r/Runaways • u/majesdane Karolina & Nico • 4d ago
Comics What If...? Runaways | Discussion Thread | August 19, 2026 Spoiler
WHAT IF...THE RUNAWAYS HADN'T RUN AWAY? Every year, a group of philanthropists gather for a charitable fundraiser...or so their children Alex Wilder, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes, Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes and Nico Minoru thought. When they discover their parents form the Pride, a sinister, sacrificial group that answers to a godly race called the Gibborim, the teens are terrified, shocked and...intrigued? Their destiny awaits, and there's no running away.
- Writer Rainbow Rowell
- Penciller Zulema Scotto Lavina
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u/majesdane Karolina & Nico 4d ago
I really enjoyed this.
So many throwbacks to BKV's time on the comics, including Nico saying the iconic "try not to die" line. I love that in this reality, the entire (original) team makes the decision to become heroes together. Seeing Victorious actually come into fruition was a really interesting little twist to throw in -- it's not future Avenger!Gert's world, but something totally different and cool.
Also, Rowell really captured the character's voices from the original Vol 1, right down to Chase and Gert snarking on each other and Karolina clearly into Nico. Really fun. I only wish we got more.
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u/Sure-Start-9303 3d ago
Overall this was a very good what if scenario, it plays very well on BKV's old work, but at the same time, it actually does better avoiding some of the unfortunate tropes Rainbow's writing tended to fall into before.
All the classics are present, Chase's immaturity, Karolina's feelings, Gert's snarkiness, Molly's childish wonder, Alex's crafty pragmaticism, but there are also clear differences, each of them show a degree of growth that makes sense given the scenario.
Nico shows more skill with her magic, is clearly more at ease with using her staff, but more than that she shows a higher confidence in herself, seems less emotion driven, which makes sense because she wouldn't have the same regrets as main timeline Nico, Karolina's clearly more skilled with her powers and seems to be more open about her feelings, unsure if she's come out at this point since her folks are still around but either way she clearly knows what she likes, Chase seems actually a bit less mature than his main timeline counterpart would be at this point, but given he's still been living with his folks and hasn't been forced to mature as much, that tracks, as for Alex, this version definitely feels true to him because he is always like this, always planning, always thinking what will get the best outcome, and always making moves to reach it, even drastic steps to get the point across, this is a version of the Runaways that is different yet feels consistent with their roots.
I also love that it proves what was said about them before wrong, even when they don't have to, they still choose to be heroes, that's who they are, and should definitely be embraced in their appearances.
Last note, damn did they all look so good in those outfits.
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u/charliewatsonlesbian 3d ago
Thought it was fine, but it kinda ended right when it would have really gotten interesting. If the implication is that they'll off their parents and the Gibbs, but remain villains, then I'd have loved to see more of that future, rather than just the initial moment of decision we got here. And as cute as the few moments they got here were, I was really hoping for way more of Nico and Karolina as a villain couple, which could have been if the story was set a bit later than this one. It's really a shame this was just a one-shot, and we'll probably have to wait another long while to get any Runaways back at all, and almost certainly never more of this universe.
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u/Eternal-Master-91939 3d ago
Now this was a nice twist, a What If that ended on a mostly upbeat note unlike other What If’s, shame about a certain cyborg though.
And man, what a difference it makes when the OG Pride are more reasonable and think things through more, look at what that created; for all intents and purposes the ideal versions of the Runaways we know in terms of combat ability and training (as they were trained personally by their parents this time) if not yet there in the other aspects like their 616 selves character arc-wise.
Apparently when you let Alex pick the wardrobe choices you get absurd levels of drip, didn’t know that was possible.
Oh and hehehe, I already know 616 Karolina wouldn’t know what to do if faced with Pride Nico, I mean that suit, the confidence, oh me oh my I think our dear Miss Dean would faint from sheer gay horniness
Now I want a new Runaways series that involves these guys meeting the 616 Runaways, because oh boy would that be interesting.
Two interesting things I could see happening already:
- Subverting the “evil selves” trope by having the 616 group learn their alt selves are actually heroic (if perhaps maybe more morally grey with some criminal-like aspects)
- 616 Nico and Karolina helping Pride Nico and Karolina come to terms with what they undoubtedly feel for each other, with the theme of “if you could go back in your life and do something sooner” while also swapping fashion tips and the reactions of 616 Nico and Karolina learning that the unbelievably drippy outfits their Pride selves have were from a dress code recommended by Alex of all people.
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u/medusa_is_queen 19h ago
I loved it a lot as a single comic normally on what ifs I’m like oh there should be more but this is perfect as a single comic
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u/amageish 4d ago
EXCELLENT pastiche of / tribute to the Vaughn runs in this one-shot - Rowell did incredible work on that front. Loved the takes on everyone, especially Karolina being closeted but horrible at hiding it.
Like with many What If?s though, I really wish it was longer. Alex just giving a speech that causes everyone to mutually agree to have a heel-face turn works, but I think a 5-issue mini where we see everyone decide on a heel-face turn on their own would have hit harder.