From a World of Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight is a new anthology series set in the same chaotic universe as the little threats of Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt, offering new stories from a rotating team of top creators. The issue creates a swinging gate with wild stories of Matt Fraction, Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, Nate Piecos, Michael Allred and Laura Allred. The first issue of Welcome to Twilight introduces us to the fortunate (or unlucky) Bembronkman who was born on non-functional wings and professed his unique look to fame as the star of a Miami sub-style television series.
A few years after the show left, the actor is still playing the convention circuit, trying to revive his late career with almost success. This creates a unique emotional space for the characters to live in as people who know his work love him, but he feels increasingly detached from the next generation of viewers and the entertainment industry that serves their limited scope of attention. Think of Michael Keaton’s Birdman through Steve Martin’s Charles Harden Savage on the murders in the building alone. With a chance, the disillusioned former star knocks his head on his heels in love with the seemingly confused woman he meets at a bar, causing him to spin him into another world of crime and plot.
It’s a huge amount of evidence to cover with just one issue and I may have enjoyed another issue to bring this story to life, but Matt Fraction’s script does a fantastic job of balancing the elements I mentioned in the beginning. Like all the best output from the minor threat catalogue, this issue serves as a meditative character study that unfolds in the midst of the stupidest world you’ve ever seen in the comic.
We meet sirens with too many aged talent agents for him, with an overwhelming desire to own themselves, a man with a man for his face (you’re reading it right), and an aged talent agent with super speed. The jokes come quickly and constantly, satirizing everything from reboot-obsessed cultures to how they handle icons of golden age pop culture. The fractions behave a bit blue here, especially when it comes to breaking a joke about how attracted to the woman of his dreams.
Dark Horse
Also, like most small threat stories, there is no clear division between good and evil here. Certainly, we know who the villain in the story here is, but Broncman is not exactly the most difficult protagonist. He is a misogynistic pig and appears to be trying to deny in some way the end of his career. He’s a guy I like, but there’s definitely something exciting about watching him reach the stars, so to speak. When he attempts his red run at the end of the matter, you almost want to cheer. Of course, Fruction knows that this is not a world where victory comes easily, and that the end of the story might surprise readers.
All Red brings it all to a dazzling life, capturing the oddly shiny corridors of flashy excess Hollywood and the convention center. There is a sense of charm in this book, as if he is seeing it all through the rosy glasses of the increasingly disillusioned hero. The character’s acting is also important, selling lots of jokes, eyesight gags and sad moments at Aprom. At the moment when we can see something truly superhero in nature, the artwork has zippy and amazing kinetic energy, which all stands out.
Overall, this is an excellent start to this latest effort from a minor threat umbrella. It does an amazing job as an entry point for those who have never read “Minor Threats” before, but who are enriching the world for their longtime readers. One of the strangest and weirdest universes in the comic is getting even more interesting.
“From a minor threat world: Welcome to Twilight” #1 is a great character research in a strange world
From a world of minor threats: Welcome to Twilight #1
This odd character research is a great entry point for readers who are new to “minor threats.” One of the most wonderful and strange universes in the comic has become even more interesting.
Great entry points for people who have not read “minor threats” before
Very funny jokes mixed with real pity
As always, Allreds gives us some great work to pop every page
There are a lot of evidence here, and I felt that some elements of the story needed a little more breathing room
