REVIEW: Runaways No.100

In childhood I was first introduced to the Runaways and their cynical humor, melodrama, and other such shenanigans in a book aimed at teenagers. As an adult, from about the second page, my facial expressions mirrored the surprise of Old Lace throughout this 100th anniversary issue.

Time traveling with horrifying flashes forward, Molly mulling over a stay at Krakoa (a familiar plot point that I recall from the Astonishing X-Men/Runaways Free Comic Book Day story when the mutants were trying to get Molly to join the team – the first time I ever heard of Molly, or The Runaways as a whole, for that matter), and a relationship between a wiccan & an extraterrestrial on the rocks; “Runaways” No. 100 is busy, erratic, and fast paced – encapsulating the teenage experience better than any other book on stands aimed at that demographic.

Despite the chaotic nature of the book no sequence is to ham-fisted. Every character has room to breathe, and as a reader it’s not hard to feel at home while reading “Runaways”. The environment is welcoming, even with so much history gone past in 100 issues, there is an encouragement to continue forward in the story, even if you are a completely new reader or have gaps in loyalty towards the title. There is a no harm no foul no policy while reading “Runaways” No.100, like a hidden level reward for getting past the bright effeminate cover of the book. “Runaways” embodies the best notions of a “safe place” sign – there is a lack of judgement and an emphasis of freedom with this book and the team in between the pages.

As for the team that created the book, Rainbow is now on my radar; but the penciller could be replaced. Just because the book is for teens, it doesn’t have to look like stereotypical fan fic. I believe this title could benefit excellently from taking notes from the current run of “New Mutants”, and stealing their artist wouldn’t hurt either! My favorite moment was seeing Nico pull out that staff … and hand it over! A welcome surprise as much as the end as old characters arise from the ashes to usher forward the flight of the next arc.

All this from a book written by a person who’s pen name is Rainbow ? Runaways No.100 left me all the way in the left field, and I don’t believe I want to leave. Maybe after the next 100 …

SCORE:

C.V.R. The Bard

Written by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Andrés Genolet, Kris Anka and Adrian Alphona