Middlewest, Book Two

Middlewest #7-12

by Skottie Young, Jorge Corona (Artist)

Abel's journey to deal with his family legacy continues as a newfound sense of stability slips through his fingers. Writer Skottie Young (I Hate Fairyland, Deadpool) and artist Jorge Corona (No. 1 With a Bullet, Feathers) take Abel to some places both familiar and inevitable, others wild and new. The journey across Middlewest has shown these travelers that their homeland has more hidden away than they could have ever thought.

Collects Middlewest #7-12.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Adventure, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2019

About the author

Skottie Young has been an illustrator and cartoonist for over ten years working for entertainment and publishing companies such Marvel, Warner Bros., Image, Upper Deck, Mattel, and many more.

He is currently illustrating the New York Times Best Selling and Eisner Award Nominated adaptions of L. Frank Baum's OZ novels with writer Eric Shanower. The series has gained acclaim from both fans and critics.

Skottie currently lives in Illinois with his family, Casey, Baxter and their Saint Bernard, Emma.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s never a good sign when you pick up the second book of a series and you don’t remember a damn thing that happened in the first book! So it goes with Middlewest, Book Two, which plain stank.

The weather god kid ruins the carnival he’s tagging along with when he weather-hulks out, then goes looking for his ma. I thought she was dead but she apparently left him to his abusive dad - so how good a mother could she be? Weather god dad is chasing after weather god son for no reason - he hates his son so why would he go looking for him!? Weather god granddad flips on a dime from being nice to being shitty for no reason.

The story is just terrible and the writing is so unremarkable it’s no wonder I forgot the first book and will likewise do the same for the second even more quickly. Jorge Corona’s art is pretty cool throughout - very Miyazaki-esque visuals - in particular the splash page of the enormous talking animal god Nokoyuna. Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s colours are similarly rocking. Still, I found myself wishing I was seeing Skottie Young’s art instead of his increasingly bad writing.

Middlewest, Book Two is the comics version of a badly thought-out and conceived, unmemorable kid’s cartoon.

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.8/10
Abel had found a new family but it seems that he lost that. Once again Abel an Fox are on a journey through Middlewest, in search for a cure.

The second book is quite emotional. After the catastrophic event at the end of the first book, everyone is trying to do what they are thing is best.
Also alongside Abel we'll learn stuff that helps understand his father a bit more.

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second volume of Middlewest is a lot weaker than the first. I feel like these comics are (mostly) filler to get to another stage. There isn't much character development; although we do spend some time with the fox (but I wish there had been more internal dialogue shared during that time), and by the end we have a climax that will lead us into (what I'm assuming) is the next big story arc for our crew. So that is exciting, and I like where it's headed (also we may finally learn about the pink energy liquid stuff!!); but this collection as a whole didn't contribute as much as I had hoped for.

We did get a bit more context into how Dad feels and what is happening there. It didn't endear me to him at all; although I'm not sure it was supposed to. The art was consistent, the treatment of speech, characters attitudes, etc. all felt very seamless with volume 1 which is always expected; but sometimes not the case. While I'm very excited to get to volume 3 with our latest happenings; I think volume 2 will not stick in my mind (minus the climax ending) as there just wasn't enough substance. Hopefully it will have been worth getting through it to get to volume 3 and the next large story arc.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a pretty good second installment of this graphic novel series. The young boy and his fox continue their quest to see if he can cure the monstrous curse inside him. Want to read more? Be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever ebooks are sold.

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second volume of Middlewest is a lot weaker than the first. I feel like these comics are (mostly) filler to get to another stage. There isn't much character development; although we do spend some time with the fox (but I wish there had been more internal dialogue shared during that time), and by the end we have a climax that will lead us into (what I'm assuming) is the next big story arc for our crew. So that is exciting, and I like where it's headed (also we may finally learn about the pink energy liquid stuff!!); but this collection as a whole didn't contribute as much as I had hoped for.

We did get a bit more context into how Dad feels and what is happening there. It didn't endear me to him at all; although I'm not sure it was supposed to. The art was consistent, the treatment of speech, characters attitudes, etc. all felt very seamless with volume 1 which is always expected; but sometimes not the case. While I'm very excited to get to volume 3 with our latest happenings; I think volume 2 will not stick in my mind (minus the climax ending) as there just wasn't enough substance. Hopefully it will have been worth getting through it to get to volume 3 and the next large story arc.

[Melissa Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story picks up right where volume 1 left off. In this one we see the rage that is deep inside Abel and how hard it is for him to control it. Feeling like the world has turned its back on him, he sets off to find answers. Though those answers might not be the ones he wants.
Terrific graphic novel. Can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next volume.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Issue #10 really brought this volume down for me, but thankfully it didn't continue in that direction.

Individual issue reviews: #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12

Total review score: 2.83

[Valéria. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Začať nový rok s týmto bol skvelý nápad. Dej sa posunul, kresba si stále drží nálepku 'úžasne krásna', a príbeh stále baví, stále chytá za srdce a stále drží pozornosť prerastajúcu v tešenie sa na nové volume. Už nech je tu.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title continues to intrigue. Abel continues searching for answers. His father continues searching for Abel. We're still really more in World Exploring mode than Explanation mode. Folks who seem to know more than they’ve told seem to prefer to drop hints rather than spell anything out.

So many things about this book seem to remind me of others. The Quester Who Is More Than He Knows is a classic fantasy trope. The world building reminds me of Stephen King--the Dark Tower books obviously, but also The Talisman, which he co-wrote with Peter Straub. The artwork seems like a cross between Jack Davis and Kyle Baker.

And yet …

There's an undeniable charm here. I particularly like the banter between Abel and Fox. Their friendship feels very real. And yes, of course there's more to Fox than meets the eye, and we do get a hint or two. In general, I’m reasonably impressed with the writing. I love Skottie Young’s humorous series as well as anyone, but it's nice to see that he's fully capable of working in a more serious vein as well.

The real test of this series will be when the mysteries start being revealed and we get the payoff, but it seems to be developing well. Recommended!

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dans ce deuxième tome, Abel continue de chercher des réponses sur la malédiction qui le consume. Aidé de son ami Renard, il mène sa quête et fait la rencontre d’un peuple mystérieux. Il va aussi affronter son passé dans le froid et la glace. On continue d’explorer cet univers vaste et original, et les thèmes forts et émouvants que sont la famille et le besoin de reconnaissance et d’amour. Graphiquement, je ne me lasse pas des couleurs vives qui soulignent les différentes émotions traversées par les personnages. Le final de la série promet d’être très fort et j’espère qu’il sera à la hauteur !

[Minnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Harir Heidary · Rating 5 out of 5]

رنگ، تصویر، داستان، شخصیت پردازی. همه چیز عالی و بی نظیر.

[Dakota · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the additional family lore but this volume was slightly weaker than the first

[Jakub Kvíz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middlewest si drží kvalitu a tempo i v druhém booku, kde sledujeme pokračování Abelova putování.

Charakter Abela je napsanej dost věrohodně, takže jako každej malej kluk je netrpělivej a díky jeho rodině má predispozice pro to se pořádně vytočit. Jeho parťák Lišák parádně plní roli buddyho, kterej všecho dění glosuje a místama nakládá jak Gerendáš. Jsem celkem zvědav, jaká je jeho role, protože tam určitě není jen tak z plezíru...

Pokud se vám líbil Morrisonův Joe the Barbarian, tak Middlewest by vás mohl bavit taky.

[Václav · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3,8 of 5 for the middle of the Middlewest)
I must say with the second volume it gest better. Better in narration, in the story itself, even the art (from drawing and colouring to actual panels) works better. This was a pleasant surprise because I was quite disappointed by the first volume. It's still a futuristic-dystopian-urban fantasy thing, but now it's well-narrated and just flows better. About the whole story - let's see in the next, last, volume. The finale/wrapping it up will be crucial, it's not uncommon that big wide build-ups can totally go sideway at the end.

