What if the Runaways had never run away? That's the chilling premise of Marvel's new one-shot comic, What If... The Runaways Hadn't Run Away?, written by Rainbow Rowell with art by Zulema Scotto Lavina. In this alternate universe, the teen heroes stay with their supervillain parents, the Pride, and the consequences are catastrophic—including the death of a founding Avenger.
The story flips the script on the beloved found family. Instead of rebelling against their evil parents, the kids embrace their dark legacy as the Young Pride. The Watcher narrates how this simple change—parents actually explaining their deal with the alien Gibborim—leads to a world where the Avengers are under threat. The most shocking twist? Victor Mancha, the cyborg son of Ultron, kills Steve Rogers (Captain America) and sets his sights on the Fantastic Four and the rest of the Avengers.
Victor's heel turn is especially poignant. In the main Marvel timeline, Victor joined the Runaways in 2005 and found redemption through friendship and love with Gert Yorkes. But in this What If scenario, without those connections, he becomes "Victorious," an assassin programmed by his father. The comic doesn't show the actual murder, but it's clear Victor feels no remorse—he's almost gleeful about his mission, and the Young Pride break him out of jail to continue his deadly work.
This one-shot is a treat for fans of the Runaways, especially those who've missed Victor in recent years. He wasn't in the Hulu adaptation, and he's not expected in the upcoming VisionQuest series, but this comic gives us a taste of his potential—even if it's as a villain. The artwork by Scotto Lavina echoes Adrian Alphona's original designs, making it feel like a true return to the team's roots.
One of the most heartbreaking changes is the lack of romance. In this universe, none of the Runaways are coupled up. Karolina and Nico share a brief moment, but they're not together. Gert is annoyed by Chase, and Nico isn't with Alex. The only hint of love is Molly's celebrity crush on Wolverine, which apparently transcends universes. It's a stark reminder of how much the team's bonds shaped their original story.
Molly, however, thrives in this dark timeline. With her parents' guidance, she hones her mutant powers and becomes "Princess Powerful," complete with a flashy pink suit. But there's a tragic irony: her "friends" are lying to her, making her think she's a hero while she's actually helping villains. It's a bleak twist that highlights how important the Runaways' real friendships were.
Fortunately, the team's instinct to rebel eventually kicks in, and they find their way back to heroism. But not before they've left a trail of destruction—and a dead Captain America—in their wake. This one-shot is a must-read for fans of alternate Marvel stories, and it's a fascinating exploration of how one choice can change everything.
For more on Marvel's multiverse madness, check out our LEGO Avengers: Doomsday set and the new Disneyland Avengers rides. And if you're curious about other What If scenarios, stay tuned to Collider for all the latest comic news.
