We’re stuck in the middle with this week’s “So You Want To Read Comics”.  This is our weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre.  This week we’re looking at America’s Midwest.

Perhaps one of the more ambiguous regions of the US, the boundaries of The Midwest changes based on who you’re talking to,  but regardless it is one of the largest geographical regions of the US.  While often defined by the large expanses of flatlands, the midwest has one of the most varied areas both geographically and climate-wise.  The midwest is often characterized as being “ordinary” without much to offer in terms of culture even though things like the rise of Motown out of Detroit, the Chicago blues scene, and being deeply influenced by the labor movement, are examples of the contrary.

Here are a couple of comics that utilize what makes the midwest unique and special in order to make something compelling. Plus, they’re great for new readers which is always a nice bonus.

C.O.W.L.

Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Rod Reis
Publisher: Image Comics

While there has been a push for worker’s rights going all the way back to the forming of The U.S. it was in the late 1800s in Chicago where things really took off.  Being that the city is home to more unions than any other city in America, it’s the perfect setting for the comic series C.O.W.L.  In this series, beginning in the 1960’s features a labor union of superheroes that the general population has grown disdainful and distrusting of.   Mirroring the real history of the labor movement, C.O.W.L. to re-establish its image amongst the people, especially in terms of showing that they still have the same hard working values that the people in the midwest claim to have, even if in doing so they have to resort to methods that aren’t exactly above board.  Beyond the storyline, this series features some wonderful watercolor art and stylings that are reminiscent of the kind of sleekness made popular in the late 50s. This is a fairly short series that has been collected into two volumes.

MIDDLEWEST

Writer: Skottie Young
Artist: Jorge Corona
Publisher: Image Comics

With its large empty spaces full of possible mystery, small towns that have seemingly no reason to exist other than someone wanted a town there, and a legacy that seems to waver between being alive and well and being long gone, the Midwest can sometimes take on an otherworldly feel.  And, it’s this feeling that is captured in the series Middlewest.  The series follows a young boy named Abel and his fox companion as they are sent on a journey through the flyover states to uncover his family’s history and his connection with a destructive force that is eradicating small towns.  During his trek he comes face to face with the things that make The Midwest special, but also the darker elements that come hand in hand with an area rife with destitution and workers with no work to do.  The creator, Skottie Young, has had a long career writing and drawing for the biggest comic publishers, creating many titles that carry a sense of subtle whimsy to them, which when applied to the personal story of Middlewest makes it feel like something between the movie Big Fish and the HBO series Carnivale.

What are some of your favorite Midwest comic books?  What did you think of these recommendations?  Let us know in the comments section below.

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