Everything about Runaways has been an exception to a rule. I mean, who would've thought that a book about kids (who we'd never seen before) would become Marvel's best book? No one. Who would've thought that Alphona would become the artist he did after reading the first issue? No one. Who thought this book would survive cancellation like it did? No one. Who would've thought Whedon and Ryan could've ****ed it all up like they did? No one. Who would've thought Marvel would've taken the mess Runaways has become and made it worse by including Ramos? No one.
There won't ever be a book like Runaways. I still think the closest thing Marvel's got to it (besides Loners) is The Order, though.
I know the Whedon/Ryan run of RUNAWAYS hasn't been up to par with BKV's (but really, what could be), but I don't hate it as much as some. It is better (re: faster) paced than AXM, has a better story (time travel for Runaways fits better than, sigh, yet ANOTHER X-Men vs. Warlike Aliens schtick for AXM), and actually comes out more often, even though we've gotten about 3 issues in 5 months (had the book run on time, October would have been the 6th and last issue of the run, I believe). Still, it is not the same; Molly has seemingly become more annoying, and Whedon botches Chase from where BKV left him, which is a noted flaw as Chase is my favorite member of the team.
However, to say that the book didn't dip in quality would be a lie, and the inability to ship more than two issues without delay for a 6 issue run is disgusting, to say the least. And I have little hope for Moore & Ramos.
It used to be my #1 Marvel book. Now...it's merely nice when it comes out, and my expectations are lower. If I had to pick a favorite Marvel book now, it'd probably come down to a 4-way draw between IMMORTAL IRON FIST, AVENGERS: INITIATIVE, THE LONERS (a mini with 2 issues left, one coming next week) and NEW WARRIORS.
If THE ORDER can fill that void, that'd be great. Fraction definately has a lot of room to play with and it has great art.
It's definitely the safest of all Marvel's newer titles. It won't be going anywhere for a long while.
Most likely. Welcome to the A-List, Slott. While some of the same "bad old names" from a few years ago dominate, some other, deserving Marvel writers like Slott or Fraction are being stepped up.
I won't either, but the digest/trade market is a weird one. It seems to have an uncanny level of pull. I'm trying to not count it out just yet.
In theory it could sell around what RUNAWAYS trades sell since it is a spin-off from the same arc, but who knows. Ceb's X-MEN FAIRY TALES had an awkward premise and sold rather poorly, but that got greenlit for a sort of sequal, SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES. If THE LONERS don't get an ongoing, I wouldn't sneer at another mini down the road. Hell, I'd even take a one-shot or two. Works for the GLA/X/I. Although outside of the Runaways-verse, the only books that seem to acknowledge that the team exists were MTU for an arc that now is set in another reality (Kirkman's MK 2099 universe) and some of the CW Handbooks. Guess we'll have to see where the team ends up. For all we know they may split at #6 from internal tensions, as some obviously want to stay retired and some don't.
True words. It's nice to see Marvel's cornerstones getting the spotlight. I'd have never guessed a Thor book would've been the top seller in a month. I don't even mind the two main Avengers books anymore. They both have their own voices and directions, and that's just enough without being excessive, I think.
True enough. But still, they shouldn't push it. Overexposing the X-Men didn't do them any good. Granted, the Avengers have solo heroes who unite as a team so solo's don't always seem like a drain. Ironic that one could count Thor as an Avenger book considering he has been away from the franchise 3 years, and died in his own solo, and not there. It does make Marvel execs planning Thor's film smile a bit.
Still, we are at the thresh-hold now. No more Avengers books. Few franchises can sustain more than 4 or 5 titles well. I'll even include Batman & Superman.
Guess not. The quote-fest thrives!
Apparently.