Friday, February 11, 2005

Runaways: Buy It Or Die

I was going to watch some illegally downloaded JLU episodes tonight (mmmmm... Black Canary), but that turns out to require waiting for this fershluggin' CD Burner to burn, so I might as well do the Runaways post now.

"At some point, all teenagers think their parents are evil. But what if they actually are?"

With that simple conceit begins Runaways, one of the best comics I've ever read. Alex Wilder, Nico Minoru, Karolina Dean, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, and Molly Hayes are the children ofrich and privileged Los Angeles couples. But it all comes crashing down when the kids discover their parents are in fact a criminal organization called The Pride, with fingers in every dirty business you can imagine, and some you can't. After seeing their parents kill a young girl in a brutal sacrifice, the kids delve deeper into the Pride's secrets. They manage to make off with some valuable resources, but have nowhere to go. And that's just the beginning...

I loved Volume 1 of Runaways so much. Vaughan made these characters come alive in a way I haven't seen from a new comic in years. They're real kids, confused, energetic, and human. And the plot twists just kept on coming, making it a great adventure title.

And the fun! Come on, people, a genetically engineered telepathic velociraptor! How much more fun can you get?

Sadly, the book didn't sell as well as it should have, resulting in cancellation with issue 18 and the relaunch on Wednesday. A new #1, perfect for getting in on the ground floor. Same team, same tone, new numbering. I've read a preview of pages 1-5, and am already hooked. I can't wait to see what happens next.

The comics industry desperately needs for books like this to succeed. If they don't, I think it's another strike in the column against the industry as it stands today. New ideas perfectly executed; isn't that what everyone says they want these days?

If you like comics, or if you like reading cool, entertaining stories, buy Runaways. It's almost better than sex.

3 comments:

Lena said...

RUNAWAYS is a great read. I used to pick up the single issues when it first came out. I haven't been buying comics lately, but I'll definitely pick up Volume 2 when it comes out.

Brian Cronin said...

I read Runaways #1.

You guys will like it.

I'm not sure if I did though....hehe.

Lena said...

My comic book guy recommended it to me. I didn't think I would like it because it's not the 'type of thing I would normally read.

AND...I think it's much better than My Life with Frankie! :)