RUNAWAYS #2 REVIEW

[Zachary Palisoc]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0503/RUNAWAYS_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0503/RUNAWAYS_2t.jpg" align=left alt="Runaways #2 preview"></a>Reviewer: Zachary Palisoc, Zack1778@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Pride and Joy - Chapter Two

The "runaways" have discovered that their parents are evil! Now what?

Written by: Brian K. Vaughan
Pencilled by: Adrian Alphona
Inked by: David Newbold
Colored by: Brian Reber
Cover by: Jo Chen
Lettered by: Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Moore
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Chief: Joe Quesada
President: Bill Jemas

Brian K. Vaughan continues to deliver top-notch entertainment with Runaways. Picking up on the shocking scene last issue, he maintains the suspense and tension throughout the whole issue, as the "runaways" discover that their parents aren't who they seem to be. Vaughan does a great job at relieving the tension by inserting laugh-out-loud lines at the most inappropriate moments. Vaughan cleverly uses humor to deal with the situation that they find themselves in, by way of jokes and pop-culture references.

But it is indeed a grim situation that these "runaways" are faced with. They have just discovered that their parents are murderers, and super-villains who call themselves "The Pride." Vaughan does a great job of putting the kids in danger in the first few pages, ratcheting up the suspense for the reader, making them wonder if these kids would be caught. Vaughan breaks the tension in a clever and humorous way, and at the same time, keeping the underlying tension among these teenagers as they try to pretend that nothing is wrong. The book's strength is how Vaughan deals with the emotional fallout, as these group of teenagers decide what to do about this revelation.

Vaughan continues to play on the interesting dynamic between the teenagers. There's still a lot to learn about these characters, and so far, the development they get is through their actions. Alex is the obvious stand-up leader while Chase is the antagonist. These two stand out against each other. One wants to take action and the other refuses to take on any responsibility. The dilemma that they find themselves in--finding out that their parents are a bunch of super-villains--is handled well, with conflicting emotions in each one of them. Some are ready to turn their parents in to the police, while others are in denial. They're talking about arresting their own parents. They still care about their parents and don't want any harm to come to them.

What's really remarkable is that each one of them has some individual personality that all of us can relate to and that is what makes this book so easy to enjoy, because I can find a little bit of myself in almost all of these characters. It's the perfect book for a guy like myself to escape into because it is so easy to relate to.

Adrian Alphona's pencils are gorgeously visual, making every individual character stand out on their own. His style certainly is different than the other styles out there. It's not overtly manga, but the feel is there and that's what makes the book more enjoyable. It's an added bonus, the simplicity of the style. These kids look normal, and that's the important part. They have to look normal, like your every-day teenagers, in order for the reader to relate to them. Brian Reber's colors are vibrant, making every panel a visual treat to look at. This artwork really adheres to the book's overall theme--an exciting and fun read.

Runaways looks like it's shaping up to be a sleeper hit, so don't miss out on this one! It has it all--suspense, humor and a story with heart.

ART:
http://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpg

STORY:
http://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpg

OVERALL:
http://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpghttp://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/reviews/runfull.jpg

Order Runaways #2 online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=587&cat=RUNAWAYS)

[stoney]

I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. I never would have guessed this would be my favorite of the Tsunami titles released so far. And the ending.....unexpected!!!!!

Edit: Not in that whole Shock Value kinda way but more like a What else could go wrong dammit! sorta way. Go pick it up...you won't be disappointed.

[Booyah9]

Great review, and I couldn't agree more. For me this issue has just confirmed that this will be a great series. It's nicely drawn, funny in many places and instantly establishes characters with unique voices.
In fact, that's what I like most about it. As a teen in about the age range of these kids, the dialouge doesn't bother me at all, even though its written to sound like my age group. I actually find that it's very accurate, especially with Gert.
I hope more people pick this up, because it has been great so far, and probably will continue to be as long as it doesn't get cancelled.

[spinarakboi]

Hmm well I liked this issue and everything but nowhere near as much as the rest of you.... I thought it was slow and kinda boring with the occassional funny line. The characters weren't really developed and the plot seemed..... unplotted I guess. I still liked it and everything but if it doesn't pick up after the next issue I probably wont read it anymore. But it was good i'd give it a Good rating.

