Dustin Gebel
Dark Horse Comics announces that it’s expanding a universe in the upcoming From the World of Minor Threats: The Alternates. Spinning out of Minor Threats, the series from Patton Oswalt, Jordan Blum and artist Scott Hepburn, The Alternates will follow the b-list superhero trapped in an alternate dimension after their heroic sacrifice. The series will see Tim Seely join the writing duo, and features illustrations from Christopher Mitten and Tess Fowler, colors by Ian Herring, and lettering by Nate Piekos.
Patton Oswalt state in the press release:
“Tim Seeley has LONG been one of our fave writer/artists. So, it was a thrill when we heard that our first run of MINOR THREATS sparked his imagination to further expand the world of Twilight City. If MINOR THREATS was a love letter to the moment where the Silver Age 70s gave way to the grim ‘n’ gritty 80s, then Seeley’s THE ALTERNATES is our collective mash note or the entire universe of 90s alt-comics. The fantastic inks by Christopher Mitten and lush paintings by Tess Fowler make an already amazing comic even better!”
Hepburn will provide the main covers for the series, and is joined by Seely, Fabio Moon, Martin Simmonds and more for variants.
Seely discussed joining the creative team in the press release:
“I love the first MINOR THREATS series so much that I couldn’t help but imagine another team of lovable losers in their world–this time, a squad of forgotten superheroes who got rebooted, and now crave their old lives so bad it borders on addiction. Jordan and Patton not only liked the idea, they added their creativity to make something that fits their universe perfectly!”
Minor Threats focused on a group of working class, d-list villains and henchmen as their world shifts from the Silver Age of comics to the darker, gritter 80s era of comics. The four issue miniseries saw these low tier villains caught in between the crossfire of the major rogues and revenge driven heroes.
Jordan Blum discussed the relationship between the main series and The Alternates:
“If the first MINOR THREATS series was a love letter to the c-list working class supervillains, then THE ALTERNATES is one for the early Vertigo comics of the 90s like Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing and Animal Man. Forgotten goofy heroes pulled into a suddenly ‘mature’ existence that both humanizes and alienates them. Tim is such a master and historian of comics, we were so thrilled with the new sandbox he built for us all to play in — once again offering a fresh and unique point of view we hadn’t yet seen explored in superhero comics. This story of existence, addiction, recovery and monster smashing was beautifully rendered thanks to the art of Christopher Mitten and paintings by Tess Fowler. “
Dark Horse has shared a first look at the main cover and synopsis for the series, which can be seen below:
Mary the Multi-Monster! The Tripper! Crab Louie! Kid Curious! Persona! Formerly the offbeat b-list superheroes, The Alternates, who seemingly sacrificed themselves to stop an invasion from another dimension. Instead, they were transported to a mirror reality where they lived complex lives in a more four-dimensional existence–expanding both their powers and consciousness. Five years later, they’ve returned to Twilight City, struggling to reacclimate to their old lives in a traditional two-dimensional superhero world–in withdrawal from the vivid ones they left behind. When elements from this alternate reality turn up as a dangerous new street drug, some of the heroes band together to destroy it, while others succumb to its temptation.
The Alternates #1 (of 4) arrives in comic shops and on digital platforms September 13, 2023.
