Runaways #19 Review

Writer: Rainbow Rowell / Artist: Andres Genolet / Marvel Rainbow Rowell creates such an enjoyable issue #19 that I started to not hate Alex’s scheming ass. Of course, we left off with the banishment of the hostile Gibborim Jr. duo and the excommunication of former Runaways leader, Alex Wilder. We pick up after the big twist in issue #18 by finding out who is joining Alex on his next journey, sans former fam.

Turns out the most innocent member of the crew is the one who joins. Molly chases Alex down and after his initial refusal, lets her tag along as they make their way back “home”. The rest of the issue is as simple as it gets; loner is joined by the youngest member of the team, who constantly feels like a loner and outsider. If you don’t know yet, this is where Rainbow Rowell decimates the writing game. Her outstanding grasp of two characters and their relationship dynamic is impeccable and her ability to move the story along with words instead of action is barred none. Rowell understands Molly’s naivete and the loyalty she will forever hold in her heart for the first leader she ever followed. Molly knows she has to be strong around her fellow Runaways, but can be the antithesis of Princess Powerful when she’s with Alex. And honestly, who could deny a tween need to be real when you’re the one person she can be real around?

On the visual side of things, we have seen our last panel from the wonderfully creative mind of Kris Anka, but low and behold, we have ourselves an unb…