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The hierarchical structure of the villain world doesn’t have many levels. So there isn’t much room for growth and development. You don’t often hear about villain sidekicks – the most famous one is now a bigger star than her mentor. That’s because in the villain world you either take over the world or you should just take a seat. You’re either a would-be world conqueror or just a Minor Threats.
Minor Threats # 1 (of 4)
A Quick End To A Long Beginning
Script: Patton Oswalt: Jordan Blum
Art: Scott Hepburn
Colors: Ian Herring
Letters: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Minor Threats # 1 is the tale of Frankie Follis. This name is one she hasn’t heard used in quite some time. Until three weeks ago Frankie was just a number; a guest of the state. The reason for her stay, well before her stay-carceration Frankie was known as Playtime. Along with her mother, Toy Maker, she was one of many super-villains in Twilight City. Until she was caught during a heist. And no, not by a meta but by the police . Seems like a small difference but it will drastically drop your ranking. Basically you realize you’re minor, they’re major.
Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum allow the reader to glimpse Frankie’s road around recidivism. A very real fear for those formerly incarcerated is on display as Frankie faces difficulties securing housing and employment. She manages to get a job working at the Lower Lair, which is a super-villain hangout. Seems like a violation of her release but her mom gave her the tip so she is gonna continue to associate with criminals one way or another. Frankie can’t let this little detail bother her. Her major concern is her little girl, Maggie.
There is a colorful collection of lowlifes in Minor Threats. As Frankie meets with the corrections boards, her fellow residents enjoy some time out of their cells. Throughout the issue Ian Herring’s colors help introduce an unusual assortment, depicting a new batch of bad guys. Scott Hepburn sneaks in nods to prison life in the cell block; there are signs of different factions and power dynamics. And even though we glimpse the activities of Twilight City’s saviors it’s the thugs and crooks who are out to prove they are worthy in this comic. As Frankie comments several times even though they are cons there is a code.
From how she uses her power, toy manipulation, to the way she was finally captured, Frankie’s criminal career has been small potatoes. The only news about her on the wall of fame/shame in the Lower Lair is of her arrest. But what seems insignificant often is quite complex and complicated. Frankie is making major changes in her life. But now Stickman’s decision to break a small, unwritten rule threatens things.
Freedom, once taken for granted by Frankie, is now at risk as every mistake is now under a microscope. Time, often wasted, is now more precious as she wishes to share it with her daughter, her mother and just enjoy her own life. The small stuff.
Playtime, like others who have lost their freedom and time, can surely attest that things that put them at risk are not merely Minor Threats.
Score: 8.8
Minor Threats # 1 from Dark Horse Comics 3.99
Overall
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Story/Plot - 8.8/10
8.8/10
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Art/Style - 8.7/10
8.7/10
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Overall Entertainment/Value - 8.9/10
8.9/10
Summary
It’s hard out there for a supervillain. Not the world conquerors, chaos engines, or arch-nemeses . . . but the little guys. The ones who put on uniforms, knock over jewelry stores, and get tied to poles. And things are about to get worse. The psychotic Stickman has murdered Kid Dusk, sidekick to Twilight City’s premier crime-fighter, the Insomniac. The Insomniac’s teammates are tearing Twilight apart, turning it into a police state-desperate to capture Stickman and stop the Insomniac from ‘crossing that final line’ in which he may never come back from. Caught in the middle are the small-time c-list villains, finding it impossible to walk down the street without being harassed by these heroes. With a bounty on the Stickman’s head, former villain Playtime decides to assemble a ragtag team of villains to take down the Stickman and kill him themselves.
Pros
A nod to not only super villains but the lives they have to live after the heist. Crime may not pay but this looks at the cost.
Creative collection of criminals who are on a mission somewhere between redemption and revenge.
Cons
Twilight City doesn’t feel like much of the character it should be. As this battle/war rages I imagine we will see how it affects the citizens and city.
