COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Runaways vol. 5 # 10 (An Emerald Witch, the Cupcake of Youth and Double Heartaches!??????)

Julie Power turns back into a 13-year-old with raging hormones, will the gang be able to undo this transformation!? Plus, the origin of the magical cupcake is finally revealed! Get ready for another fun, exciting yet heart-wrenching issue!

Runaways vol. 5 #10
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Kris Anka
Color Artists: Matthew Wilson
Cover Artist: Kris Anka
Publisher: Marvel Comics

?WARNING: This Review Contains Major Spoilers!!?

Previously:

The Runways were defeated by Dr. Doom, or so they thought. Victor revealed that it was actually his former Avengers A.I., Doombot who was looking for him. Doombot’s intention was to find his friend Victor and rebuild his body again. Chase who was also planning to rebuild Victor ended up bickering with Doombot about their plans of helping their bodiless cyborg friend, despite Victor stating that he doesn’t want to have his body rebuilt.

After the incident, Molly visits her best friend, Abigail who revealed her secret and gave Molly the choice of becoming literally best friends forever. Abigail gave her a magical cupcake that would make stay 13 years old forever. This gave Molly a dilemma of choosing between growing up or staying young forever.

That afternoon, Molly asked Chase, Gert and Karolina thoughts about growing up. Each young adult gave her opinions about it which made her more conflicted about the decision she was about to make. Luckily, Nico invited them for a drive-thru movie. Karolina refused the invitation since she was meeting up with Julie. Nico and the gang managed to drag Karolina telling her to contact Julie to just come after them. Molly, unfortunately, left her cupcake on the table when the gang left.

Julie arrived soon after everybody left and found Molly’s cupcake and ate it. After the movie, the Runaways arrived at home finding a crying 13-year old Julie Powers.

What You’ll Find Out:

Back in 1964, Enchantress was brooding after she was defeated and rejected by Thor over Jane Foster. Her thoughts were then interrupted when she saw an innocent young girl, Abigail playing with her dolls. This reminded Enchantress of innocence and wondered whatever happened to her youth. She approached Abigail and offered a gift, a cupcake that would make her stay young forever. Enchantress also offered an antidote that would also reverse the spell if ever Abigail changed her mind later on. After Enchantress left the innocent girl. Abigail ate the cupcake and stayed a 13-years-old girl.

Present Day, Julie broke down and blamed the Runaways for her unfortunate transformation. The gang, however, were clueless and more shocked to see her in that form. Julie told them that she found and ate a cupcake on the table that transformed her into a 13-year-old. Karolina worried asked how she turned Guilty about what had happened, Molly cried and asked apology to Julie revealing that the cupcake was supposedly hers and that it was supposed to keep her into a 13-year-old forever.
Alarmed by this, Chase and Nico mildly scolded Molly. The Team asked her where she got the cupcake but at first, she refused to give them the answer because she kept a promise. But after seeing Julie crying and miserable, Molly revealed that it was her best friend Abigail who gave her the cupcake.

The gang then went straight to Abigail’s house. Nico talked to Gert privately asking her that if she were about to be stunned again, Gert would harm her to summon the Staff of One. Gert refused to do so and told Nico that she’ll be able to handle it okay. They were then welcomed by Abigail’s parents who were surprised by seeing them. The team then went straight to Abigail’s room while Old Lace watched over the concerned parents of Abby.

Molly entered the room first and was greeted by Abby with the BFF handshake. Abby asked if Molly ate the cupcake already but was then interrupted by you Lightspeed who threatened Abby and asked for a cure. Abby was surprised and disappointed that Molly gave the cupcake to somebody else. Molly tried to explain herself that she didn’t mean to give it to Lightspeed but instead return it to Abby. Abby also told Julie (Lightspeed) that the transformation was permanent which broke down Julie.

The gang then tried to threaten Abby because they did not believe her, but Abby was able to defend herself from all the training and fighting skills she had learned throughout these years. Karolina noticed Nico was looking for something and asked her what it was. Nico suggested that they should find something edible that might actually be the cure. Karolina then attempted to pacify Abby who was able to defend herself. Nico handed different snack at Julie to try but mostly nothing worked.

Victor who fell on Abby’s dresser then found a vial and told them what if the cure was not something to eat but rather something that should be drunk. Abby saw this and tried to stop them. She told them that if Julie drank the potion it would keep her in her current state forever. Molly thought it was what Abigail had wanted. The gang was then turned between choosing and making the right decision but Nico took the initiative, saying that Abby already made her choice while Julie did not know what she got herself into. She gave the cure to Julie, turning the former Power Pack back into her original age.

Abby cried hard and her parents told the whole Runaways to leave. Molly was heartbroken after losing her BFF. At the same time, Julie officially broke up with Karolina.

What Just Happened:

Despite the conclusion of the arc felt a bit rushed but as always Rainbow Rowell still manages to keep things interesting. The interactions were still fun and very heartbreaking at the same time. I would have wanted to see more of Karolina and Julie relationship. But I think what Rowell was trying to show what Julie had felt, that their relationship was not a priority or that important. Which is why we don’t get to see them being focused too much since Karolina is more focused with the Runways instead.

Art-wise, everything was still gorgeous. Kris Anka delivering great moments and emotional characters which greatly synergized with the Rowell’s story and scripting. Matthew Wilson is also back for the coloring too and as always his style complemented the art very well, setting up the mood and ambiance perfectly as expected.

Pros:

Lot’s of drama, in a very good way of course
The Outcome of Molly’s and Abby’s friendship falling apart is going to be an interesting concept to explore Molly character development more, in the longer run.

Cons: