Middlewest #11 Begins A New Journey
by Tony Thornley
If there’s been one constant in Middlewest, it’s been forward momentum. Ever since the series began, Abel and Fox have been on the run from one thing or another. It’s created a series that’s never been stagnant, both in the setting and the plot. So what makes Middlewest #11 different?
Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Nate Piekos set up the end of the series’ second arc in an unexpected way.
In the wake of his disastrous meeting with his grandfather, Abel is pushing away everything and everyone he knew. Since Fox is the only thing physically there, he takes the brunt of the young man’s rage. However, it may have come at the wrong time as Abel meets the worst threat he has ran into in Middlewest…
Young has done so much in the series, transforming from Abel from an innocent boy to an angry young man, with the plot progressing in a similar way. The latest turn in his journey also puts him in the most danger he’s faced so far. It promises that Abel will have to grow up more than he has so far. It’s a great set-up that builds anticipation for the next issue (and likely the arc to follow).
Corona shifts his depiction of Abel subtly to go with the growth he’s experienced in the story. It’s not big, but it’s noticeable. He’s also more confident and bold, with wild eyes and a scowl that may indicate he’s not just growing up but breaking bad. It’s all strong character development all done Corona’s line work and enhanced with Beaulieu’s red and orange-dominated palette.
Everything is set up for a fascinating end to the arc, and a thrilling future for what continues to be one of the best series on the market.
Middlewest #11 is available now from Image Comics.
