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I know you've all heard me go on and on a lot about Runaways this week, and many of you on my flist don't read comics at all. However, I also know there's probably a couple people there (or who might randomly come across the journal) who are big time Whedonites. You know who you are - you don't read comics as a general rule, but you picked up Astonishing X-Men because Joss Whedon was writing it. And possibly the Serenity mini and some of the Buffy comics too.
Well, now Joss Whedon is announced as the new writer of Runaways, starting in April 2007. So, since some of you are undoubtably thinking about picking up Runaways when he starts, I thought I'd give you a little primer. And then after that I'll shut up about Runaways for a while, I promise.
Buffy started with a great capsule idea: "High School is Hell... really."
Runaways similarly started with: "Your parents are evil... really."
It's the story of 6 kids (ranging from age 12 to 17) who discover that their otherwise normal parents parents are a secret group of supervillains, and witness them committing a shocking crime. In trying to figure out what to do, they run away and try to find a way to make up for their parents evil.
Now, you may be thinking of just picking up Whedon's issues, and that's fine. But Runaways is also one of the few really good comics _created in recent years_. That means, unlike most comics, it's actually feasible to read the entirety of the series, and I recommend you do. Firstly, because it'll help you understand what's going on. Second, because it's awesome. And third, because Whedon himself is a big fan (which is why he took it over when the original creators left), and one of the creators of Runaways is a big fan of Whedon (Whedon even gets mentioned in an issue), and has a lot of Whedon-like sensibilities that would appeal to a Whedon fan.
So, first, I bring you links to read the first issue, for free, legally. (The interface may be a bit irritating, sorry).
(I should also state that I took a little while to warm up to it, and the artist improves significantly over the course of the title).
If you want a little more, here's a link to some selected scans from the first arc (though a lot of good bits are left out).
Next, I'll point you to some links where you can buy the original run:
There's the first hardcover, collecting the first 18 issue 'Volume 1'. It's a complete story and I'd recommend getting it even if you didn't plan on picking up Whedon's run. If you don't want to get a big hardcover, you can also purchase it in 3 manga sized digests (though full color): Digest 1, Digest 2 (no link available yet, might be out of print, check your comic store), and Digest 3.
I'd recommend the hardcover though, because there's some pretty art and the digests shrink it, while the hardcovers embiggen it (yes it's a word, shut up). Plus it's almost the same price for a better product.
There's a hardcover of the 2nd 18 issue run due in December, but if you need the fix quicker, you can get them in digests too: Digest 4, Digest 5, Digest 6 (not yet available). Right now we're just about on issue #20 of the second 'Volume' of the series (where they began recounting from #1 again). By the time Whedon's run is started, I expect they'll have caught up in publishing digests. I'll update this post with more links and post a reminder as we get closer to Whedon's run.
(these links do go to Amazon and they are links with my sponsor ids, but are just for example's sake - by all means, buy these at your local comic store where they're probably available, or wherever online you can find them cheapest. I'm doing this for love, not money)
Runaways: It has magic, robots, aliens, mutants, LASERS, a dinosaur, cool twists, great characters, and great dialogue, and it is extremely accessible to people unfamiliar with comics (most of the characters in the comic are completely new, though they do have a few guest stars from the rest of the Marvel Universe from time to time). If that doesn't interest you, there's something seriously wrong with you! ;) So I urge you to check it out from the beginning, so you'll get the surprises as they were intended.
For those who want a _little_ more spoilery (I refuse to spoil the major plot twists), here are the major characters throughout the series, and their 'special abilities' (not all of them are on the team at the same time though, some leave and/or die):
( Read more... )
Well, now Joss Whedon is announced as the new writer of Runaways, starting in April 2007. So, since some of you are undoubtably thinking about picking up Runaways when he starts, I thought I'd give you a little primer. And then after that I'll shut up about Runaways for a while, I promise.
Buffy started with a great capsule idea: "High School is Hell... really."
Runaways similarly started with: "Your parents are evil... really."
It's the story of 6 kids (ranging from age 12 to 17) who discover that their otherwise normal parents parents are a secret group of supervillains, and witness them committing a shocking crime. In trying to figure out what to do, they run away and try to find a way to make up for their parents evil.
Now, you may be thinking of just picking up Whedon's issues, and that's fine. But Runaways is also one of the few really good comics _created in recent years_. That means, unlike most comics, it's actually feasible to read the entirety of the series, and I recommend you do. Firstly, because it'll help you understand what's going on. Second, because it's awesome. And third, because Whedon himself is a big fan (which is why he took it over when the original creators left), and one of the creators of Runaways is a big fan of Whedon (Whedon even gets mentioned in an issue), and has a lot of Whedon-like sensibilities that would appeal to a Whedon fan.
So, first, I bring you links to read the first issue, for free, legally. (The interface may be a bit irritating, sorry).
(I should also state that I took a little while to warm up to it, and the artist improves significantly over the course of the title).
If you want a little more, here's a link to some selected scans from the first arc (though a lot of good bits are left out).
Next, I'll point you to some links where you can buy the original run:
There's the first hardcover, collecting the first 18 issue 'Volume 1'. It's a complete story and I'd recommend getting it even if you didn't plan on picking up Whedon's run. If you don't want to get a big hardcover, you can also purchase it in 3 manga sized digests (though full color): Digest 1, Digest 2 (no link available yet, might be out of print, check your comic store), and Digest 3.
I'd recommend the hardcover though, because there's some pretty art and the digests shrink it, while the hardcovers embiggen it (yes it's a word, shut up). Plus it's almost the same price for a better product.
There's a hardcover of the 2nd 18 issue run due in December, but if you need the fix quicker, you can get them in digests too: Digest 4, Digest 5, Digest 6 (not yet available). Right now we're just about on issue #20 of the second 'Volume' of the series (where they began recounting from #1 again). By the time Whedon's run is started, I expect they'll have caught up in publishing digests. I'll update this post with more links and post a reminder as we get closer to Whedon's run.
(these links do go to Amazon and they are links with my sponsor ids, but are just for example's sake - by all means, buy these at your local comic store where they're probably available, or wherever online you can find them cheapest. I'm doing this for love, not money)
Runaways: It has magic, robots, aliens, mutants, LASERS, a dinosaur, cool twists, great characters, and great dialogue, and it is extremely accessible to people unfamiliar with comics (most of the characters in the comic are completely new, though they do have a few guest stars from the rest of the Marvel Universe from time to time). If that doesn't interest you, there's something seriously wrong with you! ;) So I urge you to check it out from the beginning, so you'll get the surprises as they were intended.
For those who want a _little_ more spoilery (I refuse to spoil the major plot twists), here are the major characters throughout the series, and their 'special abilities' (not all of them are on the team at the same time though, some leave and/or die):
( Read more... )
