Art continues to grow on me. The Runaways are in danger of breaking up as Nico realizes her “Scatter” spell did more than send their enemies away… and they won’t stay away long.

via CBR

I’ve been a fan of the Runaways gang since I picked up the pocket digest sized trade paperbacks of the original run on the title. I enjoyed volume 2 as well though the Joss Whedon arc could have been a bit more monthly. I was a bit put off by the mangaesque elements of Humberto Ramos’ art (i have an anti-cute alarm). But I’m warming too the style with every issue.

The Runaways are more scattered than ever! Barely surviving an attack by some of the few remaining members of Karolina’s alien race, the Runaways need to pull it together to be ready for the alien warriors when they get back. But it’s looking bleak! Brought to you by comic legend Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise) and Humberto Ramos (X-MEN, SPIDER-MAN).

via CBR

The gang is back in California with a new HQ in Malibu, but will they be able to keep it from being destroyed their first day? The remains of Karolina Dean’s alien race has come to Earth to get revenge for the millions who died on their homeworld. And they’re pointing their fingers at Karolina and Xavin.

via ComicsContinuum

If you love the classic What If? title way back when, then you are in for a treat this December. We get 5 new What If stories for the holidays… “What if Iron Man, Hulk, Spider-Man and Wolverine became Fantastic Four after the originals died?” “What if Iron Man died instead of Captain America?” “What If Mary Jane Had Been Shot Instead Of Aunt May?” “What if Dr. Doom won the Secret War?” “What if Scarlet Witch had ended the HOUSE OF M by saying “NO MORE POWERS!”

There are actually SIX stories if you count each issues chapter of the 5-part back-up story… a “What if the Runaways became the Young Avengers.”

via Newsarama

Can the divided teams reunite and conquer the Skrulls? Can Hulking fulfill the prophecy and become a Skrull messiah? What will become of Xavin after the dust settles in this concluding chapter?

via CBR

Here’s hoping we get to find out more about Hulkling’s prophesied place in the Skrull religion this issue… Xavin has NOT turned on the Runaways, he realized the only way to keep them alive was to take them out, so that’s what he/she did.

via CBR

I love Joss Whedon, but this has been so long in coming that I’ve lost any real sense of anticipation. I’m sure this arc will kick ass as a trade paperback though.

Marvel Studios isn’t taking any time off to rest on their Iron laurels. In addition to their recent announcement of big screen adaptions of Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man and the Avengers, they’ve just told the Hollywood Reporter that the next Marvel property added to the production queue is Runaways (created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona). Recently promoted Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige will be reprising his role as producer.

Like Ant-Man, Runaways is only in the incubation stages with no release scheduled, but it is significant in that although critically acclaimed (winner of 2006 Harvey Award for best continuing/limited series), the Runaways are far from a tried and true Marvel legend. They are a band of ragtag superpowered teenagers who discover their parents are super villains known as “the Pride” (alien conquerers, time traveling thieves, dark mages and mad scientists etc) and then take them down. Also unusual is that none of these young heroes (or their parents) have preexisting ties to any other characters in the Marvel Universe prior to their debut in 2002 (though I’m sure some writer will retcon some history one of these days).

via The Hollywood Reporter

It’s good to know the Young Avengers will be more visible this year… Between the mini spotlighting the individual members of the team and this upcoming crossover dealing with the Skrulls on both of Marvels premiere teen teams. Coincidentally both Skrulls are involved in homosexual relationships. I do hope that neither Skrull is exposed as a duplicitous betrayer worming their way into the hearts of their intended. But if it has to be one, it better be Xavin.

ARTICLE FROM IGN

Cover to Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers #1

Cover to #2 after the jump…
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