[Will Robinson Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my current favorite indie series. Skottie Young and his artist team really build out the fantasy world of Middlewest. In this second volume of the series we learn more about the history Middlewest and we learn more about Abel's family as well. Young does a great job with the contemporary dialogue and still giving this story a traditional fantasy feel. Every page is a delight to look at and I am really starting to love at lot of the supporting characters hear. Readers will get a few answers to what Abel and his father are and the larger purpose to there monstrous transformations. Young still leaves a bit of mystery to story that I am he will answer in due time. I was never bored at all while reading this and It is always awesome finding a series like this that is different from most comics being publish on the stands. I have to say this volume is a bit more mature than the last volume. We do start to get into darker themes in this book. I am looking forward to the next volume.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abel's story takes a sad twist here...
After calming down from his storm form, seeing the destruction he caused to the carnival, he decides to leave (Fox goes with him). Wanting to protect others from his chaos, he travels far away, only to be stopped in a dark forest by a group of tribal warriors. After being taken back to their camp, Fox reveals the tribe to be the Nowak, a group of people who Abel thought dead. (They resemble American Indian tribes, to an extent.) The Nowak, seeing Abel's "storm heart", send him to meet Nokoyuna, a huge antlered bear god/spirit, who tells Abel to seek "The Winter Woods", where he can get answers to how to deal with his affliction. In the woods, he meets his grandfather, who embodies snow, and that encounter, though beginning well and affectionate, ends much like it does with his father, full of rage and disappointment. Upset and angry, Abel ends up in a city, and gets abducted by slavers to work at Raider Farms.
All the while, his father comes looking for him, full of rage, getting in several fights, and destroying a town or two...

This Volume definitely feels like a "middle book". I appreciate the expanding of the universe, but I see very little redemption for Abel, and I'm worried about him.
Excellent story, excellent art. Works very well. Strong recommend.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed volume 1 for its great art and some great opening issues but felt the 2nd half lacking. This one is luckily better but still a couple of issues.

We have our hero in the last volume almost kill everyone at the carnival. Luckily he calms down but is then exhiled from the camp. He wants to be alone but of course his trusty fox friend won't let that happen. So together they travel the lands once more to find the answers they need. In doing so they meet the boys grandfather, be he isn't what he seems.

I really enjoy the overall themes here. Anger, loss, abandonment, it's all told really well. Our hero, Abel, is on the verge of losing it all the time. But funny enough it's when he faces a person like his father or even grandfather that you see the difference in anger and disrespect. There's still time, and hope, for our boy to grow decent. I also liked the stuff with Abel's father here. The only thing I didn't love was again, the side characters. Especially the carnival people. None are interesting.

Overall, with a deeper focus on Abel and him growing, it helped makes this volume even better than the first. Also, the art is top notch. A 4 out of 5.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My star rating:

Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World: 4.5/5
Romance: N/A
Art style: 3.5/5

Enjoyment level: 4/5 stars

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abel has found a home among the people at the fair. His power, though, is still not under his control. The volume opens with him in tornado monster form, mindlessly attacking the ones who have brought him in. Jeb helps him regain control, but the boy panics and leaves the fair, unwilling to hurt anyone again. His fox is the only one not afraid to join him.

Abel wants to find his mother. His way goes through Endle Forest, a dangerous place partly because of the territorial animals, but also because of a tribe of warriors called the Nowak who took part in the Great Plains War. They know that his affliction is called a Heart of a Storm. They guide him to the forest-god-kinda Nokoyuna in the Beyond Tree. It sends Abel to the Winter Woods where he finds his grandfather - a man who has similar elemental powers. He welcomes the boy and advises him to embrace his powers. Abel only wants them gone, so his grandfather pushes him into revealing his destructive self. Abel refuses, so his grandfather casts him out.

