The Hostel: La Brea Tar Pits

First seen: Runaways (2nd series) #1

Vacated: Runaways (2nd series) #24

Location: Underneath La Brea Tar Pits, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

When the runaways vacated their collapsed hostel at Bronson Canyon, they had to find a new place to live. It was never explained exactly how they found the Pride’s lair underneath the La Brea Bar Pits, but Chase mentioned that if they hadn’t found their parents’ old lair, the five of them would still be cloaked on Venice Beach, sleeping in the same smelly ship. This isn't clear whether he is referring to the Leapfrog or some other abandoned ship.

The runaways are seen entering and exiting the hostel via the tar that sits in a lake above it, which is part of the museum. This museum actually exists. The George C. Page Museum exhibits fossils that have been discovered within the tar pits, since excavation began in the early twentieth century. Many creatures have been found in the pits, having got trapped in there or become trapped hunting those already stuck. They include Woolly Mammoths, Ground Sloths and Dire Wolves.

As for the interior, it is clear that it has been built in a cavernous space underneath the pits. Who actually built it is unknown. Gert mentions that it used to be decorated in purple and green before she went 'Queer Eye' on the place. In the first picture we can see that the Leapfrog is parked beside a small staircase which leads to a mezzanine level. This has an archway at the opposite end from the staircase. There appears to be nothing here except for a large picture of the Pride in costume. Oddly, this isn't a posed picture or a photograph, but a snapshot of the Pride taken from Runaways (1st series) #7, where no photographer was present. Behind the wall and behind the Leapfrog, it appears to be empty cavern.

We see the mezzanine level again in Runaways (2nd series) #16, but the photograph of the Pride appears to have been replaced. It is also drawn narrower here and styled slightly differently.

You can see an arch underneath the oversized spanner. A stream runs into this room from under this mezzanine level and heads around to the right. In the second picture, which shows a wider view, we can see that the stream continues round to where a blue and white car-boat sits. We can now see that the Leapfrog faces an arc of steps which leads to a wall of photographs showing the Pride in costume. Underneath those are some cabinets which presumably hold the Pride’s artefacts or collections. Robots are scattered around which Victor Stein probably created for a variety of purposes.

There is one room which has a holographic display with two rows of seats. The Pride used this, as Nico points out, to keep tabs on the market share controlled by their international competition. The Yorkes’ may have used this machine to create the recording which Gertrude inadvertently saw before she was supposed to.

In Runaways (2nd series) #22, Molly and Xavin play a game of risk on a table on a tiny island surrounded by streams. This has a kind of balcony overlooking it and seems to be a separate room from the ones shown above.

This room can also be seen here, with a more expanded view: -

Another room with more photographs on the walls is shown in Runaways (2nd series) #14 but again it isn’t clear where this is in relation to the main chamber. The room is also seen in Runaways (2nd series) #21 when Chase returns from his adventures with Lotus.

As far as bedroom arrangements go, everyone appears to have their own room. Victor is seen in his own room in Runaways (2nd series) #15, as is Nico, and upon their return from space, Karolina and Xavin are shown with a place of their own. It is likely that Gertrude, Molly, Chase and Victor each had a separate room in the hostel.

It isn’t clear how Karolina and Xavin managed to enter the hostel in Runaways (2nd series) #16, but it may have been through the tar by use of a forcefield. If not, there may be another entrance to the hostel that has not been shown. The boat that is shown above might possibly be able to leave via a secret exit, which would allow access providing you knew its location. Iron Man and his S.H.I.E.L.D. Capekillers also entered the hostel. This might have been by that same unseen entrance. The only other person seen inside was Cloak, and he probably teleported there.

Very little of the hostel has actually been seen. We saw nothing of the kitchens, bathrooms, lounges or dining rooms, but presumably they would have existed if the Pride had built bedrooms in the hostel. We'll probably never find out, because when Iron Man turns up at the end of Runaways (2nd series) #24, the runaways were forced to abandon the hostel, never to return.

Hostels-

Bronson Canyon (moved in Runaways (1st series) #6 and vacated Runaways (1st series) #14: Collapsed)

La Brea Tar Pits (moved in Runaways (2nd series) #1 and vacated Runaways (2nd series) #24: Compromised)

Malibu House (moved in Runaways (3rd series) #1 and vacated Runaways (3rd series) #13 - 14: Burnt down)