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====''Later members''====
====''Later members''====
*'''[[Victor Mancha]]''' - Creation of android Avengers' foe [[Ultron]] and the DNA of human Marianella Mancha, Victor discovered his powers after his first encounter with superheroes (the Runaways). He has the power to conduct and control electricity, and also use metal to fly. He can also use metal to explode things.<ref name="Vol2#3">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #3</ref>
*'''[[Victor Mancha]]''' - Creation of android Avengers' foe [[Ultron]] and the DNA of human Marianella Mancha, Victor discovered his powers after his first encounter with superheroes (the Runaways). He has the power to conduct and control electricity, and also use metal to fly. He can also use metal to explode things.<ref name="Vol2#3">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #3</ref>
*'''[[Xavin]]''' - Child of Skrull alien warlords, due to his Super Skrull training Xavin can manifest all the powers of the Fantastic Four, but only one at a time. He is also able to utilize the Skrull racial ability to shapeshift. Xavin had arrived at Earth to take Karolina to wed and end their planet's war, only to return with her after an incident at their wedding.<ref name="Vol2#8">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #8</ref>
*'''[[Xavin]]''' - Child of Skrull alien warlords, due to hir Super Skrull training Xavin can manifest all the powers of the Fantastic Four, but only one at a time. Sie is also able to utilize the Skrull racial ability to shapeshift. Xavin had arrived at Earth to take Karolina to wed and end their planet's war, only to return with her after an incident at their wedding.<ref name="Vol2#8">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #8</ref> (Note: pronouns in this section have been changed to one of the available transgender options. As a shapeshifter, Xavin has assumed both genders and seems to be comfortable with either.)
*'''[[Klara Prast]]''' - Child of a religious and spiritual German farm couple, Klara had been married away to an older man moving to America after her parents had found out about her power to control plants. Suffering abuse from her husband, Klara ran into the time-displaced Runaways in 1907, who brought her back to the present.<ref name="Vol2#30">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #30</ref>
*'''[[Klara Prast]]''' - Child of a religious and spiritual German farm couple, Klara had been married away to an older man moving to America after her parents had found out about her power to control plants. Suffering abuse from her husband, Klara ran into the time-displaced Runaways in 1907, who brought her back to the present.<ref name="Vol2#30">''Runaways'': Volume 2, #30</ref>
<!--Please do not add Topher to this list; he is never called a member, staying with the runaways only part of one night.-->
<!--Please do not add Topher to this list; he is never called a member, staying with the runaways only part of one night.-->

Revision as of 13:26, 6 September 2008

Runaways
File:Run025covfin.jpg
Cover art for Runaways vol. 2 #25.
Art by Jo Chen.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleOngoing series
FormatMonthly
Publication dateJuly 2003 - present
No. of issuesVol.1: 18
Vol.2: 30
Vol.3: 1
Main character(s)Karolina Dean
Molly Hayes
Victor Mancha
Nico Minoru
Klara Prast
Chase Stein
Xavin
Old Lace
Former Members:
Alex Wilder
Gertrude Yorkes
Creative team as of August 2008
Created byBrian K. Vaughan
Adrian Alphona
Written byTerry Moore
Penciller(s)Humberto Ramos
Colorist(s)Christina Strain
Collected editions
Pride & JoyISBN 0-7851-1379-7
Teenage WastelandISBN 0-7851-1415-7

Runaways is a series of comic books from Marvel Comics.[1] Created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, the series features a group of teenagers who try to make up for the evil done by their super villain parents (the Pride) by becoming superheroes.[2][1] They are known as "the Pride's kids" or "those kids in L.A." by other characters in the Marvel Universe, due to the team's lack of an official name and the majority of Marvel's characters being based in New York. In 2006 alone, the series won the Harvey Award for best continuing/limited series[3] and was additionally nominated for a Shuster Award.[4] Series creators Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona left the series at issue #24 of the title's second volume. The second volume was continued by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan until they departed at issue #30. Marvel has announced Terry Moore, creator of Strangers in Paradise will take over the title, starting over at a new issue one in August 2008 with Humberto Ramos on art.[5]

Overview

Runaways launched in 2002 as part of Marvel Comics' "Tsunami" imprint.[6] In September 2004, the series ended at issue #18. But due to its large fan base and high quality, Marvel revived the series in February 2005 and it has continued ever since.[6] The series is unusual in its own way, as it does away away with the concepts of regular superhero behaviour, such has aliases, uniforms, and team names. All the characters in volume 1, (except Alex) adopt codenames,[7] but they soon start dropping their names by the end of volume 1.[8][9] Unlike other superheroeteams, the runaways are featured with more girls than guys.[2] At one point, there was only one male on the team with four other females, prompting other groups to refer to him as "the girl's getaway man".[10] Currently the team has two males, four females and one non-gendered shape-shifter, Xavin.[11]

