Pete Carver is a young man living in poverty in Edmonton, Alberta with his drug-addicted mother, and his younger brother Joey. Pete is part of a gang, and just trying to look out for Joey amidst their situation. One night, however, Pete discovers his mom's boyfriend is selling all their things, presumably for more drug money. He confronts him about it, and in the resulting tussle, shoots him dead. Sadly, this results in him being arrested for manslaughter, and his mom is forced to give up custody of Joey.
In jail, Pete learns about the "In Search Of Your Inner Warrior" program at Drumheller Medium Penitentiary, and is approached by a woman who wants to get him into it, believing that he deserves a second chance. All he has to do to get admitted is stay out of trouble for one year. With no other real options, and wanting to be able to protect his brother again, Pete agrees to this.
Once there, Pete begins the process of growing as a person in the program, and improving himself.
The comic book was published on May 2nd, 2015.
The Outside Circle contains examples of:
- Arrested for Heroism: Pete's family's situation at the beginning of the comic. His mom is a drug addict with a boyfriend who's just using her for drugs, and he's in a street gang. Then he defends his mom by killing said boyfriend, and gets arrested for manslaughter.
- Big Brother Instinct: Pete cares about Joey deeply. He threatens to kill if Joey is hurt in any way.
- Domestic Abuser: Dennis to Pete and Joey's mom.
- Get Out!: Pete tells his girlfriend this when she tells him she's pregnant. He refuses to believe the baby is his, and accuses her of cheating on him.
- Group-Identifying Feature: The gang Pete's a part of, the Tribal Warriors, have tattoos of TW on their arm or neck.
- In the Back: In Edmonton Maximum Security Prison, when Pete is tasked with dealing with someone, he shivs him in the kidney when they pass each other in a hallway.
- Medium Blending: The comic uses photos from Residential Schools at one point.
- Prison: Pete is first sent to Edmonton Maximum Security Prison, and then transferred to Drumheller Medium Penitentiary so he can take part in the "In Search Of Your Inner Warrior" Program.
- Teeth Flying: In one panel of Joey in a fight, he punches a guy so hard, a tooth is shown flying outta his mouth.
- Tropaholics Anonymous: The "In Search Of Your Inner Warrior" Program that Pete attends is to help rehabilitate Native American criminals by helping them understand the true source of their pain.
