Runaways/Young Avengers

[supermarvelman]

yes I would

 

[Elijya]

Vision will probably make the observation that he's a synthoid, and then say he's also sympathetic to Ultron designs, then reveal his original body was made by Ultron. Probably nothing super exciting.

http://lexownshubbard.ytmnd.com/

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I don't understand what's going on with the Vision and Victor. If it were the original Vision, I'd say something about their Ultron-manufactured bodies being in close proximity to each other might be doing something, but the body of the current Vision has nothing to do with Ultron.

 

[Elijya]

it's programming still originates from the original vision, and thus Ultron

 

[Sloth7d]

Mabe being in such close proximity somehow triggered Visions old programming.
Making him evil again.

 

[Dread]

YOUNG AVENGERS/RUNAWAYS #1: The team-up that Marvel fans wanted, written and drawn by NONE of the people involved in either; Marvel has a funny way of giving fans what they want. Zeb Wells is one of Marvel's newer writers, getting the job by virtue of winning a WIZARD movie contest, further proving the notion that Marvel will throw a writing job at anyone who's ever been near a video camera (whether in writing for movies/TV, directing for movies/TV, offering a director soda, etc). Wells' last work was the last NEW WARRIORS incarnation, where he made them "reality TV stars", which most people hated (although half of it was the crappy art). True, Heinberg and Vaughan, the creators of both teams, respectively, "gave Wells their blessing", Marvel says. But did they have much choice? And if there was some heated arguement backstage, would Marvel admit it, or would Heinberg and Vaughan risk pissing off their bosses by admitting it? Despite all this bellyaching, Wells either was underestimated or he had some sort of checksheet on the characters by BKV and Heinberg, because he writes this first installment quite well. The YA and the Runaways sound like they should, even Molly (who is harder to write than one would think, and is now officially 12). Tidbits include

Spoiler

Chase being VERY abrasive "a month after Gert's death", but still with the team (with Old Lace), and Speed's been horning in on time with Kate Bishop, which is starting to get to Eli. Xavin is also offputting and seems to have "robotophobia", which is interesting considering he's a shapeshifting, bisexual Skrull who's training to be the next Super-Skrull. The beginning has some questionable continuity as Flag-Smasher was busy in CABLE/DEADPOOL a few months back but now is starting trouble in random areas over SHRA. Wells also performs a miracle; he writes a SHIELD soldier who ISN'T a sociopathic, unreasonable, and merciless killing machine. After the unregistered Runaways save their lives from Flag-Smasher (and Nico offers to help him get to a hospital), the two grunts actually have mercy for the kids and warn them to flee before their buddies arrive to arrest them. The gesture was nice and very rare. I've never seen these Stormtroopers have any sort of human emotions, because otherwise it'd be hard to watch them get batted aside by heroes. Poor Victor gets shot to bits in the escape, and Vision 2.0 seems to be reacting strangely to him; is it because they're "brothers"? Both created by Ultron, after all.

Despite the weird choice of writing Wells handles the title good enough that I feel the next three issues should work out. Naturally the YA may have their hands full trying to work with the normally distrusting Runaways. The art by Caselli is also good; he makes them look a little older than teenagers, but he's great at drawing solid superhero action and everyone looks like they should; in the age of Young's, Bachelo's, and Ramos' getting gigs on superhero comics where they are entirely inappropriate, Caselli's a godsend. I liked his art, actually. Reminds me of some of the stuff UDON does.

To add, I really liked this issue and Zeb Wells impressed me. Whether he's been couched by Heinberg & Vaughan or he simply is a writer capable of adhering and honoring the past, he wrote a good intro chapter where a lot actually happened. True, in a 4 issue tale, more has to happen per issue than, say, a 6 issue tale, but its worth noting.

