RUNAWAYS #28 REVIEW

[Scott A. Williams]

Reviewer: Scott A. Williams, yoda905[at]yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Great!
Story Title: Dead-End Kids Part 4
Rated T+

As our heroes mull around in the past, they realize they aren’t totally alone…

Writer: Joss Whedon
Penciler: Michael Ryan
Inker: Rick Ketchum
Colorist: Christina Strain
Cover Artist Jo Chen
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy’s Cory Petit
Assistant Editor: Danny Ketchum
Editor: Nick Lowe
Editor-In-Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Although last issue seemed to come close, Runaways #28 was the first issue where I forgot Brian K. Vaughan wasn’t writing, nor did I think, “He could’ve done this better.” Although Joss Whedon’s tenure here is a very limited engagement, he has fulfilled his duties extremely well here. The Whedon/Ryan team has landed a knockout punch on every level this title is supposed to work.

One need look no further than the consensus favourite Runaway, Molly, who delivers a terrific line in the midst of some negotiations with a turn-of-the-century (and not ours) “wonder” – that is, superpowered individual. You get it. A remark about a famous child actress is so well placed in Molly’s mouth because it demonstrates what we all know about her character, that she seems the most childish (and is,) but hides an insight that is lost no those who are even just a bit older than her.

The relationships are spot on. As teens, they can’t help but follow their hearts, even if it makes them do things that are frankly not cool to each other. Everyone is constantly second-guessing themselves and everyone around them. Nobody is really sure how to handle a situation, Nico the least of all despite being the nominal leader.

So we’ve got great characters behaving accordingly. That’s a good start, but what about what happens to them? As was occasionally the case in the original series (remember the Topher storyline? How about the first Cloak & Dagger appearance?) the real “adventure” story is less important that the kids simply behaving as themselves as they inhabit it. It’s cool to see these teenagers, outcasts in every sense already in their own time, dealing with people born a hundred years or more before them. There’s a wonderful Little Nemo-esque wonder about the “wonders,” including a prototype Iron Man complete with steam valves.

As the story goes on, the coup de grace is delivered, tying this story into the Runaways lore. Okay, so the twist was already revealed last issue, but when it comes to light for the characters themselves, it really packs a punch, and has me all aquiver to see how it plays out. After all, this is time travel. There are infinite possibilities. And dead means dead, except when it doesn’t.

Admittedly, in all this super-faction double-cross business, the plot seems a bit cluttered, and truthfully it is, but the fact is that’s not the level it’s pitched at, as I already mentioned. I couldn’t really keep track of who was intending what, but you get a sense of who’s good and who’s bad and the important thing is to keep a hold of the Runaways themselves. A lot gets through their (and our) way. The clutter and calamity, however, does stop up the issue once or twice.

Michael Ryan is a natural for the series. His pencils and Christina Strain’s colours make the world lush and vibrant. You can really sink into these pages, and the elaborate and imaginative period they depict. The effect of a girl who dances on the air is marvelous. All the characters look great, especially Nico who manages to look gorgeous and modest, confident and afraid all at once. Some of those traits are not usually seen in comic heroines.

The current creative team won’t be around much longer and by now I consider that a real shame. The upside is, indy stalwart Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise) is set to take the reins with sometime X-Men artist Humberto Ramos. Until then I will eagerly anticipate the continuation of this story. It’s a classic in the works. Bravo.

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[Jason Kanno]

I think I'm in the minority here, but I've enjoyed Whedon's entire run thus far.

[Ryan Broussard]

The current creative team won’t be around much longer

best news I heard all day

[skinnyboy2387]

Originally Posted by Ryan Broussard

best news I heard all day

Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos coming up.

[Ryan Broussard]

Originally Posted by skinnyboy2387

Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos coming up.

i think both of those are gold...

[maggottman]

I've enjoyed the story, but the long wait between issues is really dragging down the overall enjoyment.

[Scott A. Williams]

Wow, I totally didn't realize it, but the last issue of this came out on 07/04. You're right, that's way too long.

[Dirge]

I've mostly enjoyed Whedon's run too (continunity issues and delays aside).

[Terry Verticchio]

I happened to flip through this book when it came out and I was very impressed with the art. I was almost tempted to buy it.

But the story had that Mutant Hills 90210 quality to it...just bunch of rotten teenagers, looking pretty and getting into trouble.

I could be wrong.

[Scott A. Williams]

Originally Posted by Terry Verticchio

I could be wrong.

You are, but if that's the attitude you go in with, that's all you'll see. Don't trouble yourself.

(Or at least go back to the early issues to get a feel for the characters, even if the art isn't nearly this quality. Alphona took a while to get really good.)

[Ryan Broussard]

Originally Posted by Scott A. Williams

You are, but if that's the attitude you go in with, that's all you'll see. Don't trouble yourself.

(Or at least go back to the early issues to get a feel for the characters, even if the art isn't nearly this quality. Alphona took a while to get really good.)

this is true but Vaughn was gold since page 1...The art doesn't bother me nearly as much as I feel these characters seem off and forced...I just hate that everyone has powers now it seems....

This does not feel like a runaways book to me at all...

[fourmyle]

I dug the story, like the art, like Whedon, but this issue really suffered from timing. With the complexity of the story, it gets hard to follow after however many months between issues. Same thing with Whedon's other book. Recap pages are nice, but after a certain point, it's not enough.