Marvel has released What If...? Runaways #1, a special issue penned by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Zulema Scotto Lavina. The story explores an alternate timeline where the teenage protagonists joined their villainous parents, the Pride, instead of fleeing their home.
The 23-year legacy of Brian K. Vaughan's teen rebels
The Runaways first appeared 23 years ago, created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona. Originally launched as part of a publishing initiative targeting younger audiences,the series became a standout hit of the 2000s by blending teenage angst with high-stakes superheroics. While the franchise experienced a period of instability after the original creators departed, the report says the property has found a new rhythm under the guidance of Rainbow Rowell.
This legacy of youth rebellion is what makes the current premise so jarring.. In the primary Marvel continuity, the team's identity is defined by their rejection of their parents' crimes. By flipping this script, Rowell examines the psychological cost of acceptance and the allure of inherited power, providing a mirror to the original themes of family betrayal and autonomy.
From street kids to the next generation of the Pride
In this alternate reality, the teenagers do not flee upon discovering the truth about their parents. Instead, they embrace the evil ways of the Pride, who in turn nurture their children's darker impulses. According to the report, this leads to a version of the team that is far more confident and capable than their counterparts on Earth 616, primarily because they had access to the Pride's vast resources and training.
The plot accelerates two years into the future, depicting a team that has fully integrated into the villainous hierarchy. The stakes are raised as the Runaways attempt to remove the Avengers from the planet to facilitate a massive sacrifice demanded by the Gibborim, the masters of the Pride. This shift from survivalists to aggressors transforms the team's dynamic from a found-family of outcasts into a disciplined unit of heirs.
Nico's magician attire and Molly's cat-eared armor
The visual evolution of the characters reflects their new status as assured power-players. As reported, the new designs move away from the haphazard clothing of fugitives toward curated, symbolic outfits. Nico Minoru, previously characterized by a "goth" aesthetic, now wears clothing reminiscent of a Las Vegas stage magician, signaling her mastery over her magical heritage.
Other character redesigns further emphasize this shift in confidence:
- Alex Wilder has ditched his glasses and adopted the attire of a businessman, cementing his role as the team's leader.
- Molly, known as "Princess Powerful," sports a suit of armor complete with cat ears, blending her childlike nature with lethal capability.
- Gertrude has traded her casual wear for a colorful pantsuit,while Chase now operates a massive, tank-like vehicle.
The role of Victor and the fate of the Avengers
While the issue concludes with the team vowing to undo the work of the Pride, several narrative threads remain loosely defined.. The story mentions the liberation of Victor—a character known to readers of Earth 616—to assist the team in their realization that their parents are evil. However, the specific nature of Victor's role in this alternate timeline and the exact mechanism used to displace the Avengers remain points of curiosity for the reader.
Furthermore, the source focuses heavily on the internal realization of the Runaways but leaves the broader geopolitical state of this "dark" Marvel universe unexplored.. It remains to be seen how other hero teams would react to a version of the Runaways that spent two years as the Pride's primary enforcers before turning toward heroism.
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