BB Review Group week 42 - Runaways #7 (spoilers)

[Thudpucker]

the fine print is at the bottom of the post*

Staring this week, there is a change in what books we will be reviewing. Until the Small Press Group gets back up and going again, we are going back to the old way the Review Group was.

That means we are now reviewing any comic, not just 'mainstream' books. Feel free to chose any comic you wish for your pick from now on, but please remember - If it's a Small Press book, we need at least a full weeks notice so that people have time to order it, no last minute Small Press picks.

This week, we are reading / reviewing:

Runaways #7 (Marvel) by Brian K. Vaughan and Takeshi Miyazawa, chosen by joey pizza

Next week we will be reading: Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel) by Garth Ennis and Clayton Crain, chosen by MudshovelForYou



Our Reviewers are:

Thudpucker - 7
TIP - 7
TonyFleecs - 8
Kirby's Corpse - 5.75
neophyte -
rodnunley - 6.5
Jaypee - 8
dEnny - 8.5
J. R. Scherer - 8.5
Criden - 8.5
Nathan Patton - 7.5
Frozen Sooner - 7
alan - 9
Freeway2k - 9
The beggar - 7
Raydawggie - 10
Opus Croakus -
JABSEN - MIA
itsdlevy - 7
Mad Monkey -
DrSettleton - 8
The Saint -
Slingy - 8
IamLegend - 6.5
Boris the Blade - 9.5
joey pizza - 7.5
MudshovelForYou - 9.5
PeteL - 8.5
Myxomatosis - 6
Jono - 8


Our Previous 16 weeks of reviews (scores lost during the Image Board crash)

Week 1 - 11/17/04 – Captain America #1
Week 2 - 11/24/04 – Flash #216
Week 3 - 12/01/04 – Darkness Vol. 2 #17 (av grade 3.7)
Week 4 - 12/08/04 – Demo #12
Week 5 - 12/15/04 - Plastic Man #13
Week 6 - 12/22/04 – Goon #10
Week 7 - 12/29/04 - Legion of Super Heroes #1
Week 8 - 01/05/05 – Flaming Carrot #1
Week 9 - 01/12/05 – Majestic #1
Week 10 - 01/19/05 – Human Target #18
Week 11 - 01/26/05 – Conan #12 (av grade 8.3)
Week 12 - 02/02/05 – Black Panther #1
Week 13 - 02/09/05 – Young Avengers #1
Week 14 - 02/16/05 – Ex Machina #8 (av grade 8.4)
Week 15 - 02/23/05 – X-Men #167
Week 16 - 03/02/05 – Ultimate Iron Man #1


Week 17 pick - Shining Knight #1 (Morrison & Bianchi) av grade - 7.8
Week 18 pick - Invincible #21 (Kirkman and Ottley) av grade - 6.3
Week 19 pick - Expatriate #1 (Moore and Latour) av grade - 5.4
Week 20 pick - Temporary #2 (Hurd & Smith) av grade - 7.4
Week 21 pick - GLA #1 (Slott and Pelletier) av grade - 6.8
Week 22 pick - Nightwing #107 (Grayson and Hester) av grade - 5.8
Week 23 pick - Iron Ghost #1 (Dixon and Cariello) av grade - 4.9
Week 24 pick - City Of Tomorrow (Howard Chaykin) av grade - 6.2
Week 25 pick - Villains United #1 (Simone and Eaglesham) av grade - 5.7
Week 26 pick - Desolation Jones #1 (Ellis and Williams III) av grade - 8.9
Week 27 pick - Guardian #2 (Morrison and Stewart) av grade - 6.1
Week 28 pick - Adv. Of Superman #640 (Rucka and Kerschl) av - 6.1
Week 29 pick - Son Of Vulcan #1 (Beatty and Grant) av grade - 3.7
Week 30 pick - JLA #115 (Johns, Heinberg, Batista) av grade - 6.9
Week 31 pick - Wildsiderz #0 (Campbell and Hartnell) av grade - 2.9
Week 32 pick - Astro City: The Dark Age #1 av grade - 7.3
Week 33 pick - Albion #1 (Moore and Oakley) av grade - 5.0
Week 34 pick - Gotham Central #33 (Rucka, Brubaker, Kano) av - 8.5
Week 35 pick - Mutopia X (Hine and Medina) av grade - 5.2
Week 36 pick - Athiest #2 (Hester and McCrea) av grade - 6.9
Week 37 pick - JLA: Classified #10 (Ellis and Guise) av grade - 6.9
Week 38 pick - Justice #1 (Ross, Krueger & Braithwaite) av grade 7.9
Week 39 pick - The Winter Men #1 (Lewis and Leon) av grade 5.3
Week 40 pick - Batman: Journey into Knight #1 (Helfer & Huat) av - 4.4
Week 40 pick - Jack Cross #1 (Ellis and Erskine) av grade 6.1


Our higest average grade so far was for Desolation Jones #1 with 8.9
Our lowest average grade so for is Wildsiderz #0 with 2.9


Our Sponsors:

Isotope Comics (SF Bay area)



Orbit Comics (Hillsboro, OR)



(If any other retailers would like to sponsor our reviewers in your area, I'd be happy to promote your store in the thread too )

You may select any comic for review.

A list for what books are shipping can be found here:

http://www.diamondcomics.com/shipping.asp.

What we do is take turns picking and talking about a new book every week. We work our way down the list, so that everyone gets a turn chosing a title and then we all buy and read that choice. After we read it, we review it and grade it (the grading is optional, you can just talk about the book if you'd rather)

Everyone is welcome, all we ask is that you participate in some way every week. If you need to drop out for awhile, cool. You are always welcome back. If you would like to join, just PM Thudpucker or Denny and we'll get you on the list.

I will never pester people about participation, I don't like doing that. Instead I will simply put a * next to your name when you skip a week. And I take those back off again after a few weeks. If you had a reason to skip, PM me and I'll take them off.

It's just a simple reminder to please participate.

* means you skipped a week, ** means you skipped 2 weeks. at the third one, I drop your name from the list until you ask to join back up again. And anyone dropped from the list really is welcome to return when they want, please come back if you want to participate again.

[Adam Witt]

Runaways #7

This is some snappy writing, but the art absolutely does nothing for me. I've not really read Runaways before, but this seems like a good stand-alone issue. I liked the ending, but this really isn't enough to get me to read the series on an every month basis. It was a decent issue, but didn't really seem to go anywhere.

Sorry if I'm talking in circles. Nonetheless, I give it a 6.5

[Ray G.]

I really don't know what to say here. I'm still sort of struck dumb by how amazing this issue was. First up, we get our first real glimpse of how Victor Mancha will fit into the Runaways, courtesey of a battle with a really dumb villain and an interaction with our favorite supser-strong hyperactive 11 year-old, and it's really promising. He's an interesting character, and I see a lot of promise for the title with him in it. Then, we horny fanboys finally get the moment we've wanted ever since the end of the last series, between Nico and Karolina, and daaaaaaaaaam, that's some hot confused teenage lesbinnuendo we've got there. The fallout it pretty good too, and it really has me interested in what'll come next. Then we come to the end of the issue, and a last-page twist that once again proves Vaughan king of cliffhangers. On a side note, seems like these guys are becoming the villain of the moment in the 616, aren't they? I have a feeling next issue is going to be a sad one, based on the solicits, but I can't wait to read it. The art, while not quite on Alphona's level, is clear, fun, and tells the story well. Plus, Nico looks really cute in anime style, so points from me. I honestly don't have a single bad thing to say about this issue. It's a lot more fun than the first 6, and the Calvin and Hobbes reference just seals the deal.

This is an easy 10/10 for me.

[Criden]

if it's not amazing, Raydawggie, I'm blaming you.

[Ray G.]

if it's not amazing, Raydawggie, I'm blaming you.

If you don't like it, you have no soul.

[CraigM]

Fuck. Forgot to pick this up.

Can you add me to the list for next week? I want to get into this.

Craig

[ItsDLEVY]

I'm a fan of the series, so I definitely look at it through different eyes. I don't think this was one of the strongest entires. The fill-in artist has more of a cartoony feel than I care for with these characters, and I think it softens the drama a bit. That said, BKV gives us a solid script, and it's nice to have a 2-issue arc for a change. A couple of the quips felt a little bit too cool for school and fell flat, and I'm still not entirely sure where the kids got the money to go shopping. But, I felt like all of the characters got a chance to be featured in the issue without it feeling crammed in, and that's a good thing.

7/10

[Criden]

you know, I met Takeshi this past weekend. Nice guy, he took it very well that I wasn't up for spending $40 on a sketch and did me a free one! (He was doing free headshots, I think GTAzn got one, too.)

[Freeway]

Stream of Consciousness Review!:
-Preface: This is one of my favorite series on the market. Just so ya know.
-Man, that's a sweet cover. Who did it? It looks like Bachalo, or at least Bachalo-esque.
-Previously in Runaways: It got cancelled, then came back.
-Hey, I was right. It IS Bachalo's cover.
-Swarm! Nice! "A super Nazi? Made of bees??" I love Chase.
-I love the continual references to old Marvel stuff.
-And Molly. Molly rocks.
-Chase & Gert are awesome.
-OH. MY. GOD. Lesbianism! Best comic ever!
-LOVE RHOMBUS! Great cliffhanger!

I don't mind new artists as long as they switch between storylines like they did here. The art in this story is consistent and good, and the story is the usual awesome. Yay. 9 outta 10

[Thudpucker]

Fuck. Forgot to pick this up.

