1. Runaways #25
Can Runaways ever be the same now that Brian K. Vaughn has left the series? It can, because he’s left it to Joss Whedon, who’s claimed to be a fan of the series, and it shows. If, by some strange series of events, Joss crashed and burned on take-off, at least we have a dynamite cover by Jo Chen and magnificent work within the issue by Michael Ryan and the art team.
I don’t pay attention to who draws what as much as I’d like to, but I notice when I’m looking at something I like. I like the art of this issue, probably more than any other issue of Runaways. It’s not just the colors, but it’s how detailed every crack, joint, and strip of cloth was paid attention to.
I’ll tell you a secret. In the back of my mind, I think about what a book is worth. In the case of Runaways, I think this issue is worth full price. That’s even before I tell you about Joss Whedon taking over the book. I was scared that while he may have taken over two hours of my life each week with the Buffy and Angel TV shows, he couldn’t take on what Brian K. Vaughn has done, could he?
Yes, Whedon has done quite an outstanding job with Astonishing X-men, but the X-men has decades of history to augment his writing strength with. At the very least, I wanted him to get Molly right. It’s important to get her dialogue right.
Joss Whedon has done more than that. He’s not only made a good first step in getting the characters right, but he’s maintained their depth, and he’s put together a plot that will allow the young, anti-adult heroes to sidestep that whole Superhuman Registration Act thing.
The Runaways have gone to the right coast (everyone should at least once, maybe twice) to New York. If you’re in New York, and you’re the children of very bad people, then you’re bound to find some major league players who are interested in you. I’ll leave you to figure out who the Runaways have a dinner date with. Now, these kids have to begrudgingly have to do some growing up, in order to impress all the people who know they’ve offed their villainous rents.
This issue is the full package. There are relationship issues, verbal conflict, verbal sparring, military grade weaponry, sexuality issues, and constant confusion on my behalf. Alien-man-woman-Skrull-girlfriend what? By last page, the Runaways are faced with not one, but two violent nut cases. One is a hero, and the other is totally new to me. All right, Whedon. I’m strapped in. Floor it.
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