Jia Lissa
In an era where comic book publishers are increasingly looking to bridge the gap between static panels and dynamic, multi-platform media, AWA Studios has launched an ambitious, genre-bending project that seeks to redefine the "shared universe" model. Titled Lesser Evils, this expansive new property isn’t centered on caped crusaders or cosmic overlords. Instead, it is a grounded, surreal, and deeply human exploration of the modern condition, set against the backdrop of a Brooklyn that hides supernatural secrets in plain sight.
Created by writer Ian Grody and director Justin Fair, and brought to life by the illustrative prowess of Yishan Li, Lesser Evils acts as a "looking glass" into the hype-obsessed, heartbroken, and often frantic reality of contemporary urban life. By weaving together comics, digital webtoons, and live-action short films, AWA Studios is attempting to capture the zeitgeist of a generation navigating the intersection of pop culture and existential anxiety.
The Core Concept: Supernatural Realism in Brooklyn
At its heart, Lesser Evils functions as an anthology series that shares a common DNA. The premise is simple yet evocative: the "lesser evils" are the small, insidious, and often self-inflicted struggles—the bad vibes, the failed relationships, and the professional pitfalls—that define the modern experience. However, in this universe, these internal struggles manifest as literal, supernatural entities.
The Brooklyn setting is intentional. As co-creator Ian Grody explains, the borough serves as a "place of becoming." It is a city where people flock to reinvent themselves, creating a volatile environment of high ambition, deep frustration, and desperate hope. In the world of Lesser Evils, this volatile energy is exactly what attracts the supernatural. From a golem conjured in a fit of post-breakup rage to a genie grappling with a quarter-life crisis, the characters represent the bizarre, messy, and eerily relatable trials of living in the 21st century.
A Chronology of the "Lesser Evils" Rollout
The launch of Lesser Evils is a masterclass in modern, multi-platform content distribution. Recognizing the global reach of digital media, AWA Studios implemented a "digital-first" strategy, ensuring that the stories reached an international audience immediately upon release.
- May 25, 2022: The official launch of the Lesser Evils universe. EMMETT #1 was released digitally on GlobalComix, available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Hindi.
- May 25 – July 22, 2022: A nine-week period featuring the serialization of webtoon episodes, releasing at a rate of three chapters per week. This provided a consistent stream of content designed to maintain reader engagement and build momentum.
- August 24, 2022: The physical retail launch. Emmett #1 arrived in comic shops, marking the beginning of the print cycle, with subsequent titles—Ginn, Thriftr, and Tails—following shortly thereafter to round out the initial phase of the project.
- Ongoing: AWA Studios continues to integrate live-action elements, with the short film Emmett serving as the flagship for a broader cinematic expansion of the property.
Character Spotlights: The Anthology Slate
The Lesser Evils universe is built upon four primary pillars, each exploring a different facet of the "supernatural-meets-mundane" theme.
Emmett: The Golem with Benefits
The debut story focuses on Lydia Loew, a struggling artisan potter in Bushwick. Following a devastating breakup, Lydia’s emotional turmoil manifests as a clay golem. Emmett is not a traditional monster; he is a functional, albeit supernatural, roommate who helps Lydia navigate her post-breakup life, providing companionship and assistance in seeking retribution against her ex.
Ginn: The Existential Genie
Ginn offers a darker, character-driven look at an immortal being. After his master releases him, Ginn finds himself adrift, struggling with the sudden lack of purpose. His story takes a turn when he falls for a woman working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, forcing him to choose between his newfound humanity and the pressure to return to his former life of servitude.
Thriftr: The Haunted Boutique
In Greenpoint, two ambitious NYU graduates open a high-end vintage boutique, Thriftr. The business quickly becomes a battleground for their conflicting egos. The tension escalates when an mysterious, un-ordered antique sculpture enters their inventory, feeding on their professional resentment and turning their startup dream into a supernatural nightmare.
Tails: The Mermaid of the Canal
Maude, a line cook, works under a toxic, exploitative boss. Her life changes when she discovers a mermaid living in the canal adjacent to her restaurant. The mermaid offers Maude a permanent escape into the sea—a metaphorical and literal choice between fleeing the systemic abuse of her workplace or finding the strength to confront her tormentor.
Behind the Lens: Production and Vision
The development of Lesser Evils is a direct result of the evolving relationship between graphic fiction and Hollywood. The project originated from a 2021 Tribeca Film Festival session, where creators Grody and Fair presented their ideas to AWA Studios. According to Will Graves, AWA’s Managing Editor, the studio recognized immediately that this team possessed the "modern storytelling" sensibilities required to bridge the gap between traditional comics and screen-based media.
The live-action component, directed by Justin Fair, features a notable cast that elevates the material beyond a simple promotional tie-in. The short film Emmett stars Meredith Alloway as Lydia and Jake Cannavale as Stephen, with Isiah Whitlock Jr. providing the voice for the titular golem. This integration of established talent signals AWA’s long-term intention to position Lesser Evils as a franchise capable of living in both the comic shop and the streaming queue.
Implications for the Comic Industry
The Lesser Evils launch is significant for several reasons, most notably its approach to distribution. By partnering with GlobalComix to launch in six languages simultaneously, AWA Studios is challenging the traditional, territory-locked release models that have dominated the industry for decades.
Digital Innovation
Christopher Carter, CEO of GlobalComix, highlighted that AWA is part of a "new breed" of publishers. By prioritizing digital, day-and-date international releases, the studio is effectively bypassing the logistical hurdles that often delay the growth of new fandoms. This "born-global" strategy is becoming increasingly essential in a digital-first economy where readers expect instant access to new content, regardless of their geographic location.
The Shift in "Universe" Building
For years, the term "shared universe" was synonymous with superhero power scaling and continuity-heavy storytelling. Lesser Evils shifts this narrative by building a universe around a theme rather than a power set. By exploring themes like "self-love," "quarter-life crises," and "entrepreneurial animosity," AWA is demonstrating that a shared world can be built on emotional resonance. This approach is highly accessible to casual readers who might be intimidated by the decades-long baggage of legacy comic universes.
The Changing Landscape of Web3
While early reports indicated that the Lesser Evils universe would include NFT (non-fungible token) elements, AWA Studios eventually pivoted, opting to remove these plans from their rollout. This decision reflects the broader volatility of the Web3 space in 2022. The swift retraction highlights a growing trend among media companies: prioritizing the stability of their core storytelling products over speculative digital assets that may alienate traditional audiences or face regulatory and market uncertainty.
Conclusion: A New Blueprint for Modern Storytelling
As the comic book industry continues to diversify its output, the success of Lesser Evils will likely serve as a case study for future projects. By blending the artistic depth of Yishan Li’s illustrations with the grounded, dialogue-heavy writing of Grody and Fair, AWA Studios has created a property that feels less like a traditional comic and more like a curated lifestyle brand for the modern urbanite.
Whether it is through the digital pages of a webtoon or the high-production value of a short film, the Lesser Evils universe invites its audience to look at their own lives through a slightly skewed, supernatural lens. It is a reminder that in the crowded, loud, and often overwhelming world of modern city life, the most frightening—and the most magical—monsters are often the ones we carry with us. As the property continues to expand, it stands as a testament to the fact that comics are, and will continue to be, the most effective medium for exploring the "lesser" truths of the human experience.
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
Laily UPN
