted, and running out of time, Milton Shaw has one shot left to change the course of the war: destroy the Titan Cannon before his own side drops the bomb. But as enemy patrols close in and memories of the life he left behind threaten to break him, the mission becomes more than survival — it’s redemption. From Rick Remender and Daniel Acuña, Escape barrels forward with blood, fire, and heartbreak in the war-torn world of Nuropia.” (Image Comics)

MILTON SHAW’s RESOLVE

Issue #2 presents Milton Shaw in a pondering light. After considering the limited options, Milton Shaw decided to continue his mission. The sheer grit and determination showcased by Shaw is in full display. Regardless of the certain death, Shaw’s resolve is unwavering.

Even though he’s alone and no one is coming to rescue him. As a last hurrah, Milton will take his few supplies left and march toward the Titan Cannon to destroy it. Alas, making the sacrifice of his crew worth it.

THE LIFE BEFORE THE WAR

Believe it or not, Milton wasn’t always this rugged pilot. Before he joined the war, he was a totally different person. Previously, two years before the Titan Cannon mission, Shaw was a freelancer pilot.

Free from the worries of the world. Or the war tearing countries apart on the other side of the world. Milton had his own ideals and philosophy about the war. In short, it was not his problem to solve. However, life had other plans for Milton.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

I will not lie; I am a fan of Daniel Acuña’s work. With that being said, here’s my bias take on the art of Escape. Acuña is the pinnacle of visual storytelling. Take the character of Milton Shaw for example. Whenever Shaw is brooding his eyes are covered in shadows. But when he’s happy, joyful or vulnerable you can see his eyes. That’s just an example, one detail that gets lost in the tale. But it’s the little details that make a difference.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Rick Remender manages to add dimensions to the character of Milton Shaw. This story isn’t only about war anymore. Now, it’s about the people, the characters involved in it. Their lives, their hopes, their dreams and how they were halted by this conflict. Remender is peeling back the layers on this story. Effortlessly might I add.

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON ESCAPE #2 IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.