“The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake” is a recent graphic novel sequel to the original 1980 film, and its an unexpectedly heartfelt and humorous continuation of the Blues Brothers’ legacy. It is not a physical escape room or a new film, but a graphic novel.
Review Summary
The beloved Blues Brothers universe will return to life with television, film, live events, music, and more. The first IP offering is a brand new original Graphic Novel: THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE. Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano, and James Werner, with artist Felipe Sobriero, feels authenticity like a sequel to the original Blues Brothers film.
Editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd ensured the new chapter stays true to the classic skits, film, and albums.
It’s a wild and entertaining ride for longtime fans like myself and newcomers to Jake and Elwood Blues. The project was originally conceived with Judy Belushi Pisano, who sadly passed away during production.
The graphic novel, co-written by Dan Aykroyd’s daughter Stella and John Belushi’s son Luke, with James Werner, definitely captures the spirit of the original film, acting as a “love letter” to the universe created by Belushi and Aykroyd.
This graphic novel has an ability to extend the characters’ legend and introduce new elements to a younger generation, all while staying true to the original’s tone and mission: a passion for the Blues.
Key Strengths:
- Authentic Tone: The story successfully revives the “heart, humor, and swagger” of Jake and Elwood, with Aykroyd providing editorial oversight to ensure the new chapter is true to the original.
- Engaging Storyline: Set in 1997, the plot revolves around Jake’s mysterious escape from Joliet Penitentiary just days before parole, and introduces new characters (like a young detective and an orphan from their old alma mater) who join the chase.
- Nostalgic Elements: The narrative includes numerous “easter eggs” and plot points that reference the original film, such as vehicular mayhem and the quest for a briefcase full of unreleased music from blues legends.
- Suitable Format: The high-flying antics, like flying cars and supernatural nuns, are perfectly suited for the comic book format, where physics have no bounds. I definitely can see an animated version of this happening hopefully in the near future.
- Legacy Building: The book is a successful effort to pass the legacy of the Blues Brothers to a new generation, keeping the appreciation for the Blues alive and kicking.
- Art Style: The art style by Illustrated by Felipe Sobreiro Colored by Felipe Sobreiro and Gab Contreras is pleasingly retro and kinetic reminiscent of underground comix I grew up reading produced by the legendary Robert Crumb.(R. Crumb.). The artists also display a nostalgia for American folk culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and share a satire of contemporary American culture as Crumb was famous for. Which is perfectly true to the Blues Brothers esthetic.
Areas for Improvement:
- Lack of Voice Acting: My only critique is an inherent limitation of this format: without the actors’ deadpan comic timing, and the Chicago Blues to propel narrative no other experience (other than an animated version) can fully match the original movie’s delivery.
Overall, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is a must-read for fans of the original film and newcomers alike, offering a wild, soulful, and satisfying new adventure that “grooves” from start to finish. The perfect holiday gift for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
You can purchase the graphic novel from major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as independent book and comic stores linked above.
All art -Z2
