Runaways Issue 1 Discussion. Spoilers no tags

First off I don't hate the art. I was a little iffy on the cover and had avoided looking at interiors so I wouldn't be upset.

Runaways art has always been a little iffy anyways.

Secondly we only get three of the 5 stars in this issue which was a bit of a bummer but I'm glad they jumped right to the good stuff which was them saving Gert

Nico is all mopey and then poof comes Chase with Gert in his arms just seconds away from death by stab wound.

The big problem is that Nico is running out of spells to use and while she pulls it off (like we knew she would) it's still stressful.

The artist seems to like side scrolling rather than keeping each page seperate.

The cliffhanger ending is someone watching Chase, Nico and Gert whilst stroking a kitty Blofeld style.

The issue was certainly better than any of the reboot/continuations of the series previously (Whedon and whoever brought it back after him) didn't read the third one that wasn't really the runaways.

Can't wait for October 11th

Also I really thought the doctor Nick summoned was gonna be Claire at first.

Oh. This was bad. I wasn't expecting it to be bad.

Where do I start...

This must be a 6-issue series indeed. Felt rushed. Messy. Dumb.

Nico should not be running out of spells like that, she'd been learning different languages. I could swear she used heal in Estonian in A-Force.

I don't know about you but to me it seems clear that the writer didn't read these characters appearing in other books but simply researched what happened to them after essentially. Seriously did Nico just call Alex by his last name? They were together again a minute ago.

Kris Anka must be so used to drawing extremely fit characters because Gert didn't look like a human being for multiple panels.

Whose idea was to have a whole first issue on bringing Gert back and not include Karolina and Moşly.

This was so bad. Hopeless handled Nico and Chase so much better.

She was talking about Alex's dad. That was who stabbed Gert not Alex.

[QUOTE=Qwerty;3087486]She was talking about Alex's dad. That was who stabbed Gert not Alex.[/QUOTE]

Right, that's slightly better. Still think what I said is true.

I think I over hyped myself up for this issue, I left the issue feeling it was rushed and underwhelming and that not much really happened coming back. Yes they address briefly Nico's arm, but not the fact that she had been learning other languages for the fact that she would have access to multiple versions of spells. Gert is now the same age she was 2 years ago, I wonder how old the other characters are compared to her now?

hope next month is better, wish it was not a miniseries, if this series continues to let me down I'll wish the runways never go brought back instead of being brought back like this.

The author said it's not a mini series

[QUOTE=Qwerty;3087537]The author said it's not a mini series[/QUOTE]

Pretty sure it was confirmed to be mini thanks to the TPB scheduled.

[QUOTE=Captain M;3087547]Pretty sure it was confirmed to be mini thanks to the TPB scheduled.[/QUOTE]

Just looked at the entry for the TPB on Amazon. It says it collects 6 issues, but doesn't say it's a mini. Six issues is a little hefty for a collection of a Marvel ongoing these days, but it could just mean the book's slated to get at least 12 issues based on pre-orders.

If the first story arc is six issues long (like most comic arcs are) how else would they put out a trade. No way are they bringing runaways back for a six issue mini

Diamond didn't even send any issues to my store and it's a number one there is no way this is an ongoing.

[QUOTE=Magmaster12;3087797]Diamond didn't even send any issues to my store and it's a number one there is no way this is an ongoing.[/QUOTE]

You have to pre order. Th ey don't just send books to a shop your shop has to order them

I loved the art, and I appreciate that this is a slow burn in terms of the characters reuniting. That said, I also felt like this was rushed. I wish we'd seen Nico dealing more with her daily life instead of just being told about it. I wish we'd seen Chase deciding to go back to save Gert. By just having him suddenly pop up with her in his arms, it was great for shock value, but it didn't feel earned at all. It's also been two years, so why did he suddenly go back to save her all of a sudden? I needed to see his thought process and how he got to the point to be able to do it. I feel like issue one should have ended on Chase appearing to Nico for help, and issue two be them trying to save her. So yeah, this was definitely a little less satisfying than I was expecting, but I'd hyped it up so much in my head too. I love Runaways AND Rainbow Rowell, so I expected a lot. Like I said, I'm all for a slow burn arc of showing them all come together again. That seems like what they're going for, they just started at the wrong moment, IMO. Seemed a little fanfiction-y, but that's to be expected from any character resurrection, I guess. I'm still super eager to see where it goes, and I did enjoy this issue for what it was: complete fan service. And again, I love the art!