Early in the series, Molly is the only character who makes a costume but creates it from old bed sheets and clothes,[12] not the traditional spandex of superhero costumes; she never wears the costume again.[13] During battle, the runaways mainly fight in their street clothes and call each other by their given names.[14] Furthermore, the children almost never refer to themselves as "the Runaways" as the series' title might suggest; their team simply goes unnamed, except for one brief instance, when Nico calls them "the Runaways", and tells them to "run away".[15] Other Marvel characters usually refer to the nameless team as "the Pride's kids" or "those kids in L.A."[16] Vaughan even mocks the notion of superhero catchphrases such as "Hulk smash!", "It's Clobberin' Time", or "Avengers assemble!".[17] During a battle with Swarm, Nico semi-sarcastically tells Victor the team's rallying call is "Try not to die".[17] However, despite Vaughan's efforts to break down the superhero clichés within Runaways, Marvel's handbooks and website still refer to the characters by their codenames.[1] The Marvel miniseries Mystic Arcana features Nico Minoru under her superhero alias "Sister Grimm," a name she has not answered to since Runaways vol. two began.[18]

Character histories

The Runaways

Original members

  • Nico Minoru - Daughter of dark wizards Robert and Tina Minoru, Nico was discovered to be a witch after her mother jammed the mystical Staff of One to cast spells in her chest. To use the Staff, she must shed blood. She later discovered she could never use the same spell twice. She is the group's leader.[8]
  • Karolina Dean - Daughter of alien invaders Frank and Leslie Dean, Karolina discovered her alien race after taking off the bracelet which inhibited her powers for the first time since she was a child; it revealed that in her alien form, she can fly, manipulate solar energy, and her skin glows with a fluid, rainbow-like light.[19]
  • Molly Hayes - Daughter of evil telepathic mutants Gene and Alice Hayes, Molly's mutant powers include super-strength and invulnerability. Use of her powers originally caused her to tire very quickly, but this had stopped with repeated usage of her powers. In her mutant state, her eyes and hair outline turn pink.[20]
  • Chase Stein - Son of mad scientists Victor and Janet Stein, Chase had stolen his father's flame generating/manipulating gauntlets called "the Fistigons". He also gained a telepathic and empathic link with the dinosaur, Old Lace. After having the Fistigons destroyed by Nico, Chase regained newer ones.[11]
  • Old Lace - A genetically engineered dinosaur (deinonychus) from the 87th century, the dinosaur formerly had a empathic link to Gert, but now shares an the bond with Chase and obeys his mental commands. Despite being used for commands, Old Lace has shown to have her own will and disobey commands.[21]
  • Alex Wilder (deceased) - Son of organized crime mafia bosses Geoffrey and Catherine Wilder, Alex was a child prodigy at strategic thinking and planning. He was the group's original leader until he outed himself as a mole for the Pride. Alex was killed by a huge fireball that had been issued from the Gibborim.[22]
  • Gertrude Yorkes (deceased) - Daughter of time-traveling criminals Dale and Stacey Yorkes, Gert had discovered she had the empathic and telepathic link with Old Lace after searching through a secret room in her basement. Before Gert was killed by a resurrected Geoffrey Wilder, she transfers the link to Chase.[8]

Later members

  • Victor Mancha - Creation of android Avengers' foe Ultron and the DNA of human Marianella Mancha, Victor discovered his powers after his first encounter with superheroes (the Runaways). He has the power to conduct and control electricity, and also use metal to fly. He can also use metal to explode things.[23]
  • Xavin - Child of Skrull alien warlords, due to hir Super Skrull training Xavin can manifest all the powers of the Fantastic Four, but only one at a time. Sie is also able to utilize the Skrull racial ability to shapeshift. Xavin had arrived at Earth to take Karolina to wed and end their planet's war, only to return with her after an incident at their wedding.[24] (Note: pronouns in this section have been changed to one of the available transgender options. As a shapeshifter, Xavin has assumed both genders and seems to be comfortable with either.)
  • Klara Prast - Child of a religious and spiritual German farm couple, Klara had been married away to an older man moving to America after her parents had found out about her power to control plants. Suffering abuse from her husband, Klara ran into the time-displaced Runaways in 1907, who brought her back to the present.[11]
  • The Pride (deceased) - In the first volume, the Pride are a group of super villains consisting of the original runaways' parents; the Pride controlled all organized crime in Los Angeles, until their death. In the second volume, a new Pride forms consisting of Alex's online game friends to destroy the Runaways.[25]
  • Excelsior - Later called, "Loners" in their 2007 mini-series, a support group for former teenage superheroes adjusting to civilian lives and dissuading other super-powered teenagers from becoming vigilantes. Had attempted to hunt the Runaways, sponsored by former Avengers sidekick Rick Jones.[14]
  • Cloak and Dagger - Runaway teenagers who obtained their powers after drugs had been forced upon them. Since then, they turned into vigilantes dedicated to aiding runaways and wayward children. The two had vowed to help the Runaways put their parents to justice, and later required help from the Runaways.[26]
  • The Gibborim - Old Testament era giants who employ both incarnations of the Pride. Require the sacrifice of an innocent soul once a year in order to remain in the material world.
  • Young Avengers - Group of teenage vigilantes formed after the events of Avengers Disassembled. Each member is modeled after a member of the former Avengers.

