Review: Home #1 (of 5)

Home #1, written by Julio Anta takes on the ‘Zero Tolerance’ Immigration policy, may have been the most divisive issue to racial injustice, and Law enforcement brutality since the George Floyd case. Unfortunately, some of the people who have already formed their opinions are poorly informed and yet too eager to miseducate others on why they deserve human decency.

Story Thus Far:

Home #1, documents the journey of Juan Gomez and his mother, as they traveled from Guatemala to the US, to apply for Asylum. But nothing is ever that simple. The original plan was for the Gomez’s to stay with a relative while they were awaiting their court date for asylum. They did not know that while they were traveling, the executive administration signed a ‘Zero Tolerance’ Immigration policy. That policy effectively changed how third country nationals and any accompanying children would be processed.

As a result, Mercedes and Juan are interrogated, and thrown into an uninhabitable holding facility, before being separated. They did not even get due process yet or a lawyer to help them out. To be clear there is a lot of temptation in the narrative to say ask about this and that. But this is not that kind of story. This is about a boy and his mother who ran away from their country to survive, and the horror they encountered once they get to their destination.

Dialogue:

The mother and son moments are cute and endearing, but the hammer comes from the awkward conversations in between Mercedes Gomez, and the Law Enforcement officials, who are obviously just making stuff up as they go along.

Art:

The art was done by Anna Wieszczyk, and the coloring by Bryan Valenza. First let us start with the characters design; Honestly, there was nothing spectacular about them just technically proficient drawn Latin looking characters. Where the art team shines are the backdrop panels, showing the journey, and the miserable condition that the processing immigrants are being held in. And the Human emotion, really does leave the reader heartbroken. It showcased every inch of what the people may have been feeling in the moment.

I have high hopes for this title because it does have quite a flavorful concept, set across a contentious backdrop. Home #1 captures a lot of heart and emotion, and I had a lot of anger, and confusion too. It showcases it also demonstrated how intense the desperation can be for some immigrants if they are willing to embark on the harrowing journey despite the dangers.

All we need now is the” how this character became this character” moment. I cannot wait to see how the trauma of separation drive the future of Juan Gomez.

Note to Comic Speculators:

Home #1, is good read. Speculation wise, this is a wait and see before you go heavy on this title. The Horror tone that it struck would be perfectly in line with the latest trend in Latin related Horror movies. The thing is the details surrounding Juan’s character suggest that they may want to go another way.

Home #1 will have 2 covers: Cover A Lisa Sterle; Cover B Jacoby Salcedo. My money is on the Cover B

SCORE: 3.5/5

Writer: Julio Anta
Artist: Anna Wieszczyk
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image Comics