RUNAWAYS #20 - Warning.. May Contain Spoilers

[JeffreyWKramer]

The main team fights the giant magical critter created by a magic doohickey left around by Nico's parents, while Chase pursues a pretty major agenda He goes to meet with the Gibborim to try to make a bargain to bring Gert back to life.

Darn good issue all around. Some excellent character bits. Molly kicks ass in the delightfully fun, completely cute, utterly Molly sort of way that makes her one of the my favorite characters in comics today. For the first time, I was really, truly impressed by Chase. For all the death in today's comics, Gert's death is one of the rare times characters seem changed by their grief and loss, and nobody is more changed than Chase, naturally. I hadn't anticipated where it's leading him, though... which itself is nice. Predictable comics suck.

Gotta ask... does anyone else find Xavin entirely annoying, like on a level usually reserved for Moondragon? If you share that feeling, you'll get a bit of a treat this issue, too.

[Armless Penguin]

Chase has always had a sort of dark side though. Can't forget the time he "confessed" to beating a carjacker to death, and that Gert was the only thing that kept him good. Forshadowing, anyone?

[Michael P]

And remember, his superpower is a poor upbringing.

[Young Avenger]

I feel bad for poor Lotus. Chase is going to sacrifice her to bring back Gert.

[Michael P]

I feel bad for poor Lotus. Chase is going to sacrifice her to bring back Gert.
That's his plan, but I'm betting the Gibborim won't want her.

[ultramandingo]

i wanna see the tiny mole man !!!!!

[Chachi]

I wonder who will be brought back to life instead of gert?

[Stagier]

xavin truly sucks.

[Stagier]

this is weird....

[Stagier]

sorry folks....

[filthysize]

"I liked you better when you were telling me to go slow."

:D

Victor, you filthy robot you.

[Majinlex]

Love, love, love Molly :D
"Oh noes, Dogzilla is following us"

I'd like to see more of Karolina though. Everytime she's shown she gets pushed back because Xavin is saying something obnoxious (by our standards. Not a Xavin-hater)

[Sandoz]

Meh, I thought this issue was pretty lackluster. There were a few good lines ("Oh noes!") and bits of good character interaction, but there was nothing really spectacular. Even the "revelation" that Chase wanted the Gibborim to raise Gert from the dead wasn't really surprising because most people called it last issue.

Speaking of Chase, I hope next issue does more than reduce everything back to the status quo. YA/Runaways occurs after this story arc, so we know that Chase and Old Lace rejoin the team and there's no sign of a living Gert.I really, really like the progression of Dark Chase's character, so I hope that there's more to his proposed "bargain" than meets the eye; something that will carry on for more than a story arc.

"I liked you better when you were telling me to go slow." Zing, Victor. Zing. If we needed any more evidence that they really did sleep together, that was it.

Oh, and I love Xavin. All of the Runaways have acted like selfish, arrogant brats in the past--it's part of being a teenager. So even if Xavin needs a good slap right now she's not the only one.

[chickrockguitar]

"I liked you better when you were telling me to go slow." I too loved that line! I was like, "What?! BKV, no way!" Haha. I was one of the few that had hoped Vic and Nico slept together in the last issue. BKV neither confirmed or denied it, and now, if that's not conformation, what is?!

Go Vic and Nico!

Also, Molly! I love Molly, because she's... Molly!

And Yes, Xavin sucks.

[Brady]

Wih Chase turning 18 and losing Gert, I have a feeling he's going to become a villain.

[Michael P]

On my second read-through, I noticed Old Lace scarfing donuts out of the dumpster.

Yay, continuity!

[Joe Rice]

Out of Randy's Donuts . . .the best donuts I've ever had.

[Elegance Liberty]

I too loved that line! I was like, "What?! BKV, no way!" Haha. I was one of the few that had hoped Vic and Nico slept together in the last issue. BKV neither confirmed or denied it, and now, if that's not conformation, what is?!

Go Vic and Nico!

Also, Molly! I love Molly, because she's... Molly!

And Yes, Xavin sucks.


