HUMBERTO RAMOS ON RUNAWAYS

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

Along with a new writer and a new #1, Runaways will get a new look from artist Humberto Ramos when Marvel restarts the ongoing series in September.

With what writer Terry Moore told us is a "fresh, new take," Ramos is already well into penciling the series, which he's taking over after his recent run on New X-Men.

Runaways focuses on a group of teenagers with unique powers and abilities who become a ragtag group of superheroes after foiling the evil plans of their villainous parents. The series was created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona, but when that team left with issue #24, was taken over by writer Joss Whedon and artist Michael Ryan. The series has suffered delays recently, so Marvel is relaunching the title in August with a #1 issue that Moore promises is designed for new readers to come on board.

Not only has Moore been raving about the new look Ramos has given the title, but we also reported from Wizard World L.A. in March that series colorist Christina Strain is calling his artwork on the series "fantastic."

Newsarama contacted Ramos to find out more about his approach to characters and what readers can expect as the series starts up again this fall.

Newsarama: How did you get involved with Runaways? Was this a comic that you'd seen before and followed?

Humberto Ramos: I got involved in Runaways after my short-term run in the New X-Men. I've been working in the X-Men office for a bit already -- Wolverine first, then X-Men -- and after the Messiah Complex, they thought it would be a good idea to have me drawing this pack of kids.

I knew Runaways a little bit because I was in the list to take over them when Joss took the writing of the book, but apparently he had a different pick to do the pencils. So I let it go, but at the time, I read the the whole first arc and some more issues and it was great. It is such a cool book to read. It's like Dawson's Creek with superpowers. [laughs] Sorry, bad joke.

NRAMA: Yeah, it's our job to make bad jokes. But why do you think Marvel thought you were a good fit for this comic? And do you think this comic fits with your style?

HR: Honestly, I think it was a no-brainer for Marvel. I've been known for the way I picture teenagers. Then, how I showed my real interest in the book, they thought it was a good idea.

NRAMA: Now that you've started to draw the characters, have you altered or evolved your style at all to fit their personalities and specific quirks?

HR: Yes. I have complaints already. [laughs] People think I draw Molly too young, but you know, I talked to my editor and to Terry, and they feel OK with my take. So what can I say? I like her younger. With Chase, I built him a bit more like a football player. I always picture him that way. And with Nico, for example, I want her to look a bit more sexy. Being a Goth doesn't mean you can't look sharp, right?

NRAMA: We’ve talked to both the writer and the colorist on this book, and they echo the same sentiment about your work so far on Runaways: You're really capturing the characters' personalities. Can you describe what you've done to highlight their personalities so well?

HR: First, I followed what I knew. From there, I got a lot of feedback from editorial. Like with Victor, he is a different guy from the one I drew in the earlier book I drew with them. Now, he looks thinner and nerdier. And Xavin is all just new ground. It's cool that he/she is a Skrull. I can do pretty much whatever, you know?

NRAMA: Which of the characters has been the biggest challenge?

HR: Karolina. She just has to look nice and cute, yet not exotic, and also quite hippie going. And Old Lace -- the reference I have for him doesn't remind me much of the real dinosaur species. He's not, just for your info, a velociraptor.

NRAMA: Which character is your favorite?

HR: Molly, 'cause I like drawing this little girl with a big attitude and strength.

NRAMA: Has anything about drawing them surprised you?

HR: I just love how these kids talk and live in a "real" world. The references and style has a lot, if not all, to do with what you can see or hear in a kid their age these days.

NRAMA: Can you tell us anything about what types of things you got to draw in the first issue? And was there anything about the first issue that was a challenge or that surprised you?

HR: In the first issue, I drew a lot of the Runaways, and drawing a different city from New York City is a bit of a challenge. If you're a regular penciller in the Marvel Universe, you know you have to draw mainly NYC, but now I have to go back to my reference books and Google! And also PicLens (thanks for that one, Joe Q!) to draw L.A. and for the first issue, Malibu Beach.

NRAMA: How has it been working with Terry Moore on this series?

HR: I admire the man. Can't say more. Is there more to say anyway?

NRAMA: Well, were you familiar with Terry's work? Is it at all intimidating that he is an artist too? Or has that been beneficial to your working relationship?

HR: It is intimidating! He knows where I'm screwing up! [laughs] But it also gives us some sort of special link, where we know what the other is talking about. I'm just thrilled to work with him.

NRAMA: Now that they've finally scheduled the first issue, what can you tell fans to expect out of your run with Terry on the series as it starts up?

