Chase Stein is a player and a homemaker in Runaways No. 21
By Alex Widen
All That and Chase Makes a Man-Bun Work!
Chase gets back to the Hostel, and he’s no longer an interesting dude at a supermarket. He’s back to being “Mister Mom,” doing his best to hold the team together by filling in the niches that need filling. He does the groceries, checks in on Gib, feeds Old Lace, and does most of the “adult” stuff that Nico either can’t or won’t deal with. This quickly includes talking to Molly, who’s decided to ditch school and sleep in her room after her emotional meeting with Alex Wilder.
Image by Marvel Comics
Having long since learned to be suspicious of Wilder, Chase automatically assumes this is part of one of his plots. And while Alex is a clever plotter and manipulator, it had more to do with Molly Hayes’ own angst. After years of losing those around her, she’d settled into a sense of normalcy with her grandmother. The fact that she was a mad scientist who cloned her parents was just a setback! Molly was tired of pretending to be the happy perky one when she was distraught about losing more friends and allies than she regains.
Image by Marvel Comics
It’s here where Chase Stein shows more of his true strengths. He’s not quite the dumb kid who first helped found the Runaways. He’s grown up and gotten used to responsibilities, as well as forming genuine bonds. Having magically been made Molly’s legal guardian in an earlier issue, Chase promises never to abandon her or allow the authorities to claim her again. He’s the one who sparked this Runaways reunion, and this time he’s determined to make it stick. It’s a sweet scene.
Image by Marvel Comics