Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago #2: “Nobody’s Ever Home Free”

Overview

Writer: Kyle Higgins & Val Rodrigues

Artist: Alex Sanchez

Colorist: Natalia Marques

Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry

Cover Artist: Stephen Mooney

If you thought the first issue of Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago was tense, then issue two turns the pressure up enough to make your head pop! (I mean, not REALLY. It’s safe to read. You’ll be fine!) After seeing more of Snake Plissken’s past and the events that connect him to Maya Torres, it is clear that this job is much more personal than either of them would like to admit. Snake may be able to get people through dangerous places, but Maya is not someone willing to let him walk away from what happened to her family.

The Story

Issue 2 continues to reinforce just how dangerous Chicago has become. There are armed forces searching for Snake and Maya, gang territories to cross, and a growing feeling that everyone knows more than they are saying. Kyle Higgins and Val Rodrigues do a great job of keeping the story moving while still making room for the tension between Snake and Maya to build. Snake is still the same sarcastic and capable survivor fans expect, but this issue makes him face the consequences of choices he’d rather forget about.

The action is fast, violent, and exciting, but the strongest part of this issue is watching Snake and Maya try to figure out whether they can trust one another. Maya has every reason not to trust him, and Snake has no interest in being anyone’s hero. That dynamic makes this more than just a book about gunfights and survival. It adds an emotional layer that makes the last panels hit even harder.

The Art

Alex Sanchez does an excellent job bringing the bleak world of Chicago to life. The snow-covered streets, abandoned buildings, and armed groups make the city feel cold, dangerous, and impossible to escape. The environments feel just as important as the characters, making every location look like it could become your grave-site at any moment.

Natalia Marques’ colors are a huge part of what makes the art stand out. The cold blues and grays fit the frozen setting perfectly, while the bright reds used during the action scenes make the violence jump off the page. Jeff Eckleberry’s lettering also keeps the action easy to follow and gives Snake’s dialogue the sharp attitude readers want from him.

Final Thoughts

Escape from New York: Escape from Chicago #2 continues to build on everything that made the first issue so compelling. The action is intense, the world feels dangerous, and the conflict between Snake and Maya gives the series real emotional stakes. The creative team is doing an excellent job expanding Snake Plissken’s world while still keeping the character’s cynical attitude intact.

Overall Grade: 9/10

What do y’all think? Agree? Disagree? Anything to add? Let me know what you thought of this issue in the comments below!