“Home Free” Is A Story Of Escaping From Abuse

This is normally the part where I lead with a funny one-liner. But I’ll give you an out-of-this-world scenario—maybe—or a question you probably can’t answer. This time, I can’t make any jokes; Home Free #1: Out Of The Fog deserves the utmost respect. I’ll try to keep it lighthearted, but the subject matter here can be upsetting to some. Trigger warnings include blood, violence, and physical and sexual abuse.

#1 comes entirely in black and white, with highly contrasting shadows and dark areas. We follow two main characters, Sara and Emmy. Sara is on the run from her past decisions; Emmy is a teenage sex worker stuck working for a physically and sexually abusive boss named Grip. The two girls meet in a pub and become fast friends, bonding over their bad decisions. Sara offers Emmy help in escaping her current lifestyle and reunite her with her parents. Initially, Emmy is reluctant, but she eventually agrees to Sara’s offer. Their first hurdle is leaving without Grip noticing – but it’s a larger hurdle than either of them ever imagined.

Sara and Emmy are extremely compelling characters that work wonderfully well together. Their dialogue is emotional while still managing to be witty and fun. Sara’s immediately drawn to Emmy because of their similar circumstances. It’s amazing seeing how quick she is to offer Emmy help. Meanwhile, Emmy is incredibly complex and sympathetic. She’s just a teenager, which makes the subject matter even more heartbreaking. Her background with Grip is a classic abuse story, and her experiences more than justify her fear. But her willingness to work with Sara to escape showcases just how brave she can be. They’re both heroes in their own small ways.

While Sara and Emmy’s escape from Grip is the main plot of #1, there’s a larger story at play. When the girls are in the pub, we witness breaking news on the television behind the bar. America has been divided, with violence flaring up on both sides. A peaceful protest on a day celebrating unity turns into a burnt-down city block. The reporter says that intelligence watching the violence unfold call the coming peak a “cold civil war”. The circumstances around this is compelling, but there’s not enough information to fully reel me in. Maybe it’s a little worldbuilding, maybe it’s hinting at what the other issues in the series will be about. After all, there are four more issues in the works for Home Free.

That said, I have to wonder where this story is going. It seems like the end goal is getting Emmy back home to her parents. But what about Sara? She was once in Emmy’s position and only escaped due to the kindness of a stranger. Will her own ghosts come back to haunt her as they’re both trying to escape? This story has a lot of potential and a lot of different directions to take. My only hope is that Sara and Emmy’s backstories don’t take a backseat to the worldbuilding. If the insurrection lines up with Sara’s past, I’ll be okay. But I don’t want it to overwhelm the narrative of healing from abuse.

Overall, Home Free #1: Out Of The Fog is a very real and gritty story of escaping abuse. It’s a heavy topic handled wonderfully through two extremely compelling and likeable characters. I’m not going to spoil the ending for a reason. But if you give this comic a chance, you’ll find it’s extremely satisfying. I have so much investment in Sara and Emmy’s stories as I excitedly await the next installment in the series.

While I usually end reviews with something witty, instead I’d like to take a moment to spread awareness. If you or a loved one find yourselves in a domestic abuse situation, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. If you’re based in the UK, please see the UK’s government website for a list of phone numbers you can call and support systems you can find. Please stay safe, and remember that it’s okay to reach out and ask for help.