Minor Threats Universe Expands into Spin-off Series The Alternates

Minor Threats Universe Expands into Spin-off Series The Alternates

Dark Horse Comics has announced a new spinoff series in the world of Minor Threats titled From the World of Minor Threats: The Alternates. The series will explore the B-level heroes who are trying face their life struggles through a support group. The real star power of the series sits behind the creative team as we see Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum team up with Tim Seeley with illustrations by Christopher Mitten and Tess Fowler, colors by Ian Herring, and lettering by Nate Piekos.

Dark Horse’s description of The Alternates reads: 

Mary the Multi-Monster! The Tripper! Crab Louie! Kid Curious! Persona! Formerly the offbeat b-list superheroes, The Alternates, who seemingly sacrificed themselves to stop an invasion from another dimension. Instead, they were transported to a mirror reality where they lived complex lives in a more four-dimensional existence–expanding both their powers and consciousness. 

Five years later, they’ve returned to Twilight City, struggling to reacclimate to their old lives in a traditional two-dimensional superhero world–in withdrawal from the vivid ones they left behind. When elements from this alternate reality turn up as a dangerous new street drug, some of the heroes band together to destroy it, while others succumb to its temptation.

Oswalt shares that he’s been a longtime fan of Seeley, saying: 

“Tim Seeley has LONG been one of our fave writer/artists. So, it was a thrill when we heard that our first run of MINOR THREATS sparked his imagination to further expand the world of Twilight City. 

If MINOR THREATS was a love letter to the moment where the Silver Age 70s gave way to the grim ‘n’ gritty 80s, then Seeley’s THE ALTERNATES is our collective mash note or the entire universe of 90s alt-comics. The fantastic inks by Christopher Mitten and lush paintings by Tess Fowler make an already amazing comic even better!”

Blum adds that this series is a love letter to the Vertigo comics of the 90s, saying: 

“If the first MINOR THREATS series was a love letter to the c-list working class supervillains, then THE ALTERNATES is one for the early Vertigo comics of the 90s like Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing and Animal Man. Forgotten goofy heroes pulled into a suddenly ‘mature’ existence that both humanizes and alienates them. 

Tim is such a master and historian of comics, we were so thrilled with the new sandbox he built for us all to play in — once again offering a fresh and unique point of view we hadn’t yet seen explored in superhero comics. This story of existence, addiction, recovery and monster smashing was beautifully rendered thanks to the art of Christopher Mitten and paintings by Tess Fowler. “

On joining the Minor Threats world, Tim Seeley said: 

“I love the first MINOR THREATS series so much that I couldn’t help but imagine another team of lovable losers in their world–this time, a squad of forgotten superheroes who got rebooted, and now crave their old lives so bad it borders on addiction. Jordan and Patton not only liked the idea, they added their creativity to make something that fits their universe perfectly!”

Minor Threats has changed the superhero genre and now looks to up the bar even higher with not only the expansion of the Minor Threats universe but also the inclusion of Seeley now having a hand in the crafting of this world and characters. Seeley is no stranger to penning superheroes but also has had his hand in creating comics that don’t fit your typical box such as Money Shot. This is an exciting next step for fans of Minor Threats and comics collectively. 

The Alternates #1 will be available at your favorite local comic shop and digitally on September 13, 2023. 

Check out the covers revealed below: