It’s no secret that Middlewest, the comic book series that I co-created with artist Jorge Corona, is one of the most important stories I’ve told in my 20+ years in this business. It’s not just close to my heart; it’s made up completely of pieces of my heart, from front cover to back. It’s me examining family, abuse, violence, admission, regret, remorse, and ultimately, closure.

We sold out of the 560-page hardcover edition of Middlewest: The Complete Tale, and now we along with Image Comics bring you the same collection in a beautiful softcover with a cover by me.

This book started out as something I wanted to write and draw myself. But as I started figuring it out, it was getting bigger than I think my art could handle. I needed to find someone that could bring a scope and tone beyond what I was doing with my art at the time. Trying to shift from I Hate Fairyland to what this tale needed was too much for my mind to wrap itself around. So I began a quest of my own to find that artist.

The search for that person eventually led me to Jorge Corona. We barely knew each other outside of being fans of each other’s work, which was scary as fuck for me. I mean, this book was going to be me cutting deep below my skin’s surface and bleeding all over the page. Trusting someone with that kind of material seemed impossible but I was so in love with his art. His shapes, lines, and the desire to reach out beyond his own comfort zone fit in with the story itself. The story of someone trying to reach beyond their own life and build a brand new one. Jorge went on to exceed all expectations and not only set my fears to rest, he buried those pesky fuckers deep in the ground! He is and forever will be a brother to me.

I realized it wasn’t just me trusting him to help tell my story; rather it was US trusting EACH OTHER to take a risk and tell a version of so many people’s story out there.

I couldn’t have predicted or planned this, but the release of this collection and me writing this post comes just days after I had to confront some of these issues again in ways that were very difficult, but also very freeing. Teaching me that our journey to close the doors on childhood trama is a forever one, but one worthy staying on.

Jorge and I have heard from so many of you on how this story has touched your lives and we value each and every one of your stories. I would personally like to thank each and every one of you for allowing us to be a part of your journey to healing, but also let you know how important all of your love and feedback has been for mine. You all are a part of OUR chosen family now.

Some of you might be reading this BEFORE you’ve read the book itself and are probably like “Ummmm…this is some sad shit, bruh!” haha. Yeah, but it’s also got trolls, talking foxes, Hobo Wizards, and Tornado Monsters. If you’d like to give it a read, you can visit your local comic book shop or we have signed copies in the store that come with a singed book plate only available at SkottieYoung.com

Buy Middlewest: The Complete Tale

Photography by Casey McCauley

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