Runaways is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics, created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona. It first launched in July 2003 as part of Marvel's Tsunami imprint, which was aimed at attracting new readers with accessible, contemporary stories. The series centers on a group of six teenagers who discover that their seemingly ordinary parents are actually "the Pride," a secret cabal of supervillains controlling Los Angeles. Horrified by this revelation, the kids reject their parents' legacy, discover their own inherited powers and abilities, and go on the run together, forming a makeshift family while trying to atone for the sins of their parents.
The original cast included Alex Wilder, a tactical genius; Nico Minoru, a powerful witch; Karolina Dean, an alien with solar-based abilities; Gertrude Yorkes, bonded to a genetically engineered dinosaur; Chase Stein, who steals his father's high-tech gauntlets; and Molly Hayes, a super-strong mutant. The series was praised for its sharp dialogue, diverse characters, and its fresh take on the teen superhero genre, often drawing comparisons to coming-of-age stories like The Breakfast Club. Although the initial run was canceled after eighteen issues, strong trade paperback sales led Marvel to revive the series in 2005, and it continued in various volumes and creative teams over the years.
Throughout its publication history, Runaways has been celebrated for its representation of LGBTQ+ characters, its exploration of chosen family dynamics, and its willingness to tackle darker themes such as betrayal, trauma, and moral ambiguity. The team expanded over time to include characters like the cyborg Victor Mancha, the shape-shifting Skrull Xavin, and the plant-controlling Klara Prast. The series remains a cult favorite among comic book fans and is considered one of the defining teen superhero books of the early 2000s.
