#runaways 2005

[cryptidnova]

Runaways (2005) #7

[extwentytrois]

my favourite dumbass chase moments

[blackkit10]

Just finished vol. 2 of Runaways, and I guess Joss Whedon decided that Xavin’s “true self“ was going to be female. There’s a scene where Karolina and Xavin are arguing, and Xavin loses control of their disguise and reverts to their female form. Karolina and Molly take this to mean that female!Xavin is the true Xavin as they had shifted to the female form unknowingly. This theory is supported by the fact in the start of Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (which takes place after vol. 2) on the page that explains recent events from the two series, Xavin is referred by female pronouns rather than just using their name.

Before Whedon took over as writer on the recap page there was pictures of the current lineup of the Runaways. Xavin’s picture was often their Skrull form and sometimes one of the other forms. After Whedon took over, but before they got rid of the pictures, Xavin’s picture was mostly of their female form.

I don’t know if Xavin will only switch between Skrull and female instead of male, female, Skrull. If that is the case I’m going to be very irritated, because it was already stated before Whedon’s take over that for Xavin to choose one form over another is who Xavin is. I feel like they are erasing Xavin’s genderfluidity.

I know Joss Whedon doesn’t remain the writer, so I’ll see how it goes when I read the issues with the new writer.

[blackkit10]

Reading Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways, which comes between #24 and #25 of Runaways 2005, and someone finally called Xavin out for being “robotphobic” towards Victor. I do understand that where Xavin is from there is most likely no cyborgs/hybrids. The androids that Xavin has been in contact with have most likely been ordinary and nothing like Ultron. While that explains Xavin’s views towards robots, androids, cyborgs, etc. it does not excuse their behavior towards Victor. Especially, since Xavin has not tried to learn how Victor is different than the androids from their home planet.

Note: This post only addresses Xavin’s attitude towards Victor. I am aware of Victor‘s attitude towards Xavin’s gender identity. I have only read up to Runaways (2005) #24, as of writing this post, so I’m unaware of anything about Xavin and Victor’s relationship after this point.

[blackkit10]

I feel a relationship won’t last between a cis-gender (or non-fluid) person and a genderfluid person if the cis-gender (or non-fluid) person doesn’t accept all sides of the genderfluid person. Example: Karolina is a lesbian, which means she’s attracted to females. Xavin is a shapeshifter and takes the role of a genderfluid person, as they are seen often shifting between a male body and female body. Xavin is first introduced as male, and then shifts to a female body when Karolina’s sexual orientation becomes known. But as stated before, Xavin often switches between those two forms. While Karolina has accepted that Xavin is a shapeshifter. It can’t be said that she accepts all versions of Xavin. She has been verbally affectionate towards Xavin in all forms, but only physically affectionate with Xavin when they are in their female form. There was a scene where Karolina was going to bed and told Xavin, who had just shifted to female, “I’ll see you later hopefully in this form.” In a later scene Karolina has told Xavin that she doesn’t want to them to paw at her when they are in their male form. Karolina has insisted using female pronouns towards Xavin and stating that Xavin is female. Xavin has not been shown stating what their pronoun preferences are, but they have stated that staying in just their female form would not be true to who they are as a person. The implication I got while reading Runaways, is that Karolina is choosing Xavin’s gender identity for them to match with her own preferences.

I believe that a cis-gender (or non-fluid) person should not be the one to decide a genderfluid person’s pronouns or whether or not they are a “real” boy or a “real” girl. I also think that a cis-gender (or non-fluid) person shouldn’t push away their significant other when their gender identity doesn’t match what they cis-gender (or non-fluid) person wants. If a cis-gender (or non-fluid) person knowingly enters a relationship with a genderfluid person, then they shouldn’t say things like “no I won’t kiss you when you’re a boy/girl.” 

Up to the point that I have read of the Runaways comic, I don’t believe that Karolina and Xavin’s relationship will last. Based strictly on what I’ve talked about in this post.

[blackkit10]

Why doesn’t Female! Xavin have curly hair like Male! Xavin does? While there is nothing wrong with people who are black or anyone with tight curly hair having it straightened, if that is there wish. I just think it would make more sense for Xavin to have the same hair texture in both forms. It would also be a contrast to Alex’s mother, who was shown with long straight hair.

[blackkit10]

Runaways 2003-2005 (up to issue #20)

The more I read Runaways the more problematic I realize it is (WARNING: spoilers below):

Alex was one of two poc characters (black) that’s part of the main cast, and he is a traitor and is killed.

Gertruede “Gert” is the only one of the main cast that is not thin (yes the other characters do have different body types but none are over weight). Depending on the artist, there are times she’s drawn thinner and other times she drawn fatter. Her future self is noticeably thinner. Both her future self and her present self is killed off.

Cloak (a black man) from Cloak and Dagger is thought guilty of attacking his partner (a white woman). The only evidence is a grainy video. Several heroes go on a hunt for Cloak and aren’t interested in listening to him. The staff at the hospital automatically assume that Cloak was the one that attacked Dagger, despite them having no evidence.

Nico, Japanese, has the bad coping mechanism to throw herself at various boys. This has progressed from kissing to sex (not shown but implied).

Xavin, a shapeshifting alien, often shifts between female and male. Terms like she-male, gender-bender, etc. have been used towards them. 

Victor, half robot and half Mexican, has had a lot of anti-robot comments made towards him. Such as suggesting that his feelings for Nico can’t be real, several of Chase’s nicknames for him, Xavin’s overall attitude towards him (this can be explained by Xavin’s upbringing and how robotic creatures are treated on their home planet).

One of Alex’s online friends (a male) often plays female heroes in a overly sexual manner or has them wearing some of their more sexier costumes.

The only female of Alex’s online friends refers to herself as their token girl.

After Alex dies, there is only one other poc (black) in his group of online friends. That character is also killed. In order to bring back another evil poc character.

There’s most likely more, but this was off the top of my head.

[blackkit10]

Reading Runaways vol. 2 and the character Xavin just appeared and they look like Green Goblin in their true form. I’m guessing that Karolina’s parents just assumed she was straight or they didn’t care (in a non-positive way).

Seriously! They’ve got the Fantastic Four’s powers. Not to the same degree, but come on.