Runaways #24: Magic, Light and Love

Nico and Karolina are absolutely adorable together. After the will they won’t they in the middle of the series, it’s great to finally see them together and actually enjoying each other’s company for more than just a few pages. While they don’t stop any actual crimes on their first nightly adventure, they still show up wanting to do good. It’s quite heartfelt as they mostly just end up standing by commenting on the crimes or accidents from the menial to the serious that they can’t interfere with because the proper authorities have everything handled. 

It’s less about solving crimes and more about showing us just how much Nico cares about Karolina’s happiness. She only wanted to hang out and spend time with her wonderful girlfriend. Their touching moment is cut short when Karolina spies masked men from outside of a cafe window sporting obvious henchman attire. For the eagle eyed, or those unfortunate enough to have read some of West Coast Avengers, it is noticeable that these are Madame Masque thugs. Nico and Karolina try to stop them, but somehow manage to get defeated before being saved by a mysterious new hero.

Andres Genolet and Matthew Wilson absolutely draw me in with their amazing line art and colors respectively. Genolet absolutely has a talent for facial expression and body language in particular. Nico and Karolina’s faces run the gamut from sweet boredom from lack of crime, to the awkwardness of sneaking off for a sweet date. When they just sit at the cafe and get ever closer to each other, the love is easily felt from them both. They smile, touch hands and it all feels so very genuine. Wilson’s lighting and use of blushing pinks makes this even better as it sets the mood for the wonderful evening. Karolina and Nico absolutely enjoy each other’s company and it makes me happy to see.