by Noelle Stevenson Series: Runaways
Published by MARVEL Comics
The Victor Von Doom Institute for Gifted Youths is the premiere high school for students with special powers. Recruiting the best and the brightest individuals from all domains of Battleworld, the Doom Institute is where these talented individuals come together to prove their power and/or intelligence as well as their allegiance to Doom. This test, innocently referred to as the Final Exam, puts students in a physical test of will, strength, endurance, and more.
Yet a small group of students are in detention for less than desirable hallway activities. Late to register for the final exam, this motley cast of characters, including Jubilee’s Night Witches, Amadeus Cho and Skaar, Cloak and Dagger, find themselves facing expulsion rather than taking part in the event that will determine their future. Able seek reprieve from their punishment (not in the most ethical of ways), they find out that they must form the last open team in the Final Exam. Certainly not cordial to one another, much less friends, this most unusual group of characters must get along in order to save their fate (and, they learn, their very lives).
This recent rehashing of Runaways is probably the one that diverts most from the original (created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona) If you aren’t familiar with the original, it’s certainly not required to have any knowledge of it before launching into this most recent attempt. As a matter of fact, it’s probably best that you attempt not to compare the two. It’s a bit quirky to those of us familiar with the characters (the Winter Soldier is a hall monitor!?) but I think that adds to the overall fun. The characters are caricatures of themselves, both in the dialogue and the art. Their actions and behavior are largely exaggerated, but that adds to what is supposed to be a fun and entertaining series.
I was tremendously skeptical of this series when I heard it was to be re-released. Suspending all skepticism, I dove in. Four issues later, I’m incredibly transfixed and invested in this most recent rehashing of a Marvel great. Whether you are new to the Runaways concept or a long-time fan, I’m certain this most recent leap on Marvel’s part will be a welcome one! Highly recommended.