Abel gets depressed about the whole experience. With no healing in sight, he has a falling out with his fox. He soon gets kidnapped by men working for Raider Farms, but at least gets reunited with Bobby who went after him against Magdalena's wishes. Fox refuses to leave the boy to face life alone and goes for help. Jeb, Wrench and Magdalena agree to help.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best comic book I ever read. The art is amazing, fluid and full of emotion. The characters and the story are also great and coherent. I would love to have them in french in my home so that I can share it with friends. It really is a masterpiece.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middlewest: Book Two is heartbreaking and great. Abel is my favorite character in the story and his arc is well-written and moving. He goes through a lot of pain and trauma in this book, and we learn about how his father did too. His way of coping is understandable. He wants to bury and get rid of the pain, anger, and fear. And, he is met with more anger, abuse, and abandonment. Young continues to do a great job in writing about the effects of intergenerational trauma.

Young also does a great job in writing Fox also. Fox is a great friend and companion. He is there for Abel and continues to be protective of him too. There is less banter between him and Abel here, but their bond is well-written.

So is Maggie's character. I don't agree with the choices that she made here, but I can understand where she is coming from and the motives for her actions. Nonetheless, we also see the consequences of her actions.

This is where Jeb comes in. I'm glad we get to see more of him in this story because of the contrast he has with Maggie. His views clash with Maggie's. Whereas he is more idealistic, she is more pragmatic. Their conflict is well written. I also like how supportive Jeb is of Bobby.

Bobby is awesome. I wish we got to see more of her here. Nonetheless, I enjoyed her scenes too. She is a great and loyal friend. She is also courageous and determined. I hope we get to see more of her in book three.

As for the plot itself, it continues to be great. The worldbuilding within it is solid. The tensions and stakes remain high. Moreover, the tone is consistent. The pacing is mostly consistent, though it is a bit too fast at times (albeit not often).

Overall, book two is solid. It is moving and powerful. The characters are great and the plot is good also. There were a couple areas in which the pacing was a bit too fast, but it is a good book. Plus, the artwork is good.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a digital copy of this book.

In Book One, we follow Abel as he escapes from his wind monster, abusive father and makes his way across Middewest with his Fox companion. He finds a new family that seems to accept him as is in a travelling circus but when it goes wrong, Abel is out on his own again. Making his way through the woods, he is directed by a giant bear-like God who directs him to a snowy plain where he meets his grandfather and finds out that the heart of the storm cannot be removed. In this sequence, we find out a bit more about his father's past as well.

This volume was very emotion-based. It was heavily focused on relationships, complex family relationships and found family relationships. That being said, I hate that they're trying to make us like Abel's dad by painting the picture of him once being a great dad who lost his way due to his own trauma from his own father. I just can't feel bad for a child abuser in any form. I'm dreading the next volume because I just sense they're going to make him have a redemption arc.

Also, I feel like not a lot really happened in this book until the last issue. I liked it, don't get me wrong, I love a travelling sequence but then boom, the last issue has child slavery and murder. It really jumps from zero to one hundred.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

After escaping the clutches of his father, Dale, who happens to be a terrifying storm monster, it turns out the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree — Abel has inherited his father’s supernatural nature, causing chaos towards the Havoc Fair at the start of this volume. Being exiled from their new family with the exception of Bobby, who is determined to help him, Abel and Fox are on their own again as they travel through the Middlewest to find Abel’s mother while he wrestles with what he considers his father’s curse.

Please click here for my full review.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly dramatic storytelling. Young, Corona and the rest of this team are telling a striking fantasy adventure story that also delves deep into questions of family, abuse, and legacy. It's a strong blend of clear theme and gripping storytelling made even better by bold art an ideal pairing of creative talents with a shared vision for what they are creating here.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 I wasn't going to read this. I didn't really like the first one. Interesting world, interesting character, beautiful art, but it didn't GET me. I guess something got to me because this was awesome. I can't wait to read volume 3.

[Benji Glaab · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is an interesting examination of the cycle of anger and abuse passed down from parent to child. The art is stellar! Im very interested in where this is going.

[Jason Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anger, rage, and how we pass that on through families.

There's a lot more to this than what I was expecting from haven't read "I Hate Fairyland"