“It Has an Inherent Problem”: Marvel Editor Calls Out Fatal Flaw That Haunts a Beloved Hero Franchise

Marvel editor Tom Brevoort has called out the fatal flaw in a beloved superhero franchise, going so far as to call it an “inherent problem.” The Runaways, launched in the early 2000s, quickly became a cult title, and before long, it was a breakout hit. Yet even despite a television show, the property has struggled to find its footing in recent years, and Brevoort has a theory as to why.

Tom Brevoort, in his weekly Substack newsletter Man With a Hat, fielded questions from fans on a variety of topics. Brevoort had previously answered a question about Young Avengers. Fan Andrew Albrecht asked a follow-up question. Albrecht was curious if Brevoort had ever worked on Runaways, and if he was a fan of the concept.

Brevoort replied with the following:

I did a few things such as

YOUNG AVENGERS/RUNAWAYS
during
CIVIL WAR
, Andrew, but I never edited the actual series. I liked the book, though I think it has an inherent problem that has never entirely been remedied. And that is that the premise has an end point, and the original creators reached that end point. There’s really no reason for the Runaways to be on the run any longer, apart from the fact that that’s the name of the series. So there’s a bunch of contrivance involved in keeping it going.

Marvel currently does not publish a monthly Runaways book, seeming to give credence to Brevoort’s theory.

The Runaways Marvel Comics Origin, Explained

The Runaways Shook Up the Marvel Formula In Many Ways

Runaways, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, was a breath of fresh air when it debuted in the summer of 2003. Launched as part of the Tsunami initiative, designed to appeal to younger readers, Runaways would outlast the other titles in the imprint, and by mid-decade, had become one of Marvel’s most buzzed about books. Vaughan and Alphona left the title in 2007, and a succession of writers and artists, including Joss Whedon, Terry Moore, Kathryn Immonen, Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka, all took cracks at the property.

Runaways introduced a new corner of the Marvel Universe, and in the process introduced one of its best villain teams: the Pride. Most Marvel titles are set in New York City, but Runaways moved the action to California. The group were children of the Pride, a group of super-villains who ran nearly all criminal operations on the West Coast. The Pride consisted of time-travelers, evil sorcerers, genius inventors and criminal masterminds. The book kicked off with the children learning the truth about their parents. Repulsed by what they saw, the six kids banded together to oppose The Pride.

Runaways Would Become Marvel’s Best Book of the 2000s

Runaways Lived Up to Its Title

This combination helped make Runaways a hit, as well as the best Marvel title of the 2000s. Runaways was unique on several fronts. It featured a team of young protagonists, and while teenage superhero teams are nothing new, Runaways put an exciting spin on it. They were just normal kids caught up in matters beyond their control, and they only wanted to stop it. Second, the team’s membership was fluid–members came and went. Vaughan and Alphona introduced new members, such as Victor and the Skrull Xavin. Others, such as Gertrude, were killed off. This kept Runaways fresh and unpredictable.

At the center of Runaways was a key idea: they were on the run. Once they wisened up to their parents’ true selves, the kids had no choice but to flee. They knew too much and could jeopardize everything the Pride worked to achieve. Runaways worked as a twisted form of wish fulfillment: many teenagers feel their parents are bad, but in the case of Runaways, they actually were. Teenagers sometimes run away from bad home and family situations, and Runaways taps into this as well. After the Pride fell, the team vowed no villains would fill the void left behind.

Runaways Struggled Once Its Creators Left

Runaways Should Have Been a Hit for the MCU

Yet, there are those, like Tom Brevoort, who feel Runaways has lost its spark over time. Vaughan and Alphona charted a course for Runaways that was strong and solid, and used the concept to brilliant effect. In the aftermath of their departure, it can be argued, it is when the book began to drop off. Whedon and Moore’s runs were decent, and attempted to continue some of the ideas Vaughan and Alphona began. They introduced new members to the team, as well as new villains. Yet, as Brevoort noted, they were no longer on the run.

While the concept was limping along in the comics, Runaways received its own television show, with marginal ties to the MCU, prompting Marvel to release a new ongoing title, written by Rainbow Rowell and drawn by Kris Anka. Of the many post Vaughan and Alphona attempts, Rowell and Anka succeeded the most in recapturing the original vibe that made Runaways a cult favorite a decade prior. While the book drew good reviews, it ended with issue 38, seemingly bringing the saga of the Runaways to an end.

The Runaways Need a Marvel Comics Comeback

The Concept Behind Runaways Could Be Reworked

While Runaways may no longer be on Marvel’s radar, the characters are simply too good to be left in limbo for long. Other creators have taken note of the great characters Vaughan and Alphona gifted to comics. Nico Minoru, the team’s resident magic user, would go on to join A-Force, an all-women’s version of the Avengers. She also has been affiliated with the Midnight Suns. Victor Mancha, the robotic member of the team, joined the Avengers AI team, and was featured in the classic Vision title. The rest of the team has a lot to offer the Marvel Universe too.

Returning to Tom Brevoort’s assessment of the state of Runaways, it would seem he is right: the concept has run out of gas. With a few exceptions, such as Nico Minoru, the team is in limbo, making no appearances. Yet the book was one of Marvel’s best, and it can be again. In the hands of the right creative team, any book or concept can work. It is just a matter of the right people coming on board. Rowell and Anka came closer than anyone, proving that Runaways is still a viable concept.

Source: Tom Brevoort, Man With a Hat