Every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were? Marvel's Runaways is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other but who must unite against a common foe -- their parents.
So no, this Runaways isn't a literal recreation of a beloved comic. But it works in its own right, and feels more fun and durable than a lot of its Marvel TV counterparts.
While I'm not totally sold yet, there are signs by episode four that what's often true about the high-school experience could turn out to be true about this series: It might get better as it goes along.
Marvel's Runaways appears to be Hulu's version of Riverdale. Much like its counterpart on The CW, Runaways seems to veer away from the comic book canon in a way that should change the show and the future of the characters forever.
Now if only there was a clear superhero narrative here to make "Marvel's Runaways" more than just another high school drama echoing the dozens that came before it.
The show's superheroic and science-fiction elements are restrained, sharing time with the mystery and the family dramas, but when they show up they border on camp in a way that can't be intentional.
The problem is that series seems to take itself a bit too seriously. It could use a side of humor or an over-the-top quality. But these teens are mostly awkward, and while that could be charming, here it isn't.
