Escape From Monster Island
Compass Comics; $25 (crowdfunded)
Whether they’ve been outright scary like The Chenoo, over-the-top danger and action like Alien Alamo, smoldering horror-crime-suspense like The Ghosts of Matecumbe Key, or action-horror such as Joe Frankenstein, writer-artist Graham Nolan, the co-creator of Batman foe Bane, has delivered consistently entertaining comics through his Compass Comics imprint.
His most recent release, Escape From Monster Island, is no exception.
It seems unlikely, though, that anyone could have seen this string of strong crowdfunding performances when the original Monster Island was first released back in 1998. Whether people saw it coming or not, however, Nolan turned Monster Island into a mini-franchise with Return To Monster Island in 2018, re-issues of the original and Return in 2024, and this new installment, Escape From Monster Island, in 2025.
With different genres blended together and distinctly different central characters, the key common ingredient in each of Nolan’s comics seems to be a love for the comic book medium and stories that are, in the end, really fun to read. I often say the only real way to judge a comic, whether highbrow or down to earth, is one question: Do you want to turn the page and see what happens next? In his comics, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
If you grew up with monster movies on your local TV stations after school or late at night, the Monster Island is for you. A mysterious island, creatures that couldn’t possibly be alive, danger at every corner, and intrepid heroes populate the series.
Each of the books can be read on their own, but each one builds on the previous issue. Escape From Monster Island might be the bombastic one. It sees the heroes, Mac and Duke, thrown into a whole new level of danger in outer space.
As with each of Nolan’s projects, this one is very entertaining, and you definitely want to turn the page and see what’s next.
– J.C. Vaughn
Editor’s note: If this sounds like something that might appeal to you, he’s presently crowdfunding The Chenoo ’77 on FundMyComic.com.
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Escape From Monster Island
Compass Comics; $25 (crowdfunded)
Whether they’ve been outright scary like The Chenoo, over-the-top danger and action like Alien Alamo, smoldering horror-crime-suspense like The Ghosts of Matecumbe Key, or action-horror such as Joe Frankenstein, writer-artist Graham Nolan, the co-creator of Batman foe Bane, has delivered consistently entertaining comics through his Compass Comics imprint.
His most recent release, Escape From Monster Island, is no exception.
It seems unlikely, though, that anyone could have seen this string of strong crowdfunding performances when the original Monster Island was first released back in 1998. Whether people saw it coming or not, however, Nolan turned Monster Island into a mini-franchise with Return To Monster Island in 2018, re-issues of the original and Return in 2024, and this new installment, Escape From Monster Island, in 2025.
With different genres blended together and distinctly different central characters, the key common ingredient in each of Nolan’s comics seems to be a love for the comic book medium and stories that are, in the end, really fun to read. I often say the only real way to judge a comic, whether highbrow or down to earth, is one question: Do you want to turn the page and see what happens next? In his comics, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”
If you grew up with monster movies on your local TV stations after school or late at night, the Monster Island is for you. A mysterious island, creatures that couldn’t possibly be alive, danger at every corner, and intrepid heroes populate the series.
Each of the books can be read on their own, but each one builds on the previous issue. Escape From Monster Island might be the bombastic one. It sees the heroes, Mac and Duke, thrown into a whole new level of danger in outer space.
As with each of Nolan’s projects, this one is very entertaining, and you definitely want to turn the page and see what’s next.
– J.C. Vaughn
Editor’s note: If this sounds like something that might appeal to you, he’s presently crowdfunding The Chenoo ’77 on FundMyComic.com.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
