Yomi’s Graphic Novel Explores Home and Heritage

Yomi Adegbile is a student at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. He just released his second sci-fi graphic novel called "Freedom Colony". The story follows Abraham, a wanderer who spends ten years roaming the planet looking for a place he can call home. His journey mirrors Yomi’s own experience of feeling far from his hometown while studying abroad.

He says home isn’t just where you’re born; it’s where you build it. The idea for the book came from two separate thoughts. One is about a traveler who once had facial scarification, a old Nigerian tradition that marks identity or a rite of passage. The other is about a hidden city cut off from the modern world, where life has changed in strange ways. Yomi blended these notions to shape the "Freedom Colony". He also pointed out that American folklore played a big role and that his trips around the country helped him understand how society works.

While writing, Yomi dug into the details of Central Florida. He thought about the palmetto bugs that crawl in the grass, the sweet treats at Sip n Dip donut shop, and the quiet corners of the Veteran’s Memorial Library he used to visit. He also read stories from South American folklore and learned about the historic Seminole and Jororo peoples who once lived there. All of these local flavors find their way into Abraham’s adventure through culture, community and self-discovery. He noted that Florida’s mix of cultures lets you see many traditions in one place, even in Kissimmee.

The novel touches on big ideas like freedom, loss, grief, understanding different cultures and questions of faith. As Abraham returns to his roots he tries to figure out where he fits among the underground group that shelters those who feel pushed out. Readers who are teens or older will likely see parts of themselves in his search. You can find "Freedom Colony" on Amazon if you want to give it a look.