First conceived in the early 2000s by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, Runaways focused on a group of teenagers who ran away from their homes upon discovering the super-billion of their parents, who are known as "the Pride". Throughout the original run that ran for 48 issues, the two aforementioned creators told a terrific adventure that gave a unique youthful perspective to the Marvel universe. As it is published by Marvel, the title continued with subsequent writers and artists putting their own spin on these characters, including Joss Whedon, which never lived up to the Vaughan/Alphona original.
With the Runaways making their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Hulu in 2017, Marvel relaunched the comic with writer Rainbow Rowell and artist Kris Anka at the helm, who frankly are the true successors to following the original creators. Years have passed since the old gang were together, due to the death of fellow member Gertrude Yorkes. However, Chase Stein used the Yorkes time machine to go back in time and save Gert before she was killed. Due to this unexpected turn of events, Gert attempts to reunite the Runaways, despite they've aged a bit and somewhat moved on.
As an author of young adult novels, Rainbow Rowell makes her comics debut with this relaunch of Runaways and her voice fits well with the characters. Given her previous experience in writing the youth, Rowell isn't conscious about replicating BKV's writing and this is due to where she has placed these characters are, which some years have passed and the Runaways are no longer running way as they're just alone and grown up a bit. Of course, the exception is Gert who remains as rebellious towards grown ups, without grasping the reality of her friends' current status where so much has happened after her death.
Seeing the band back together will delight fans of the original comic as Rowell uses the comics continuity (including other titles outside of this title) to establish the current mindset of the titular heroes, whilst maintain the key traits that have defined their personas, even though the relationships are not what they used to be, most notably the romances. That said, Molly Hayes AKA Princess Powerful remains her uplifting childlike nature, whilst showing off her Hulk-like strength. Is she the best Marvel character of all time? There is a discussion to be had. Despite acknowledging the continuity, Rowell never lets that bogged down the story is telling and gives enough information to set up the Runaways and their world, with only the briefest references to the larger Marvel-verse.
Having drawn for Marvel for several years, artist/inker Kris Anka puts his own spin on the Runaways that feels fresh on a visual level, whilst maintaining the iconography of each character. More dialogue-driven than action, though there are plenty of set-pieces, Anka relies on differentiating the panel layouts, whilst the settings are done with simple line drawings, along with highly expressive character designs. It's worth keeping on an eye on the dinosaur Old Lace, who is basically the Scoody Doo of Runaways.
Following the lukewarm reprisals of the beloved teenage group, this relaunch by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka really captures what made the original comic great, whilst putting their own spin that makes me excited to where they go next with the kids that do what they do best, run away.