Take Two on Middlewest

For the next issue of Middlewest #5 by Skottie Young, one of the features that I was especially drawn to was the use of colors, specifically, how this issue subverts the conventional symbolism that colors can represent. For example: the color red has traditionally use to convey a sense of danger or violence as opposed to the color blue, which represents calmness and tranquility. However, Middlewest #5 subverts this standard by equating shades of red worn by Abel with instances of safety and calm, while shades of blue tend to occur during scenes of violence, or negativity.

The main character, referred to as Abel, is always depicted as wearing red:

 which indicates that red is what Abel feels the most comfortable wearing. The above scene in which Abel is taken in by Maggie, is overshadowed by tones of red, demonstrating that he has found a place where he can be safe. Even the scenes in which Maggie agrees to hire Abel (essentially providing a home for him), this happy scene is overshadowed in tones of fiery red and dim lighting.

In contrast, when clear blue is used in this issue, there are usually scenes of violence, fear or disgust. Such as in this scene:

In a flashback that this issue opens with, Abel has just received a new bicycle from his estranged mother that his abusive father proceeds to destroy. The surrounding scenery depicts a lovely, almost pastoral scene, with emphasis on the blue sky. In a sense, this surrounding scene and the bright colors makes it all the more disturbing when the act of violence occurs; a father should enjoying this lovely day with his son, not destroying his possessions. When Abel's father Dale, destroys his son's blue bicycle, the next panel is a close up of the tears in Abel's eyes.

Young and Corona are subverting the conventional meanings of colors; red is typically associated with happiness for Abel because this what he wears throughout the majority of the comic. Blue, like Abel's tears, represents distress or disgust; be it either the vomit-stained amusement park ride that Abel must clean:

 the blue crystal ball which foreshadows Dale's meeting with Jebediah (and the possibility that Dale will find Abel)

 or the blue articles of clothing worn by Dale who is hunting for Abel.

The emotions of the characters (happy for Abel and threatening for his father) juxtaposed with and therefore enhanced due to the "conflicting" color schemes. In choosing to portray colors in this way, Young and Corona seem to be saying to the readers that Middlewest is a comic series that makes its own rules, rather than strictly abide by symbolic conventions. Young and Corona make the colors more personal (directly related to the experiences of the characters) and this personal use lends itself to the unpredictability of the comic. The reader cannot rely on conventions to determine what an instance means or what will happen next.