Comic Info
Comic Name: Runaways (Volume 2)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Adrian Alphona/Takeshi Miyazawa
# of Issues: 6
Release Date: 2006
Runaways (2) #8
Reprints Runaways (2) #7-12 (October 2005-March 2006). The Runaways learn that they may be losing another member when a Skrull named Xavin arrives with shocking news about why he has come to Earth. The Runaways find themselves on a cross-coast adventure when former ally Cloak comes to the Runaways for help in clearing his name in the beating of Dagger…which leads the Runaways into a head-to-head confrontation with the Avengers.
Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Adrian Alphona and Takeshi Miyazawa, Runaways 5: Escape to New York is the second collection of the Runaways second volume. Following Runaways 4: True Believers, this volume of Runaways collects the two issue story “Star-Crossed” from Runaways (2) #7-8 and “East Coast/West Coast” from Runaways (2) #9-12.
I have enjoyed Vaughan’s run on Runaways. The story features some fun dialogue, plot twists, and characters and this volume continues that tradition…plus it brings in some of my favorite characters for the second half of the volume.
The first couple issues of the story features the Runaways battling Swarm and the loss of Karolina. The alien Karolina finds she’s been betrothed to a Skrull named Xavin and that provides some interesting gender stuff since Karolina’s character was revealed to be gay. It is a bit of a strange issue presented in the comic which has Karolina agreeing to go with a stranger who can switch sexes due to its powers (but then it could also get into the whole gender thing).
Runaways (2) #9
The second half of the story has a much needed superhero crossover. I liked the appearance of Excelsior in the last volume which had fun characters, and Cloak and Dagger were the original “Runaways” so it is good to have them back. I always find it fun when kid groups interact with adult superheroes (I still love the X-Men/Power Pack interactions) so I liked the kids facing off against the Avengers. It would have been interesting to have Dagger and Cloak stay on as “mentor” characters or something.
Runaways also has strong art. Issues #7-8 are illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa and #9-12 are illustrated by Adrian Alphona. Miyazawa’s illustrations takes more of a manga look to the characters while Alphona takes a more realistic look…both work but I think I prefer the more real style because it makes it feel less like a “pop” book. It is not the best art you will see, but it is solid.
Runaways 5: Escape to New York continues to help Runaways be a fun title. The series keeps changing and evolving and it keeps readers coming back. Runaways 5: Escape to New York is followed by Runaways 6: Parental Guidance.
