Runaways Vol. 3

This is volume 3 of the Runaways (2017) series written by Rainbow Rowell, corresponding to the English original Runaways by Rainbow Rowell & Kris Anka Vol. 3: That Was Yesterday, collecting issues #13–18. The volume follows the shocking turn at the end of the previous volume: Alex Wilder, the original leader who betrayed the team and died years ago, returns in an unexpected way, and with him come the descendants of the ancient giant Gibborim. They deliver an ultimatum to the Runaways: either hand over a "sacrifice" as they demand, or the whole world will pay the price—and these young people have only a few months. Around this deadline, Nico Minoru truly learns for the first time where the power of the Staff of One comes from, and faces the shameful family history between herself and the staff. Christmas arrives at the hostel where they stay, and the festive cheer is mixed with uninvited guests; Gert, Chase, Karolina, Molly, and Victor—reduced to a single head—are each moved by old wounds. In the end, the biggest suspense is whether Alex will help the team he once grievously wounded through the crisis, or betray them once more. Rowell balances action and emotion, makes "sacrifice" the theme running through the volume, and lets these no-longer-children "runaways" reaffirm in crisis that they are family.