.... Do you ever get tired of bashing Xavin? I mean, honestly. (Yes, I recognize you from the_hotel group on LJ)

I mean, I don't like certain characters and all (ask anyone at the 'Annihilation' board and they'll tell you I don't like a certain red-hatted girl), but dang, I don't put 'em down every time I have the opportunity to.

[InigoMontoya]

"I liked you better when you were telling me to go slow."


I sitting hear wondering why everyone seems to like that line I didn;t think it was that good. Its only just worked it out :o

This book is far to subtle for me.

Edit: I almost forgot, I hate Xavin too... though he does make the book far more interesting.

[redlantern2051]

I personally don't like Xavin much-he doesn't seem a "good fit" with the team, to me. Not the best issue, but not bad.

[chickrockguitar]

.... Do you ever get tired of bashing Xavin? I mean, honestly. (Yes, I recognize you from the_hotel group on LJ)

I mean, I don't like certain characters and all (ask anyone at the 'Annihilation' board and they'll tell you I don't like a certain red-hatted girl), but dang, I don't put 'em down every time I have the opportunity to.I'm not sure why you chose this particular time to point out my dislike for Xavin. I may not be a fan of him/her and there are certain posts that I mention this, but I do not mention it at "every opportunity".

And I think you'll find there are other posters both on here, and on the LJ Community, who feel the same way as me. Take a look at the replies to your recent LJ thread about him/her.

Thank You.

[Stagier]

i think i would have less of a problem wiht xavin if he/she would pick a gender, or someone would bring up the fact that it's in constant flux. everyone just seems to be like, oh well, you know them skrulls. boy girl whatver!

[redlantern2051]

i think i would have less of a problem wiht xavin if he/she would pick a gender, or someone would bring up the fact that it's in constant flux. everyone just seems to be like, oh well, you know them skrulls. boy girl whatver!

I agree with the previous caller! :-) Yeh, I don't know what to think-it seems like Xavins "default" setting in a crisis is *male*-then its suddenly female when in a more intimate moment with Karolina-its quite strange. I'm enjoying the subplot without really enjoying the character. I hope he/she isn't a permanent member when Whedon takes over...

[K'Nort]

I have never liked Xavin, but he definitely has his champions. For some reason. Even stranger, it's mostly girls. I get the feeling the reason could tie into the ever-popular "why do girls only date jerks instead of nice guys?" question.

I was at a conference this week and one of the presenters looked just like Lotus. She was talking about comics, too, so I was tempted to ask if she read Runaways but it's not like it was the most flattering comparison so I didn't.

[milly3cat]

I thought victor would be good in bed, as a robot he can control his body right.

As a guy, I do sympthise though.

[sephirothskiller]

Pretty good issue all around. BKV always does everything for a reason, and so there's clearly alot of stuff which will come out of this.

[Faded]

Okay this issue just rocked.

I am actually liking Victor! I really like this cast, despite its severe lack of Gertrude Yorkes. :(

I like where Chase is headed--its really really really interesting. I can't wait to see how this all ends up.

Darn you BKV and your whole leaving thing :mad:

[Violently Apathetic]

I like Xavin, s/he's certainly rocketed past Nico (team bike and irrational bitchy type, I mean why on Earth is she the leader when she can't keep her own emotions in check? If she's the best person for the job on the team I worry about the state of the others) and possibly Molly too in my affections. All rough around the edges and curt, s/he's as bratty as the rest of the Runaways but with more of a reason to be.

I'm hoping Chase ends up bringing back another departed Runaway by mistake...

[Arilou]

I agree with the previous caller! :-) Yeh, I don't know what to think-it seems like Xavins "default" setting in a crisis is *male*-then its suddenly female when in a more intimate moment with Karolina-its quite strange. I'm enjoying the subplot without really enjoying the character. I hope he/she isn't a permanent member when Whedon takes over...

I really like Xavin.... And I think his default is not as much "male" in a crisis as it is *Skrull*. When in combat he reverts to his natural form unless there is a reason not to. (I'm not certain, but it looks to me like he goes male skrull-male human-female human when he transforms, and not usually straight from skrull to human female, or at least prefers to do it that way). I love Xavin because he, in many ways, is just a jerk, part of which is his personality, and part of which is his upbringing, but he's sort-of, trying *not* to be.

