SAGA Volume 1
By Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
- Collects Issues #1 – 6
- Publisher : Image
- Release : 10/10/2012
- Softcover : 160 pages
- Dimensions : 6.5″ x 10.1″
- Reading Age : 17+ years
- MSRP : $9.99
A Modern Classic & Era-Defining Influence
Saga is an epic space opera written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples. The ongoing series was first published by Image Comics in March of 2012.
The series follows the story of Alana and Marko, two lovers from opposite sides of a long-standing intergalactic war between the planet Landfall and its moon Wreath. Alana is a former soldier from Landfall, while Marko is a former soldier from Wreath. Alana and Marko, decide to run away together with their newborn daughter, Hazel (who serves as the narrator of the series). They are pursued by various factions who want to capture or kill them due to the existence of their relationship and child. As they travel across the galaxy, they encounter a wide range of fantastic characters, including other refugees, bounty hunters, robots with emotions, and talking animals.
Brian K. Vaughan has been praised for the story’s humor, character development, emotional depth, and complex world-building. The series features characters of various races, species, genders, and sexual orientations, and it explores issues of identity, prejudice, and discrimination in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. Fiona Staples’ artwork is regarded for its detail, vibrancy, and imaginative designs. The series has also become known for its bold and unapologetic approach to graphic depictions of violence and sexuality, which are integral to the story’s themes and character development.
Many fans and critics have hailed Saga as an instant classic and an era-defining influence for modern comics. It has been credited with helping to expand the audience for the medium beyond its traditional demographic. Its influence can be seen in the many comics and graphic novels that have followed in its wake, and it has helped to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of comics.
Critical Praise and Recognition:
The series achieved some amazing milestones sweeping “Best Continuing Series” at both the Eisner and Harvey Awards for three years in a row between 2013-2015. In all, the series has received over thirty industry awards.
Co-creator, Fiona Staples, did all the cover work, interior pencils, inks, and colors. She amassed a dozen industry awards for her work on Saga between 2013-2017. She became the first female to ever win the Eisner for “Best Cover Artist”. Additionally, she is only the second female to win the Eisner for “Best Penciller” (her fellow Canadian and fellow Brian K. Vaughan collaborator, Pia Guerra, won the award for her work on Y: The Last Man).
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Extended Hiatus
Saga has been plotted as a complete 108 issue story. The series took a hiatus after issue 54 in July of 2018 and did not return until January 2022. The two creators decided early on that they would never use fill-in artists and explained their extended hiatus:
Check out an interview with author Brian K. Vaughan:
In conclusion (TL;DR):
I previously consumed this series piecemeal as the trades were released (up until their hiatus). I just went back for the first time and reread them in succession (one volume per night). The characters, setting, and themes had always stuck with me, but I genuinely forgot how amazingly well executed this series is rendered. Two masters at the top of their craft. Heartfelt character investment mixed with shock and awe in every issue. Because of the graphic nature of the content, its not necessarily for everybody…but it is definitely worth all the praise.
One Response
Saga is simply on another level. At the time of this writing I’m fully caught up on all TPBs (there are 10) and the consistency in quality over the life of this series is borderline unparalleled. It is so well written and so enthralling that I’ve audibly gasped twice while reading it. I would classify it as the definition of a page turner.
If you decide to give Saga you need to know that this is an adult oriented book that deals with very mature and controversial themes (racism, sexuality, abortion, drug use, etc). That being said, I believe they do a great job of handling them with grace and poise. Also, Game of Thrones style, be careful who you get attached to b/c at some point you’re going to be surprised/upset by who exits the story. This book pulls no punches. No spoilers, but you’ve been warned.
To bring things back around and sum up, I would say this is a series I am fully vested in. I desperately want to know what happens next and already know when the next TPB will be made available. There are two types of people: those who have read Sage, and those that should. Comic books simply don’t get much better than this.