Sorry if I'm preaching to the converted but if you are not already reading Runaways, then shame on you! Its always the first comic I read from the pile when it comes out as I know it will be awesome!
This is a series that literally has everything - Romance, Drama, action, the son of Ultron, 12 year old mutants that kick Wolverines arse, intergalactic shapeshifting gay/straight arranged marriages, feisty asian goth witch team leaders, time travel, evil parents, evil time travelling parents, a group of internet geeks that try to become 'crime fighters' (sound familiar?). It even has main characters dying that actually means something to the story and that hits with real emotion, a rare occassion in comics!
The latest book contains the best artwork yet by series co-creator Adrian Alphonsa, who I predict to be a big name in the next few years, and is written as ever by probably the best writer in comics at the mo, Brian K Vaughan. (Speaking of which check out Pride of Baghdad by him too ...and don't say anything about the Lion King! It's tipped to be the 'Watchmen' of the 00's in terms of mainstream acclaim and exposure )
Anyway back to Runaways... All the books are printed in the Marvel digest format (big pocket size) so you get 6 issues for about a fiver, and Joss Whedon is taking over writing chores after the next story arc, so its bound to become a much bigger seller, due to his buffy/firefly/x-men fanbase. Just make sure you can say "I was reading it before it was big!" haha! : )
PS. its also much better than the runaways/young avengers Civil War series, which seems to be a bit of a weak link in the mostly top notch Civil War stuff. So don't be put off, its a Civil War free zone!
PPS What other smaller books are people reading and enjoying that we may all be over looking? Should I be reading Nightwing or Firestorm perhaps?!
any one who hasnt read the marvel digest of spider-man/human torch: i'm with stupid. i strongly recomend that you purchace a copy and do so. written by dan slott with art by ty templeton it back tracks on the history of spider-man and the human torch in a rather amusing fasion which any fans of slott will no doubt have become accustomed to. its a great little mini series that you need to know nothing about to read and enjoy and even features a clever little photo page of all the times the parker and storm,grimm and richard familys have had there little get togethers
Absolutely on Runaways, it's a fantastic series that is by far and away one of the best comics to come out each month. Vaughan creates such rich characters that it's just so hard not to like them.
Although, I am enjoying the Civil War: Runaways/Young Avengers. Granted it's not as good as either the Young Avengers or Runaways ongoing titles, it's still a fairly light but enjoyable read.
Spider-man/Human Torch is a light hearted look at one of comics long lasting friendships. In the last few years there have been some horrendous Spidey titles, but I'm With Stupid is a strong and enjoyable tale from one of comics rising stars. Get him on a Spidey ongoing I say.
I was listening to a podcast the other day with the guy who letters for Runaways, and he was telling people to pick it up now. He prediced once Whedon gets on board it will be a top ten book, and move from its current sales figures to one that tops 70K copies at least, if not more. However he urged people to get it now, as it's a good read now, today. I read the first 4 mini digests things and thought it was pretty cool. Very different and kind of edge of Marvel Universe, which I like and haven't seen since Alias really, sort of in the Marvel Universe, but not constantly as they pursue their own stories. Of course that's changed a bit because of Civil War....
omg iv just finished reading the first volume (shame on me) and i practically fell in love with it. its a shame im so far behind can you still get copies of all the other volumes i mean i have volume 1 in like a running graphic is tht available for all volumes?
There are six Runaways books available at the moment, which brings you almost up to date with the comic series. OK have always got them all in stock...
ta ok i think i might have to purchase them cause the first volume was just awesome. and i hate to run for myself but does lucy in the sky have the hots for sister grimm?
i know whedon is gonna be a big draw for many, but Vaughan should be too, he has celeb status amongst us comic fans and is responsible for some of the best books being published currently. even alan moore likes Ex Machina. and he doesnt like anything mainstream (except hellboy)
