Escape #4 – “God’s stopped listening”

Milton faces the uncomfortable realities of war in Escape #4 by Rick Remender, Daniel Acuña & Rus Wooton.

PREVIOUSLY:

Milton’s position was compromised. It was just a matter of time. Being alone in enemy territory was not ideal. But being alone and hunted by an entire army? Well, that was Milton’s precarious state of affairs. Issue #3 was nothing short of thrilling. With trigger-happy soldiers chasing on foot. Just firing at everything that moved in the dark. Milton ran, jumped, punched scratched,and clawed his way through the city. Even fell several stories into a cold river. Eventually, he found himself hidden in he crawl space under a store. However, Milton was not alone.

*SPOILERS FOR ISSUE #4*

FROM SOLICITATION:

   Issue number four doesn’t have physical confrontations or any action sequences. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any confrontation at all. We get to see the moment when Milton was leaving his home to go join the war. When leaving his wife behind, she asked what exactly Milton wanted to get out of a war. What is getting back on airplanes? Was it fighting for his country? Or was he seen simply looking for an escape? Not only were they valid questions. But also, it showed that Milton’s resolve to join the war efforts were not as black and white as he wanted it to be. Maybe he had some other, more selfish reasons to go join the military.

ESCAPE FROM WHAT?

“Wounded and alone, Milton wakes up in the home of a family hiding from the war. But safety is short-lived. As tensions rise and secrets surface, Milton must decide who to trust — and how far he’s willing to go to survive.” (From Image Comics)

A GOOD SAMARITAN

    After Milton he passed out, a “Good Samaritan” nursed him back to health and took care of him. Even though for all intents and purposes Milton would be considered his enemy. Regardless Milton was very skeptical his real intentions. Eventually, Milton let his guard down after realizing this Good Samaritan had no ill intentions towards Milton. They had a heart-to-heart, uncomfortable conversation over a couple of drinks. Milton was of the opinion the citizens were just as guilty for the crimes that were being committed by their government. This Good Samaritan try to provide a different point of view as one of the citizens of the same country that had declared war on their neighbors and had committed all sorts of atrocities. 

NO MORAL HIGHGROUND

   While the citizens did elect this current government, they did not elect their officials to take part this endeavor. Hence, there was an underground rebellion of citizens doing whatever they could to resist and oppose the actions of their government. The exact same reasons why this Good Samaritan took care of Milton when he could have just turned him over to the armed forces. This gentleman propose that Milton should maybe question his perceived moral High Ground on this matter. While it was true that the bat forces committed all sorts of crimes. Milton’s Army just bombed a bunch of civilians trying to take away the biggest weapon the bats had. So, nobody’s hands are clean in an arm conflict.

HOW ABOUT THE ART?

Daniel Acuña continuous to be an excellent Storyteller with a lot of compelling moments. That carry all the tones and the themes and most importantly tension of this issue. Acuña makes, makes it see, makes it looks easy effortlessly and cinematic. 

OVERALL: 10/10

FINAL THOUGHTS

Rick Remender lays out the realities of war. There are no bad guys, there are no good guys. In the end, there are only winners and losers. Good versus evil is only perspective pushed by those that want to convince their own kinfolk to justify their actions against I perceived enemy. Remainder is not afraid of exposing the realities of War: violence and destruction. In the ideals and in the personal levels. For war can be concepts on a faraway land. While at the same time they can be hand to hand: tight and uncomfortable. 

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON ESCAPE #4 IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOIW