Molly is having a dilemma! Will she accept her best friend’s offer or will she decline this opportunity to stay 13 years old forever? Plus, what’s going on between Karolina and Julie’s relationship?
RUNAWAYS Vol 5 #09
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Kris Anka
Color Artist: Matthew Wilson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
?WARNING: This Review Contains Major Spoilers!!?
Previously:
Julie Powers A.K.A. Power Pack’s Lightspeed arrived at the airport expecting her girlfriend, Karolina Dean to pick her up. But unfortunately, Karolina texted Julie that she couldn’t pick her up since she had to pick up Molly from her classmate’s house. Julie rode a cab disappointed after reading Karolina’s text.
Elsewhere, Abbie, Molly’s best friend revealed that she was an immortal 13-year-old. She asked and invited Molly to join her at stay 13 years old forever. She gave Molly a cupcake that would grant that if ever Molly ate it. Their conversation was cut short when Abbie’s parents informed them that Karolina had arrived to pick Molly up.
Later, Nico was told everyone to clean up the mess at their house since Julie was arriving. This excited Molly after hearing the news, because she was a fan of the Power Pack. Just in time, Julie with Karolina arrived. Julie greeted everyone especially Gert. She was then greeted by a very ecstatic Molly who requested if she could sign her Power Pack posters.
They were then interrupted when they were under attacked by Dr. Doom who was looking for the head of Victor Mancha. The Runaways alongside Julie then fought Dr. Doom to no success. Doom was eventually able to acquire the head of Victor.
What You’ll Find Out:
The Runaways came after Doom who invaded their home and acquired Victor Mancha’s head. Victor told everyone to come down because they got the whole situation wrong. He then told them that this was not Dr. Doom, but his friend and former Avenger A.I. teammate, Doombot.
Doombot then told them he was there to retrieve Victor so that he could repair him and his body. Chased did not like that idea and argued that he was the one who will help Victor regain his body. Doombot who felt challenged, asked if he could see Victor’s plans to repair Victor. Both Chase and Doombot then went off bickering and arguing to find a way to fix Victor.
At the same time, Karolina and Julie started having an argument since Julie was not understanding how the Runaways work out as a super-hero family team. She expressed her frustrations of Karolina not opening up too much in their relationship.
After his constant bickering and brainstorming with Chase, Doombot told Victor that he’ll come back and requested Chase to update him with their plans of rebuilding Victor’s body.
Later at school, Abbie asked Molly if she already ate the magical cupcake of youth that she gave her. Molly expressed that she needed time since this was actually a big and a heavy decision she had to make. Abbie was frustrated after hearing this and gave Molly an ultimatum that if ever Molly doesn’t push through with this then they cannot stay best friend or friends for that matter anymore.
Abbie’s ultimatum bothered Molly throughout the afternoon and she tried asking opinions and advises from Chase, then later from Karolina and finally Gert. Molly and Gert’s conversation was cut short when Victor arrived, showing off that he could now move around riding on a Roomba.
Chase and Nico then came in announcing that they were going out for a movie. The two dragged Karolina who told them that she was waiting for Julie. They told her to message Julie to follow them at the movie. Molly shared with everyone that her parents wouldn’t allow her to watch PG-13 movies. Nico reminded her that she was already 13 and Chase said they were watching Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.
Molly forgot that she left the magic cupcake of youth on their sofa table. As soon as the whole gang left, Julie arrived and looked for Karolina. She received her message that they had left for the movies and that Julie should follow and join them. Julie got frustrated because Karolina promised that they were going to talk about their relationship. She then noticed the cupcake Molly left and ate it.
What Just Happened:
The story’s pacing slows down a bit again after that very exciting showdown last issue. But at least we get to see a lot of new developments and revelation to compensate with the pacing. First is the revelation that the gang was actually fighting Doombot and not Dr. Doom. The fact that he came to help find a way to restore his former Avenger teammate was another nod to Rainbow Rowell’s knowledge of the Marvel comics continuity. Definitely an interesting cameo, especially the bickering between Chase and Doombot’s plan of rebuilding Victor’s body.
The next would be the development of Karolina and Julie’s relationship. We get to see how both are struggling to open up to each other. Karolina seems to be not so open towards Julie. This then opened up a lot of issues and insecurities for Julie, who ended comparing herself to Karolina’s former partner, Xavin.
Lastly would be this arc’s main plot, which was Molly having a difficult time making a choice towards Abigail’s offer to her. This is something everyone usually goes through at the age of 13. It’s a time when things get a little confusing for us due to the raging hormones setting in and at the same time most kids at Molly’s age experience anxieties with the thought of growing up. It’s a plot that has been used multiples time since Peter Pan, but never get old. I like that Rowell managed to use this as an opportunity to explore Molly’s thoughts about growing up and even got some of her teammates’ thoughts and opinion about it.
Definitely a good read, but I do hope the next issue speed things up nicely again to balance things out with the pace (which I believe Rowell has the skill make it work like the previous arc.) As usual Kris Anka’s art is gorgeous, nuff’ said!
Pros:
- The perfect way to explore Molly’s coming of age dilemmas
- Doombot and Victor Reunion
- Doombot’s fun bickering with Chase
Cons:
- After last issue’s exciting moments, the pacing starts to slow down again, but at least the character development makes up for it
Rating: 8/10
Final Thought:
Despite the slow pacing, this was a good opportunity to explore the cast’s flaws which were a perfect opportunity to make an excellent teen super-hero drama. This issue utilized relatable problems that would make readers feel closer to the cast, from Molly’s fear and anxiety of growing up or staying young forever to Julie’s frustration towards her and Karolina’s relationship.
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