Mar 25

I Popped Two Tabs Of Acid Last Night And Read Comixology's 'Midstate' Issue 1

Midstate #1 - Paul Rinaldi screaming his balls off

WHY ARE THESE SPIDERS CRAWLING ALL OVER ME: Comixology Originals, everyone's favourite little digital imprint that could, is publishing Midstate #1, a comic book thriller that looks like Twin Peaks but feels like Dead Zone.

In Midstate, Paul Rinaldi (seen above screaming his balls off) sees things.

When he sleeps, he has what are known as lucid dreams. However, after being falsely accused of fraudulent behavior, he lost his psychic practice and became the laughingstock of the small town of Ft. Arlington, VA.The fact is, Rinaldi is wildly gifted, only furthering his frustrations as a middle-aged, self-proclaimed clairvoyant.

But a string of missing persons cases, coupled with terrifying visions, sees Paul team up with the town's rookie detective and go-getter, Abigail Dahlin, who is busy chasing down her own leads, and is the town's only "believer" - or is willing to put if with Paul's whimsical new age bullshit. Either way, it's an odd couple situation as they track down whatever leads they can muster.

The small-town paranoia (akin to contemporaries like Twin Peaks) of anything that can happen, will happen - is heightened when the arrival of a highly esteemed paraplegic doctor sparks suspicion. This Dr Mark Jounce (I'm sure that's a real name, "Mark") sees the pair start to get to the bottom of things in a cop procedural that is bonkers as it is batshit nuts with the flamboyantly psychedelic colours of Lee Loughridge thrown in the mix.

A mix that sees the colouring air a familiarity of early Vertigo releases and then elevates Paul's trips to this aesthetic of it being its own character. A character that is vibrant, titanic, boisterous and relentless!

It's highly doubtful that any of this could've been achieved without the vision of a colourist taking the writing by the balls and painting this surrealistic middle-American-town red. A town that feels achingly familiar - thanks to artist Mack Chater - with the turn of each page.

Highly recommended sober reading. Highly not recommended for your come down after a 24 hour acid trip.

Excuse me while I go take a nap.