Just Another Escape

Just Another Escape is a vaguely dream-like webcomic by Alex "Kirb" Miller. It is best recognized by the strangely engrossing and erratic pace it chooses to tell the story. The plot is told in arcs that are displayed in non-chronological order. The plot revolves around the inhabitants of 'Rain House,' an exclusive dorm of a prestigious and seemingly normal university.

In the beginning of the webcomic, the many, many, MANY personalities that dorm in Rain House are introduced in a very lighthearted and goofy arc. Immediately after, the comic takes a dramatic turn as the story zooms 8 months into the future, involving necromancers, magic and seers into the plot.

The art goes through many changes throughout the archive, and is usually ranged from good to beautiful, with backgrounds in particular. As it progresses, the characters become noticeably more and more refined and well-drawn. This troper in particular loves the dreamy use of colors.

As the comic has continued through its many stories to tell, it continually fleshes out the more epic, overlaying plot through smaller, more personal arcs that develop different characters and often narrate through their perspective. However, as most stories with large casts tend to do for the sake of good storytelling, Character Focus and Cast herding is used. That being said, one character seems to overlap into almost every story arc, linking them together, a girl named Erica Richmond.
 * (Although this troper is bitter than some characters, YEARS into the comic, still haven't even been seen!)

Characters that have had arcs revolve around them are:


 * Erica Richmond: Presumably the 'main' character of JAE, and the only character to appear in almost all of the arcs, bit part or not. Different arcs in the comic have revealed Erica to be the daughter of a Seer, and that she herself has Psychic Powers and may be skilled in wind magic. She seems to have suffered from Easy Amnesia as


 * Solina Cortez: The first character formally introduced in the comic. An energetic, mouthy Strange Girl with a fascination for the supernatural. Although smart and attractive, her sheer determination and quirks often alienate her from the rest of the characters. Her arc involves meeting a large dragon named Abraxas. She has been referred to as an 'omni,' which refers to her apparent affinity with the elements of fire and earth.


 * Meri Hazeal: A tall, sweet, Innocent Flower Girl who eagerly wants to become best friends with her new roommate. However, in a case of Break the Cutie, the roommate ends up wanting nothing to do with her.
 * Although, as this arc takes place in the past, the 'present' arcs imply that they've become best friends somehow.


 * Cecil Brenton: A stoic member of the 'Shields,' who apparently seems to wear Sunglasses at Night.  A Deadpan Snarker that doesn't seem to like following orders. He appears briefly in the introductory arc and the future arc '8 Months Later.' He appears to know Anikia Brevery well enough to push her buttons.


 * Anikia Brevery: A recurring character shown several times in the past and future, with dramatic and unexplained, (at least in the comic itself, her bio page goes into more detail) character changes. In the past, she appears to be the young guardian of Kimberly Sterling, a cute and terminally ill little girl. Anikia ("Annie") is very passionate and protective of Kim, almost reaching maternal levels.
 * However, in the future arcs, Anikia appears to have maybe become a Dark Magical Girl or a surly Magic Knight, but in any case definitely a Hot Chick with a Sword, complete with armor and the legendary sword Durandal.(which may or may not be is totally creepy and evil)
 * At this point in the story, it's unclear as to whose side Anikia is on, exactly... but it is implied that in her case, Dark Is Not Evil.


 * Mia, Isa and Cosette. Originally appeared to be a Comic Trio, but seemingly have a much larger role to play in the plot. They seem to be good friends with Erica, usually hanging out with her.
 * Mia Roberts: The gangleader of the group of friends. An Aussie prankster.
 * Isa Boyd: Originally characterized as the Emotionless Girl, but was revealed as being Not So Stoic.
 * Cosette Derring: The timid voice of reason.

This webcomic provides examples of:


 * Fourth Wall Mail Slot: On the forums.
 * Les Yay: AnikiaXSolina FTW.
 * Moe: Shameless, shameless moe.
 * Or Was It a Dream?: Solina's encounter with Abraxas.
 * Those Two Guys: Brandon and Dave. Two Rain House characters who have received the least development, have not had their powers even hinted at, and are never seen apart.