Runaways #14 Review and Spoilers

[Godfather]

Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Adrian Alphona
Inker: Craig Yeung

The Good Die Young: Chapter Two

I am surprised no one leaped at the chance to do a review on this.

If you aren't reading this book, you should be ashamed (unless of course you don't like it...but how could you not?) This issue was so great. BKV is definitely on track to becoming a superstar writer. I really like Alphona's and Yeung's artwork, props to UDON coloring as well. This book should be selling much better than it should be.

The kids manage to escape yet again from another situation, this time a whole SWAT team. In doing so, they destroy their base and have to go on the lam again. But they also learn from Lt. Flores that there is a possible mole on the team. So now the seeds of doubt are sewn, and they have to decide what to do next. It's so funny to see the exchange between all the kids about who's the mole. And we are all dying to find out who it is.

But! The icing on the cake of this issue. BKV introduces us to some conspiracy within The Pride itself! Awesome cliffhanger that I think I'll leave out for anyone who wants to jump to enjoy.

Let me tell you, when I got to the end, WOW was all I could think.

For those of you who have thought about Runaways but just haven't, please do yourself a favor and get the trade. It's a Marvel Age digest size trade, should be like $7. As with any low selling title, this one is in some danger of being cancelled. I'd really hate to see that happen. BKV and Alphona have created a superb book.

A all the way!

[Simon DelMonte]

Wish I had the time to do a review. Glad someone did.

One thought to add: BKV gets big kudos for making the Pride more than just "evil parents." The opening scene with Wilder and Stein was chilling and brilliant, establishing that these are not cardboard cutout bad guys.

[MudshovelForYou]

I had time to do the review, but as I already reviered 2 comics this past week, I didn't wanna hog the board and review more than that.

Plus, my opinions not exactly unbiased on the book. :D

That being said, it's still a great book. Perfect for anyone looking for an alternative to X or Spidey books from Marvel. Don't really know waht else to say to get people to buy it except its one of the best superhero tales out there today.

Like Godfather said, the book is in danger of being cancelled (that means it's not cancelled yet!!!!) so if you're interested in what's going on, pick up the 7 dollar digest and read the first six issues.

[Godfather]

3 people read Runaways this week?

No wonder sales are sagging :(

[strathcona]

No, I read it too. I thought it was great and it was what inspired my Runaways Support Thread (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12057) over at Talk@. I have to agree with everything that Godfather said about this issue. For the first few arcs I thought the Pride were kinda lame and generic comicbook bad guys, but this new arc is really fleshing them out. I loved the revelation on the last few pages.... really makes for a more interesting climax, when we get to it.

[Skyldt]

Originally posted by Godfather
3 people read Runaways this week?

No wonder sales are sagging :(
haven't gotten it yet.
but i will get it.

[Michael Eidson]

Has Vaughan said if the series will continue beyond this arc yet?

[Skyldt]

Originally posted by Michael Eidson
Has Vaughan said if the series will continue beyond this arc yet?
pretty sure it is, but i might be wrong.

[punkmonkey]

RUNAWAYS #14
Title: “The Good Die Young” Chpt. 2
Publisher: Marvel Comics (Tsunami) -- $2.99 / 22 pgs.
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Adrian Alphona
Inker: Craig Yeung
Colorist: Christina Strain
Cover Artist: Jo Chen

Reviewed By: Jared Moraitis
Grade: Story -- A-

In the wake of last month’s astounding and exciting revelations about the powerful forces behind the thrust of this series, it was a bit of a letdown to find no further exploration of those forces in this issue, but there was certainly no shortage of story development and action to be found here. We’re even introduced to a major plot twist at the end that promises some exciting conflict down the road.

The six Runaways have discovered that their super-powered parents are not only members of a super-villain cabal called The Pride, but, thanks to the translation of a stolen book detailing the history of The Pride, they’ve found the Pride owes their allegiance to an ancient race of biblical giants called the Gibborim. The Gibborim seek the destruction of mankind and have enlisted the Pride to further their goals, promising eternal life and a place in the resulting paradise for six of the most loyal of the twelve members of The Pride. Rather than compete for the six positions, the members of The Pride, upon discovering that one of the couples were pregnant, decided to all bear a single child and bequeath the six positions to each of their six children, ensuring the legacy of the entire Pride lives on in this new world. Before the Runaways could act on this newly discovered information, their secret underground lair was invaded by agents of the LAPD under the influence of the Pride.

This issue mainly concerns the showdown between the Runaways and Lieutenant Flores and his band of corrupt police. The Runaways manage to hold their own quite well and find themselves at another crucial crossroads, especially considering their newfound knowledge that one of their group is perhaps a traitor, keeping the Pride informed of their actions. Meanwhile, the members of the Pride prove they may not be such a tightly knit and one-minded group as they’d like to believe.

Vaughn’s character interaction and distinct individual character voices continue to be shining points for this series as he nails the natural sounding dialogue of the adults as well as the kids, who range in age from 11 to 17 (if I remember correctly). I’m always kept on my toes while reading RUNAWAYS with all the twists and turns within the plot and character interaction. The aspect of the potential traitor in their midst continues to be a nail-biting story element which maintains a nice added layer of tension to the book, and Vaughan doesn’t make it obvious which of the kids may still be loyal to the Pride (if any). I truly don’t want any of the kids to turn out to be the traitor, as I like them all, yet I also don’t want Vaughan to risk dragging this plot point out too long (which I don’t think I have to worry about).

This is one of the best-written and most enjoyable books on the stands right now. Brian K. Vaughan writes an engaging story every month featuring some great art by Adrian Alphona. His dialogue for these kids rings true, and he always injects an appropriate amount of humor into the book while keeping the story engaging and a bit left-of-center from the typical “superhero” fare. If you’ve never tried this book, go do so TODAY! I think you’ll soon be hooked, as I was, and Marvel will hopefully allow this series to run its course free of worry of cancellation.