REVIEW: 'Midstate' #1 by Lee Loughridge and Mack Chater

 MIDSTATE #1

Writer: Lee Loughridge

Artist: Mack Chater

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Rob Tweedie

Editor: Will Dennis

Publisher: Comixology Originals / Zylonol Studio

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: March 13th, 2024

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

Score:

★★★1/2 (3.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Lee Loughridge is best recognized as one of the comic industry's best colorists but with 'Midstate,' the new Comixology Original comic, the renowned artist is writing a quirky small-town mystery with supernatural elements. The first issue spends a lot of time introducing Paul whose supposed clairvoyance has made him a laughingstock in town. He's a bit of a loser who lives in a loft in the bookstore owned by his mother. When Abi the rookie detective walks in to do research for a missing person case, Paul is enlisted to help. It's not quite a slow burn as it is a series of events that establish who Paul is and unfortunately, he isn't very likable or sympathetic. It's not clear right away why we should care about him or if his "power" is real. There's another mysterious subplot going on that also leaves some questions. Abi is the most magnetic character but is still underdeveloped. The art is great. Mack Chater's designs perfectly capture the small-town feel and look while Loughridge's colors add warmth and depth. '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.