RUNAWAYS #13 REVIEW

[Zeb Aslam]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/0304/RUNAWY013_COV.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/0304/RUNAWY013_COVt.jpg"align=left alt="RUNAWAYS #13"></a>Reviewer: Zeb Aslam, shrinkingleviathan@hotmail.com
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: The Good Die Young – Chapter 1

The Origin Of The Pride…

Written By: Brian K. Vaughn
Pencils: Adrian Alphona
Inks: Craig Yeung
Colors By: UDON’s Christina Strain
Letters By: Virtual Calligraphy’s Randy Gentile
Assistant Editor: MacKenzie Cadenhead
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Each month there is only one book which I actually wait for. Not just look forward to, but actually crave. A cookie to the first person who guesses the name of said book. That’s right! Runaways. There’s one main reason that I wait for this book; the fun. Most books these days are shrouded in darkness, dealing with psychological issues, or exploring the gray areas of comics. This is the one book which I can open month after month and know that all I’ll gain from it is fun, pure and simple. Now, don’t get me wrong, all those things are good too, but lately people seem to have forgotten the real reason behind the survival of comics for all these many years…escapism. Comics used to allow people to escape into a new world each and every month…now we just get a reflection of our own world. A sad state of affairs indeed, and one that this book is quickly rectifying.

The book’s main cast consists of six archetypes; the jock(Chase/Talkback), the sorceress/goth girl(Nico/Sister Grimm), the vegetarian cheerleader(Karolina/Lucy In The Sky), the outsider(Gertrude/Arsenic), the smart leader(Alex), and finally, the young innocent(Molly/Bruiser). These are of course the ‘good’ guys. And the villains are the respective parents of each kid. This issue we took a step closer to answering a question which was introduced in the first arc, and which has resulted in much heated debate on the forum (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&goto=lastpost&forumid=11)…that of the traitor. That’s right…on top of everything else, one of the kids present in this group is a traitor, someone who is on the side of the evil parents, and Vaughn has promised that this arc will reveal all. As usual, the book had its good points and it’s bad ones. The good ones out-weigh the bad ones, thus resulting in the positive response this book has garnered from all reviewers far and sundry. To try something different, let’s explore the good things first this time, and come to the bad parts second.

As usual, this issue boasted absolutely beautiful cover art. Jo Chen, the cover artist continues to amaze, and it’s a pleasure to behold his work each and every month. This issue’s dynamic pose of Talkback also revealed the lack of control which he has over his powers still, and that was a nice touch. Coming to the interior…Adrian Alphona gets better with each and every issue of the book he pencils. Alphona has a certain manga influence in that he tends to exaggerate some facial expressions, but while in most ameri-manga books that falls flat…in this book, the slight exaggeration actually raises the bar, and makes for a fantastic look. In this issue especially, I saw a certain influence from Joshua Middleton in some of the panels, most notably page 4, panel 1. Coming to the story, Vaughn has continuously shown his versatility as he writes completely different stories in books such as Mystique, and Y – The Last Man, while still infusing each book with his personal touch. Next to Ultimate Spider-Man I would say that Runaways has the most natural, and the most vibrant characters in mainstream comics. The kids talk the same as any group of friends that you would see when you go to the movies, or to the mall. In fact, a little touch which I have really appreciated is that while these kids started out as friends, they have slowly taken on the persona of a close-knit family. Vaughn has reflected this in the stories as the kids have grown more comfortable with each other, and more willing to talk about their problems with each other, while in the beginning it was more a case of reluctant passengers trapped in the same bus. Molly’s comments about, “I don’t like this story. Can’t we read the Phantom Tollbooth or something…?” was a laugh out loud moment as we truly get a sense of how innocent the poor girl is. She does not want to believe her parents are actually evil, and to hear proof about it is unsettling for her. Vaughn manages to convey all these emotions with one line; Truly the mark of a great writer. The overall story this issue was also enjoyable as we finally got to see the origin of the Pride, the evil organization which the parents of the kids run. Vaughn managed to make the reason both mystical and scientific at the same time, and also gave the reasons behind the choice of archetypes. This was a pleasant change as we finally got an explanation behind the choice of archetypes, a fact which is missing in most archetypal stories. Leaving the kids with food for thought is the fact that the parents have decided to allow their children a chance to live in “Heaven on Earth” when the world is destroyed. This was an unexpected point, and I frankly can’t wait to see where Vaughn goes with it.