I haven't kept up with Nico in a while; what's up with her arm? I didn't even notice anything until Chase mentioned it...

I wonder where Victor and Klara are?

[QUOTE=Marvelman;3088122]I wonder where Victor and Klara are?[/QUOTE]

Victor was killed in that terrible Vision series.

I liked it well enough, but it didn't blow me away. Haven't really kept up with Nico, but the randomly tossing out spells thing felt like a step back in development. But I'm willing to write it off as her being overwhelmed by the circumstances, for now.

I liked it for a first issue was not bad.

I felt sorry for Niko the photos with her friends and A-Force she has gone through many disappointments lately. What leads me to ask where is Singularity?

Well we know that time travel almost never has a happy ending there are always consequences.

I liked it. I had at first my doubts when the ongoing was announced, but I feel like the writer has done a good job.

Art was amazing as always, Anka is one of my fave. Can't wait for issue 2

I really enjoyed that. Glad to see that they are going to address Nico's arm, or at least it was referenced, so I assume it will be addressed. I just hope when they eventually get the gang back together, they don't forget Klara. I always thought she had potential.

I wonder if the Gert that Chase saw in the last series, when he got hit by the car, will be addressed. Or is that just something we're supposed to forget?

I thought this was pretty OK, if I'm being honest this probably would've worked better as an issue 0 introductory, but it is what it is.


[QUOTE=Nevets;3088140]Victor was killed in that terrible Vision series.[/QUOTE]

Clearly there's an absence of taste here..

[QUOTE=Nevets;3088140]Victor was killed in that terrible Vision series.[/QUOTE]

I found that Vision series to be one of the best things I've read lately. It was like reading an episode of the Twilight Zone.

As for this issue, I quite liked it! The purposeful aging of the characters was a little jarring at first, but I think aging them feels real in a way that maybe they wouldn't have for me if their status quo was still "kids running from adults". The opening with Nico was a telling snippet of her life at that moment, and I agree with those who would've been happy to stay with that for the whole issue! I guess there's a lot to get to in this first arc!

Any thoughts on who the villain is? It's gotta be an old face, right?

-Pav, who can wait for Victor's eventual return...

EDIT: If this series lasts long enough, we've gotta have a substantial Runaways / Young Avengers thing.

I purposely held off on reading this because I had a strong suspicion it was going to suck. Over the Summer, I binge read all the Runaways books for the first time and Vaughan's run is probably my all time favorite Marvel book. And based on everything we knew going into this, I was worried.

And...I was kinda right. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't very good either. Very rushed, though I think that's less evidence of it being a mini (which as someone said, we know it isn't one) and more so that Rowell hasn't written comics before and considers Gert their favorite character and wanted them right back from the start. I'm willing to see where it goes, but this really should have been two issues. Also, if it had been two issues, we may have actually gotten to see Molly and Karolina. What kind of team book with a confirmed roster doesn't show the entire cast in the first issue? (Maybe just a little bitter since Karolina's my favorite)

I still don't like Chase's new design at all, but, considering the time jump, I can accept Nico's. Gert looked...odd at times.

Definitely gonna keep supporting this book but I do hope my initial fears about the book's quality don't come to pass. Other things I hope: The book lasts long enough to get a different writer (Sorry Rainbow, but this issue didn't win my faith), Victor comes back to life (Much as I loved Vision, the retcons involving him and his death were BS), Klara isn't forgotten about, the characters all stay true to themselves, and, of course, GET XAVIN BACK FROM F**KING SPACE, and undo Whedon's change in the character.

Issue #1.

I really enjoyed this.