[Stagier]

maybe it would make more sense if Xavin came out and said he felt like a transsexual. female trapped in a default male body.
i don't know something...

[Sandoz]

For those who want Xavin to "pick a sex", here's (http://www.bkv.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=137144#137144) an insight into BKV's thoughts on the matter.

[Arilou]

maybe it would make more sense if Xavin came out and said he felt like a transsexual. female trapped in a default male body.
i don't know something...

But he doesen't, I think. He's not "trapped" because he can switch any way he wants to.

He's an *alien* from a planet where gender is optional. Makes sense that he'd have a slightly different perspective (I think fom his POV Karolina's attraction to women is a quirk, like wanting your beloved to dress all in pink or something.... He might do it to please his beloved, but he wouldn't do it on his own) I loved his reaction in the beginning which was like "You prefer women? Okay. I can do that."

[filthysize]

I think I started to really like Xavin when Karolina said "In earth, we have a saying. A single death is a tragedy. A million is just a statistic." and he
responded with a "That's idiotic!"

He's cool.

[garin]

I like that Nico blew her shrinking spell on the Mole Man as a joke.

[Teitr Styrr]

Lotus really reminds me of Gert physically. I wonder if there is something to that.

I liked the issue. Runaways always seems to bring good fun to the table.

[Stagier]

But he doesen't, I think. He's not "trapped" because he can switch any way he wants to.

He's an *alien* from a planet where gender is optional. Makes sense that he'd have a slightly different perspective (I think fom his POV Karolina's attraction to women is a quirk, like wanting your beloved to dress all in pink or something.... He might do it to please his beloved, but he wouldn't do it on his own) I loved his reaction in the beginning which was like "You prefer women? Okay. I can do that."

Ok i don't really know too much about skrulls. i always thought there was a default gender. male and female. Since we have seen Lyja, and there was Teddy's mom. A skrull princess.

does this mean all skrulls can lay eggs? and can one skrull inseminate itself?

[JeffreyWKramer]

I was one of the few that had hoped Vic and Nico slept together in the last issue.

I thought that was pretty obvious, really. This issue's line only clinched it.

[JeffreyWKramer]

I have never liked Xavin, but he definitely has his champions. For some reason. Even stranger, it's mostly girls. I get the feeling the reason could tie into the ever-popular "why do girls only date jerks instead of nice guys?" question.

Oooh, that makes sense.

I was thinking it was more the gender ambiguity thing, same thing as a lot of the male manga characters popular with girls. But the "jerk" thing... or maybe both..

[filthysize]

Uh, as far as I know, Skrulls do have default genders. I never heard of it being optional before.

I always considered Xavin a male. He just takes the form of women because, well, Karolina likes women, that's all. If Karolina had a gerbil fetish I'm sure he'd oblige too.

[Jack]

Skrulls do have natural genders. But they are still shapeshifters. I'd say gender is a rather small barrier to overcome when you consider that Karolina is an entirely different species.

[Arilou]

Uh, as far as I know, Skrulls do have default genders. I never heard of it being optional before.

I always considered Xavin a male. He just takes the form of women because, well, Karolina likes women, that's all. If Karolina had a gerbil fetish I'm sure he'd oblige too.

Yes, they have default gender, but they can switch at will. (considering that shapeshifted skrull-cows produce milk I'd assume they'd be fully function if they switched gender....)

It'd be no different than say.... Dying your hair Or getting your toenails cut.

does this mean all skrulls can lay eggs? and can one skrull inseminate itself?

I'd suspect the latter wouldn't work for genetic reasons, but the former? Maybe.

[Violently Apathetic]

Oooh, that makes sense.

I was thinking it was more the gender ambiguity thing, same thing as a lot of the male manga characters popular with girls. But the "jerk" thing... or maybe both..

Or maybe some of us just like characters who make us laugh, albeit unintentionally. I'm not willing to blacklist a character as a 'jerk' when s/he has had so little time to do anything, especially when one remembers most of the Pride kids, with the exception of Molly and Karolina, were and are snide little jerks. I thought being a bit of a jerk was a prerequisite for being a Runaway.