Coming to the bad…or I should say not so good stuff. While we did get to see the reactions of each kid on the revelation of the origin of the Pride, I felt Vaughn severely ignored Karolina’s character. This is a girl who has discovered that she’s an alien, on top of which we have been given hints that she is a lesbian, and she attempted suicide, and in this issue she discovers that her mother was forced to have her. This seems to me to be shoddy storytelling as we get no idea of how she feels other than a single phrase, “The cover of People…?” This character is rife with storytelling potential, and no one, not even her surrogate family, seems to notice that she is so troubled. I expect more from Vaughn, and this point was a real downer in this issue. On the art side, while the pencils are great, and the inks are very complementary, I though that the colors left something to be desired, especially in the Pride origin sequence. Everything seemed so dull, and while this is a clever tool in flashbacks, it did not work here.

Like I’ve said, this book is the only one I crave to read, month after month. This does not mean it’s the best book out there, but it is the most fun. It makes me feel like a little kid all over again. It’s maturely written, and yet at the same time has a kind of innocence which I’ve missed in other comics. The excitement which used to come from X-men comics when I was 12 years old is still alive and kicking here. Try this book please, the art is fantastic, the story’s great, and the characters are, for all intents and purposes, real teenagers. What more could you want from a comic?

ART:
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STORY:
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ISSUE OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/mfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/mfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/mfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/mfull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/mnone.jpg


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

[Colonel Cortez]

Great review. I am so loving this series, everyone should pick it up.

My ony regret is not picking it up before #7, but I'll get the TPB next month.

[Gat0r-ManX]

This issue was pretty cool.

It's great to see the origin of the Pryde... and the real "drive" behind the rituals, etc. Kinda gives the "traitor" a reason to act, I think.

[exile2387]

i share the exact same views, i am always anxiously awaiting the newest issue of runaways. i give comics to my friends to read, and they all love runaways, especially girls. if marvel wants to promote comics to girls they dont have to give each book the stereotypical girl-y things, they just have to give people a book like runaways. great art, smart characterization, romance, intrigue, and everything that makes an amazing book.

[John Gleason]

I think Karolina will ahve her moment soon. I have to agree this character has so much going on her life and t should be dealt with.

[Negasonic Warhead]

I definitely enjoyed the issue, but I also feel it wasn't the strongest offering from Vaughan and Alphona. The origin story seemed to come out of nowhere and much too soon into the series, in my opinion. The ending too just turned me off, making me wonder why things seem to be switching into overdrive... possible cancellation?

However, I still love Vaughan's dialogue and his handling of these characters. Alphona's art too is just so different from the art in any other books I read that it's just a breath of fresh air month after month. Great stuff. Another aspect I really liked about this issue was its inclusion of what you mentioned, Zeb: the members of the Pride giving up their possible positions in the Heaven on Earth to come to their children.

I honestly can not wait to see what happens.

I actually agree with your statement that this is pure fun and excitement, a little bit of an escape from the grim and grit we're getting from comics left and right. Despite certain aspects in this book (sacrifice of a woman every year, weird god-creatures), it really is a great bit of escapism that I gladly welcome month after month.

[Zeb Aslam]

Thanks for the comments everyone. John Gleason...I certainly hope so...she is rapidly becoming one of my favourite characters...based on potential on. Teenage Warhead, I never said this was the strongest offering possible but since there is a chance that Runaways may be cancelled with issue 18, I'm just glad that Vaughn is making an effort to tie up all loose ends before that happens. Ofcourse I hope that never happens...but we can't escape today's market economics. Runaways has sold just barely above the 20K mark since it's inception. And that means that one small slip below the 20K and it will be cancelled. Sad, but true. Let's just hope Runaways stays around for as long as Vaughn wants it around, eh?

