Advance Review: D-List Villains To The Rescue In ‘Minor Threats’ TPB
by Tom Smithyman
Oveview
One of the most creative and interesting titles to come out this year, Minor Threats features a great story along with strong artwork. The series is collected here for the first time. if you missed the individual issues, you should pick up the trade.
Overall
9/10Leave it to a comedic mind like Patton Oswalt’s to find drama in humor.
In their first creator-owned series, Oswalt and co-writer Jordan Blum employ a list of D-list villains as their would-be protagonists. After the evil Stickman murders the sidekick the Insomniac – think Batman losing Robin (again) – the vigilante goes on a rampage across Twilight City looking for the killer. A group of D-list villains band together, first for survival, then to collect the reward for Stickman’s capture. Little do they realize that Stickman has gotten to one of them first.
Remarkably, this series takes itself very seriously. Don’t look for much in the way of throwaway quips and one-liners during battles. There is some situational humor, but the writers wisely treat this as a serious superhero/villain story. The best part is that it’s a very strong story.
Add in some great artwork from Scott Hepburn. With characters that rely on children’s toys and surgical instruments as their weapons of choice, Hepburn could easily have coasted with his drawings. Instead, he seems to have taken the challenge all the more seriously.
There is a familiarity about these characters, which Hepburn’s art picks up on. With his caped black and grey costume, we know exactly who the Insomniac is before he ever utters a word. Hepburn also brings a bit of gore in addition to the action as he depicts some pretty graphic details – from multiple beheadings to several hammer bashings. 
By the end of the trade paperback, you’ll likely want more – both from the creative team as well as from the universe that they have created. After all, this story is just a small part of Twilight City. Fortunately for readers, Oswalt and Blum are returning to the Minor Threats world soon with The Alternates! There’s no reason this couldn’t be the next Black Hammer. It’s not a minor threat. It’s a major idea – worthy of more time and attention.
Minor Treats TPB will be available for purchase next Wednesday.
