Comic Review // The Outside Circle: A Graphic Novel by Patti LaBoucane-Benson
It's time for something completely different. I've been reading a lot of sci-fi comics and graphic novels, but I wanted a bit of a palette cleanser, so I turned to a highly recommended comic called The Outside Circle.
Review
Author: Patti LaBoucane-Benson
Illustrations: Kelly Mellings
Type: Paperback
Page Count: 128
Commercial Fluff: In this important graphic novel, two Aboriginal brothers surrounded by poverty, drug abuse, and gang violence, try to overcome centuries of historic trauma in very different ways to bring about positive change in their lives.
Pete, a young Aboriginal man wrapped up in gang violence, lives with his younger brother, Joey, and his mother who is a heroin addict. One night, Pete and his mother’s boyfriend, Dennis, get into a big fight, which sends Dennis to the morgue and Pete to jail. Initially, Pete keeps up ties to his crew, until a jail brawl forces him to realize the negative influence he has become on Joey, which encourages him to begin a process of rehabilitation that includes traditional Aboriginal healing circles and ceremonies.
Powerful, courageous, and deeply moving, The Outside Circle is drawn from the author’s twenty years of work and research on healing and reconciliation of gang-affiliated or incarcerated Aboriginal men.
Review
Wow, this was not what I expected. It makes you think about the world at large. It makes you question why people do what they do, how sometimes bad things have to happen, and the reasons why. The book follows an Aboriginal man called Pete, who is a member of a local violent gang. Pete has a younger brother called Joey and a mother suffering from drug addiction. Pete has trouble controlling his anger and gets extremely violent very quickly. Following an encounter with his Mother's boyfriend, Pete is sent to jail, leaving Joey vulnerable to the broader world. Unfortunately, Joey is slowly dragged into gang life, and we witness how these bad influences drag down the family.
The artwork is stunning and very detailed, which helps support the story. The characters are the real highlight, as they should be. This story concerns personal growth and how Pete's character develops and changes. I highly recommend this novel. If you can find it, purchase a copy; it is worth adding to any collection.
Have you read this story? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
