Runaways

[Allan]

So, who read Joss's first issue of Runaways (I know Beck did, at least)? And what did you think?

I enjoyed the issue, and think that Joss managed to keep the characters' voices perfectly.

That said, I was a little disappointed at how he's thrown them right into the Marvel Universe like that, with the guest stars and the like. Granted, they've always been "part" of it, but I liked how they were generally kept out of the lives of the regular superhero community (aside from the occasional meeting).

Still, it was a cool read.

Any other thoughts?

[Casi]

I read it, though not as soon as I would have liked. I missed all the issues in between the last trade and the Joss run, so I was hoping to wait. But temptation got the better of me, so I looked up the missing stuff on Wiki, and plunged right in.

I think part of the problem with keeping them to themselves was that they were growing a bit stagnant. I mean, what did Joss say...wasn't it something along the lines of, they've been there so long, they aren't really running from anything anymore. I like the move to New York if for no other reason than that I want to see them interact with Spiderman again. I don't know why, but last time, it just gave me the total giggles to see them talking to him.

I didn't like the introduction of Kingpin or Punisher, particularly in light of whats going on in the marvel universe at large right now. I mean, with talk of Punisher taking up Captain America's title, and everything all gone to hell, it just seems a little....I dunno...like he wanted so badly to start off with a bang that he didn't take into account the bigger picture.

Maybe it's just that I've always thought both kingpin and punisher were kinda lame...

[Allan]

I quite like the Punisher, and love what Matt Faction's doing with him in War Journal. But it doesn't seem to be taking the wider Marvel U into account, though that was very much what Joss was doing with Astonishing X-Men.

I agree that the stuff with Spider-Man was great, and really hope they cross paths with him again while they're in NY.

As for keeping them on the move, I agree with that logic. I just don't like them being thrust directly into the paths of everyone like they have been. Still, it was an enjoyable read.

[Casi]

It was at that.

And they're bound to come across Spidey soon if they're working for Kingpin. I wonder if he'll be in the black suit? Man...thinking of Spiderman is pretty depressing at the moment. Moving on...

I'm excited to see what Joss is going to do with Xavin. I think he's an amazing character, and I do kind of still think of him as a he. I mean, I kind of have to agree with Nico. Xavin looks like a girl when he and Karolina are alone, but he never was one until she asked him to be. I wonder if that's gonna cause strife for them at any point.

[Allan]

From the look of the issue, I really think it is going to cause a bot of strife. Xavin's my least favourite character, but s/he does appear to be a guy in a woman's body when he's with Karolina. Even Xavin's sexist comments make for more of a "male" than a "female".

EDIT - Beck, I'm looking forward to your comments on #25 as a Runaways virgin.

[Casi]

I think he's a lot of people's least favorite characters because he really has kind of been shunted into that role by the writing. I mean, he came in, broke up the team pretty effectively by wisking Karolina away, and now we don't know what to make of him. But that's kind of what interests me about him too.

Picture it from his standpoint...he's basically alone, friendless, and homeless now. His only rock in the world now is Karolina and they haven't even really known each other very long. You can tell the stress of that is starting to get to him and he appears, in my opinion, to be falling into a dominant male type role, which is probably pretty natural where he comes from. Not to mention I expect he's starting to feel a bit put out over the whole man/woman balancing act he's having to do.

I think Joss could have some definite fun with that.

[Allan]

Oh, there are definite places to take him. And I think a lot of the reason is that he took Karolina away, before suddenly reappearing with her.

And all the other characters are just so loveable, as well as more clearly defined with their roles in the group, relationships, etc.

I don't dislike Xavin, but s/he's just my least favourite of the lot. I'm expecting Joss to have a ball with the character (who is definitely a unique creation), and that's been pretty much indicated thus far.

[Casi]

I'm also looking forward to Chase developing in a Jossian light. He was never one of my favorite characters, though I did enjoy him quite a bit, particularly when you got glimpses of his darker side and realized he maybe didn't have it as easy as the others, growing up. I think Joss could do a lot with that.

[Allan]

I was never a huge fan of Chase myself, though I really started to love him after Gert's death. His life has evidently been harder than the other kids', though there hasn't been to much in the way of revelations as yet.

I'm really hoping that Joss can do something with him, too.

[Casi]

I was sorry I missed those issues after her death. From what I read on Wiki, they must have been pretty good. I can't wait for the next trade to come out so I can get fully caught up.

