Runaways Volume 4 Cover

Previously in Runaways: After the Runaways finally learn the truth behind The Pride’s actions, the six teenagers find their secret base and stop them from fulfilling the Rite of Blood.  The Rite of Blood was a ceremony in which a young girl must be sacrificed every year for the Gibborim, evil mythical giants.  This had to be done because the Gibborim no longer had the life force necessary to change the world back to its previous state: a utopia.  They ask the Pride to take part in these annual ceremonies to fulfill their needs, but because the Runaways infiltrate their plans, the Gibborim destroy the base and kill the Pride.  The Runaways also find out that Alex was a mole and worked with the Pride.  Not long after revealing his true identity, Alex is killed in action.  Living as orphans, the remaining five teenagers are put into foster care.  However, they soon reunite.

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Runaways Vol. 3 Cover

Previously in Runaways: After six teenagers realize that their parents are part of a super villain organization known as The Pride, they run away from home – vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy. But when The Pride frame their children for the murder they committed, the fugitive Runaways are forced to retreat to a subterranean hideout nicknamed the Hostel. Unbeknownst to them, one of the runaways is a mole and vows to stay loyal to The Pride.

While in hiding, the Runaways meet a young stranger named Topher, whom they welcome into their fold.  Little did they know he was actually a vampire.  Afterwards, the team find themselves pursued by Marvel’s original teen runaway crime fighters, Cloak & Dagger.  After a long fight, they come to realize that they were tricked by The Pride to think that the six teenagers were criminals, and eagerly agree to help the Runaways.  However, Cloak & Dagger were later mind-wiped after The Pride was tipped off by the mole.

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Runaways Vol. 2 Cover

Previously in Runaways: After six teenagers realize that their parents are part of a super villain organization known as The Pride, they run away from home – vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy. Little do they know; they harbor super powers of their own.  But when The Pride frame their children for the murder they committed, the fugitive runaways go into hiding.  Unbeknownst to them, one of the runaways is a mole and vows to stay loyal to The Pride.

At this point, my enthusiasm for Runaways has grown, what with Volume 1’s cliffhanger ending.  And after reading Volume 2, my enthusiasm is still as strong, despite a few slips here and there.  The second volume of Runaways may not be quite as tightly put together as the first, but certainly has its perks.  As we settle a little more into the series, Vaughan and his artists, Adrian Alphona and Takeshi Miyazawa, took the time to explore the characters a little more, as well as add guest appearances by “new kid” Topher and B-list superheroes, Cloak & Dagger.

**minor spoilers after the break**

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Runaways Vol. 1: Pride & Joy

Brian K. Vaughan has always been known to tackle controversial topics.  Y: The Last Man commented on gender roles in society while Ex Machina (which I will write a review for soon) explored gay marriage and educational funding.  In Runaways, the topic is less controversial, as to make the comic accessible, but never lacks in depth or focus.  In fact, Vaughan’s commentary on the generation gap effectively illustrates conflicting moral issues and rebellion.

Runaways is, as you’d expect, a comic about a group of runaway kids, varying in age from about 12 to 17.  There are six of them in all – Nico Minoru, Alex Wilder, Karolina Dean, Gertrude Yorkes, Chase Stein and Molly Hayes.

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Runaways v3 #1 Cover

I’ll admit, I got a little teary-eyed when Joss Whedon ended his run on Runaways earlier this year. I agree with all those who say that he was bad for the series, because of the long delays between issues. It is true, this really made me frustrated. But his writing far outshines any frustrations I had. I was very excited to hear that the series was going to continue, even if it had to be without Whedon.

This week started the new re-restart of this beloved fan-favorite series. I will say to start that I have some mixed feelings about the start, but overall, I am willing to give it a chance. As a fair warning, I want to let any Runaways fans know that I have NOT read the original volume 1 run of Runaways, as sad as it is. It is on my list of “must-reads”.

After the jump, my full review of Runaways v3 #1.

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I’ll start of this week’s comic book previews by stating that I had a really, really, really hard time deciding which comics to feature this week. It is true, there is a lot of good shit spewing from mighty Marvel tomorrow and I, for one, am super pumped. Despite having to remove some really awesome books from this post, I still have a delicious line-up of comics to talk about this week. This includes the return of one of my favorite series, the end of an arc in another, a one-shot in yet another. I also have the long delayed Kick-Ass and a bunch of Secret Invasion tie-ins. Don’t close that tab and hit the break for a look at what you should be buying this week!

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This is a huge release week for comics, especially in the Marvel Universe. On Wednesday, we are going to see a new story arc in Fantastic Four, an epic battle in Hulk and the start of the Runaways/Young Avengers‘ Secret Invasion tie-in. If that isn’t enough, we are going to see the end of Joss Whedon’s run on Runaways. And over on DC, the continuation of the major summer event Final Crisis

At the top of my “must-read” list this week is going to be Secret Invasion: Runways/Young Avengers #1. If you read Runaways, you’ll know why. First, you have the Runaways, who just scream teen drama (see the preview of Runaways #30 below for more info). Add to that the Young Avengers, which comes in a close second to Runaways in the teen drama department. Not to mention the fact that when these two groups teamed up in Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways, it made for one very compelling storyline. By all accounts, the series is sure to feature all the great writing that has been constant in both these series. There will also be plenty of action, as the teams are apparently going to be fighting one of the advance Skrull forces in Manhattan. The mini-series is only 3 issues long and if you are looking for a little more story to go along with Secret Invasion, this would be a great mini-series to pick up.

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