Indie Comics Review: Home #1

Review: Home #1

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Julio Anta 

Artist: Anna Wieszczyk

Color Artist: Bryan Valenza 

Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Review by: Kendra Hale

Summary

Home is not a story meant for comfort. Nor is it set in a fantasy realm that would allow the reader the peace of knowing that this is not in some way set in fact. The journey of a family looking for asylum after having faced horrific circumstances only to find distrust, hatred, and injustice awaiting them rings so true today.

In Home #1, we are introduced to Mercedes and Juan Gomez. A Mother and her young son who are going through the immigration process in order to live with Mercedes’ sister in the US. The plan was to find work and for Juan to go to school, which seemed simple, until they reached the border and found it to be all but that.  Torn from his Mother’s arms and sent to a different facility, Juan finds himself exhibiting powers that he doesn’t fully understand. 

Mirroring The World

The premise of this series is by no means simple. It showcases the current issues that are faced today in the US by those seeking asylum, as well as the cruelty from their fellow humans. Watching Mercedes struggle just to be heard and to be told what is happening, as a Mother myself, was probably the hardest part. The scariest thing I could think of, as a parent, is what lies inside these pages. Knowing that this isn’t fiction, but a cold hard fact of what families are experiencing, was very hard to digest. 

Positives

Julio Anta does an astounding job of giving us a story that touches on hot button issues in a real way, and not in one that feels forced. It is a simply disgusting fact. Seeing the expressions on the faces of both Mercedes and Juan throughout this first issue pulls us into both their joy and  pain. Anna Wieszczyk does just what is needed for this story and her artwork is a wonderful platform to showcase it. 

While the writing and artwork are fantastic, Color Artist Bryan Valenza sets the tones for readers. We see vibrant and happy colors even on the harsh journey to the US.  Then the tone shifts to more dour and somber tones once our protagonists are detained and in the “Icebox” awaiting their fates, with one of the hardest moments being where the children are stripped from their parents.  Everything comes together in a unique and captivating way. 

Negatives

The artwork is not what one would expect, but I find this endearing instead of a negative. It provides further innocence to the book, which is fully on display once the bad things start to ensue. 

Verdict

Home is surely a series to keep an eye on as the voices within deserve to be heard. What awaits Juan now that his powers are free remains to be seen. There are many questions that we have, and more issues ahead that I believe will provide those answers. But as a starter to the series, Home #1 is a great and powerful debut. It is hard hitting and touches on several difficult to swallow truths. It is a here-and-now story that should absolutely be read by everyone. I look forward to the following issues as we see just what the next steps are, not only for Mercedes, but for Juan as well. 

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