Runaways No. 19 review: A road trip with Wilder and Hayes

Once again, Alex Wilder has been cast out of the team, yet what Happens when Hayes tags along?

Runaways No. 19

Writer: Rainbow Rowell

Artist: Andres Genolet

Colorist: Triona Farrell

Cover Artist: Kris Anka

To say Alex Wilder is complicated is an understatement. Much like the rest of the Runaways, he was originally shocked to learn his parents were part of a criminal cabal of supervillains called “the Pride.” Unlike the rest of the kids, however, he remained loyal to his parents and ultimately betrayed the team to the Pride’s godly sponsors, the Gibborim. It was a betrayal that cost him his life, yet even this fate proved temporary. Wilder has since bartered his soul to various demons or other unsavory figures to earn his freedom from the underworld, but it’s come with a price.

Image by Marvel Comics

The last major appearance of Wilder was in David Walker’s run on Power Man & Iron Fist, when he tried to establish a “New Pride” in Harlem. He fled from that mess and brought a crisis with the Gibborim’s offspring to the Runaways’ door across the coast. Now that battle is over and as usual, Alex has fled once he figured his welcome was worn. His sheer presence split the team in debate. Yet this time, he’s not alone; Molly Hayes, occasionally known as Princess Powerful, tags along!

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The Buddy System?

Despite having flexible loyalty, Alex Wilder does genuinely care for the Runaways in his own way. He sees them as a resource to exploit at times, as well as the closest things he has to friends. Chase and Nico actively hate him, yet they still allowed him to crash at the Hostel, briefly. Molly Hayes is the only one who showed him much kindness during his brief return, especially since they shared a passion for collectible card games. Due to inconvenience and concern, Alex initially doesn’t want Hayes alongside him.

Image by Marvel Comics

It’s only when Hayes dangles a carrot before him — a chance to resurrect their parents — that Alex acquiesces. Molly also reminds him that she’s older than he thinks she is (13) and that she’s physically the strongest member of the Runaways. With that, a road trip begins! It starts on a bus, which California isn’t often known well for. All along the way, Molly riddles Alex with questions about his status as a member of the “living dead” community. He denies having many “ghost powers.”

Image by Marvel Comics

Yet it is firmly established that Wilder has gained some attributes from not technically being alive. When a local “dude bro” decides to tease Hayes about her usual unique selection of hats, Alex decides to utilize one of them. Simply touching Alex’s skin is like touching that of a corpse, which carries with it an uneasy feeling in most people. It must be most, as Black Mariah didn’t seem fazed back in Power Man & Iron Fist. It’s but one of the “abilities” Wilder has gained being “undead.”

Image by Marvel Comics

Be It Ever so Humble…

Rather than be scared, Molly Hayes finds such a trick “cool,” which for Alex is a nice change of pace. As much as he acts annoyed or irritated by Hayes, in secret it seems he enjoys being treated positively. And as much as he denies it, Molly has him pegged. Wilder always lies, and he always has a plan. He decides to take Molly to his parents’ old estate. While the FBI has already shut down most of the Pride’s personal homes, the Wilder villa has death traps that have kept it vacant.

Image by Marvel Comics

Having been empty for two years, Wilder now has to deal with Molly Hayes being hungry. In making pineapple chili out of leftover canned food (seriously), readers learn a bit more. Being dead makes Wilder unable to notice foul odors as well as unable to eat or drink. Considering some of the previous issues, he may not even sleep either. Yet Molly also reveals why she’s tagging along after all. Unlike the rest of the Runaways, she actually misses her parents and hates pretending otherwise.

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Unfortunately, Wilder doesn’t seem keen on Molly’s plans to resurrect their folks. Having gotten used to living with her grandmother, Dr. Hayes, she proposes “liberating” her from prison. Ultimately, Alex Wilder isn’t fond of the idea of merely cloning their parents, since he sees them as lifeless doubles, not genuine articles. He’s more interested in using Molly to try to claim some of the Runaways’ resources, while also utilizing her strength to access his parents’ secret room.

