The following is an interview with Eisner Award–nominated writer Christopher Cantwell (Iron Man, Briar) and Russ Manning Award–winning and Eisner Award–nominated illustrator Tyler Crook (Harrow County, The Lonesome Hunters) regarding the upcoming release of their new crime thriller comic book series, Out of Alcatraz, through Oni Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Cantwell and Crook about their shared creative process in bringing the characters and mystery to life on the page, calling upon their creative and lived experiences to add greater depth to the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Out of Alcatraz! For readers who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the story’s premise?
Christopher Cantwell: It deals with the “What If?” of the famous 1962 escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, in which the three fugitives were never found. It looks at what might have happened in the aftermath of that escape, using both the fugitives and fictionalized characters to dramatize ideas of freedom and if it’s possible. It all is set against the backdrop of a California and America that is on the cusp of radical change.
BD: Christopher, how would you describe your shared creative process in crafting this crime thriller? It’s always thrilling to follow a great crime story as the reader, but I would imagine that crafting the narrative and staying 3 steps ahead of your reader is quite the challenge!
CC: I did a heavy amount of research but then began with the characters and really build them out as people. The mystery is important, but we need to be with those characters in their POV as they experience events that unfold around them.
BD: Tyler, your artistic style naturally exudes deep ambience, tone, and mood. When tackling a project like this one, was there anything that specifically guided or propelled your approach to bringing the story to life on the page?
Tyler Crook: Out of Alcatraz is like a cross between a John Steinbeck novel and a noir movie like Chinatown. I drew heavily on those types of influences to animate the characters. I also spent a good part of my childhood living in the Central Valley of California, and I’ve work hard to try to capture the feeling of the dry, golden hills contrasting with the rich farms and proud forests of Northern California. I think it’s a really evocative setting, and I get really stoked to try and bring that stuff to life.
BD: In addition to the fact that Oni Press has a stellar catalog of titles and an amazing stable of creative talent, what made the publisher the perfect home for this series?
CC: The talent and insight of the editorial team is top tier. I am so happy the book is at Oni. It’s such a great imprint that exists to cultivate a sincere love of comics. Their mission statement is pure.
TC: Yeah, Oni Press and our editor Bess Pallares have been absolutely incredible. They have given us the time and space we need to tell this story the way it needed to be told.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
CC: I’ve also got a TV series that I was a showrunner of with author Victor LaValle coming out later this year based on Victor’s book. It’s the third season of The Terror and called The Terror: Devil in Silver. We’ve been working on it for years and shot it in New York City last year. It’ll be on AMC in the months ahead.
TC: I’m always happy to direct readers to Harrow County, the book I co-created with Cullen Bunn, and The Lonesome Hunters, the first series that I both wrote and drew.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Out of Alcatraz and your other work?
CC: The internet is an incredibly powerful tool but beware, it can be misleading.
TC: Right now, I’m on Bluesky and Cara with the username @mrtylercrook. I do a livestream every Friday night at 7 p.m./PT on YouTube. And if anyone is interested in original art, they can find it on my website, mrcrook.com.
*Final Order Cutoff: February 24, 2025
