Runaways [2008] Volume 9: Dead Wrong

Summary: An alien force comes to earth, demanding that Karolina return with them to atone for the sins of her parents - namely, the destruction of their homeworld. If they want to keep their group intact, the Runaways are going to have to stand together, but instead they all seem to be falling apart.

Review: I actually enjoyed this one quite a bit. I like Runaways volumes more when the focus is on the kids and their team dynamics, rather than on the external villain or whatever Marvel characters can be tied into the storyline. Luckily, one of the points of this installment was the team dynamics, so I was golden. I liked the addition of Klara to the team, I loved the artwork, I thought the mixture of action to dialogue was well-balanced, show more and I definitely laughed out loud more than once. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Just when I'm thinking of letting it go, this series manages to pull me back in. show less

Ahhh, yes. The oft discussed Moore/Ramos arc of the series. For me, the writing itself wasn't bad (not like BKV though), but my main issue was the art. I do. not. like the art. Ramos' style maybe suited well for other titles perhaps, but I felt it was wrong for this one. I felt he made the characters look too much like caricatures. But then I guess I was spoiled by Alphona's wonderful art from when the series was in it's prime. For me, a good story or series can be utterly ruined by poor art, no matter how good the writing itself is. I guess I'm kinda snobbish that way...

Ahhh, yes. The oft discussed Moore/Ramos arc of the series. For me, the writing itself wasn't bad (not like BKV though), but my main issue was the art. I do. not. like the art. Ramos' style maybe suited well for other titles perhaps, but I felt it was wrong for this one. I felt he made the characters look too much like caricatures. But then I guess I was spoiled by Alphona's wonderful art from when the series was in it's prime. For me, a good story or series can be utterly ruined by poor art, no matter how good the writing itself is. I guess I'm kinda snobbish that way...

Ahhh, yes. The oft discussed Moore/Ramos arc of the series. For me, the writing itself wasn't bad (not like BKV though), but my main issue was the art. I do. not. like the art. Ramos' style maybe suited well for other titles perhaps, but I felt it was wrong for this one. I felt he made the characters look too much like caricatures. But then I guess I was spoiled by Alphona's wonderful art from when the series was in it's prime. For me, a good story or series can be utterly ruined by poor art, no matter how good the writing itself is. I guess I'm kinda snobbish that way...

It’s been a while since I spent some time with the Runaways, so I felt a little lost at first. Once I got a ways in, I could follow OK, but I’m still going to have to go look up why a few characters are missing in this volume. And I could swear Chase already worked for that horrible radio guy in a different arc.
That aside, it was a fun to be back with the gang. I especially loved Molly and Clara’s scenes together and Clara’s rejection of “Tower of Flower” as her superhero name.
I wasn’t too thrilled with the artwork in the action scenes. It was really hard to sort out what was happening. The characters looked OK to me, I guess, but the boys’ pants looked really huge, like bizarrely huge. I don’t know what was up with show more that, but I’m old, so maybe it is not for me to know.
I’m looking forward to checking out the Rainbow Rowell books in the series.

UPDATE: I think I solved the mystery of my confusion about Chase—I’ve read this before, and probably vols. 10 and 11 too, and just never logged them them on Goodreads.
Never mind, world. show less

New series, new writer, new artist, same Runaways.

Well, that's not exactly true. After the events of the last collection, the group has a new member from the year 1907. And with Terry Moore at the helm, the dialogue seems to shift slightly. Nico, for example, seems to be more likely to invoke some old-school Japanese English translated insults towards Chase. That's something new. It could be part of her ancestor's "education" in 1907, but it is left completely unexplained. Also, after the Tar Pits secret base was breached, the crew needs a new place to stay. Finding yet another former Pride hideout, our kids make themselves at home, and are immediately attacked by a group of Majesdanians seeking vengeance against Karolina. But what did show more she do?

We are also introduced to a new character, morning radio DJ Val Rhymin', who seems to have a power he may or may not be aware of. And one of the Runaways just became his new assistant!

Another collection, another sad goodbye. But this one falls more into the bittersweet category. show less

The saddest volume of Runaways. Why did Xavin have to do that? It's been years since I first read this and I still cry like a baby over Xavin's sacrifice. If I could have one consolidation from the new run of comics for Runaways it would be that Xavin somehow comes back to right wrongs and fix her marriage to Karolina.