Saga #54

   The great thing about Saga is that you never know what's going to happen next - and of course, that also makes it difficult to review any issue, because to give away the surprises would be to spoil the joys of reading this terrific series.

   What I can do is give you my reaction to reading this issue, which was something along the lines of: DAMN IT ALL TO HELL YOU SUM BITCHES!!!

   Ahem. (Please excuse my profanity - you'll see lots more vulgar things in this series.)

   Let me just add that writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Fiona Staples are masters of this amazing, heartfelt science fiction adventure - slash - love story.

   Sadly, this is the last issue for a year (ish) as the team takes a needed break - but for those mature enough to cope with the twists and turns (and the resultant whiplash that can set in for the unsuspecting), they're telling an amazing (and sometimes heartbreaking) story here.

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A

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Saga #40

   Aside from its use of adult language and adult images, Saga really reminds me of a classic comic book.

   That's because it comes out on schedule (allowing some built-it skip months between story arcs), and each issue maintains an amazingly high level of quality in both story and art.

   That kind of craftsmanship (and craftswomanship) is rare in the history of comics, and it's wonderful to see - kudos to Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples!

   The story checks in on several key characters, including a shocking turn of events for Prince Robot, an awareness of impending responsibility for Hazel, impending danger for Marko,  a tense business deal for the assassin Gwendolyn, and a disturbing cosmic image.

   As always, the story is loaded with surprising twists and revelations.

   If you're looking for smart science fiction (and aren't we all) with great characters and powerful stories, you should be reading this comic.

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Saga #38

   Look, do I really have to write this review?

   I mean, it's Saga.

   In other words, one of the best comics being published right now.

   It's an expansive story by Brian K. Vaughn that tells the life story of a girl born from parents of different, warring races. It's all about life and love and adventure and death and despair and delight.

   It has humor and action and more surprises than any other comic in memory.

   The art by Fiona Staples is inspired and original, evoking emotional responses, shock and delight from the most stout reader.

   Here again we find love and hope and - just when you get comfortable - a punch to the gut.

   (A reminder that it's really just for adults, because of mature themes and violence. )

   What more can I say? Gah, just buy it and read it already!

Grade: A

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Saga #37

   Here's another comic that defies reviewing: Saga.

   It's a funny, clever, vulgar, unpredictable science fiction / fantasy epic that's irresistible.

   It follows the life story of Hazel, the 5-year-old child of Marco and Alana - they're star-crossed lovers from different, warring races.

   That makes them a target of - well, just about everyone - so they're on the run in a unique, tree-like starship.

   This issue gives us a look at the brutal warfare they're trying to escape - and the kind of danger they may be heading toward.

   This is actually (combat aside) a low-key issue, as we check in on key players and set up a storyline that promises more gut-wrenching shocks.

   With great writing by Brian K. Vaughn and amazing, evocative artwork by Fiona Staples, this continues to be one of the best books out there.

   Not for kids, but great for the rest of us.

Grade: A-

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Saga #31

   This comic, I swear.

   When you expect it to zig, it dances a rhumba.

   This issue of Saga brings us the adventures of young Hazel, a cross-breed child who is enduring the trials of being in school (or perhaps pre-school), then we get a flashback (to see how she survived certain death in space) - then we see some full frontal nudity (that's always on the table here), and then she learns an important lesson about honesty.

    The story by Brian K. Vaughn continues to sing along with a strong, proud and confident voice - it compels you to pay attention and laugh along (when you're not cringing in terror).

   The art by Fiona Staples is, as always, a delight. (Did she suffer any whiplash, I wonder, jumping from the "new" Archie Andrews to the "raw" pages of Saga?) Stunning, powerful yet sensitive work.

   Definitely for adults only, always a thrill ride - smart and compelling science fiction.

   As always, highly recommended!

Grade: A

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Saga #28

   I have to admit that Saga is one of the most difficult comics to review.

   That's because it's always... so... good!

   You'd think writer Brian K. Vaughn or artist Fiona Staples would stumble occasionally, turn out a below-average issue - but if that's happened, I haven't seen it.

   Instead, each issue is loaded with great characters, unexpected plot twists, terrific art and loads of surprises. And despite the fact that the issue is populated with an assortment of alien races, the characters all "feel" real.