[Eric Filemyr]

Great review! While I think Karolina needs some spot light, I do think think that Vaughn is waiting. Like a lot of teenagers, she may not be super gong ho about revealing her secrets, but I'm sure they'll soon come to the forefront. Vaughn's characters are so rich and 3D, but I was still surprised with the depth he gave the Pride. Instead of making them purley evil, he really showed us that they are concernec parents...and evil. I can alsmot forgive him for the goofy-looking, giant masterminds.

[D4773T]

I just have not been able to get into this book and it looks like its getting canceled soon.

[Douglas Cuckler]

Originally posted by D4773T
I just have not been able to get into this book and it looks like its getting canceled soon.

And on that positive note. :D

I have been nothing but pleased with this book since the initial Runaway. Maybe if it slips in sales that bad, we can have Molly whup Wolverine.

C'Mon how can you not love a girl who's waiting for the Revengers to save her? Or says goodbye to Cloak & Dazzler? lol

[irish_star]

I thought this issue was one of Brian's best so far in the series. But then again, I love the parents so maybe I'm a bit biased :D I was really impressed with the art in this issue, especially with the drawing of Old Lace on page 11 3rd panel. The art has come a long way in just 13 issues. In #1, it seemed rather rushed at some points and some of the characters looked quite odd in serveral panels.
About Karolina, I know she's suicidial, having problems about being an alien, and might be, well "you know" (;)), but I thought her reaction was perfect "the cover of People?". Karolina thought her parents were cool and great people, even after she found out all the parents were evil she was still kinda "Your parents are bad, not mine". Now she has it thrown in her face that her parents didn't even want to have her and her mom finally agreed to it seeing the upside as "it might get me the cover of people". So, poor Karolina is still in shock. I would love to see more of her reaction in upcoming issues, but so much was happening in this one that it would have overcrowed it

[Kevin Sutton]

Originally posted by Douglas Cuckler
I have been nothing but pleased with this book since the initial Runaway. Maybe if it slips in sales that bad, we can have Molly whup Wolverine.

Forget if sales slip; I need to see that! :)

[Zeb Aslam]

Originally posted by Douglas Cuckler


And on that positive note. :D

I have been nothing but pleased with this book since the initial Runaway. Maybe if it slips in sales that bad, we can have Molly whup Wolverine.

C'Mon how can you not love a girl who's waiting for the Revengers to save her? Or says goodbye to Cloak &amp; Dazzler? lol

:LOL: That would be great! Personally I would love to see it too. But in every single Vaughn interview the one thing he can't stop saying is...NO WOLVERINE!!! And even though it effects the book's sales, I must say I love him all the more for it. A writer trying to make it big without the aid of Wolverine. It's unthinkable!

[Eric Filemyr]

Originally posted by Zeb Aslam


But in every single Vaughn interview the one thing he can't stop saying is...NO WOLVERINE!!! And even though it effects the book's sales, I must say I love him all the more for it. A writer trying to make it big without the aid of Wolverine. It's unthinkable!

Couldn't agree more! Wolverine, and for that manner Spider-Man, really don't seem like they'd work in this book, and I admire Brian for vowing to keep Logan out:wolvie:. It shows how talented the team is to have one of the most devoted fan bases for a new book without the use of the company's big stars, and I admire them for it. When Spidey was in X-Statix, it really cheapened the story and he contriubted nothing on the few panels he was on, and his gratuitous cameo wasn't even really handled like a joke. Plus with Wolverine and Spider-Man appearing in so many books, would anyone really even notice and buy this book because of a cameo? Although, Vaughn worked Cloak & Dagger in so well, maybe he could make it work. Just don't make Old Lace part of the Weapon Plus program!

[lune noire]

loved this issue. there was something very fun about idea of them all gathering around for a story about their parents. it's like telling spooky stories by campfire. i'm really enjoying the art and the sense of building mystery. definitely interested in finding out more about karolina. she seems the most wounded of the bunch. great review!

[Kira Madison]

Is it just me, or did the colors in this issue just look so much more rich and vibrant than normal? Maybe it was just having the regular art team take a break for a couple issues makes their return look even better? :p

Loved the origin of the Pride, great idea, and I loved getting the reasoning behind the fact that none of the kids have any siblings!

[FrodoLives]

Brian continues to deliver, as does Adrian. Vaughan took even the corniest plot (The Gibborism) and made it plausible Mr. Alphona just made it look cool