Can you add me to the list for next week? I want to get into this.

Craig

You got it, welcome to the group

[Jono]

I love Runaways, and this issue was really good, as usual. I didn't like the fill-in artist, like someone else pointed out it was a little too cartoony. The story was solid, complete with lame ass villain who was probably dug out of a 20 year old issue of Marvel Handbook. I'm not really thrilled with Victor being added to the team, as I felt the dynamic among the group was already very strong. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Other than that, it rocked as usual. Runaways is the shit. Good job BKV...

Story- 9

Art- 7

for a total score of...8

[CraigM]

You got it, welcome to the group

Thanks

Craig

[TonyFleecs]

The twist ending actually made me say "ha HAAA!" not laughing "ha HAAA!" just proclaiming "ha HAAA!"...

I already love runaways, know that. This issue was a joy to read, I liked that they finally resolved the Karolina's sexuality thing, I liked that it was awkward & not at all titilating (you fucking pervs, they're teenagers for christ'.... no wait you're right, that is pretty titilating. but that's not how they played it).

Didn't mind the fill in artist at all, of course there's part of me that wishes every creative team was bendis/oeming tight and they never strayed from one another but I understand the business of these things. I thought this art fit just fine.

I guess this one is a bout an 8/10, not the best issue they ever had but still a super quality fucking comic. And I agree that it's really nice to see a 2 issue arc for a change.

[Angel of Distraction]

Rock on.

I'm having a tough time coming up with a way to restructure it that will work and life has been busy. I miss it.

[RebootedCorpse]

I'm pretty much worn out on the teen super team concept. This is a pretty good stab at it and definately had some good points. ("Try not to die" as a war cry is pretty funny.)
But the art was clunky and there really is very little here I haven't seen before.
I give it a solid 5.75.

[dEnny!]

I'm pretty much worn out on the teen super team concept. This is a pretty good stab at it and definately had some good points. ("Try not to die" as a war cry is pretty funny.)
But the art was clunky and there really is very little here I haven't seen before.
I give it a solid 5.75.

Did you read Volume 1 of Runaways?

I enjoyed it and bought the hardcover, which I really dig. LOVE THAT HC!

[PeteL]

I'm a big fan of Runaways. I'm also a big fan[boy] of Vaughan's, so this was a fun pick for me.

Miyazawa as fill in artist notwithstanding, it was a solid issue. I prefer Alphona, but I didn't mind when Miyazawa filled in in the previous arcs either. Vaughan's writing was top notch and even though not much happened[fight with random 70's villain, shoping] it still moved the story along. Karolina's got to deal with an arranged marriage with an alien who kind of reminds me of Mer-Man. That's going to be fun. 8.5/10

[RebootedCorpse]

Did you read Volume 1 of Runaways?

I enjoyed it and bought the hardcover, which I really dig. LOVE THAT HC!

I've bought issues here and there on reccomendation of people on the board, but have not read the first volume. Is that key to enjoying the series?

[joespam]

I heard a ton of folks on here blowing the horn for this book and when I finally found the three digests of it last month found it to be quite enjoyable. I was suprised to see that it hadn't been reviewed by this group yet, so it was an easy pick for me to make.

I think this issue reads well as a stand alone, but there's huge payoff for me having read the fist volume. It's great all-ages fare with good nostalgia hook for the long time reader in the choice of villian. Some clever dialog. With a lot of people complaining about decompressed writing, it was nice to see a well-written, if uneventful, and good 'jumping on' one-shot story. Plus, a pretty damn good 'continued next month' moment.

I found the art serviceable, but nothing spectacular.

I'll give this a 7.5. Solid and entertaining, but a little light on something to hook someone with. The way you're gonna get hooked on this book is with the first hardcover or the digest of issues 1-6. It definitely reads better collected to me.

[TonyFleecs]

I've bought issues here and there on reccomendation of people on the board, but have not read the first volume. Is that key to enjoying the series?

It dosn't hurt. There's a lot of great stuff from the first volume that has payoffs in the second... The way it's turning out it's like volume1 was the first season of a TV show and v2 is the second (wich will hopefuly last a lot longer).

They read really nicely in chunks, the digests are great. And now the whole thing's in that HC.

[Thudpucker]

I read the digests of the first series, but I havn't read the first 6 of the second yet. So alot of the details in this issue are new to me. Ultrons robot kid on the team is interesting, I like that. Also the girl possibly being a Skrull... also interesting.

Runaways is kind of a fun book, but it's just never clicked with me. The characters are just not compeling enough. It's a quick read that amuses, so for me a 7 seems about right. It's an ok book.