[Allan]

They were amazing. It was all about death having ramifications, and characters (particularly Chase) trying to deal with it. I think it would have played out better if they didn't advertise that someone was going to die for six months, but as the story was written, it was a very "Joss" take on death.

[Casi]

See, I love that. I love that it 's going to be such a good transition from Vaughan to Whedon. They're already so much alike. And I read an article where it talked about them sitting down and planning out what they wanted for Buffy season 8, and I can just see that, ya know? Those two guys sitting down and BSing for a few hours and MAYBE discussing their comics.

I did like the Old Lace got passed on to Chase. When Gert went down, I was seriously worried that they were both gonners. It's one thing to get hit and killed...it was tragic. But to have her drag down another life, that would have been uber sad.

[Allan]

I just read Joss's second issue, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Molly's altercation with the Punisher was especially classic.

More solid than the first, IMO.

[Casi]

"Why is no one being awsomed by me?!" That was I think my favorite line in a comic to date. I love Molly so hard. I also enjoyed when she asks "Does being a ninja count as having powers? And I think it was Chase who said "It counts double!"

I'm liking Xavin less each time I see him. I don't know why exactly, but I do. And I really liked the image at the end of the issue, with all of them in the old fashioned clothing all sepia'd out. I think it's going to be really interesting next issue.

[Allan]

Xavin just hasn't been very likeable for my money. I really hope that Joss manages to hone in on him/her, and make him/her likeable, but so far not. The issue had some brilliant moments, and everything that comes out of Molly's mouth is cool. She makes me laugh in every single issue. I really had to laugh at her with the Punisher, even if I felt sorry for her when she found out that he didn't have any powers.

Speaking of Molly, the issue where she was kidnapped by the Fagan type guy has to be about one of my favourite standalone comic stories of all time.

[Casi]

OH GOD! I forgot about that story until you mentioned it! And kudos for the Fagan reference. At any rate, I love how she planned the whole thing out. And I particularly liked when she has the one kid ratting her out to the guy and she's all *sad face* Why is someone in the group always evil?

Here's a question my friends at work and I were pondering...I don't read much X-Men these days, but I think maybe you'd know. No new mutants have been born since the mass deaths oh so recently. That leaves...what...something like 90 odd mutants in the world? How recent was that because it doesn't feel that recent, and I was just wondering why none of it ever came knocking at Molly's door.

And dude...I love her to bits...but sometimes I do wish she would grow up a bit. Maybe I'm just pampered by Harry Potter, the 11 year old who acts like a 30 year old...but she's supposed to be at least 12 now isn't she? And she's still acting a bit like a five year old most of the time. Don't get me wrong...love it...but still.

[Allan]

Yeah, issues like that show that Moly can be quite intelligent at times. I remrmber reading that she's officially 12, and was surprised, because she is a little immature. And when you consider how she acted in the issue where she was on her own, I just figure she plays up the little kid thing while with the others. Goes for the sympathy. It's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

As for the mutants, the US Government made the estimate of 198. It was less than two years ago our time (so slightly before Civil War). One would expect that the Government would have come knocking and wanting to put her in quarantine - the only thing I can think of is Bryan K Vaughan wanted nothing to do with the story. I'm not a huge X-Men fan, but it looks like the titles are about to start working on that angle (and House of M was crap).

[Bre]

So I bought issues #4-10 today (they didn't have #1-3 but I have the gist of the story). I bought them because I heard you two talking about Joss' writing or whatever (what issue(s) is that btw?). I figured if he was writing it, he had to like the series, thus I had to like the series. I've only had time to read 4 and I think it's a pretty interesting story ... nothing spectacular so far, but I think I'll like it.

[Allan]

Joss is currently writing Runaways, and started with #25 (so far they're being released the same day as Buffy). Glad you've enjoyed #4 so far, and the series gets really good when you get to know the characters. Be sure to let everyone know what you think when you've read a bit more.

Do you know if you got the issues from volume 1 or volume 2? I haven't read volume 1, sadly, I only discovered it with the new series. Still, it is very enjoyable.

[Bre]

That explains it! I read issue #4 and started reading #5 and was so lost. I was like "that never happened!". I must have gotten 4-10 mixed and matched then. How can you tell what volume they're from?

_{EDIT: Nevermind, I found it. I read all the ones I have and enjoyed them all. Even if it's out of order.}