Plot summary

Main series

The Pride is the head of an organized crime syndicate that runs L.A. Their children (Alex Wilder, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes, and Nico Minoru) witness them making a sacrifice to the Gibborim, who are responsible for the Pride's creation.[27] As the story progresses, the children learn of their heritage and abilities, and they decide to remove their parents from control of L.A. At the end of the first arc, it is revealed Alex is still loyal to the parents. He betrays the others so that the Gibborim will save only the Wilder and the Minoru families. After the remaining children defeat Alex and their parents, they vow to prevent other villains from filling the void left by their parents. Eventually, they meet Victor Mancha, the son of Ultron the robot, who joins them under the pretense that he has suffered a similar tragedy. Xavin, a Skrull who plans to marry Karolina, arrives to take her with him in order to help stop the ongoing war between their races. They later return to the Runaways after their wedding causes tension, with Xavin becoming a fully-fledged member of the team. When Alex's online friend realize that he has gone missing, and, after assuming that the Pride were heroes, attempt to resurrect him. This goes awry and results in Geoffrey Wilder being summoned from a point in his past. After two failed sacrifices, Geoffrey fatally wounds Gertrude, who transfers control of Old Lace to Chase. Chase leaves the group and takes Old Lace with him. Geoffrey has his memory of the time travel erased and is returned to his time.

Joss Whedon conducts his run on the series by sending the Runaways in a run plagued with delays travel back in 1907. Chase proves he has accepted Gert's death, Victor is involved in a Romeo/Juliet love affair, Xavin's identity is proven, and they encounter Gertrude Yorkes' parents.[28] After defeating the Yorkes and a deadly gang war, as a result of the entire time twist, Chase has obtained newer deadly Fistigon gloves, Nico has a new Staff of One, and they have a new team member, Klara Prast, a plant manipulator.[28]

Current

The series is currently being written by Terry Moore, and drawn by Humberto Ramos.[5] The duo's pilot issue (August 27, 2008) had the Runaways find a third hiding place, but must suffer the wrath of the remaining Majesdanians, Karolina's alien race. They meet vaDanti, vaRikk, deHalle, and a general, who wish to seek vengeance.[29]

Upcoming issues:

  • On September 24, 2008, what is left of Karolina's alien race will arrive at Earth, and blame Karolina and Xavin for the problems caused. The Runaways must protect the two most wanted members of their team.[30]
  • On October 22, 2008, a battle between the remaining Majesdanians and the Runaways will ensue, though the Runaways begin to get more separated.[31]
  • On November 26, 2008, the Runaways are on the verge of breaking up, but not because of the aliens. They must find a way to band together and rescue Karolina.[32]

Civil War

The Young Avengers travel to L.A. to help the Runaways with pro-registration forces. The two teams encounter Noh-Varr who works for S.H.I.E.L.D. and attempts to capture the teenagers. His handlers manage to capture Wiccan, Hulkling, Karolina and Xavin to a high-security meta-human prison. After they escape, Noh-Varr, now free, takes control of the prison. After an undetermined increment of time, the Runaways will once again work with the Young Avengers in a Secret Invasion tie-in.[33]

Secret Invasion

After their return from 1907, the Runaways find themselves in New York, where the Skrull Armada has invaded, seeking Teddy Altman aka Hulkling. After being attacked, with Xavin pretending to be loyal to the Skrulls to protect her friends, they retreat away from the battle while Xavin helps Hulkling escape his pursuers.[33]


Alternate versions

At one point, Gertrude's future self travels back in time. This future version is in her thirties and is without Old Lace. Nico Minoru reveals, with the aid of magic, that this version of Gertrude is the leader of the Avengers of her time line. The roster for this incarnation of the team includes characters yet to make an official appearance in the 616 universe, including a heroic version of "Scorpion" and "Captain Americas". She, the rest of her team, the X-Men (led by Armor) and the "Fantastic Fourteen" are killed by Victor Mancha's future self, a villain called Victorious. Gertrude Yorkes' codename is Heroine in this time line.

