Skottie Young and Jorge Corona’s dark Midwestern magic comic Middlewest #1 will get a second printing, complete with a new cover from Young himself (see this page).

Young, who is doing writing duties on this title, is best known as an artist, having drawn creator-owned Image comics like I Hate Fairyland and Bully Wars, as well as all of those adorable Marvel Comics variants covers that make the characters look like squishy little stuffed toys with big eyes (you know the ones, they’re adorable). Middlewest, which is drawn by rising star artist Corona, is perhaps Young’s most poignant work yet, taking themes like alienation and rural decline, and wrapping them in a metaphorical cocoon of forlorn Midwestern magic. Plus, the main character’s best friend is a talking fox. The first issue was a strong one, evocative of Jeff Lemire’s classic country loneliness graphic novel, Essex County.

Anyway, the full press release from Image Comics follows:

Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling creator Skottie Young (I HATE FAIRYLAND, BULLY WARS, Deadpool) and breakout, Russ Manning Award-winning artist Jorge Corona (NO. 1 WITH A BULLET, Feathers, Big Trouble in Little China: Old Man Jack) have captured the hearts of readers with sweeping new fantasy series MIDDLEWEST. MIDDLEWEST #1 is being rushed back to print in order to keep up with ongoing demand, and the second printing cover will feature exciting new art by Young himself.

The lands between the coasts are vast, slow to change, and full of hidden magics. Mistakes have been made, and in MIDDLEWEST, an unwitting adventurer searches for answers to quell a coming storm that knows his name. A blend of dark fantasy best described as classic Don Bluth animation meets Return to Oz, MIDDLEWEST is the tale of Abel, a young boy who must navigate an old land in order to reconcile his family’s history.

MIDDLEWEST #1, 2nd printing (Diamond Code OCT188507) will be available on Wednesday, January 2nd. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, December 3rd.

MIDDLEWEST #1 is also available for purchase across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play. Fans can also subscribe to receive the series delivered by mail within the domestic U.S. on Image Direct.

MIDDLEWEST #2 (Diamond Code OCT180222) will be available on Wednesday, December 19th. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, November 26th.

Select praise for MIDDLEWEST:

“Compelling, though-provoking and enchanting…Everything comes together nicely, from the art, to the writing, pacing and palette. Definitely give this comic a go.” —Impulse Gamer

“I was sucked in from page one and couldn’t put it down.” —Mark Waid

“Very real. Very magical. Very amazing. Your favorite new comic book is here.” —Jason Aaron

“Skottie Young’s name on a book means I buy it. He’s pretty much the most interesting creator around at the moment.” —Mark Millar

“I’ve read a lot of comics in my life, but few of them hit me in the heart as much as Middlewest. We all know Skottie Young is a visionary artist, but Middlewest marks his emergence as a wonderful writer as well. It’s heartfelt and gorgeously drawn. I’m in for the long haul. It feels like a long lost cousin to Sweet Tooth and Essex County.” —Jeff Lemire

“A beautiful, captivating book.” —Monkeys Fighting Robots

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