I'm sure BKV can include this storyline in his RUNAWAYS continuity; after all, he would have written it, but "schedules conflicted" (is the reason why neither he nor Heinberg could do it). He's mentioned it in the letters pages of RUNAWAYS issues and as this is set "a month" after the last issue of RUNAWAYS, BKV's issues can take place either before or after CW: YA/R. And I think CW:YA/R could fit quite well as a digest volume, as the general crux of CIVIL WAR is explained enough that someone who just reads RUNAWAYS should get the gist. Granted, its also YOUNG AVENGERS material and at 4 issues, would make more money as a trade than a digest (digests are $7.99 for 6 issues, so 4 issues would be, what, $5.33). Still, a 4 issue trade can't cost more than $10, otherwise its just not worth it.

Vision 2.0 still has enough of the old vision in him to be reacting that way to Victor, his "brother". The Vision's program was downloaded into the armor, recall, which led to those "Avengers Protocols" that formed the YA (as well as tracked down the "missing Wanda Twins", as they're technically Vision's sons too). So while Vision 2.0 is still working with mostly Iron Lad's brain patterns, he's still got plenty of the ol' Vision in him to be reacting that way (and not know exactly WHY off the bat). Recall that Vision's programming itself was working from Wonder Man's brain patterns and it gets even more complicated. Victor seems to have a more stable personality; his brain patterns didn't need to be from anyone's brain patterns, much like Ultron, Vision, and Jocasta's had to be (Ultron's AI was based on Hank Pym's brain patterns, Vision on Wonder Man and Jocasta on Wasp). Maybe by the time Ultron (or a Ultron) made Victor, he'd figured out how to create artificial intelligence. Or the half-organic bits helped (although Victor's basically like Terminator, a robot at heart with fleshy bits on top).

It is strange that Xavin didn't shift to a female form at least once, which is maybe Wells' only fault. While Xavin can change sexes for Karolina, he's at heart a "male" and probably remains in that form unless he's comforting her. He seemed a little more abrasive and offputting, but its not like he (or most Skrulls) are Mr. Personalities when they come to Earth. Hell, he pretty much fought the Runaways over a minor misunderstanding when they first met.

FYI, in preview art for BKV's RUNAWAYS #19, Xavin is depicted in his male form too:

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0607/27/marvelfirsts.htm

So its not just Wells.

The YA may have their hands full trying to get the overly mistrusting Runaways to work with them. Heck, Spider-Man once bought Victor and Gert dinner and acted friendly as hell, and they STILL didn't bat an eye when Nico zapped him (this happened last RUNAWAYS arc). They plain don't trust anyone outside of their circle very easily. Hopefully they don't interfight too long because its the possible inter-reactions that'll be interesting.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

I don't understand what's going on with the Vision and Victor. If it were the original Vision, I'd say something about their Ultron-manufactured bodies being in close proximity to each other might be doing something, but the body of the current Vision has nothing to do with Ultron.

Wasn't it something about the Ultron Initiative or something? A necessary part of their programming that activated whenver Ultron goes permanantly down, that they basically build a new Ultron or something?

 

[Elijya]

it's possible Xavin remained a male because ideally this mini with introduce new readers to Runaways who might not be aware or totally comfortable with Karolina's sexual orientation.


Personally, I was confused by Chase's presense since I thought Runaways #18 indicated he had struck out on his own

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

it's possible Xavin remained a male because ideally this mini with introduce new readers to Runaways who might not be aware or totally comfortable with Karolina's sexual orientation.


Personally, I was confused by Chase's presense since I thought Runaways #18 indicated he had struck out on his own

That confused me too. Obviously Gert was gone, and Chase had Old Lace, but he was working with the Runaways, even though the last issue basically all but stated he was gone.

 

[Elijya]

and if I'm not mistaken he's not on the linking cover to the mini

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

and if I'm not mistaken he's not on the linking cover to the mini

Mistaken, you are not.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Maybe he rejoins by the end of the next Runaways arc. If he was only gone a short time, it'd still synch up with the Civil War stuff.

 

[Fantastic Fan22]

Mistaken, you are not.

