In Pride & Joy, six young friends discover their parents are all secretly super-powered villains! Finding strength in one another, the shocked teens run away from home and straight into the adventure of their lives - vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy. In Teenage Wasteland, the Runaways find a kindred spirit in a daring young stranger and welcome him into their fold. But will this dashing young man help the teenagers defeat their villainous parents... or tear them apart? Plus: who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage super-heroes? Marvel's original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger, make their first major appearance in years! In The Good Die Young, the world as we know it is about to end, and the Runaways are the only hope to prevent it! Our fledgling teenage heroes have learned how their parents' criminal organization began, and now they must decide how it should end. As the Runaways' epic battle against their evil parents reaches its shocking conclusion, the team's mole stands revealed, and blood must be shed. Which kids will still be standing when the smoke finally clears?
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More About the Author
Brian K. Vaughan is the Eisner Award-winning writer of Y: THE LAST MAN, EX MACHINA, RUNAWAYS, and PRIDE OF BAGHDAD. His newest work, with artist/co-creator Fiona Staples, is SAGA, an ongoing sci-fi/fantasy series from Image Comics that The Onion's A.V. Club called, "the emotional epic Hollywood wishes it could make." Vaughan lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a writer and producer on various film and tv projects, including three seasons on the hit series LOST.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A few months ago, I was walking around in a comic book store with a friend of mine. While I am a newbie in the world of comics, he knows his stuff, and he pointed out Runaways to me. I had never heard of it before, but he assured me that it was amazing. The premise is simple: 6 kids in Los Angeles find out that their parents are supervillains, and they run away from home and try to find ways to defeat them. I was intrigued by the idea, but I never picked it up until just now. The book was everything he said and more.
Alex Wilder, Gertrude Yorkes, Chase Stein, Karolina Dean, Nico Minoru, and Molly Hayes are six kids, ranging from 12 to about 17, living in LA. They exist within the established Marvel universe, meaning that heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine, as well as supervillains like Dr. Octopus and Dr. Doom live in their world as well. That doesn't mean that they don't also live in "our world" as well. There are many references to popular culture, which I will touch on later. Since most Marvel stories are based in New York City, the six kids have never experienced larger than life situations that super heroes find themselves in. The closest Alex ever got was when he played online games with his friends.
Every year, the six families got together so that the parents could get stuff done for the charitable organization that they work for. At least that's what they tell their children. Meanwhile, the six kids, who aren't big fans of each other, are forced to hang out together and find ways to pass the time. Gert is a cynical girl who can't stand capitalist culture (if you've ever read/seen Ghost World, she's very much like Enid) while Chase is a lacrosse player without an overabundance of brains. Nico is a goth while Molly is a young firecracker. Karolina is an outgoing daughter of two movie stars while Alex is a calm and collected, somewhat shy boy (of all the characters, Alex is most like me).
One year, the kids decide that they are fed up with waiting for their parents to finish their business, so they decide to spy on the group, only to witness their parents murder a young woman. Terrified by the act, the group decides to run away. Soon, each child learns that they have received some sort of ability or gift from their parents. Gert, whose parents are time travellers, finds a genetically modified raptor that she can telepathically communicate with, Chase steals some gadgets and weapons from his inventor parents, and Nico learns that she, along with her parents, are sorcerors. Meanwhile, Karolina and her family are aliens with powers drawn from the Earth's sun, and Molly learns that she comes from a family of mutants. While Alex doesn't have any offensive abilities, he, along with his parents, is a master strategist.
Using their newfound abilities, the Runaways vow to atone for their parents' sins and become a West Coast-based team of superheroes. Along the way, they fight their parents a few times (and barely make it out alive), encounter Marvel superteam Cloak and Dagger, and find friendship (and a few find a little romance) in each other.
Despite being about a group of teenagers (and one pre-teen), this isn't kids' stuff. It does get very dark at times, and there are a lot of adult issues in the storylines (I don't want to mention what they are, because a few of them aren't revealed until the end). Although, it's interesting how certain aspects associated with real teenagers are twisted to fit the storyline. For example, while some real-life teens cut themselves out of anger, Nico cuts herself in order to get access to her magic staff (it will make much more sense when you read the book). Also, the characters are very well developed. Karolina may seem like a perky Hollywood girl on the outside, but there is a lot more going on under the surface. Molly may be the youngest, which causes the others to attempt to shelter her, she may be the most powerful among them, and can keep up with every other runaway. Not only are the kids developed, but they act and talk like real kids would. There are tons of pop culture references in this book. The best part is that it isn't all just about current culture. The Who, The Beatles, and James Dean's Rebel Without A Cause are all worked into the story, but that doesn't mean that things like The Matrix, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Smallville (a show involving a DC Comics character, mind you) also make the book.
