Runaways Vol. 1

Runaways Vol 1 created by Brian K. Vaughan & Adrian Alphona

Runaways Vol 1 created by Brian K. Vaughan & Adrian Alphona.  Marvel Worldwide, New York City, 2006. ISBN: 978-0785113799

Summary

Every year, Alex, Karolina, Gert, Chase, Molly, and Nico are forced to hang out with each other while their parents host a charity event.  These six L.A. teens all have totally different interests: Alex likes roleplaying games, Karolina is a dedicated vegan, Chase plays lacrosse. While they’re not strangers, they’re not friends, either—mostly because they have nothing in common.

But that all changes one night when the teens decide to spy on their parents.  They’re shocked when they discover their parents are actually a group of super villains called the Pride, and not the charitable do-gooders they’ve led their children to believe. After witnessing their parents killed a young girl, the teens decide to find out what’s really going on. As they explore the hidden passageways and last wills of their homes, they discover the dark past their parents have been hiding. They also discover secrets about themselves: alien powers, pet dinosaurs, and magical spells. While the teens only have each other to rely on, they also have new powers and talents that will be needed to take down the Pride.

Critical Evaluation

The first in a series, Runaways is similar to other Marvel comics such as Teen Titans and Young Avengers.  There are several things done right with this comic: the plot twist of their parents being super villains is an interesting take on superhero lore.  The main characters themselves are unique with their new powers and abilities but they are also like normal teens, dealing with

unrequited love, driving, and not getting along with their parents.

The artwork pays homage to a traditional comic book look, but there’s also a freshness of color and light within the panels. The dialogue sounds like how real teens talk and each character also has their own way of speaking, making it easy to understand who’s talking in each scene.  The plot moves along nicely and the first volume has a satisfying ending, as well as a hint as to what’s to come for the Runaways.

With sexual situations, violence, and language, this comic series is better for older teens. Teen comic book fans looking for a series that relates to them will want to pick up Runaways.

Reader’s Annotation

When six teens find out their parents are actually super villains, they’re forced to find out the truth about their upbringing.

About the Author

“Brian K. Vaughan is an American comic writer and the creator of such acclaimed series as Runaways for Marvel, Y: The Last Man for Vertigo, and Ex Machina for Wildstorm. Brian K. Vaughan sometimes moonlights as a writer-producer on television shows like LOST and Stephen King's UNDER THE DOME. He is currently writing his interstellar creator-owned title Saga for Image Comics.”

 (Brian K. Vaughan)    Retrieved November 2^nd, 2014  from http://www.teenreads.com/authors/brian-k-vaughan)

Genres

Comic Books

Graphic Novels

Superheroes

Curriculum Ties

Art

Booktalking Ideas

1: Did you feel any sympathy for the Runaways parents? Why or why not?

2: How does being a child of a super villain change the Runaways?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Literary Awards

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (Top Ten, 2006)

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual situations

Violence

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Runaways for its fresh plot, realistic teen characters, and an overall fun read. I also included it for the comic book fans out there.