Escape From Skull Island #2 Review

 

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Christopher Jones

Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff

Letterer: Andworld Design

Editor: Louis Yamani

Designer: Dan Bura

Cover Artists: Diego Yapur, Christopher Jones & Eduardo Mello

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: March 11, 2025

 

Finding the Hollow Earth was a dream come true for Cap. But his son regards life on Skull Island as a nightmare. While Irene sides with Charley, her daughter Annie calls Skull Island home. But whether they like it or not, Skull Island is changing. People like Druid have plans for the island and its neighbor. Kaia, the leader of the indigenous inhabitants, believes Yuggoth remains a threat. Will Skull Island prove as difficult to escape from as Gilligan's Island? And why haven’t Cap and Sam returned? Let's grab our weapons, leap into Escape From Skull Island #2, and see!

 

Story

As long-time residents of the region, Kaia and Annie have much in common. Yet both are displaced. Kaia's people now live on Annie's island, while Annie resides on Skull Island. But the beasts rising from the pit don't care about upsetting people's lives. So as they ride together, Annie resists Kaia’s leadership, even if Kaia’s trying to save her life.

 

Charlie created this war with the Hollow Earth. For a long time, Kaia couldn't look at Charlie without blaming him for Kong's distress and the creatures rising from the Hollow Earth. Yet while Charlie yearns to return home, Kaia grows more comfortable with him. In Escape From Skull Island #2, Kaia tries to help Charlie achieve something she believes he wants.

 

Simon Furman spins a fast-paced yarn. Scenes interweave through time, placing the thrilling finale shortly after the story began. While Annie’s yearning for independence dominates the drama, the mystery surrounding Druid deepens. Once again, Irene yearns to get closer to Annie. But while Irene tries to build bridges to her daughter, Druid’s crew is building a bridge between the two islands. When his workers complete it, the horrors that arise from the pit will threaten not just the castaways, but also Kaia’s displaced tribe in Escape From Skull Island #2.

 

Art

Mushrooms sprout from the flagstones while vines and foliage grow over Kong's temple. His sculpture and a waterfall provide a scenic backdrop to the titan's residence. Yet as an insectile creature climbs from the dark pit, a paw bursts through one of the strange egg-like sacks hanging from support beams. As for Kong, Christopher Jones shows Annie and Kaia charging through a swamp on their steeds. The ladies speed past trees with twisted aerial roots. But the two battling titans tumble faster toward them.

 

Charlie Kirchoff lavishes a loaded palette of vibrant colors on Christopher Jones’ action-packed art in Escape From Skull Island #2. Even as darkness falls, the rich blue sky matches the gentle waves lapping against the shore where the castaways have pitched their tent. A yellow and white fire dances around the cookpot hanging from a tripod above a stone ring, while Kaia stands on lookout, clutching her spear. Annie crouches next to Dog, while Charlie sits apart. A haze obscures a memory of their last explosive battle between Kong and Yuggoth. But the purple and gray hull of the Leviathan links with Sam and Cap’s clothing, as they ponder Druid’s plans.

 

Andworld Design fills white dialogue balloons and colored narrative boxes with black uppercase letters. The letters grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. As yellow block letters locate us in time and space, Kong’s roars enlarge the letters and deform balloons. Sound effects accompany injuries, cries, and shrieks, as gunshots and explosions rock the gateway linking the castaways to Yuggoth’s growing army. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Kaia is a stranger on her island home. Her new comrades seem divided physically and emotionally. Yet as the newcomers bicker and fight, the tribal chieftain attempts to guide a visitor from “civilization” through one of the most difficult stages of life in Escape From Skull Island #2.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Escape From Skull Island #2.