RUNAWAYS #30 ADVANCE REVIEW

[Blake Petit]

Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Average
Title: Dead-End Kids Conclusion
Rating: T+

Can the Runaways stop a turn-of-the-century metahuman gang war and still get home?

Writer: Joss Whedon
Pencils: Michael Ryan
Inks: Rick Ketcham, Victor Olazaba, Roland Paris, Craig Yeung
Colors: Christina Strain
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editor: Nick Lowe
Cover Art: Jo Chen
Publisher: Marvel Comics

This issue definitely meets all the expectations of a Joss Whedon story: snappy dialogue, strong characterization, a tragic romance, and – when it comes to his Marvel work, it’s unforgivably late. The Runaways kids have been trapped in 1907 so long that it should be 1908 by now. As a metahuman gang war erupts around they, Chase is still missing, Victor has fallen in love with someone who isn’t Nico, and Molly’s new friend wants to escape this world she’s fallen into.

This honestly isn’t that bad an issue, but it’s been so terribly long since the last issue came out – let alone since this story began – that I can barely recall what’s happened before. At least it’s a story that had actual consequences, though – at the end, the status quo for the team has changed. (A change, it should be noted, that has not thus far been reflected in the artwork for the new Runaways #1 coming out in a few months.)

Michael Ryan’s artwork isn’t bad. He, Christina Strain and the assorted inkers gave this whole storyline a good, strong look that works with the time-travel tale and helps the book look unique without being unworkable.

There were such high hopes when Whedon’s run started, and if it had been timely, it would have been much closer to meeting them. In the end we get a story that is okay, but wasn’t really worth the wait. Still, a love for the characters and the new writer both will have me along for the ride when Terry Moore takes over this title in August.

Rating:


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[Ben Lehnsherr]

Joss Whedon quite possibly could have ruined Runaways. I'm not even a big delay guy, but this is ridiculous. No wonder Marvel's relaunching with a new #1. All those fans that though he was the best thing to happen to comics have all but faded into the shadows.

[gregorv]

Originally Posted by Ben Lehnsherr

Joss Whedon quite possibly could have ruined Runaways. I'm not even a big delay guy, but this is ridiculous. No wonder Marvel's relaunching with a new #1. All those fans that though he was the best thing to happen to comics have all but faded into the shadows.

delays=very bad
Whedon's Runaways=very, very good

I've enjoyed the issues I've read of this arc quite a lot, I agree that the delays are bad, but the quality in this, story and art, almost makes it worth it for me...

(yes...Im an absolute sucker for Joss Whedon...)

[Gabriel Diaz]

I tried to give this title a shot, it just never hapened for me. I dropped it not long ago and obviously I missed nothing.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Diaz

I tried to give this title a shot, it just never hapened for me. I dropped it not long ago and obviously I missed nothing.

Yeah, waaaaay back in the day I picked up the first two issue of Whedon's run here, and it did nothing for me.

[Ryan Broussard]

Originally Posted by Ben Lehnsherr

Joss Whedon quite possibly could have ruined Runaways. I'm not even a big delay guy, but this is ridiculous. No wonder Marvel's relaunching with a new #1. All those fans that though he was the best thing to happen to comics have all but faded into the shadows.

whedon DID ruin Runaways for me most def.....just awful pacing and did not flow with what we already know about these incredible characters..........

[Blake Petit]

I disagree with the second part there, Ryan. I had no problem with his characters, just his delays.

[Ryan Broussard]

Originally Posted by Blake Petit

I disagree with the second part there, Ryan. I had no problem with his characters, just his delays.

i really dont think these kids have been the "runaways" since Vaughan left

[Jason Kanno]

While Whedon's writing hasn't been a problem (its been pretty good, really), the delays have made it extremely difficult to follow the story. When I was at school, I didn't have my back issues so when a new issue of Runaways finally did come out, I had no stinkin' idea what was going on. The same thing happened with Astonishing X-Men. Marvel and DC ought to wise up to these Hollywood writers by only starting runs or series when all their scripts are in. Whedon, Kevin Smith, Damon Lindelof... these guys are great writers but kill their books' momentum and their own credibility.

[Gabriel Diaz]

Originally Posted by Ryan Broussard

i really dont think these kids have been the "runaways" since Vaughan left

Might be cause they haven't gotten to be in the present...