'Midstate' takes a while to find its footing until the end when something of note happens. It's a long setup with ambiguous plotting and unknown stakes but the story could open up in issue two. Read Full Review

MidState #1
Comixology

W: Lee Loughridge
A: Mack Chater
L: Rob Tweedie

Solicitations

Disgraced clairvoyant Paul Rinaldi teams up with the town’s rookie detective in an attempt to get to the bottom of the many missing persons cases.

Thoughts…

I didn’t really know anything about this going into it, just it was Lee Loughridge doing the writing rather than the colours, so it had me intrigued. The issue started off really strong visually, and quite trippy, which gave the whole thing a what going on feel to it. There is a heavy feel of mystery to the issue, some things do get explained as the issue goes on but there are plenty left to explore in upcoming issues.

I liked the way the issue kicked off and how the characters are introduced. Paul seemed so awkward and troubled, his infamy around the town seems to have had a massive negative impact on his life. In contrast Abi is more bright and confident, more laid back but at the same time she can’t let go of the feeling there is more going on than meets the eye. This mismatched pair will make an interesting team as they try to unravel the mystery of what is really going on. The mystery of the missing people is something we are given a glimpse of, but that raises even more questions as to what is really going on.

The illustrations are clear and defined, and there is an almost tranquil tone to the colours for most of the issue. There is a lot of white behind the panels, sometimes there is more white on the page than there is panels. And then there are the opening pages to the issue, inky black pages that look like oil spilt on the page with flashes of light and fingerprints and echoes of words. This intro really does a great job of unsettling the mind before you get into the main bulk of the story.

I liked this first issue, the intro pages got me straight away then as the story continued I got pulled in. There is something very strange going on for sure and that mystery has me, and then you add in that very shocking and visual last page, I am in for the full run for sure, I need to know what is going on and how it's all connected. I am going to give this an 8 out of 10, great first issue, does just what is meant to do, can’t wait for issue 2.
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