With this issue of Runaways I finally realized what doesn’t work about this new run. In this issue alone we have an appearance of Nintendo Wii, Robert Rodriguez, George Romero, and emo culture. Its trying too hard to be hip. From the overly hip lingo to the quasi-manga art-style its trying desperately to grab hold of the teen demographic and shake them for all its got.

Its truely a shame this book isn’t better than it is. Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise was a milestone in comics, as is his new indy book Echo. I think the series would be much better if Moore stopped tyring to make Runaways cool and just made it genuine. I know he can do it because I felt his run on Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane was actually quite good for just that reason.

Artwise I felt this issue was good, but the pencils were a little off at times. Luckily the colors are amazing! Christina Strain makes this whole world pop with vibrant colors, and the ever changing colors behind the panels is nothing short of inspired. It works almost like a mood ring, everchanging and forcing the eye from page-to-page. It makes a what would otherwise be an average book worth reading.

I really hope the series picks up, and while I don’t think this issue is bad enough to send old fans packing its certainly not up to snuff with the original Vaughn issues and isn’t going to bring anyone new to the table.