Who Are The Main Characters In Groomed?

'Groomed' is actually a lesser-known indie comic that flew under the radar for a lot of people, but it’s got this raw, gritty charm that stuck with me. The two main characters are a pair of unlikely allies—Danny, a washed-up barber with a shady past, and lucia, a runaway teen who stumbles into his shop one rainy night. Danny’s this gruff, world-weary guy who’s trying to outrun his own demons, while Lucia’s all sharp edges and survival instincts, but there’s this fragile hope underneath. Their dynamic starts off tense, almost hostile, but the way they slowly carve out this messed-up little family unit is what makes the story so compelling. The art style’s all rough sketches and heavy shadows, which fits the tone perfectly—like you can almost smell the stale cigarette smoke and cheap hair gel.

What really got me was how the story plays with themes of trust and second chances. Danny’s not your typical hero; he’s made mistakes, big ones, and Lucia’s too street-smart to buy into his half-hearted attempts at mentorship at first. But there’s this one scene where she finally lets her guard down while he’s giving her a haircut—no dialogue, just these quiet panels of her reflection in the mirror—and it’s hauntingly beautiful. The comic doesn’t tie everything up neatly, either. The ending’s ambiguous, leaving you wondering if they’ll actually make it or if the world’s too broken for happy endings. Makes you wanna immediately flip back to page one and spot all the little details you missed.

I stumbled upon 'Groomed' during a deep dive into indie webcomics last year, and man, it’s a hidden gem! The protagonists, Danny and Lucia, are such a fascinating duo. Danny’s this middle-aged barber with a knack for fixing hair but not his own life—he’s got this tragic backstory involving a failed marriage and a gambling debt that’s never fully explained, which adds to his mystery. Lucia’s the wildcard: a scrappy, resourceful kid who’s been bouncing between foster homes, and her sharp tongue hides a ton of vulnerability. Their chemistry isn’t the usual 'found family' trope; it’s messier, more real. Like, there’s a scene where Lucia shoplifts a sandwich and Danny chews her out, but then he secretly pays for it later. Small moments like that make them feel alive.

The supporting cast is sparse but memorable—there’s a nosy neighbor who’s always dropping by the barbershop, and a creepy loan shark who serves as the main antagonist. The comic’s pacing is slow-burn, focusing way more on character than plot, which I adore. It’s not about big action sequences; it’s about Danny teaching Lucia how to hold scissors properly, or Lucia rolling her eyes at his dad jokes. The black-and-white artwork has this scratchy, almost unfinished quality that suits the story’s rough-around-the-edges vibe. Makes you feel like you’re peeking into someone’s private journal.

'Groomed' centers around Danny and Lucia—two broken people who somehow fit together. Danny’s barbershop is practically a character itself, this dingy little place with flickering neon signs and old vinyl records stacked in the corner. He’s got this quiet, exhausted kindness, while Lucia’s all fiery defiance. Their banter’s the best part; she calls him 'Old Man,' he grumbles but lets her crash in the back room. The story’s short, just 12 issues, but it packs a punch. No grand speeches, just two messed-up humans trying to do better. That last panel of Lucia trimming Danny’s hair—mirroring their first meeting—hit me right in the chest.