The artwork in this book is great. A mix of American comic book art and anime, each character has their own distinctive look to them.
Originally, the book was cancelled after these 18 issues chronicled in this amazing hard cover set. However, wild fan support, some of which even came from Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and he is also referenced to in the story) helped get the book revived, and it is currently in its second "season". Speaking of Whedon, author Brian K. Vaughn even lists Whedon as one of his heroes in the book's forward, and it is amazing to know that he is a fan of this story, especially since it is written by a fan of him.
Runaways is definitely one of the most original stories I've come across in a while. Even if you aren't a comic book fan, you should definitely check it out. There will be a few references you might not get involving characters within the Marvel universe (there were a few I didn't get due to the fact that I'm not a hard-core comic book fan), but overall, it won't hurt your understanding or enjoyment of the story.
Alex Wilder, Gertrude Yorkes, Chase Stein, Karolina Dean, Nico Minoru, and Molly Hayes are six kids, ranging from 12 to about 17, living in LA. They exist within the established Marvel universe, meaning that heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine, as well as supervillains like Dr. Octopus and Dr. Doom live in their world as well. That doesn't mean that they don't also live in "our world" as well. There are many references to popular culture, which I will touch on later. Since most Marvel stories are based in New York City, the six kids have never experienced larger than life situations that super heroes find themselves in. The closest Alex ever got was when he played online games with his friends.
Every year, the six families got together so that the parents could get stuff done for the charitable organization that they work for. At least that's what they tell their children. Meanwhile, the six kids, who aren't big fans of each other, are forced to hang out together and find ways to pass the time. Gert is a cynical girl who can't stand capitalist culture (if you've ever read/seen Ghost World, she's very much like Enid) while Chase is a lacrosse player without an overabundance of brains. Nico is a goth while Molly is a young firecracker. Karolina is an outgoing daughter of two movie stars while Alex is a calm and collected, somewhat shy boy (of all the characters, Alex is most like me).
One year, the kids decide that they are fed up with waiting for their parents to finish their business, so they decide to spy on the group, only to witness their parents murder a young woman. Terrified by the act, the group decides to run away. Soon, each child learns that they have received some sort of ability or gift from their parents. Gert, whose parents are time travellers, finds a genetically modified raptor that she can telepathically communicate with, Chase steals some gadgets and weapons from his inventor parents, and Nico learns that she, along with her parents, are sorcerors. Meanwhile, Karolina and her family are aliens with powers drawn from the Earth's sun, and Molly learns that she comes from a family of mutants. While Alex doesn't have any offensive abilities, he, along with his parents, is a master strategist.
Using their newfound abilities, the Runaways vow to atone for their parents' sins and become a West Coast-based team of superheroes. Along the way, they fight their parents a few times (and barely make it out alive), encounter Marvel superteam Cloak and Dagger, and find friendship (and a few find a little romance) in each other.
Despite being about a group of teenagers (and one pre-teen), this isn't kids' stuff. It does get very dark at times, and there are a lot of adult issues in the storylines (I don't want to mention what they are, because a few of them aren't revealed until the end). Although, it's interesting how certain aspects associated with real teenagers are twisted to fit the storyline. For example, while some real-life teens cut themselves out of anger, Nico cuts herself in order to get access to her magic staff (it will make much more sense when you read the book). Also, the characters are very well developed. Karolina may seem like a perky Hollywood girl on the outside, but there is a lot more going on under the surface. Molly may be the youngest, which causes the others to attempt to shelter her, she may be the most powerful among them, and can keep up with every other runaway. Not only are the kids developed, but they act and talk like real kids would. There are tons of pop culture references in this book. The best part is that it isn't all just about current culture. The Who, The Beatles, and James Dean's Rebel Without A Cause are all worked into the story, but that doesn't mean that things like The Matrix, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Smallville (a show involving a DC Comics character, mind you) also make the book.
The artwork in this book is great. A mix of American comic book art and anime, each character has their own distinctive look to them.
Originally, the book was cancelled after these 18 issues chronicled in this amazing hard cover set. However, wild fan support, some of which even came from Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and he is also referenced to in the story) helped get the book revived, and it is currently in its second "season". Speaking of Whedon, author Brian K. Vaughn even lists Whedon as one of his heroes in the book's forward, and it is amazing to know that he is a fan of this story, especially since it is written by a fan of him.
