Escape #1

Escape was a seminal independent comics anthology published in the United Kingdom starting in 1983. Founded by Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury, the magazine emerged from a desire to provide a sophisticated venue for the burgeoning British alternative comics scene, which was largely ignored by mainstream publishers at the time. It acted as a crucial incubator for talent, intentionally distancing itself from the tropes of traditional superhero or adventure comics to champion experimental storytelling and avant-garde art styles.

The premiere issue featured an eclectic mix of work from creators who would become mainstays of the underground movement, including Eddie Campbell and Savage Pencil. The design philosophy of the magazine was raw and unapologetically DIY, utilizing a newsprint format that favored creative freedom over glossy production values. Upon its release, it was received as a manifesto for the democratization of the medium, successfully proving that there was a dedicated audience for comics that engaged with contemporary social and personal themes.