Lina Hope
In the rapidly evolving landscape of transmedia storytelling, AWA Studios has officially pulled back the curtain on its most ambitious project to date: Lesser Evils. Far from a traditional comic book launch, this expansive, shared universe is designed to mirror the complex, often chaotic reality of contemporary urban life. By blending the mundane struggles of modern existence with the surreal intrusion of supernatural forces, AWA is carving out a niche that feels both terrifyingly alien and intimately familiar.
Set against the bustling, trend-obsessed backdrop of Brooklyn, New York, Lesser Evils explores the intersection of human desperation and otherworldly intervention. The project, which spans a multi-platform release strategy including digital comics, webtoons, and live-action short films, aims to capture the "creative culture’s cutting edge" by examining themes of intimacy, spite, friendship, and the self-inflicted pitfalls that define the human condition.
The Core Concept: Brooklyn Through the Looking Glass
The universe of Lesser Evils is not a superhero epic in the traditional sense. It is a character-driven, genre-bending anthology that uses the supernatural as a metaphor for the anxieties of the 21st century. The creators describe the setting as "Brooklyn Through the Looking Glass," a place where the barrier between the mundane and the magical has thinned.
The narrative engine is powered by a cast of supernatural entities that function as catalysts for human drama. These include a golem born from a breakup, a cynical genie grappling with an existential crisis, a demon that sustains itself on negative energy, and a mermaid attempting to navigate the precarious social hierarchies of modern life. These entities don’t just exist in the periphery; they interact directly with humans who are, in their own right, "heartbroken, hard-living, and hype-obsessed."
The project is the brainchild of writer Ian Grody and director Justin Fair, working in tandem with illustrator Yishan Li. Together, they have crafted a world where the horror is often found in the choices people make rather than the monsters themselves.
Chronology of the Release Strategy
AWA Studios has implemented a meticulous rollout designed to build global momentum from day one. Understanding that modern comic fans are increasingly digital-first, the publisher has prioritized accessibility and international reach.
- May 25, 2022: The official launch of the Lesser Evils universe occurred with the digital release of EMMETT #1. To maximize impact, the debut was simultaneously released in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Hindi, via the GlobalComix platform.
- May 25 – July 22, 2022: A serialized digital rollout provided three webtoon episodes per week, maintaining reader engagement throughout the summer months.
- August 24, 2022: The transition to physical retail began with the print release of Emmett #1 in local comic shops.
- Post-August 2022: A rolling release schedule for the subsequent titles—Ginn, Thriftr, and Tails—is set to follow, ensuring a steady stream of content for both physical and digital subscribers.
This hybrid model represents a departure from traditional comic distribution, signaling a shift toward a “living” franchise that is consumed as much on a smartphone screen as it is on a collector’s shelf.
The Anthology Slate: A Breakdown of Titles
The strength of Lesser Evils lies in its diverse sub-genres, each focusing on a different "lesser evil"—those insidious, self-destructive habits that hinder personal growth.
Emmett: The Supernatural Stoner Story
Lydia Loew, an artisan potter in Bushwick, finds herself in the throes of a post-breakup spiral. Her emotional distress manifests physically when she accidentally conjures a golem. Emmett serves as a darkly comedic look at codependency, where the golem becomes a roommate, a confidant, and an accomplice in petty, yet cathartic, acts of revenge.
Ginn: The Quarter-Eon Crisis
After centuries of servitude, a genie is finally set free, only to discover that freedom is terrifying. Spiraling into a quarter-life (or quarter-eon) crisis, the genie finds purpose in an unlikely romance with a humanitarian worker. The drama escalates when his former master threatens to weaponize the relationship, forcing the genie to choose between his newfound humanity and his past chains.
Thriftr: The Startup Nightmare
Exploring the high-stakes world of Brooklyn entrepreneurship, Thriftr follows two NYU graduates who open a boutique for secondhand treasures. The story takes a supernatural turn when an uncatalogued antique sculpture begins feeding on the professional animosity between the two owners. It is a cautionary tale about the cost of ambition and the dangers of unresolved resentment.
Tails: Under the Sea and Under Pressure
Maude, a line cook working in a hostile, exploitative kitchen environment, discovers a mermaid in the canal near her restaurant. As she weighs the possibility of escaping her abusive, "Batali-esque" boss for a life beneath the waves, the story serves as an allegory for the difficult choices one must make when attempting to reclaim personal power from an oppressive status quo.
Official Responses and Creative Vision
The creative team behind Lesser Evils has been vocal about their desire to break the mold of genre fiction. During the project’s development, they emphasized that the goal was to create a universe that felt rooted in the cultural zeitgeist.
"My aspiration from the jump has been to create a comic through the lens of contemporary culture," says Ian Grody. "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."
Justin Fair adds that the philosophy of the project is grounded in the observation that "it’s the little things that kill." By identifying the "lesser evils"—the subtle, self-inflicted obstacles—the team hopes to provide a "guided tour" through the microcosms of Brooklyn and the internal struggles of the human psyche.
Will Graves, Managing Editor at AWA Studios, highlighted the serendipitous nature of the collaboration, which began during a 2021 Tribeca Film Festival session on the crossover between graphic fiction and screen media. "We knew they had a creative style that synced perfectly with modern storytelling capable of inspiring a new generation of readers," Graves noted.
Implications for the Future of Publishing
The launch of Lesser Evils is a significant case study for the publishing industry, particularly regarding the intersection of digital accessibility and intellectual property management.
The GlobalComix Partnership
The decision to partner with GlobalComix for a day-and-date release in six languages is a strategic move that acknowledges the global nature of internet-based fandom. Christopher Carter, CEO of GlobalComix, praised AWA as "a new breed of comic publishers" that understands the necessity of innovation in the digital era. By removing language barriers at launch, AWA is effectively attempting to build a worldwide community from the outset.
Transmedia Integration
Beyond the printed page, the inclusion of live-action short films—starting with the Emmett short starring Isiah Whitlock Jr.—indicates that AWA is treating this universe as a multi-layered media asset. By producing high-quality live-action content to support the comics, they are creating an entry point for audiences who might not identify as traditional comic readers.
The Shifting Landscape of Web3
It is worth noting that early discussions regarding the Lesser Evils project initially included plans for NFTs. However, as the market for such assets has proven volatile, AWA Studios moved to distance the project from these plans, citing the rapidly changing nature of the web3 space. This pivot highlights the agility of AWA, choosing to focus on narrative substance rather than relying on speculative digital assets to drive interest.
Conclusion: A New Standard for Urban Fantasy
Lesser Evils arrives at a time when audiences are increasingly seeking stories that blend the familiar comforts of contemporary life with a touch of the extraordinary. By focusing on the "lesser" evils—the anxieties, the bad relationships, the toxic work environments, and the search for identity—AWA Studios has created a mirror for the modern reader.
As the series continues to expand through its planned print and digital installments, it will likely serve as a benchmark for how independent publishers can successfully launch original, interconnected universes in an increasingly crowded media landscape. Whether through its sharp, witty dialogue or its supernatural explorations of human frailty, Lesser Evils is poised to leave a lasting mark on the comic industry, proving that sometimes, the most interesting monsters are the ones we create ourselves.
Raul Delapena Setiawan
Pevita Pearce