Runaways is definitely one of the most original stories I've come across in a while. Even if you aren't a comic book fan, you should definitely check it out. There will be a few references you might not get involving characters within the Marvel universe (there were a few I didn't get due to the fact that I'm not a hard-core comic book fan), but overall, it won't hurt your understanding or enjoyment of the story.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Runaways, Volume 1 (Hardcover) is a collection of Runaways series one issues 1-18. If your a huge fan of Runaways this is a must have. If your a fan in general you will still enjoy this edition. I got this for $21-22 including shipping and I think it was worth every penny.
Here's a break down of what's in the book:
1) Introduction - Some word from Brian K. Vaughan.
2) The comics. (Issues 1-18)
3) A fan letter by Joss Whedon that appears in issue 18 and Brian K. Vaughan's response.
4) Runaways Expanded Proposal by Brian K. Vaughan.(I think this was interesting. To see what was originally planned. It funny to see what some of the characters name were originally and how they changed. A lot of the changed were for the best I think. Read and decide for yourself.)
5) Adrian Alphona Sketchbook. (Character concept art, character sketches and reandom doodles.
6) Promotional Art by Adrian Alphona.
7) Bios of Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona, Craig Yeung, Christina Strain, Jo Chen and Takeshi Miyazawa.
Also the book it's self without the dust cover is black with Runaways written in red. Very cool looking. So go and get your own copy today and enjoy. =^__.__^=
Here's a break down of what's in the book:
1) Introduction - Some word from Brian K. Vaughan.
2) The comics. (Issues 1-18)
3) A fan letter by Joss Whedon that appears in issue 18 and Brian K. Vaughan's response.
4) Runaways Expanded Proposal by Brian K. Vaughan.(I think this was interesting. To see what was originally planned. It funny to see what some of the characters name were originally and how they changed. A lot of the changed were for the best I think. Read and decide for yourself.)
5) Adrian Alphona Sketchbook. (Character concept art, character sketches and reandom doodles.
6) Promotional Art by Adrian Alphona.
7) Bios of Brian K. Vaughan, Adrian Alphona, Craig Yeung, Christina Strain, Jo Chen and Takeshi Miyazawa.
Also the book it's self without the dust cover is black with Runaways written in red. Very cool looking. So go and get your own copy today and enjoy. =^__.__^=
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am not a serious comic fan. I own about three dozen graphic novels, which is a lot compared to the average American, but paltry compared to serious comic fans. But I can't imagine many not loving this story about six young kids who become runaways when they realize their parents are super villains. It is set very much within the Marvel comic universe. Captain America appears briefly and there is mention of the Avengers. Also, one of the six kids is a mutant of the X-Men variety. But the story is not at all dependent on any in depth knowledge of the Marvel pantheon of heroes and in fact having such knowledge won't actually add much to the enjoyment of the story.
I want especially to recommend the book to parents of children. I deeply regret that this wasn't around when my daughter was young and we were still reading books together. There are a couple of bits that might be disturbing to very small children, but I would have felt comfortable reading this with my daughter when she was 8 or 9. The book is especially good for girls, because in an unusual alignment, four of the six kids are girls and in fact both the oldest and the youngest are female. A girl of 10 would really identify with Molly aka Bruiser (though she would prefer to be called Princess Powerful), an eleven-year-old mutant with super human strength (though upon using it she always has to take a nap afterwards). But I don't want to mislead and suggest that this is mainly or even primarily for kids. This is an "all ages" book in the best possible sense. An adult of 60 could easily enjoy this as much as a child of 16.
This is certainly a nonstandard collection of heroes. I've mentioned Molly. Karolina Dean is the oldest, the child of two famous actors who in fact are aliens from another world. Karolina aka Lucy in the Sky turns out to have remarkable powers based on her ability to channel the energy in sunlight. Alex is not gifted with any powers, but is a master of strategy and tactics and a brilliant prodigy. Chase is your the dimmest bulb of the bunch, but uses his parents' fistigons, metal gloves that spew out fire. He is given the name Talkback by the others. Nico aka Sister Grimm has taken possession of her mother's Staff of One, with which she can cast any spell, but only one time. Gertrude aka Arsenic has no powers, but is the recipient of a velociraptor who is tied to her DNA and who responds to her telepathically whom she names Old Lace. (The first volume never addresses the question of precisely what Old Lace eats to stay alive.) The wonderful twist is that one of these heroes is in fact a mole and still faithful to the Pride, the super gang formed by their parents.
