Comic book reviews for Runaways #10, Runaways #11, and Runaways #12 by Rainbow Rowell, Kris Anka, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Joe Caramagna
Average rating: 4.6/5 stars
Runaways #10 by Rainbow Rowell (writer)
Art: Kris Anka (artist), Matthew Wilson (color artist), and VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer)
I really loved Anka’s changing in styling and Wilson’s change in coloring to signify the past to show Abigail and how she meets Enchantress. It was the perfect chance meeting between two characters who usually wouldn’t cross paths.
I also loved how Rowell and Anka showed Abigail’s progression through the years and how she adjusted to being 13 forever. Yes, she doesn’t grow in the traditional sense, but she certain achieves and loves being 13. So much so that we find out she’s had the cure all along.
Rowell’s Runaways are messy. This is undoubtedly a choice that shows how young they are. They make slightly bad decisions. Or they just don’t always have easy and precise answers. It wasn’t right to let Julie drink the cure to age her, but also Abigail had it for years and never intended to use it. She was so set on being 13 that she even wanted to bring someone else into being 13-years-old forever.
One the other hand, Molly goes through the experience many of us do where we lose childhood best friends. We go from one day, being the closest ever to the next never talking again. At school, it will be just like Abigail and Molly had a bad friendship breakup.
Good on Julie for leaving Karolina. I also find it refreshing and honest to show two characters, who do love each other, but they realize that it just isn’t going to work. That’s something that happens in real life all the time, but I feel never is really shown in our media. Which is a shame, since it takes courage to break your own heart, even if the person you’re breaking up with a) you still love and b) they aren’t the worst person in the entire world, just someone it’s not working out with and not healthy for you or them.
Runaways #11 by Rainbow Rowell (writer)
Art: Kris Anka (artist), Matthew Wilson (color artist), and VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer)
I agree with Gert, and I also do not know how I feel about Chase having a heart tattoo with Gert’s name on it. Or him not thinking about it in his crop top, because either way, that’s a short shirt.
Gert’s makeover is adorable. I’m excited about her updated look, especially as she rediscovers who she is among her changed and older friends. Though her outfit seems a bit older than 16.
The story did feel a little on-the-nose again in discussions about age. While last couple issues, we had the ‘sucks to be an adult’ theme, this time we have the ‘who wants all those wacky teenage hormones’ theme, and it’s a little much.
I’m glad that at least Doombot finally listened to Victor and what he wanted for himself. He didn’t want one of those tricked out robot bodies. It was interesting to hear both Doombot and Chase say that they cannot make a body like Victor’s old one.
Karolina and Nico have something going on more than friendship. Mixed on how I feel about Gert pointing out that those two are the last ones she wants to go shopping with due to how skinny they are. It’s not like either of them are going to shame Gert for her body type.
I’m glad Rufus is still around. I do question how Molly has such a nice room in their mansion.
I too had totally forgotten about Klara until this short in the back. Klara seemed like she was in the right place and with a good family. The Runaways really gotta stop saying that all adults are bad given that most of the team are now young adults. Klara’s dress sensibilities fit her perfectly, and I loved her calling them out for all the reasons she wasn’t interested in rejoining their family.
Runaways #12 by Rainbow Rowell (writer)
Art: Kris Anka (artist), Matthew Wilson (color artist), and VC’s Joe Caramagna (letterer)
Now, this is the beautiful dress fest and smoochy queer lady times that I’ve been paying my sweet money for in this comic book. A thing I’m highly invested in Nico and Karolina living that gay girl dream.
Those dresses were utterly gorgeous. Nico’s was Morticia and Catwoman goth, in all the very best ways, and Karolina’s was super cute. I’m glad that Anka figured this style moment for Karolina out. I’m kind of tired of her looking like Calfornia suburban mom, whose dad’s wife #2 and used to be the nanny.
How kindhearted of Chase to put in a skylight for Karolina. Even if she’s not sure about moving into their house, it was a grand gesture. Not that he’s trying to distract himself from Gert weirdness and Victor not wanting his help with a new body.
So Victor doesn’t want a new body because he accidentally killed the Vision’s son, and he’s worried he will become evil, so he’s trying to stop it.
I don’t know how I feel about Victor and Gert kissing. I’m not a big Chase and Gert shipper, and it feels inappropriate now due to their age difference, especially since Chase has taken up the dad mantle. But I’m not sure how old Victor is supposed to be.
Also, if Victor is that young, why didn’t any of the adult Avengers take him aside and talk to him about how it wasn’t his fault.
I loved Gert and Victor trip back in time mainly to see the extinct California blue butterflies and not do anything else. It was so innocent. I want more of this in all my time-travel books. Also, this seems like some trip I’d make too.
Alex was never my favorite character. While I’m interested to see what Rowell does with him, Nico has long since moved on, so I’m hoping that’s not the direction they are moving with this. I suppose Alex’s character is probably more popular than ever thanks to the TV show, where he’s not secretly working for their parents.