HR: Lots of fun, and the best work we can deliver.

[Police-dude]

Only discovered Runaways in the middel of the second run and really loved it. I think Terry Moore is a good writer, but would have liked to have Micheal Ryan still on it. I think his style was really awesome!! Anybody knows what he will do next?
The 3rd restart and the drawings are kind of a letdown to me and, sorry to say, will propably make me not buy it.
Only thing, i will start missing Molly, she is so darn Cute

[Marius665]

I love Ramos' art. I'm been a huge fan since Crimson. I didn't read his DV8 or Impulse stuff but I have bought his Peter Parker: Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Disassembled, Wolverine, and his Messiah Complex stuff.

I will be getting this but I do think it's dumb for Marvel to restart the series for a third time

[durkadurka]

So excited. Really, i loved Ramos' work on X-Men and New X-Men, although i thought his style fit NXM much more. And now Runaways, which is great! The last few arcs of Runaways have been kinda dark and glum, so i'm hoping for some fun in the relaunch and Ramos is the perfect artist for that.
I find it interesting that in the last few years young characters have become much bigger at Marvel. I know New Mutants or some variation have always been around, but now there's New X-Men/Young X-men, Young Avengers, Runaways, and New Warriors all at the same time.

[Ken B.]

I never got into Runaways before, but I will look into getting the Vaughan stuff (screw Whedon and him being late), but I like what I'm reading and seeing in the previews by Moor and Ramos. Count me in.

[PRMTW]

why is molly wearing crocs?

[KyleCowstar]

I'll probably be returning to this book...or wait for the trade/digest. I'll get this in some fashion though.

[Philminder]

This is great. I'm kind of happy about a restart and the new arc being a jumping on point for new readers, because I haven't followed Joss Whedon's run at all, but the previous stories made Runaways one of my top three favourite books. I still wonder why I never even gave Whedon's run a chance. Oh well. I love Ramos' art too, so I'm really, really looking forward to this.

[Police-dude]

Originally Posted by durkadurka

I find it interesting that in the last few years young characters have become much bigger at Marvel. I know New Mutants or some variation have always been around, but now there's New X-Men/Young X-men, Young Avengers, Runaways, and New Warriors all at the same time.

True . and i like most of them. Only ones i dont read are New Warriors and (since New X-men changed into) Young X-men. I quit Young X-men after the 1st issue.
Dont want to sound like an angry fanboy, but, to my humble opinion, Young X-men is the worst that could happen to sutch an awesome title as New X-men. Change an amazing title with a new crappy name, crappy artist and crappy characters. It feels like a whole step backwords...
Anybody feels the same or am i the only one?

[durkadurka]

Originally Posted by Police-dude

True . and i like most of them. Only ones i dont read are New Warriors and (since New X-men changed into) Young X-men. I quit Young X-men after the 1st issue.
Dont want to sound like an angry fanboy, but, to my humble opinion, Young X-men is the worst that could happen to sutch an awesome title as New X-men. Change an amazing title with a new crappy name, crappy artist and crappy characters. It feels like a whole step backwords...
Anybody feels the same or am i the only one?

Young X-Men feels too strange for it not to have some big secret behind what's going on...i guess that makes sense.
I'm still going to give it until the end of the first arc, like Cable. The X-editors have been doing a heck of a job lately, so i'm putting my faith in them. And the other X-books (X-Factor, Legacy, etc.) have been great, so i'm going to see where it goes.

[Police-dude]

Originally Posted by durkadurka

Young X-Men feels too strange for it not to have some big secret behind what's going on...i guess that makes sense.
I'm still going to give it until the end of the first arc, like Cable. The X-editors have been doing a heck of a job lately, so i'm putting my faith in them. And the other X-books (X-Factor, Legacy, etc.) have been great, so i'm going to see where it goes.

Yeah very true! X-factor must be one of my favorite titles, the drama and humor are awesome. I heard they are doing a Layla Miller special too, kinda like the Quicksilver speacial on sale now. Cool, cause I missed Layla with her presence and humor the last couple of issues. Legacy is very nice too! I like the interaction with Magneto and Xavier. Especially when they show Lensher NOT as a criminal, but more like an opposite of the same coin Xavier is on

[Lex]

I love Ramos' art (been a fan since Impulse) and I think it's a perfect fit for Runaways. I can't wait to see his first issue!

[Marius665]

Ramos would be great on New Warriors

[Glen Cadigan]

Seeing Ramos art here makes me nostalgic for Impulse.

