Warning: SPOILERS for The Runaways #30 With modern superheroes viewed as Hollywood stars, it was only a matter of time before the realms of comic book heroes and celebrity clout collided. But now the Runaways of Marvel’s Universe are facing one of the darkest realities of superhero engineering readers will have ever seen.

The casual Marvel fans will know the TV version of the Runaways, but the comic book Runaways have recently found major success, upgrading their hero status to full members of Doc Justice’s famous J-Team, a collection of heroes with a serious reputation and fan base. But while most of the group is caught up in the fame, photoshoots, and publicity, not every young hero is convinced. After all, the J-Team has a history of members dying but leaving Doc Justice to survive every fight. There’s a reason for it, but only Gert knows just how dark and disturbing it really is.

In the latest issue of Runaways #30, the team gathers on Doc Justice’s orders. Their mission? Pursuing a simple eco-terrorist, Ashley Pearson, with no superpowers. As the team rushes out on the mission, Gert is left to gain access to J-Team’s computers and pursue her own suspicions… eventually discovering a shockingly dark secret. It turns out Doc Justice is actually responsible for the deaths of most of his young teammates.

The risk analysis on the computer shows all of the heroes that have fallen in battle, were analyzed and deemed capable of being taken out by Doc Justice. Her research also reveals the eco-terrorist the Runaways are off to tackle did NOT pass this same analysis – suggesting Doc Justice isn’t leading the team into a battle they can actually win. When Gert attempts to warn her friends that they are walking into a death trap, she is stopped, confirming Doc Justice’s number one priority is, and always will be publicity.

He believes that if a hero isn’t keeping the public’s attention, then all the good they do will go unnoticed, and therefore is unable to contribute to the greater good. Instead, he believes secretly killing his teammates and allowing the public to witness their glorious sacrifice makes them martyrs. Bringing the public focus back on them and the rest of their team. And most importantly, himself.

The issue leaves readers to watch the battlefield unfold for themselves, with Doc Justice splitting the team’s forces to ensure their defeat. He orders Karolina Dean AKA ‘Princess Justice’ to strike knowing she can’t handle the villain on her own, leaving her no time for discussion. Princess Justice’s attack reveals their target isn’t just some powerless terrorist at all, but a superpowered opponent. The comic ends on a cliffhanger with the tide of battle shifting towards Ashley, seemingly absorbing the energy from Princess Justice. Between the news discovered by Gert and the way this battle has unfolded so far, one can surmise this is all part of Doc Justice’s original scheme. The reader is left to wonder: will Princess Justice survive? Will Gert reveal Doc Justice’s secret to the rest of the team before it’s too late? And what will Doc Justice do once they know the truth?

Runaways #30 is available now from your local comic book shop.

More: 15 Things You Need To Know About Marvel’s Runaways