Diving right in, I felt that Rainbow GETS it and GETS Nico. I absolutely loved the tension and desperation of Nico's efforts and the expository narrative of the staff of one. I felt it. And those feelings of urgency and pressure were only made stronger by the multiple failures to cast, as Nico's panic overpowers her sensibilities, faced with the emotional grenade lain before her.

This is GERT.
GERTRUDE. YORKES. [uh.... excuse me while I get a friggin tissue]
And despite the fact that what Chase did was irresponsible and condemnable, I cannot imagine the mind numbing chatter of "should-I-shouldn't-I" that must be going on in poor Nico's head in that moment. And then Rainbow captions it perfectly: "Nico would have saved all those spells for Gert -- if she ever thought she'd have this chance."
And on that note, speaking of the staff of one's limitations and an earlier criticism in the thread specifically calling out a panel in the pages of A-Force where Nico explains having to broaden her vocabulary for purposes precisely like this -- even foreign languages -- I can whole heartedly accept AND believe, that perhaps since that time our young sorceress has, once again, hit a wall. Its not an outlandish stretch of the imagination and I definitely don't feel that its nerfing the character. Limitations have always been one of the more charming aspects of Nico's inherited powers, imho, and I welcome a return to creative thinking (demonstrated by each subsequent procedural spell executed in this issue -- well done, Rainbow!) and a purity of the word selection process more akin to the earliest (and best) Runaways material (I found a LOT of the spell casting throughout A-Force to be less impressive and a bit too straight forward zappy, for my taste).

Its very much a set up issue -- but the raw, emotional beats more than make up for (also explain that rushed feeling for me) how quickly it read.
Officially, this is my new IT book. I'm dodging spoiler threads. I'm avoiding reviews. And I'm thrilled I did, because reading it yesterday while on that stupid elliptical machine was EVERYTHING, and there is so much to look forward to -- so many questions to be answered.

1) WTF Chase? (But for real, thank you omg Chase you great big dumb ass)
2) WHAT has Nico done to herself? And how? (Restored arm. Restored staff)
3) Who dat CAT? (also, yaaaaaaaaaaaas kitty kitty!)
4) Evil CAT?
5) Wait, TWO maybe evil CATS???
6) Who dat Inspector-Gadget-villain-looking-mutha-fella-(lady??) -- blast from the PAST???? Is that Mama Yorkes? Alterna-Gert? WHUT?
7) How long till Anka starts adding shirtless Chase and/or other dudes?

I mean that's just a few things -- because there are OBVIOUSLY loads more less specific to this issue -- Karolina, Molly, Klara, Victor, Xavin, Julie, Kitties, my blood pressure-- all of it.
So happy this wasn't garbage. So happy to have that nostalgic peppering without overpowering. This sh!t needs a letter's column, because SOMEONE's got printable JOY to express.

[QUOTE=Pav;3088748]
EDIT: If this series lasts long enough, we've gotta have a substantial Runaways / Young Avengers thing.[/QUOTE]

[IMG]https://media.giphy.com/media/l46CabMtEkqUtrzkA/giphy.gif[/IMG]

I agree with Fokken.

-Pav, who found Nico's spelling casting on point for the first time in a long time...

[QUOTE=TitanMax;3088646]I thought this was pretty OK, if I'm being honest this probably would've worked better as an issue 0 introductory, but it is what it is.




Clearly there's an absence of taste here..[/QUOTE]

Or perhaps...and stay with me here...a difference of opinion? Shocker, I know.

[QUOTE=Nevets;3089893]Or perhaps...and stay with me here...a difference of opinion? Shocker, I know.[/QUOTE]

Yes, lets not go and badger people for their respective tastes, y'all. Don't be tacky.

[QUOTE=Fokken;3089903]Yes, lets not go and badger people for their respective tastes, y'all. Don't be tacky.[/QUOTE]

Yes well, he called Vision terrible for no reason. It didn't need to have an adjective, we only have one recent Viison series afterall they could have said "in that Vision series"

The taste response was called for

Rise above.

