After 23 Years, Iconic Marvel Team Get the Costumes They've Always Deserved

Published Aug 22, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT Shaun Corley has been with ScreenRant for over 5 years, and is currently the Coordinator for PR and Outreach for the Comics Team. Warning: contains spoilers for What If...? Runaways #1! After 23 years, an iconic Marvel team debuts the uniforms they have always deserved. While the Runaways may not be as big a name as the Avengers or the X-Men, they are still one of Marvel’s best teams. These underrated heroes are fan favorites and now the publisher is taking them down a dark path. Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artist Adrian Alphona, Runaways was one of Marvel’s best books of the 2000s. Introduced in a publishing initiative aimed at younger readers, Runaways outlasted the imprint to become one of Marvel’s unsung franchises. Runaways plays on an emotion that nearly every teen has felt at some point: that your parents are bad people. However, Runaways carried this to its horrifying extreme, as a disparate group of teenagers learned their parents were a cabal of supervillains called “the Pride.” When they learned the truth, the kids went on the run. The property floundered after Vaughan and Alphona left, but found its groove once again under writer Rainbow Rowell, who returns to guide the Runaways to their dark destiny in a new special that asks: what if the Runaways never ran away? The answer is terrifying. If the Runaways Never Ran, Then They Became Their Parents The Runaways Got Cool Looking New Outfits to Match What If…? Runaways #1 is written by Rowell and drawn by Zulema Scotto Lavina. In it, the Runaways do not flee when they discover the truth about their parents. Instead, they embrace their family’s evil ways, seemingly becoming the next generation of the Pride. The Pride, overjoyed that their children are following in their footsteps, nurture and encourage their children. The action then moves two years into the future, with the Runaways each sporting a vastly different look. Alex Wilder, the team’s de facto leader, now dresses like a businessman, and has ditched his glasses. Nico Minoru’s outfit closely resembles that of a stage magician, while Gertrude wears a colorful pantsuit. Finally, Molly, aka “Princess Powerful,” wears a suit of armor with cat ears. Fans learn that the Gibborim, the Pride’s masters, are demanding a massive sacrifice, and the Runaways are trying to get the Avengers off the planet so that this can be accomplished. After liberating Victor (who was a member on Earth 616) to help them, the Runaways come to a realization: that their parents are actually bad. Alex convinces Nico, Getrude, Chase and the rest to abandon the Pride and the Gibborim, and pursue a more heroic destiny. Runaways Is One of Marvel's Best Concepts of the 21st Century The Runaways continue to find fans, 23 years after their debut, and this new special demonstrates the team still has potential after all this time. Not only did The Runaways appeal to young readers, but also the young at heart. Vaughan and Alphona created a concept that was universal, yet one that was also firmly rooted in the Marvel Universe. The creators perfectly captured not only teenage angst, but teen love, heartbreak and joy, and fans could not get enough. Now, the team has become corrupted, and the results are disturbing. On Earth 616, the Runaways received no training in their powers and abilities. They learned everything on the run, but in this special they were able to tap into their parents’ vast knowledge and resources. Nico, Gert and the rest were able to hone their gifts, only they were directed to evil ends. The Runaways fans meet here are far more confident in themselves, and this is reflected in how they dress and carry themselves. The Runaways fans meet here are far more confident in themselves, and this is reflected in how they dress and carry themselves. And while the sight of a twisted version of the Runaways is a bit unnerving, there is no denying the new outfits are cool looking. Nico, who was the stereotypical “goth” in the original run, has embraced her magical heritage and dresses like she has a show in Las Vegas. Molly’s armor keeps in line with her child-like personality, while Gertrude’s pantsuits exude comfort in her own skin. Chase now has a massive, tank-like vehicle to drive and Alex looks like a true leader. The Runaways Are Destined to be Heroes No Matter What Universe Yet, as seen at the conclusion of What If…? Runaways #1, it is ultimately the team’s destiny to be heroes. The book ends with them vowing to undo the work of the Pride. This new version of the Runaways has the advantage of training, making them even more formidable than ever before. The new outfits Marvel has given the Runaways are not only cool looking, but reflect a more confident, assured team. What If...Runaways #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!