But the Leapfrog is there so it could be infered that he is there

 

[Dread]

Maybe he rejoins by the end of the next Runaways arc. If he was only gone a short time, it'd still synch up with the Civil War stuff.

I agree. The preview of RUNAWAYS #19 seems to take place maybe days after Gert's death, not "a month", which is usually 30-31 days.

Plus, you could interpret "Chase ran away" two ways. You could claim he ran away from the team ENTIRELY, or he just ran away a short distance to mull things alone (and maybe keep hidden that he stole the Pride's ring and book for himself). After all, in RUNAWAYS #18, they've burried Gert near the HOLLYWOOD sign and where Chase is standing, the sign is probably less than a mile away.

Besides, if Chase leaves, that's 2 Runaways gone from the cast with only one to replace any of them (Xavin). Chase also really has no one else to turn to, especially if he has a flippin' dinosaur following him. And without him, the Leapfrog won't work, which would be a huge disadvantage to the team. We'll have to wait, I guess.

 

[GL1]

Hmm... I love Runaways, I have a cursory interesting in Young Avengers and...

I didn't really like it. The art style didn't synch with me. They runaways were extremely hostile to each other, Chase was there when the last issue implied he would not be. But maybe it's just cuz, deep down, I wanted to like Xavin. While his robotism (described innaccurately as robophobia, perhaps in a homosexual intolerance reference), makes sense, ostensibly, but dang. Their abrasiveness makes sense in light of Gert's death, but man... it hurts boy.

Trading members sounds tricky, but fortunately "Dead Means Dead" is only three issues long. And with such subject matter, it's almost guaranteed to take place within a month of Gert's death, as a good grief story should. Admittedly, it will need to be a good jumping on point for Diegest 7, but still, the results of Run/YA:CW could come to happen by the foruth issue. Heck, Chase could be gone for those three issues and rejoin just before Run/YA:CW.

I think Chase would be a radical addition to YA, and Hawkeye would be the most appropriate addition to Runaways. I don't get why Vic and Vis2 would be reacting as such. But it's interesting enough that I will pick up number two, which, I suppose is the point.

That and moments like them meeting Molly are classic. That kind of shock can't be bought.

 

[Elijya]

I was hoping Xevin would be a better guy, too. I mean, he could still come with alien prejudices but come off as a better guy (gal/skrull, whatever)

I loved the art, though

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Xavin originally seemed to come out as just a bad Skrull, turned decent Skrull, even betraying his post for someone he allegedly loves. You'd think he'd be better than this. But of course, it's been like a month or so since Xavin's actually be around on Earth, it might just still be adjusting to it all.

 

[Elijya]

I think Chase would be a radical addition to YA, and Hawkeye would be the most appropriate addition to Runaways. I don't get why Vic and Vis2 would be reacting as such. But it's interesting enough that I will pick up number two, which, I suppose is the point.

That and moments like them meeting Molly are classic. That kind of shock can't be bought.

I think Cassie would make the most sense to jump to the Runaways, although I can't say why. She was going to look for them and join them originally.

Billy and Teddy it would make more sense to literally "run away" because of their orientation, but Billy's parents were cool with it, and Teddy's parents (well I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but they're a non-issue)

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Whatever, Xavin's a dirty, stinkin' Skrull and he acts like a dirty, stinkin' Skrull. Turns out the Kree were right all these years.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Whatever, Xavin's a dirty, stinkin' Skrull and he acts like a dirty, stinkin' Skrull. Turns out the Kree were right all these years.

lol Even though the Kree started the actual fighting?


Nah, I've actually wanted to see a steady "good" Skrull for a long time. I'm just hoping maybe Xavin could actually fit this bill.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The Skrullian Skymaster is a "good" Skrull.

 

[Elijya]

isn't he from another reality, though?

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Even though Skymaster was kind of like the Super Skrull. But you know, a Skrull that you'll see from time to time outside of dimensional stuff.

 

[supermarvelman]

There swapping members?

 

[Elijya]

no, it was a thought of what might be interesting if it did happen