[QUOTE=Knives;3088211]I liked it for a first issue was not bad.

I felt sorry for Niko the photos with her friends and A-Force she has gone through many disappointments lately. What leads me to ask where is Singularity?

Well we know that time travel almost never has a happy ending there are always consequences.[/QUOTE]With Dazzler, presumably. Let's hope Blue shows up in Alison's one-shot (which wasn't in the leaked solicits - postponed to January?).

[QUOTE=Marvelman;3088122]I wonder where Victor and Klara are?[/QUOTE]Victor is dead. I would imagine Klara was either adopted, or has joined the Xavier School, and therefore won't be showing up.

Thought it was a great first issue. The art is beautiful, the writing is pretty good and I'm loving the reintroduction of 3 characters. It doesn't feel like its trying to cram in a lot of stuff in 22 pages. Count me in for the rest of the series!

[QUOTE=Captain M;3087547]Pretty sure it was confirmed to be mini thanks to the TPB scheduled.[/QUOTE]

That's not a solid confirmation for anything. They usually don't put on the text for that stuff till it's about to go out.

I liked the issue, even if I was a little disappointed by how fast it read. It felt like a ten page book because all we got to see was Gert's return, no matter how well written it was.
It sucks that it looks like Molly will only appear in the third or fourth issue. The first arc may work better as a graphic novel, by the looks of it.

I didn't mind the plot but the issue feels too short to me.

Good to see Nico's arm getting addressed. Still distasteful but hopefully something good comes out of it.

I liked this issue.

I did not like Nico's nose ring. I have yet to find that nose rings improve a person's appearance.

I read the reviews here before I read the issue, so I went in with low expectations, but I really thought it was pretty good. Yeah, Nico was learning the word "heal" in various languages, but she hinted that she'd already gone through a bunch of them. She was bound to run out eventually. Plus, being super frazzled by dead friend in your apartment means maybe you're not thinking straight at the moment. Hard to remember what you've used before or not.

And at least Rainbow remembered that if Nico repeats a spell, random stuff happened. Like frogs and rain. People have forgotten that before and it's annoys me. I'm not a big fan of time travel as a device to bring someone back. But for Gert, considering who she is and who her parents are, it kinda works.

I'm pleased with this start. Looking forward to the rest.

I checked this out to support Rainbow (I grew up knowing her sister who happened to end up marrying a good friend of mine) and of course because Runaways is a great concept. I liked it, good start and looking forward to the next issue.

My only beef is it seems like it's ignoring Avengers Arena/Undercover and it's basically picking up post the Immenon run. Nico running out of spells and seems to be bleeding herself seems like the Staff is about to see less screentime. Also, I don't blame Chase playing with time since Alex is back and I'm sure Nico has told them that.

But other then that, it's solid. I hope Marvel gives it more attention.

Nico doesn't need to have told him. Not only was Chase involved in Avengers Undercover himself, Alex has also shown his face in Harlem recently, in the Power Man and Iron Fist series. Word probably spread around the superhuman community.

Just read #1 and honestly... I really enjoyed it! Good pacing, a mixture of emotion and laughs (The doctor seeing her partner as a skeleton was my favorite panel! Also, yay for queer!) and it seems like Rainbow has captured the characters well. I was a bit surprised that it was not more 'new reader' friendly, but still loved it. Its so good to see Gert back. I mean yeah, kinda dampens her original death but... its Gert! She is back! Yes! Have been a fan of Kris ever since I discovered his work and he did not disappointing.

How well did the Runaway books sell in the past? I really hope this is a book that last beyond just one arc.

[QUOTE=Knives;3088211]I felt sorry for Niko the photos with her friends and A-Force she has gone through many disappointments lately. What leads me to ask where is Singularity?[/QUOTE]

I have been wondering if maybe Singularity (And perhaps other A-Force members) could pop up in this book. Heck, I think she would make a great 'Runaway' herself. Its a shame that we have not seen her since A-Force ended. She was one of the best original characters Marvel had created in ages...