[DeadmanWade]

great issue i reallly enjoyed it

[Michael Fisch]

I'm really enjoying this title. Much more than the overrated Sentinel title.:rolleyes:

[UMichWolverine]

While I enjoyed the issue and am enjoying this title so far, I have one minor beef:

If I had to read one more pop culture reference I was seriously ready to drop the book. I'm not that far removed from my teenage years (3 to be exact) and I swear I do not remember my friends and I dropping little things like that all the time. :?

Its ok to have one or two to show that the kids are current, but come on, don't shove it down our throats. We get that this is taking place in "our" real world here.

The worst one by far was the Menedez brothers reference. They committed the murders in 1989. Lets take the oldest of the bunch and the one who made the comment, Chase at 17, meaning he was born in 1986, or that he was 3 at the time. The trial started in 1995 and ended with their conviction in 1996. Putting Chase at 9-10. I don't see a 9 to 10 year old kid paying that much attention to the news let alone his younger acquaintences being able to identify with the statement.

Okay, now that I have that out of my system...

This issue was very well done and I like the way the plot is progressing. The cliffhanger is sweet. This is an instance where I have no clue how they are going to get out of that. There has been no indication that any of them have "powers", so how's it going to happen? Guess I'll have to tune in next month :D

[Booyah9]

As for the pop culture references, yeah there were 4 or 5, but the only one that seemed out of place was the CSI quote. Other than that one I thought most of it was accurate. Not only in the way kids talk today but also for the characters themselves. Plus, I excuse many of them because they are worked in as jokes (The Twister/Vice City line.)

But I'm glad to see people like it, I can't wait for the next issue.

[I-Ching]

I am enjoying this title more than any other title currently being produced.

Totally unique and totally satisfying. The characters are genuine, realistic, and unique. Comparing these characters to Young Justice or Doom Patrol or even the original Gen 13 is like comparing apples and oranges. Their style, interaction, and overall demeanor is totally relatable and a welcomed characterization.

The humor is by far some of the funniest I've read in years. It's not broad, low brow, gross out humor but witty puns worthy of Seinfeld or Buffy The Vampire Slayer (which is what I see this title as being somewhat similar to...the combo of the real and the unreal.)

The Menedez Bros. comment was perfect and the reason why these kids know it and reference it is because 1) It still gets mentioned and updated in the media and (more importantly) 2) it concerned an affluent California family much like the ones all of the characters are a part of. It was "pop culture" it was more "community related".

This title is by far one of the best and most unique titles I've see from Marvel in years. I'm impressed and it's reminded me why I love comics. The thrill, expectation, satisfaction, and utter enjoyment that I've had reading it is one that I used to get out of the Jim Lee X-Men, original New Warriors, Perez Wonder Woman, etc. Quality entertainment.

READ THIS BOOK!!!!

[ZephyrStorm]

Great issue. Love the art, and the characters so far are great.
I'm not a teenager, but I love these kids!
The only thing that caught me was the end. NOT what I was expecting. Not sure if that's where I wanna go either. I'll keep collecting and see though.
If the story keeps this kind of quality up though, I may not care whether the Pride's "pet" or whatever that was fits into my usual tastes.
Zephyr

[Booyah9]

I can't wait to see what happens with the pet. Something tells me it's going to be anything than a conventional cliff hanger. Fitting with the theme of the parents really being villains I think there might be a "not what it seems" aspect to a lot of other things in this series. Gah I want #3.

[Blackey Fontaine]

There has been no indication that any of them have &quot;powers&quot;, so how's it going to happen? Guess I'll have to tune in next month :D [/B][/QUOTE]

I think there has been an indication that at least one of them has powers. The little girl (Don't remember names) who complained to her father of the "gross things going on in her body" in issue # 1. Everyone assumes it's puberty, however her parents are the only ones who displayed super powers in the meeting of the Pride. They had some glowing eye action going on. So I think the girl is developing genetic powers based on her parents. Perhaps even an x-gene activation.

[Booyah9]

Yeah, I think her parents are mutants so that is what I thought Molly was talking about after the second issue. It would be an interesting plot twist, and one that might bring her into the group.