RUNAWAYS

By: KURT AMACKER
Review Date: Friday, August 18, 2006

With this nineteenth issue of his all-ages RUNAWAYS, Brian K. Vaughan proves that he convincingly writes young adults better than almost anyone in the business. RUNAWAYS couldn't stand farther from POWER PACK or any of the Marvel Age material for its realistic depiction of children thrust into adult situations and, ultimately, forced to raise themselves.

Whereas Vaughan could've stuck to grown-up-bashing and showing the kids fight crime in the Leapfrog, in the last arc he forced the kids to confront a rival team of junior criminals, convinced of their pure intentions. By the end of the arc, Gert died and now the team finds itself in disarray. Not only has Vaughan forced them to confront death, but he unabashedly allows defining character flaws to emerge. Nico uses sex to avoid her problems. Victor the cybernetic offspring of Ultron realizes the team still fears him for his inhumanity and the catastrophe he may one day instigate. With Gert dead, Chase may have fallen off the deep end. Vaughan leaves that one open for next month. Besides all of these enriching character moments, an antiques dealer has found an artifact from the Pride's lair. Giant monster ensues.

I still can't believe Vaughan has brought me to recommend an all-ages, kid-friendly affair like RUNAWAYS. But, a year-and-a-half after this second series launched, I still want more after every issue. Sometimes his writing feels a little too knowingly hip for its own good, but it rarely affects the story beyond the occasionally-excessive pop culture references. And, these also have to be the least profane teenagers I've ever seen. But, no matter -- RUNAWAYS belongs on your pull list. This is a great month to start reading.



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