Runaways #26: Welcome to the J-Team

It’s not difficult to say that Runaways suffers from lulls every once in a while and this issue is unfortunately no different. Like a good old slice of life with a smidgen of superheroism this issue is all exposition mostly focused on Victor Mancha’s love of Doc Justice and his old team as well as the Runaways trying to figure out their next move after their old cave home gets compromised.

It’s actually refreshing to finally have the Runaways encounter an adult that seemingly has no ulterior motives. Throughout this book, Doc Justice mostly seems to have a straight path to wanting to take down the remainder of The Pride, the organization that the Runaways parents were a part of. I expected a nod or two alluding to more villainy in his character, but Doc Justice actually seems to be an honest to goodness good guy and it’s even cooler to see Victor show him as much adoration for who he perceives to be the greatest hero ever and Victor was an Avenger.

Andres Genolet’s art here is rock solid of course. Characters look adorable/cute where they need to, of course it’s also great that there’s a vast distinction in the looks between adults and the teenagers themselves with Doc Justice and his butler Matthew having noticeable wrinkles from their many days of heroism. The art doesn’t do anything spectacular as there’s no great action in this issue, but when Victor flashes back to the old J-Team members, we’re shown some great costume designs and dynamic poses.