in which I finish reading Runaways

...and learn all about the pitfalls of serials that switch teams a lot. And I mean a LOT.

I've also finally made sense of the numbering and the arcs and how they seem to have been grouped into three volumes after the fact. Last I posted, I was in the middle of the "Parental Guidance" arc, so two arcs before Whedon's run starts and right before shit got very real. Now, I'm finished reading the whole thing.

I have many feelings, not all of them good, and I think I'll go era-to-era.

( Brian K Vaughan era: 'Pride & Joy' through 'Live Fast' )

I read that Vaughan chose to leave Runaways while it was still at the top of its game. Maybe a good decision creatively for him, but ultimately kind of disastrous for Runaways as a series.

( Joss Whedon's era: 'Dead End Kids' )

It wasn't until after Whedon's run that I stopped feeling like I was reading a great YA novel, and started feeling like I was watching a cartoon series.

( Terry Moore's era: 'Dead Wrong' and 'Rock Zombies' )

( Kathyrn Immonen's era: 'Mollifest Destiny'- 'Homeschooling' )

Whew, long post is long! Ultimately I would recommend Runaways to anyone, though it does get a little disappointing after Whedon's run. The characters Vaughan created left a lasting impression with me; I wish there were tons of fic to read. And I still want icons.

Can't wait to read Y: The Last Man, which is Vaughan from start to finish. ♥

After that I might put my comics binge on hold to read the Hunger Games trilogy, which peeps on my f-list keep talking about.