[Slingy]

Pretty good issue, though not the strongest of the series so far. It's nice to have a lighter tone again, and the end was a nice twist (not an "OH FUCK" cliffhanger but more of an "oh cool" cliffhanger). Didn't really dig the art - it wasn't bad but the style is a lot simpler than Alphona's, I kind of felt like it was Runaways Lite. It also reminded me of Sentinel. But BKV's writing is as sharp as always and I still enjoyed the issue. Let's see more Excelsior! 8/10.

[Boris the Blade]

Best issue of the reboot yet. Strong character writing here, with the Karolina crush dealt with in a somewhat heartbreaking fashion, but a reasonable one, and even better, realistic fashion. Great to see that we'll be doing more character exploring after a bit of a plot-heavy opening arc. The small moments are more balanced with the plot here, feeling like we're back in the thick of the style of the first series rather than the second (not saying I don't love the second volume, I really do, but the first one was a bit more smooth with the balance of story/character work. Great issue, I'll give it a 9.5/10

[Freeway]

I read the digests of the first series, but I havn't read the first 6 of the second yet. So alot of the details in this issue are new to me. Ultrons robot kid on the team is interesting, I like that. Also the girl possibly being a Skrull... also interesting.

Runaways is kind of a fun book, but it's just never clicked with me. The characters are just not compeling enough. It's a quick read that amuses, so for me a 7 seems about right. It's an ok book.

I get that, Thud. Runaways has never been BKV's best work (and that's not a criticism, it's a compliment). Y: The Last Man & Ex Machina are worlds above this, but I like how this book is different from everything else on the market and I like how Marvel's managed to support this book despite it not being a traditional super-hero comic.

[alan]

Great story, as always. I'm glad we're moving back to the core group more. Karolina and Nico are fabulous characters. I didn't really dig the fill-in artist. It's fine work, but it's not Adrian Alphona, who is just flat out amazing.

OVERALL: 9/10.

--Alan

[Patton]

Well, this is one of my favorite books and it's so funny that we're reviewing one of the weaker issues in my opinion. I like Alphona's art so much more for one thing. Another is, this feels like a huge contrived plot device to get rid of a character. Like it's two parts, and it seems to be just a quick "story" to get rid of one of the cast. Feels contrived.

That said, I enjoyed it and shouldn't judge it on something I don't know for sure yet.

7.5

[Frozen Sooner]

Art's been discussed ad naseaum on the thread already. Looked like manga. A little jarring.

Story was good, decent fill-in story between arcs really. Enjoyed watching the kids go "shopping."

7/10.

[Evan the Shaggy]

The art for this issue is a little too "cutesy" and doesn't really work for some of the mature themes of the book, but hey I can live with it, its just a fill in.

Its great to see the ramifications of Katrina's heritage coming back to haunt her, and I'm digging her "fiancee" who is apparently a Super Skrull in training (which is an awesome idea in itself, it would make for a great Skrulls vs Humanity x-over down the line.)

The characters are still represented faithfully and the line "Try not to die." was fantastic. From Chase and Gert's budding romance, to Katrina being shot down, to Victor's coming to grips with being a machine, there are so many apects to the book that are handled with flying colors.

Btw, is this volume ongoing?

9/10

[DrSettleton]

RUNAWAYS #7

Brian K. Vaughn sure has a thing for lesbians. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I guess. Kind of weird that he's incorporated lesbianism into three of his books so far...that I know of. Main characters too! Huzzah!
Geeze...I gotta stop reading everybody elses reviews before I write mine, or maybe try to get to writing mine earlier in the week- cause I don't think I have anything new to add this week.
The art was so-so. I didn't dig the "action lines" that are on like, every other page, but I guess that's a manga thing? Or a lazy thing? One or the other I guess. Whatever. On the other hand, I liked the way the gentleman that is bees looked. The bees must've used up the detail quota. Which I appreciated, because hey...he was creepy. Creepy and cool. Not really in a creepy way. Hmm. But seriously, how can you draw that character without drawing all of those bees? He IS bees. You've gotta draw them. Just like you've GOTTA draw the chain mail on Cap now. I guess his cloak could be more...flowing...more...shadowy...or something. He could be standing behind a shelf of "Bran-Go". Did I mention I really liked this book? I think this is the first time I've had to review a book I actually already read...so its making this difficult. I'm looking for faults. Trying to be ob-jective.
I never read the first series, and find the book very easy to follow (although I am sure I am missing out on some subtleties fer sure) if that information helps people who are thinking about jumping aboard but feel they missed out on the beginning. (That was me until I bought issue 3 of the 2nd series) But ya know what, I have the hardcover on reserve at my comic shop and I'm picking it up tommorrow so I guess I'd look the fool if I kept this up any longer. I'm a fan of the goddamn book so get off my back.
8/10.

[JamesV]

My pick for next week: GHOST RIDER 1.