[J. Wilson]

I'm sorry but I just cannot sit here and lie and say that I like the artwork.

[Northstar04]

Will wait for the ( hopefully ) oversize hardcover! Love Ramos' art.

[Nas-Vell]

I'm not a huge fan of Ramos, but I also don't hate his work. I still think he did some really cool Spidey stuff a couple years back with Paul Jenkins. But I'm also unenthusiastic about a second relaunch for the title and, while Terry Moore seems like a good choice, I'm not too sure about Ramos' art on this. The cover looks 'ok', but some of his comments make me worry. Especially about how 'just cos Nico's a goth, doesn't mean she can't look sharp'. I mean, some of the Goths I know dress sharper than most of the non-Goth people I know.

[StripedTiger]

Originally Posted by PRMTW

why is molly wearing crocs?

Maybe she likes them? Maybe she thinks they're comfortable? Is there some in continuity reference to a previously expressed hatred of crocs I'm not aware of? Is so, perhaps it's a clue she's a skrull...

"Molly's wearing last year's ugly trendy footware! It's a skrull! Kill it!"

[ascloseasme]

Ramos is why I'm no longer going to be buying this book.

Chase as a football player? That's totally arbitrary. And why does a teenager (Nico) need to be sexy? Hasn't she always just looked good? Why not just make Karolina's breasts bigger than her head like the X-ladies too?

Reworking a character's outfit/uniform is fine, but come on!

[I-Ching]

I'm really excited for this. I'm not 100% familiar with Terry Moore's work but have heard nothing but good things. Ramos is hit or miss for me sometimes but I think his style is a great addition to this title.

Mostly what I'm happy about is the way that Marvel has stood by this title, imho. The numbers were never that great but the buzz and reviews always were. BKV did such an AMAZING job launching this title and it's great to see Marvel still adding top notch talent like Moore, Ramos and Whedon to it's creative contributors. Years ago Marvel would've yanked this title after issue #5 when it wasn't a big seller.

This coupled with Spider-Girl are what helps Marvel reach new/different readers in their digest formats and it's refreshing to see a title embraced for reasons other than being in the top ten best sellers or for having a stalwart character.

Now if only Marvel would apply this principle to a regrouping of the ORIGINAL New Warriors and let them take back their title

[RedRonin]

I'm a fan Ramos' work and this is looking better than his stuff of late.

[thunder5x]

I'll buy anything Terry Moore does. As for Ramos, all I can say is were is Absolute Crimson? I'm really looking forward to this and Spider-Man loves Mary Jane. I'm a 43 old man and I just love that series.
Mike

[AbacusComics]

Originally Posted by J. Wilson

I'm sorry but I just cannot sit here and lie and say that I like the artwork.

Don't you just love a good critique?

lol.

Dude, if you have something to criticize, go ahead. "the color is too garish", or "I'm not a fan of cartoony styles", or something specific.

"I don't Like it' is worthless.

Humberto is a master of his particular style. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but that's why art is in the eye of the beholder. I happen to love his work. I don't and wouldn't draw like him, but that doesn't take anything away from his skills.

[DaVeO]

Humberto's style usually doesn't jive with me, don't like his proportions. But this actually looks like a good fit for him. I'll continue to get Runaways in digest.

[Elixir]

I thought Ramos' work on X-Men and New X-Men was horrible. It seemed rushed, scruffy and scrappy. I mean, I REALLY didn't like it. He's probably one of my least favourite current Marvel artists so I'm pretty gutted he's moving onto what is probably my favourite title. The weird thing is I really liked his run on Wolverine with Guggenheim...but everything since has been horrible.

It seems like his style will be an ok fit for Runaways but I'm not impressed with that first cover really. Molly and Nico look pretty good but the rest not so much.

I'm pretty much reeling in horror at every change he says he's making to the characters. Molly looking even younger? Chase being beefed up? Nico being sexified? Victor being gangle-geekified? (Why would Ultron build him scrawny?!). *Shakes head*. Moore is going to do great things with this series but I'm afraid Ramos is going to taint it for me.

Oh and maybe it'd be a good idea for someonen to tell him that Old Lace is a SHE! Gert is turning in her grave. Worst Old Lace I've seen on that cover too. Michael Ryan's version looked virtually as good as Alphonas. I always loved her facial expressions under Alphona - made me giggle many times.

We'll see how this goes,Christina Strains colors are magical so that should help things. Her Karolina is unique and special.

Overall I'm just glad that the return of a monthly Runaways is on the horizon and hopefully Ramos can win me over.