Goofy versions of the original team, including Alex Wilder, are seen in the What...Huh? one shot as part of a joke about Wolverine appearing in every comic including Archie, Yu-gi-oh, and Pokémon.

What If?: 2008

For the 2008 series of What If, a story which sees the Runaways become the Young Avengers will run as a back-up story though all five issues.[34] They are supposed to the Young Avengers in a world where Iron Lad recruited them for the Avengers Fail-Safe Program and makes them appear and act as a real super team.

House of M

The Pride is mentioned as ruling Southern California in the House of M reality warp. Unlike mainstream reality, their children stay with their parents.[35]

Film

A film version of the comic is in the scripting state as of May 2008, with Brian K. Vaughan writing and Kevin Feige producing.[36]

Bibliography

  • Runaways vol. 1 #1-18 (April 2003 - September 2004)
  • Runaways vol. 2 #1-30 (February 2005 - June 2008)
  • Runaways vol. 3 #1-Current (August 2008-Current)
  • X-Men/Runaways (Free Comic Book Day 2006 offering)
  • Civil War: Young Avengers/Runaways (July 2006 - October 2006)
  • Daily Bugle: Civil War Edition
  • Runaways Saga (March 2007)
  • Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (June 2008 - August 2008)

Collected editions

Runaways has been collected in the following digest-sized comic book collections trade paperbacks:

Title Material collected Softcover ISBN Hardcover ISBN
Runaways Vol. 1: Pride & Joy Runaways vol. 1 #1-6 ISBN 0-7851-1379-7 ISBN 0-7851-3470-0
Runaways vol. 2: Teenage Wasteland Runaways vol. 1 #7-12 ISBN 0-7851-1415-7 None
Runaways vol. 3: The Good Die Young Runaways vol. 1 #13-18 ISBN 0-7851-1684-2 None
Runaways vol. 4: True Believers Runaways vol. 2 #1-6 ISBN 0-7851-1705-9 None
Runaways vol. 5: Escape to New York Runaways vol. 2 #7-12 ISBN 0-7851-1901-9 None
Runaways vol. 6: Parental Guidance Runaways vol. 2 #13-18 ISBN 0-7851-1952-3 None
Runaways vol. 7: Live Fast Runaways vol. 2 #19-24 ISBN 0-7851-2267-2 None
Runaways vol. 8: Dead End Kids Runaways vol. 2 #25-30 ISBN 0-7851-3459-X ISBN 0-7851-2853-0

Runaways has also been collected in the following oversized hardcovers:

Title Material collected ISBN
Runaways, Vol. 1 Runaways vol. 1 #1-18 ISBN 0-7851-1876-4
Runaways, Vol. 2 Runaways vol. 2 #1-12, X-Men/Runaways: FCBD ISBN 0-7851-2358-X
Runaways, Vol. 3 Runaways vol. 2 #13-24 ISBN 0-7851-2539-6

References

  1. ^ a b c Official site
  2. ^ a b Runaways: Volume 1, #1
  3. ^ "2006 Harvey Award Nominees". HarveyAwards. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
  4. ^ Nominations for Shuster awards
  5. ^ a b Terry Moore's run on Runaways
  6. ^ a b Barnes and Noble - Runaways Hardcover Collection Volume 1
  7. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #6
  8. ^ a b c Runaways: Volume 1, #18
  9. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #14
  10. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #2
  11. ^ a b c Runaways: Volume 2, #30 Cite error: The named reference "Vol2#30" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #7
  13. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #8
  14. ^ a b Runaways: Volume 2, #1
  15. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #26
  16. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #23
  17. ^ a b Runaways: Volume 2, #7
  18. ^ Sister Grimm's Mystic Arcana
  19. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #3
  20. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #5
  21. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #18
  22. ^ Runaways: Volume 1, #4
  23. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #3
  24. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #8
  25. ^ Issues
  26. ^ Runaways: Volume 2, #10
  27. ^ Brian K. Vaughan (w), Adrian Alphona (p), David Newbold and Craig Yeung (i). "Pride and Joy" Runaways, vol. 1, no. 1 (February 2003). Marvel Comics.
  28. ^ a b Runaways #25-30, the Joss Whedon run
  29. ^ Third series, first issue
  30. ^ Third series, second issue
  31. ^ Third series, third issue
  32. ^ Third series, fourth issue
  33. ^ a b Richard George (March 13, 2008). "Exclusive Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  34. ^ WW Chicago 08: What If? 2008 - Marvel.com News
  35. ^ House of M: Avengers #4
  36. ^ Project 'Runaways' in works at Marvel
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