Huh. I’m really pretty surprised as to how not a lot of noise is coming out from fans and haters alike regarding Hulu’s TV adaptation of Marvel’s Runaways property. Rarely does it come up on various news sites, too. Does this mean that no one gives a damn about the property? I really can’t say. I mean, it is by far better than the recently concluded Inhumans series, which by the way I don’t think to be this abomination everybody else does. And you can’t say it’s because the Runaways are a cult series; having this TV adaptation should have given it more room in the limelight. Whatever the case may be, whether it’s because there’s just too much superhero programs being released simultaneously or if it’s because no one like Hulu, you’re missing out on some quality TV if you’re not watching Marvel’s Runaways.
So, what is this franchise all about, anyway? Well, it’s based on properties created by none other than Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona for Marvel in the 2000s, which revolve around a group of teenagers with special abilities out to destroy their parents. Oh, and their parents are supervillains, so it’s all fair game by mainstream American comic book standards.
Now, I haven’t read the comics – that much is true –, but if it’s as good as the TV series, then I won’t be surprised considering the creative team behind it. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that I’m totally clueless about what the franchise is about. To give you an idea, here are the specific properties that belong to the Runaways: there’s Alex Wilder, the de facto leader of their group who’s some sort of tech whiz; Nico Minoru, who’s a witch and has gone on to become the breakout star of the whole franchise in the comics, since this property has popped up more and more often in various titles over the years; Karolina Dean, an alien that glows and shoots light from her body; Chase Stein, a tech whiz with powerful gloves; Gert Yorkes, the annoying feminist-but-not-really-a-feminist that has a telepathic link with a dinosaur named Old Lace; and Molly Hernandez (her last name’s Hayes in the comics), a mutant with super-strength and is probably the only member of the group you won’t want to choke to death.
Honestly, I thought I wasn’t going to like The Runaways initially, especially when these asshole kids gunked up the TV screen with pubescent whining and impudence. It’s a good thing all that lasted for just about a quarter of the first episode; the rest of the show is an exciting trip driven by plot and refreshing twists on the whole teenage drama genre. And, of course, freaking Molly. I like the character so much that it’d absolutely feel right if all the other characters in the show got written off and it turned into her own show. Seriously, though, you should watch Marvel’s Runaways: it definitely sets itself apart from all the other Marvel property-based shows and movies out there.