The Runaways’ mutant hero, Molly, must decide between her friends and going to the X-Men’s nation of Krakoa in March’s Runaways #34. This monumental decision will be brought to readers courtesy of regular series writer Rainbow Rowell and artist Andres Genolet. The Marvel Comics issue will be in stores on March 3rd, 2021.
Molly Hayes is the Runaways’ only mutant member; she is also the youngest and the most physically powerful. Gifted with super-strength, Molly has been the heart and soul of the team since their founding. Initially calling herself Princess Powerful, she has seen team members come and go, some through death, but has maintained her positive attitude through it all. Meanwhile, over in the X-Men family of titles, the mutants have taken up residence on the island of Krakoa, building a utopian society where mutants can live in peace with no fear of humans trying to kill them. They have sent a message out to all mutants they are welcome there, and so far, Molly has been a holdout, but that’s about to change.
The matter comes to a head in Runaways #34. The issue guest stars both Wolverine and Pixie from the X-Men. The solicitation does not mention exactly what role the two will be playing, but it is a fair assumption they are trying to recruit Molly and bring her to Krakoa. However, the solicitation cautions readers against assuming they know the answer, saying the team never does what they are told to do, or do what people expect them to do.
Since the X-Men founded the nation of Krakoa, fans have wondered if Molly would go there and be among her own kind. It looks like the issue might finally be settled soon. The question is: what advantages would Molly have there? She has known nothing but the Runaways since she was a little girl—how would being ripped away from all that affect her? On the flip side, Molly could stop running and find stability among her fellow mutants. Molly is also arguably the most powerful member of the team, providing muscle when they need it—how might they react to losing her?
Since Runaways started in the early 2000s, Molly has sat out some of the biggest X-Men related events, such as House of M and Avengers vs. X-Men, but now she is being drawn into the saga of Krakoa. What she will decide to do is anyone’s guess, but regardless of which side she chooses, it will have huge ramifications for both teams.