I can't recommend this volume strongly enough. It is a wonderfully fresh take on the idea of the superhero. Creator Brian K. Vaughan went on to write two more volumes of their adventures and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER creator Joss Whedon is now continuing it (though I feel compelled to add that as much as I love what Joss is doing with the X-Men, the Runaways, and his continuation of BUFFY in comic book form, I would really like to see him get back to TV).
I want especially to recommend the book to parents of children. I deeply regret that this wasn't around when my daughter was young and we were still reading books together. There are a couple of bits that might be disturbing to very small children, but I would have felt comfortable reading this with my daughter when she was 8 or 9. The book is especially good for girls, because in an unusual alignment, four of the six kids are girls and in fact both the oldest and the youngest are female. A girl of 10 would really identify with Molly aka Bruiser (though she would prefer to be called Princess Powerful), an eleven-year-old mutant with super human strength (though upon using it she always has to take a nap afterwards). But I don't want to mislead and suggest that this is mainly or even primarily for kids. This is an "all ages" book in the best possible sense. An adult of 60 could easily enjoy this as much as a child of 16.
This is certainly a nonstandard collection of heroes. I've mentioned Molly. Karolina Dean is the oldest, the child of two famous actors who in fact are aliens from another world. Karolina aka Lucy in the Sky turns out to have remarkable powers based on her ability to channel the energy in sunlight. Alex is not gifted with any powers, but is a master of strategy and tactics and a brilliant prodigy. Chase is your the dimmest bulb of the bunch, but uses his parents' fistigons, metal gloves that spew out fire. He is given the name Talkback by the others. Nico aka Sister Grimm has taken possession of her mother's Staff of One, with which she can cast any spell, but only one time. Gertrude aka Arsenic has no powers, but is the recipient of a velociraptor who is tied to her DNA and who responds to her telepathically whom she names Old Lace. (The first volume never addresses the question of precisely what Old Lace eats to stay alive.) The wonderful twist is that one of these heroes is in fact a mole and still faithful to the Pride, the super gang formed by their parents.
I can't recommend this volume strongly enough. It is a wonderfully fresh take on the idea of the superhero. Creator Brian K. Vaughan went on to write two more volumes of their adventures and BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER creator Joss Whedon is now continuing it (though I feel compelled to add that as much as I love what Joss is doing with the X-Men, the Runaways, and his continuation of BUFFY in comic book form, I would really like to see him get back to TV).
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Runaways Volume 2
The story itself was great, however the product was not. Every single page tore out when I was reading no matter how gentle I was. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Cassie Landry
1.0 out of 5 stars
The binding is terrible.
The story itself is 5 star awesome. It's a shame the book is put together so terribly. Seriously, the pages started falling out within 5 minutes of reading it. SO disappointing.
Published 11 days ago by Emily S.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Subject Matter: Complaint
The glue in the spine of this book is terrible. I hadn't even open the book to read it before the pages began to fall out. It's ridiculous!
Published 19 days ago by Cynthia Roth
3.0 out of 5 stars
As stated, bad binding, great book
This is a five star for story and art, but because of the bad binding I'm giving this edition 3 stars. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bill Brasky
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Series! But buyer beware!
I'd really love to give this book five stars, but I can't overlook the crappy binding. I recieved this not even an hour ago, and pages are already falling out! :(
Published 1 month ago by Cali Cimoch
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bad binding
Bought this series for my boyfriend's birthday and we are returning all books since the binding was faulty. Now in search of the larger size print of this book. Bad, bad, bad.
Published 3 months ago by Happy User
2.0 out of 5 stars
The comic is great, but the book sucks.
Let me just state now that I love this comic. If you haven’t read it you should. However, the quality of these books is horrible. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Effinger
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, Terrible Binding
5 Stars for content, but there seems to be faulty binding (as others have mentioned). I had to send back my first one because I literally opened the book and a few pages fell out. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jay Man
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good story...terrible binding
There are a lot of reviews regarding the content of this volume, so I won't really get into it. It's good, but not for everyone. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Emily D
1.0 out of 5 stars
WANT A NEW NON DEFECTIVE BOOK SENT
I bought this book for my daughter, the instant she opened the book, all the pages fell out, and now they are out of order, and with no page numbers on the pages.. Read more
Published 10 months ago by ZenRen
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