Could Marvel's 'Runaways' And 'Cloak And Dagger' TV Shows Cross Over?

2017 is a busy year for Marvel Entertainment, who are currently working on a whopping seven TV shows at the same time. The series range from the revolutionary Inhumans — with the first two episodes due to air at IMAX cinemas — to no less than three Marvel Netflix shows. Meanwhile, filming has kicked off on two youth-centered series, Runaways and Cloak and Dagger. But is it possible these two Marvel shows are connected?

Over the last year or so, Marvel's TV offerings have become associated with a far darker hue and tone. This has been typified by the brutal and bloody Daredevil, the psychologically thrilling Jessica Jones, and the darkening tone of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. now the series has moved to a 10.00pm timeslot. But Marvel hasn't abandoned younger viewers completely; the studio is also working on two young adult series starring younger characters, Runaways and Cloak and Dagger. It's clearly an attempt to use Spider-Man: Homecoming as the launchpad for a new generation of superheroes.

Although the two shows are airing on different networks — #CloakAndDagger is on Freeform, while #Runaways is on Hulu — there are clear conceptual links between them. Is it possible we'll see a crossover?

Here's why it's possible.

First of all, let's remember that it is possible to organize crossovers when the shows are on different networks. Sure, back in the day Joss Whedon found himself battling to keep Buffy and Angel relevant to one another because they were on different networks, but things have moved on since then. Season 1 of Supergirl — then showing on CBS — tied in to The CW's Flash, and it was viewed as a tremendous success. It also provided both networks with a neat marketing approach.

So let's not rule the idea out completely. The real question is, would it fit with the overarching narrative of the two shows?

The good news here is that it clearly would. The casting details for Runaways suggest that it's clearly inspired by Brian K. Vaughan's famous first run, and that actually featured cameos from Cloak and Dagger. In Runaways #11-12, Cloak and Dagger traveled over to Los Angeles to try to help the LAPD find this strange band of teenage would-be superheroes. They ultimately learned of the Pride, but had their memories wiped. Meanwhile, in Runaways Volume 2 they crossed over again, with Dagger brutally attacked by an enemy pretending to be Cloak. The Runaways helped to take the villain down, and prove Cloak's innocence.

Crossing these two series over in this way would be a smart move. As much as dedicated fans may adore both Cloak and Dagger and Runaways, neither franchise has the star-power of, say, Spider-Man or Captain America. Crossing them over would be a nice promotional move, with Marvel effectively using each series to advertise the other.

Ultimately, Cloak and Dagger and Runaways add a whole new, youthful dimension to the #MCU — but, with both shows filming at the same time, there's potential for us to get something we've never seen before in a Marvel TV series. We could actually wind up with a true crossover, an event where two separate TV shows link together in a creative, entertaining way. It's an exciting possibility.