Runaways will be Marvel-ous for Hulu By T. S. Jones
Aside from having Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. on their roster of shows (it’s an ABC Network show), Hulu has officially joined the Marvel family with its original series – Marvel’s Runaways. Based on the comic book series created by Brian K. Vaughan & Adrian Alphona, Runaways tells the story of a group of childhood friends reuniting after the passing of one at the request of Alex Wilder. While this would come across as an opportunity to reconnect with the ones who made you happy, accepted you for who you are – this isn’t one of those times. Don’t misunderstand, there is joy in Alex’s face when he sees his friends at his front door, but the moment is short lived when they discover there’s more to their parents lives than they ever wanted to know.
From what is seen in the promotional trailer (5.4 million views on YouTube so far) the group of teenagers find a secret room in Alex’s home where they find their parents wearing monk-like robes and performing a ceremony where a young woman is being sacrificed. This is the beginning of change in the relationship between child and parent where breaking curfew is nowhere near the equation.
Over time, we’ll find out more about the parents who are a collectively secret organized group called PRIDE. This group is comprised of power couples – emphasis on the word power – who basically own all of Malibu, California. They each has a set of skills that when coming together is one that is literally out of this world. This will be presented in a broader sense on the show for sure. It’s not going to be some subplot; especially considering that they are now formidable foes to their children.
For some, this is an exciting moment to see yet another comic book series in live-action form; not so much for others. This would bring about strong opposing opinions, including my own. I recently purchased the first volume of Runaways (the original Vaughan/Alphona creation) which consists of the first six issues and I must say it was a great page turner and makes for an interesting story. In comparison with the trailer that is currently promoting the show, it is honoring the look of the characters that is the teenage supergroup; taken right from the pages of the book. Not to mention it sets a foundation on what to possibly expect in the series. I say possibly because like most everything involving live-action comic book films and television shows, there’s always opportunity to spin the story in one way shape or form.
Kevin Melrose of Comic Book Resources raved about the new series saying the show is “Smartly written and tightly paced” and feels the “it very well may be the most faithful television adaptations of a comic book yet – in spirit, in any case.” That’s is fitting for the high regard department. On the other end of the spectrum is Matt Goldberg of collider.com, he seems to have a very displeasing opinion about how the characters are being portrayed. For example, he doesn’t seem open to how show creators Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage are putting their spin on the newest live-action Marvel project – “Arguably the biggest change from the comics is that Schwartz and Savage decide to make the parents a much bigger part of the story. Rather than malevolent antagonists who have the city on lockdown, the show very slowly tries to tease out their end game…despite trying to give us the perspective of the parents, it ends up depriving the show of a strong central viewpoint.”
What I find intriguing is how some people who are hardcore comic books heads – maybe more than I – who it seems have no room for something called creative licensing. This is a broader interpretation of telling a story. What needs to be understood is that Schwartz & Savage are bringing this story to another medium which is television. This format allows the creators, including the cast & crew, to tell the broad story as it’s meant to be told. This can also be taken as a testament to the series bringing inspiration to the creators of the show who like many of us who have picked up a comic book and wondered what if there was more to the story than what’s being told; that’s what this series will provide.
It should also be understood that the first season of any show is the foundation of the series. These characters are being introduced to viewers who may not have read the comics and reintroduced to those who did. As expressed earlier, the casting was made very well by the casting department and I do believe that those who have read the books will agree they paid attention to detail when it came to bringing these young superheroes to life.
Runaways
Alex Wilder – Rhenzy Feliz (Casual, Teen Wolf)
Alex is the resident nerd of the group who longs for the days where he was part of a group of kids – teenagers – that despite the different personalities, there was some common ground. It’s his discovery that starts the adventure that they can’t walk away from even if they wanted to.
Nico Minoru/Sister Grimm – Lyrica Okano (The Affair, Ikenhisu: To Kill with One Blow)
Nico is perceived as an outsider at her school primarily due to her gothic look. She comes from a line of Wiccans who discovers her abilities in quite surprising way. For the most part she hasn’t been the same since her sister passed away. Maybe reuniting with her friends will bring her out of her shell.
Karolina Dean/Lucy in the Sky – Virginia Gardner (Zoo, Project Almanac)
The daughter of Hollywood actors, Karolina is a young model who wants to break free and have a more conventional life and be a normal teenager. She discovers not only more about herself but her parents as well. It is something truly not of this world.
Gert Yokes/Arsenic – Ariela Barer (Atypical, One Day at a Time)
Gert is just as much of a nerd as Alex is; she has a more of a logistical angle to it. She is described as the riot grrrl with an empathetic heart. Her abilities are associated with something in the animalistic sense. Except the animal is quite historic.
Chase Stein/Talkback – Gregg Sulkin (Don’t Hang Up, Anti-Social)
Chase is the cliché athletic high school student. He has arrogance and a rollercoaster relationship with his father who is an engineer genius. He may have a tongue in cheek sense of humor, but he will come to learn that his friends are the truest people in his life.
Molly Hernandez/Princess Powerful – Allegra Acosta (One Halloween, American Girl)
Molly is the youngest of the super friends circle who is trying to process how powerful she could be as well as how her parents can be part of The Pride. The group tries to protect her but ultimately, they accept that she needs to know as much as they already do. Side Note: Molly’s last name in the comics is Hayes
There has always been the fight between good and evil. When it comes to being in that battle with your parents, the people you saw as your strongest ally in life, it makes for a harder fight to participate in. Especially when your parents are part of a menacing group such as…
The Pride
The Pride is described as a sinister group of people consisting of mob bosses, time-travelers, dark wizards, mad scientists, alien invaders and telepathic mutants. For years, they have been known as pillars in their city for such things as their charitable contributions and property developments; this was all their children knew as well. When they find out the truth it’s like a can of worms they wished they never opened.
This group has a few familiar faces that should strike more interests in the show. To name a few, James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, New Life), Ever Carradine (Major Crimes, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Adolescence) and Kip Pardue (Agent X, Ray Donovan, NCIS: Los Angeles) are a part of this evil parental syndicate. They have a firm belief that what they do is for the greater good for their children and the world; maybe even the universe. That remains the be seen and as far as their children are concerned – they must be brought down. They will receive some help from another member of the Marvel Cinematic family – Julian McMahon. The actor known as portraying Dr. Doom in the Fantastic Four films (2005 & 2007 respectively) will be making a guest appearance as Jonah; he aids the teenagers in fighting against their parents.
Keep in mind, the reviews that you may have seen during the promotion of Runaways is based on the first four episodes that were viewed by them. This one on the other hand is based on seeing the trailer and reading the comics. At the end of the day the appreciation that this new series will bring is on the individual who views it. I for one am looking forward to seeing the premiere and how this story unfolds over time. I highly recommend giving this series a try and seeing the imagination of other comic book aficionados come to the small screen.
As part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity with both the television shows & films, Marvel’s Runaways premieres on November 21st with the first three episodes with new episodes to follow every Tuesday.
That’s my opinion and everyone is entitled to one.
