I have a difficult time reading stories about made up worlds. It’s hard for me to visualize the author’s descriptions of its settings and characters, no matter how detailed.
However, when those stories are presented in a graphic novel format, it takes all of the guesswork out of the details and allows me to concentrate on the story with a clear picture of what is unfolding. Author E.B. Roshan has converted me to a sci-fi reader with her graphic novel, Free. Below is my review of Free followed by an interview with Roshan.
Free plot summary
Rex, a former bodyguard for a trade ship captain, has been picking mola fruit in the Vega system ever since he lost his leg when his trad ship crashed. Since then, Rex has felt unfulfilled in his new role on the farm.
One day, the owner of the farm, Sarpedon, comes to collect his dues from Rex’s supervisor, Manus. After Rex saves Sarpedon from a viper bite, Sarpedon agrees to forgo the dues in exchange for bringing Rex onto his crew.
Rex is excited about his new opportunity. But as he tags along on Sarpedon’s other dues collection stops, he begins to see some shady behavior that doesn’t sit well with him. Rex then must decide if he wants to continue on in his new position or stay behind and find his way home.
The story
Free is a “be careful what you wish for” morality tale that challenges its hero’s morals and motivations. I think we can all feel stuck in our lives, and we wish for more excitement, purpose, and adventure. But we also want those things under our own terms.
Despite the characters being very alien and the story being set in different worlds, Free is a very human story. It contains themes of corruption, greed, and loyalty. And it ends in a cliffhanger that prompts the reader to want to follow Rex’s story even further.
The art
Free is compiled from black and white drawings that depict its sci-fi world that feels comfortingly familiar, aside from its uniquely drawn characters. The backgrounds range from mountainous, scenic landscapes to blocky cityscapes.
I like how each character has a completely different look, making it easy to differentiate them from one another. The characters are very simply drawn, but they have a lot of personality, and there are plenty of close-up shots of their faces and expressions that give them depth and dimension despite their simplicity.
I like that Rex is drawn like a bouncer with a wide, square frame, but he has an innocence to his face that gives him a vulnerable look in contrast with his body shape. It’s easy to tell that he is an empathetic and moral character.
Rex’s design contrasts widely with that of Sarpedon, a tall, thin character with a dark widow’s peak and large ears. There’s a deceptive look to his face, giving off the impression that the reader shouldn’t trust him, even when his words appear kind.
My recommendation
I recommend Free to anyone who is a regular graphic novel reader or even brand new to the format. I also recommend it to both hardcore sci-fi readers and those who may be less familiar with the genre. It’s a long story but not too long. It’s got clever dialogue that feels natural but still feeds the reader with vital information. And it gets the reader excited for future stories set in this world and with this character.
My rating
An Interview with E.B. Roshan
Describe your process for creating a graphic novel. How long did it take from the first to final draft? What was the most fun part of creating the book? The most difficult?
I find my process has changed a bit every time, but in general, I start with a broad outline of the story, and then, guided by that framework, create the art and dialogue for the story more or less simultaneously.
What were your influences in developing this story, both real and fictional?
Definitely my kids were my biggest influence! If it hadn’t been for them, I’m not sure I would have ever gotten into this particular storytelling format, but it’s been a lot of fun.
Each section of the story begins with an image of a weapon. How did this design choice develop? Was it part of the original plan for the story?
I knew I wanted to have some foreshadowing and visual motifs relating to Rex’s different lives…fruit, branches and little birds symbolize his quiet “boring” life on the fruit farm, and various kinds of weapons stand for his alternative career as a bodyguard and the violence he’s begun to distance himself from.
Rex has a strong moral compass. Where does this personality trait come from?
I don’t think Rex has always been as principled as he is now, but some of the adventures he’s been through, not least his experience of being helped by complete strangers when he was helpless, has led him to chose honesty and compassion over being a bully.
If you lived in this story, would you prefer to live on the farm or in the city?
Well, I live in a city in real life, so I’d probably choose the city…however, I’d do my best to avoid being caught up in any interplanetary extortion rackets!
Do you have a favorite moment from the story?
I think my favorite part is the climatic moment toward the end, where Rex realizes the career he thought he wanted really isn’t for him anymore. Now he knows what he really wants, and better still, he knows why.
Do you have any advice for getting a graphic novel published?
To be honest, I don’t think I can share any useful tips, because my graphic novels, like my “grown-up” novels, have all been self-published. If that’s something you’re interested in, though, I can definitely give some advice.
What’s next for you?
Rex’s story isn’t over, but before I do Part Two, I have a couple of other projects I want to complete.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Silk by E.B. Roshan here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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