A comiXologist recommends:
Runaways #1

by: Michael Crowe

Since their debut in 2003, The Runaway’s have been a staple at Marvel. The original series, written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Adrian Alphona, followed a team of teen heroes on the run from their supervillain parents. The team’s popularity carried them through three volumes and multiple crossover series. However, since the end of their third volume in 2009, the Marvel Universe has been devoid of a series starring any version of this team.

But with Secret Wars marking the end of the Marvel Universe as we’ve known it, there seems to be room in this new world for a youthful team like the Runaways. Writer Noelle Stevenson and artist Sanford Greene debut an all-new incarnation of this team.

Set on the newly minted planet: Battleworld, this new realm is governed by the iron fisted might of Doctor Doom. Seeking out the best and brightest, Doom has established a school for gifted youth. The prestigious Doom Institute selects students from all corners of Battleworld and pits them against one another, to determine who is worthy of being a member of the Doom Elite.

This first issue introduces us to the main players, some of whom will be very familiar to fans of the Marvel Universe. Noelle Stevenson (gingerhaze)does an amazing job establishing the personalities of multiple characters. No one feels forgotten and everyone feels fully fleshed out and realized. At this point, the Runaways are far from being a coherent team. It will no doubt be a pleasure to watch them grow, both as individuals and as a team. Noelle knows how to write angsty, energetic, and fun characters that will bond just as much as they clash. Marvel excels when its stories focus on youthful heroes learning the ropes, while discovering what it is that drives them to do good. From the get-go this new series already sits comfortably with the best of them.

Sanford Greene’s (sanfordgreene) art is the perfect compliment to Noelle’s writing. His style is expressive and kinetic. Although this first issue lacks many major action sequences, the art never feels static. Visually the characters are distinct, both in design and body language. Just as Noelle is careful to flesh out and fully realize characters personalities, Greene’s art captures and enhances this feat. John Rauch rounds out the art team and his color choices complete this book. The colors stay true to the characters represented while also, subtly, reminding the reader that it is Doom who rules over all.

Together this team has created a series that stands on it’s own against previous incarnations of the Runaways, other teen heroes and the many other Battleworld books available now. If you like what you’ve seen in the pages of Runaways #1 be sure to check out more from these creators. Noelle Stevenson is well known for her hit series Lumberjanes, Sanford Greene has illustrated Army of Darkness vs. ReAnimator and John Rauch brought his eye for colors to 120 Doses.

[Read Runaways #1 on comiXology]

Michael Crowe is a member of the digital assets/launch team. In his free time he enjoys reading, watching and writing science fiction and horror.