Basiran
In an era where comic book storytelling is increasingly transcending the traditional printed page to inhabit a transmedia landscape, AWA Studios has launched an ambitious new project that seeks to capture the zeitgeist of modern urban life. Titled Lesser Evils, this shared universe is a stylistic, genre-bending exploration of life in Brooklyn, viewed through a prism of supernatural phenomena, dark humor, and the raw, unfiltered anxieties of the 21st century.
Created by writer Ian Grody and director Justin Fair, with art by the acclaimed Yishan Li, Lesser Evils positions itself as a "Brooklyn Through the Looking Glass" experience. It is a narrative sandbox where the mundane struggles of heartbreak, ambition, and career-related burnout collide with golems, genies, and malevolent antiques.
The Core Concept: Supernatural Realism in the Borough
At its heart, Lesser Evils is a social commentary disguised as urban fantasy. The series explores the "lesser evils"—the self-inflicted, insidious pitfalls that modern people navigate daily. By setting these stories in Brooklyn, a global nexus of artistic reinvention and high-stakes social climbing, the creators aim to ground their supernatural elements in a setting that feels eerily familiar to the modern reader.
The universe is built upon four foundational pillars, each represented by a distinct
- EMMETT: A story centered on Lydia Loew, a potter who, in the throes of a messy breakup, accidentally conjures a golem from her studio clay. Emmett, the titular character, serves as a supernatural confidant, bartender, and instrument of vengeance.
- GINN: A quarter-life crisis narrative featuring a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking genie who, upon being liberated, falls for a woman working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, forcing him to choose between love and his former master’s dark demands.
- THRIFTR: A cautionary tale about two ambitious NYU graduates running a high-end Greenpoint boutique. When they acquire a cursed antique, their simmering professional resentment is fed by the object, turning their business venture into a fight for survival.
- TAILS: A story of empowerment following Maude, a line cook struggling against a predatory boss, who finds an unexpected ally in a mermaid living in the nearby canal.
A Chronology of the Launch
The rollout of the Lesser Evils property represents a sophisticated, multi-platform release strategy that deviates from traditional comic publishing models.
- Tribeca 2021 (The Catalyst): The collaboration began during a session at the Tribeca Festival focusing on the convergence of graphic fiction and screen-based media. AWA Studios identified in Grody and Fair a unique creative synergy that matched their vision for modern storytelling.
- May 25, 2022 (The Digital Wave): The universe officially launched with the digital release of EMMETT #1. To maximize global reach, the title was released simultaneously in six languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Hindi, via the GlobalComix platform.
- May – July 2022 (The Webtoon Run): Complementing the comic releases, AWA initiated a serialized webtoon rollout, with three episodes released weekly over a nine-week period, designed to keep momentum high among digital-native readers.
- August 24, 2022 (The Print Debut): Following the digital-first strategy, the series made its physical debut in comic shops, beginning with the print edition of EMMETT #1, with plans for the remaining titles to follow in the subsequent months.
Supporting Data: An Evolving Digital Strategy
AWA Studios’ approach to Lesser Evils is a masterclass in modern franchise building. By prioritizing a "digital-first" release, they are able to gather immediate feedback and build a worldwide fandom before the physical issues hit the shelves.
Christopher Carter, CEO of GlobalComix, has lauded this approach as a hallmark of the new era of publishing. "They represent a new breed of comic publishers that are living at the forefront of publishing and innovation in the digital era," Carter noted, emphasizing that the simultaneous multi-language release is one of the most effective ways to build a global franchise in the current climate.
It is worth noting that the project’s initial scope included plans for Web3 integration and NFT releases. However, reflecting the volatility of that market, AWA Studios subsequently pivoted, choosing to focus their resources on the core storytelling elements of the comics, webtoons, and short films. This move suggests a strategic prioritization of narrative quality over experimental monetization, a decision that has been welcomed by critics and readers alike.
Official Responses and Creative Vision
The creators behind Lesser Evils view the project as a mirror for the contemporary experience. Ian Grody, in discussing the choice of Brooklyn as a setting, noted, "Brooklyn was the perfect backdrop because it’s not only a cultural hub, it’s a place of becoming. Where people actively go to transform and reinvent themselves. Any place where there’s that much hope and desperation and frustration is already full of magic."
Justin Fair echoed this sentiment, framing the "lesser evils" as the quiet struggles that erode our well-being. "They are the pitfalls we all must avoid and the obstacles we all must navigate within ourselves to achieve a successful place in our social circles," Fair stated.
Artist Yishan Li, known for her work on high-profile titles like Hellboy and Batwoman, found the project’s tone uniquely compelling. "It’s kind of slightly chilling, slightly funny, but more of a mystery, everyday life kind of thing," she said. "That’s definitely something I like to draw."
Will Graves, Managing Editor at AWA Studios, highlighted the full-circle nature of the project. "The Lesser Evils universe is an imaginative take on real life. It perfectly blends pop culture, a little bit of horror and relatable characters that give you a view of Brooklyn behind a supernatural veil."
Implications for the Industry
The launch of Lesser Evils serves as a significant case study for how independent studios can compete with industry giants. By integrating short films, webtoons, and comics into a single, cohesive brand, AWA is creating a "sticky" ecosystem that encourages cross-platform engagement.
1. The Rise of Transmedia Micro-Universes
Rather than relying on decades-old IP, AWA is proving that there is an appetite for original, character-driven universes that feel tethered to the modern world. By using live-action shorts—such as the Emmett film starring Isiah Whitlock Jr.—as promotional material for the comics, the studio creates a "hook" that draws in viewers who might not identify as traditional comic readers.
2. Global Accessibility
The decision to translate the initial digital release into six languages is a bold attempt to bypass the geographical limitations of print distribution. It positions the studio as a truly global entity from day one, setting a standard that other mid-tier publishers are likely to follow as the barrier to international content consumption continues to drop.
3. The Future of AWA Studios
As the Lesser Evils universe expands with Ginn, Thriftr, and Tails, the industry will be watching to see if this model can sustain interest over the long term. If the series successfully translates its digital success into physical sales, it will likely provide a blueprint for a new wave of "supernatural-noir" storytelling that blends the grit of urban living with the escapism of the fantastic.
In conclusion, Lesser Evils is more than just a new comic series; it is a calculated expansion of the graphic storytelling medium. By capturing the unique, often paradoxical energy of Brooklyn and injecting it with a dose of the supernatural, AWA Studios has created a property that is as much about the human condition as it is about the monsters lurking in the shadows of our daily lives. Whether through the pages of a comic, the scrolling interface of a webtoon, or the lens of a camera, the residents of the Lesser Evils universe offer a haunting, hilarious, and deeply relatable guide to surviving the modern world.
Dwi Wanna
Layla Zulfa