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Looks like They Found a Bonus Level!

During the first two volumes of Runaways under Brian K. Vaughan, it was common for him to “upgrade” the kids by simply having them stumble into yet another cache of gear or weapons that the Pride had hidden somewhere. Rowell employs the same strategy, as Wilder has Molly simply smash a hole into a secret room he couldn’t find a way to access. It’s yet another of the Pride’s meeting rooms, where he finds an armada of weapons from his parents. Molly finds some costumes and cash from the elder Hayes, usually dubbed “the Outcasts.”

Image by Marvel Comics

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As Alex predicted, it wouldn’t be long before the rest of the Runaways noticed Molly was gone, and tracked them down. The entire squad shows up, including Gib, the last of the Gibborim’s children — who Alex wanted to “sacrifice.” Fortunately, a fight is avoided. Molly didn’t want to run away with Alex forever, just spend more time with an old friend who shares her pain. And Alex got what he wanted in more ways than one; access to the room, and knowledge that at least one of the Runaways may be his ally again. But did simply having a friend again soften his heart a little?

Image by Marvel Comics

This is another one of those issues which solidifies Rainbow Rowell as the definitive Runaways writer since the departure of Vaughan. Not even Joss Whedon captured the mood and feel of these characters and their world as well as Rowell has. Her issues always build off each other for a progressive storyline, yet the series is less about particular plots and more about character interaction. In this case, Molly and Alex forming a bond out of the shared pain of losing loved ones.

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It’s about the Cast, Not Any Crossovers!

This is an issue whose strength its it ability to shift tones on a dime. It includes hilarious bits such as Molly’s endless questions about Alex’s “ghost powers” to sensitive moments of mourning, to a debate as to the destiny of clones. Being able to switch such beats seamlessly is the skill of a great writer, yet it is often one overlooked. Much like special effects, some of the best skills often look the most effortless. Fred Van Lente is among the best at this, and Rowell may be in his league.

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And as always, Runaways is rarely a book about good and evil, but shades of grey. Alex Wilder is ambitious, and at times power mad. Yet he had a gang-lord for a father, and old habits die hard. He genuinely wants to be among the Runaways again, a team he once founded and led. Yet ultimately, he knows they’ll never all forgive or accept him, nor would he always be loyal. At this stage, however, how much of that is Alex himself, and how much is it a consequence of being dead?

Image by Marvel Comics

Molly Hayes, for her part, once again proves herself to be more nuanced than her quirky hats suggest. She may be optimistic, perky, and excitable, but she is a good judge of character. She doesn’t tag along with Alex because she is naive; she knows exactly how dishonest he usually is. She simply wants to be his friend and sees a kindred spirit. One could argue it’s Molly who tries to be manipulative, knowing Alex is the only one she can ask to help liberate her grandmother and clone her folks.

Image by Marvel Comics

A Seamless Transition on Art Portends Greatness to Come!

Andres Genolet has the tall task of “replacing” Kris Anka as regular artist for what may be the last arc of the series (unless sales improve). His work has recently been seen in Spider-Girls, and his style works cohesively with the world Anka helped establish. He picks up seamlessly from where the previous issue left off, nailing the look and wardrobe of the cast. The Runaways have never dressed like anyone else at Marvel. Triona Farrell’s colors continue to be vibrant and stunning. Overall, Genolet is quickly showcasing himself as a brilliant comic artist.

Image by Marvel Comics

Some readers may wonder quite what is left to do within this series. Much of the last half of this run was gearing up to the return of the Gibborim’s spawn, and then the conflict with them. Yet those readers may miss the point. Runaways has always been about the lives and times of some very weird and quirky kids who were the after effects of the Marvel Universe trying to make their way in life despite every disadvantage. It’s not about what they face, but how they face it. Whether it be a monster, a criminal, or their own angst, Runaways is a respite from simplistic mainstream comics. Issues like this show the franchise hasn’t missed a step and has plenty of life left!