Broken Frontier

When Brian K. Vaughan announced on his online forum in September of 2006 that he was leaving Runaways, to say that it was a cause for concern would be an understatement. After all, he was the one who created the cult favorite team and was the title’s exclusive writer for all of its four years, two volumes and 42 issues total.

But Vaughan decided to leave the series on a high note, not wanting to overstay his welcome. He also wished that the brand new heroes he created for the Marvel Universe would stick around after its creator left the series. Runaways would be Vaughan’s legacy with the House of Ideas.

The series was a cult book with a loyal and dedicated following. Critically acclaimed, the book wasn’t a best seller by any means. The first volume sold only in the neighborhood of 18,000-19,000 copies when it was cancelled and restarted with a new number one.  That almost doubled sales, but they eventually dropped to the 25,000-26,000 range. It was much better than volume one, but still put the book at the bottom of the Diamond 100.

So Vaughan’s announcement provided Marvel with a unique challenge. They had to find a writer who would not alienate the loyal core following of the book while possibly bringing even more readers on at the same time, all the while keeping up the high critical standards.

The company answered that challenge with the help of one of its biggest stars: Joss Whedon.

Whedon came to comics from the land of TV and Movies. His mind spawned cult classic TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly. His foray into comics, the Astonishing X-Men series, regularly sells almost 5 times as many copies as Runaways. And the book is almost as popular with the critics as it is with the public. 

So what could have been a disaster has been a blessing in disguise. The man who created the Runaways and invested them with heart and soul is replaced by another writer who excels at the craft and, if he only brings half of his audience over, could possibly shoot the comic to the top of the charts. 

But what drew Whedon to the book? His love of what Vaughan had done with it. He said as much in an interview with Newsarama:

“I just love the book. I couldn't help myself. I seldom make intelligent choices and when I do they usually turn out to be really stupid decisions. So I'm going with love. Following Brian on any book is idiotic, but playing with these kids makes it worth the hilarious drop in quality we're all gonna enjoy.”

Whedon might have been a tad self-depreciating in that quote, but I can’t readily think of an author better suited to replace Vaughan. Joss is skilled at writing young people, especially those with different backgrounds and personalities working together. Both are the character types that make up the Runaways. His style of writing is, naturally, different than Vaughan’s, but it is close enough to ensure a seamless transition.

Whedon coming on as writer isn’t the only change on the title. He is joined on art by rising star Michael Ryan. Taking over for co-creator Adrian Alphona, his style is similar enough so the change isn’t jarring, but different enough to bring something new to the table.

The team is also changing locals, from Los Angeles to New York City. Marvel’s New York City is where a majority of their characters hang out, so the new setting opens the title up for a wide array of stories and potential guest stars.

Tomorrow’s issue marks a new era for Runaways. Creator changes are always fraught with possibility of failure, but for this particular title, it may very well mean it will be rocketed onward and upward.

       

   

Also out this week:

• Fallen Son: Death of Captain America Wolverine

The debacle that is the “Death of Captain America” event continues in this issue. This is the first of five one-shots detailing the Marvel Universe’s reaction to the death of Steve Rogers, each one tied in to the five stages of grief. In this issue, Wolverine tackles “Denial”.

Deaths of major characters has become such a cheap and tawdry gimmick in comics today. Seriously, is there anybody out there who doesn’t believe there will be a Captain America when this is all over? But killing off characters sells comics and gets media attention (and, in this case, a slow news day will get you national coverage). And until the world starts wising up and not buying these phony events, they will continue to keep happening.

Marvel should focus more on writing solid, entertaining stories featuring these characters to bring in readers instead of trying to think up the next big stunt. That would show the fans more respect and lead to longer-lasting growth. 

Jeph Loeb (W), Leinil Yu (A), Marvel Comics, $2.99. One-Shot.

• Justice League of America #7

The six issues prior to this were just prologue. It’s in this issue where we first meet the new Justice League of America. Who will stay? Who will leave? And will any other hero we haven’t seen so far join? And where will they live? All these questions will be answered in this issue, which will feature a special fold-out introducing the new team headquarters (much like Jim Lee’s 6-page fold-out of the Batcave in All Star Batman & Robin #4).

As a fan of team books, these kinds of issues are always my favorite. I always liked when “The Old Order Changeth” and have a soft spot for drawings of the team’s clubhouse. I’m sure this issue will appeal to the kid in me who used to look at the diagrams of the Avengers Mansion and wonder where Hawkeye would spend his down time.  

Brad Meltzer (W), Ed Benes (A), DC Comics, $3.50. Ongoing Series.

• Savage Tales #1

At one time, anthology comics ruled. A majority of the longest running comic book characters first appeared in an anthology—Superman in Action Comics, Batman in Detective Comics, Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy and many more. But these types of books have fallen out of favor and have almost become extinct.

This series is an attempt to stave off that extinction. Headlined by the popular Red Sonja character and taking its name from the Marvel magazine of the early 1970s, the bimonthly book will give readers a rotating cast of characters and creators with stories that should appeal to every comic reader. 

I have always been a fan of the anthology. I felt it always gave you more bang for your buck and broadened your horizons to new and different things. Let’s hope Savage Tales reignites the popularity of the format.  

Various (W), Various (A), Dynamite Entertainment, $4.99. Ongoing Series.

• Detective Comics #831

When Harley Quinn first appeared in the twenty-second episode of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, I doubt even creator Paul Dini realized how popular his creation would eventually become. So popular that the paramour of the Joker eventually found her way into Batman’s comic book continuity in 1999, for a limited time had her own series and inspired movie director Kevin Smith to name his daughter after her.

So when Paul Dini became the writer of Detective Comics, it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before his prized creation would make an appearance in the book. That time comes tomorrow, as Harley teams up with a reluctant Dark Knight. This issue is set to reveal more background information about the character, so fans should be sure to pick this issue up.

Paul Dini (W), Don Kramer & Wayne Faucher (A), DC Comics, $2.99. Ongoing Series.

• Avengers: Initiative #1

The war is over, but its aftereffects still remain. In the new Marvel Universe, if you want to use your powers, you are going to have to register with the government. And if you register with the government, you will have to work for the government. Every state is going to have its own superhuman team. What would you rather do? Protect your friends and family? Or live your life as a fugitive?

The concept has been laughed at (heard any “Rhode Island Avengers” jokes lately?) but it has been generating a fair amount of buzz. So much so, that what was originally intended to be a miniseries has been greenlit as an ongoing.

This is where the repercussions of the Civil War series will be played out.

Dan Slott (W), Stefano Caselli (A), Marvel Comics, $2.99. Ongoing Series.  

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William Gatevackes is a professional writer living in Mamaroneck, NY with his wife Jennifer. He also writes periodic comic reviews for PopMatters and writes title descriptions for Human Computing’s Comicbase collection management software.