RUNAWAYS #26 ADVANCE REVIEW

[Blake Petit]

Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Good, but…
Title: Dead-End Kids Part 2
Rating: T+

Things get worse when the Runaways run afoul of the Punisher.

Writer: Joss Whedon
Pencils: Michael Ryan
Inks: Rick Ketcham
Colors: Christina Strain
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover Art: Jo Chen
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As the Runaways hunt down the package the kingpin wanted, they find themselves facing off not only against a bloodthirsty monster-man with wings, but against the Punisher himself. A lot of people seemed to dislike Joss Whedon’s first issue of Runaways. I was not one of them – I thought it was pretty good, although I had my reservations. I’ve still got reservations, but there’s also a lot to like about this issue.

First of all, Whedon’s gift for dialogue continues to impress. Say what you will about the credibility stretch concerning the kids working with the Kingpin, anytime you can include lines like “Why aren’t you awesomed by me?” without a bit of irony, you’ve started to win me over. He’s also got a good grasp on the characters, particularly little Molly, who seems to be becoming the star of this story arc. The ethical issues of the kids working for the Kingpin are addressed this issue as well, and I feel a bit better about it, and we go into a dandy cliffhanger that promises a storyline that I’m quite looking forward to. What’s coming up next isn’t exactly groundbreaking in a superhero comic book, but it’s at least something the Runaways haven’t done before.

That said, I’ve still got problems with aspects of the book. Like I said, the dialogue was good, but at times it seemed a little self-aware. Another came with the Punisher – I can buy him pointing a gun at Chase, at Victor… maybe even some of the girls, but crazy as he’s been painted lately, I somehow just can’t picture Frank Castle pointing a gun at a girl as young as Molly. (Okay, granted, I don’t think he ever points the gun at her directly, but the implied threat is about the same.) There are some other little quibbles that all seem to come together that put me ill at ease at parts – it isn’t enough to make me hate the book, but it’s like feeling an old pair of shoes that suddenly don’t fit quite right. Maybe it’s just growing pains, maybe once Whedon has worked on the characters more, that feeling will go away.

Michael Ryan’s artwork, fortunately, doesn’t have any of those problems. He’s got a great style that works really well with this book, and Christina Strain’s colors pop out all over – this is visually a very appealing package.

This book really is okay. I think Whedon just needs a little time to get his footing.

Rating:


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[Jason Kanno]

Michael Ryan's a woman? Well, that explains a lot actually.

[Blake Petit]

Gha -- stupid typos...

[Blade X]

The MAIN problem I had with Wheedon's first issue of RUNNAWAYS was the cussing. I HATE it when mainstream Marvel and DC superhero comics use cuss words like *** (which was used twice in his first issue),*****,*******, and goddamn. I especially have a problem with these words being used in a comic that Marvel has been marketing/promoting as being for all ages. This seems to be yet another case of Marvel kissing the butt of a "hot" celebrity creator and allowing him to do whatever the hell he wants with their characters/comics.

[DocOrlando]

Originally Posted by Blade X

This seems to be yet another case of Marvel kissing the butt of a "hot" celebrity creator and allowing him to do whatever the hell he wants with their characters/comics.

You meant "whatever the heck," right?

[Blade X]

Originally Posted by DocOrlando

You meant "whatever the heck," right?

Nope, I meant "hell".

Don't get it twisted, while I'm opposed to the cuss words I listed being used in mainstream Marvel and DC superhero comics, I NEVER said that I do not cuss (I cuss like a sailer). And for the record, I don't have a problem with the words "hell" and "damn" being used in mainstream Marvel and DC superhero comics, as long as the writers don't over do it.

[Blake Petit]

In fairness, the book carries a "T+" rating, which I've always taken to be the equivalent of a PG-13. I don't think Marvel is promoting this as "all ages." Rather, I think they're aiming it heavily at teens, which I think is the perfect audience.

Not to say that I think curse words are necessary for the story, but I think it should be kept in perspective.

[Blade X]

Originally Posted by Blake Petit

In fairness, the book carries a "T+" rating, which I've always taken to be the equivalent of a PG-13. I don't think Marvel is promoting this as "all ages." Rather, I think they're aiming it heavily at teens, which I think is the perfect audience.

Not to say that I think curse words are necessary for the story, but I think it should be kept in perspective.

True, but Marvel has censored those very same words in other T+ rated books. Also, RUNNAWAYS is one of the books Marvel includes in their digest program, which is aimed at kids/all ages. I should also point out that the word "***" was NEVER used in any issue of RUNNAWAYS until Wheedon started writing the book. Marvel is afraid of censoring and/or saying "no" to those creators who are either popular,critical acclaim,or celebrities.

[Blake Petit]

Sure, some of the digests are aimed at kids, but they're also aimed at the teen crowd that reads manga -- that's where Runaways is aimed.

Is it really a case of selective censoring? Is it possible that Vaughan simply didn't use that word when he wrote is scripts, thus removing the need to censor?

[DocDoom]

What a difference an issue makes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has to be the best Runaways issue i've read since Gert died!!!!!! or maybe before!!!!!!

Consider me on the bandwagon... and Molly completely stealed the show...