   The only bad thing I can say about the series is that it would be tough to pick up this issue without reading the previous issues or collections.

   Also, readers should note that this series often contains adult themes, nudity, profanity - that sort of thing.

   But if you're looking for one of the best comics being published now, here it is.

Grade: A

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Saga #23

   It's the curse of most comics that any long-time reader generally knows where it's all going.

   Good guys fight bad guys, there are setbacks, but the good guys will always win.

   But when you read Saga, you just don't know where it may go next, as this issue demonstrates.

   The couple at the heart of the series are having marital difficulties, and Alana has turned Marko away - which makes things even more tense when a murderous renegade robot turns up on their doorstep.

   And if that all sounds crazed - well, that's part of writer Brian K. Vaughn's appeal. He weaves fascinating characters, potent emotions and exotic locations (and occupations) into an amazing portrait of a strange reality, with intense conflicts and unexpected twists.

   And that's not to discount the wonderful art by Fiona Staples - a vivid and unique painting style that's just as surprising as the script.

  This is one of those series where I keep running out of adjectives. It's not for everyone - it's very adult in content and sometimes offensive - but it's a sharp, clever story with great twists and turns - highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Saga #19

   As the first page in this issue clearly indicates, Saga is not a comic for children.

   But it is a wonderful, intelligent science fiction story that manages to be fresh and inventive issue after issue.

   I think the creative team has perhaps become too fascinated with creating shocking images (a few issues back it was full frontal nudity by a giant male - this issue it's... well, that splash page).

   That's their prerogative, of course - it's their comic - but it's so good it doesn't really need to lean on such things.

   The real secret of its success is the heart at the center of the story - more specifically, the love the mismatched couple - Marko and Alana - have for each other and their child, Hazel.

   The series is actually Hazel's story - she narrates it - and by this point she's a toddler, though her parents are still on the run - and it's a story filled with love, sacrifice and occasional heartbreak,

   From year to year, there's usually one comic that stands out as the one that would interest any reader - it's the comic you recommend to your friends who don't read comics. In the past, that has included Sandman and Swamp Thing, for example - and now you can add Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples' Saga to the list.

Grade: A

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Saga #18

   What an excellent series this is.

   Saga tells the story of a baby as she narrates her life story. It's an exciting tale, loaded with terrific characters, exotic locales, and more surprises per page than any other comic in recent memory.

   Written by Brian K. Vaughan and drawn by Fiona Staples, it's masterful work. The story finds Hazel's parents, her ghostly nanny and her grandmother hiding out in the home of a popular (and somewhat reclusive) author - only to find themselves threatened by the mechanical investigator Prince Robot IV, the bounty hunter Gwendolyn and a Lying Cat.

   The artwork is terrific, with great character depictions, fresh designs and an outstanding splash panel.

   Vaughan has been managing the series carefully, allowing breaks between story arcs to give the creative team time to get caught up and rolling on the next arc. It means the books arrive on a professional schedule - the reader stays involved throughout.

   If you haven't been reading this - and you don't mind some adult material - then I definitely recommend buying the collected editions. Great stuff!

Grade: A

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Saga 14

   What a great series this is.

   Saga is that rare book that is absolutely, delightfully unpredictable. It virtually defies description.

    At its heart is the story of an infant - the child of parents from two different alien races - both which are at war. It's also about love, and friendship, and ghosts, and wooden spaceships, and robots with TVs for heads, and multiple bounty hunters, and hurling writers, and mothers-in-law - you get the idea.

   It's just an explosion of ideas from writer Brian K. Vaughn, with amazing, expressive and vibrant art by Fiona Staples.

   I hasten to add that it's not for kids - there are disturbing images, naughty words and adult situations.

   But it's all part of an adult tale that will keep you on your toes - and loving every minute of it.

   Highly, highly recommended!

Grade: A

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Saga #13

We're certainly happy to see Saga return from its self-imposed exile, as we pick back up with the sprawling story of a new family and their flight across the galaxy.

It's actually a rather quiet issue, with the net continuing to close around Marko and Alana and their daughter - the star of the series.

At this point she's not much of a star - her only action is to fill her diapers and be lovable - but we watch anxiously as danger threatens her loved ones.

We also check in with the mercenary know as "The Will" - he seems to be starting a new family.

And that's about it. As always, the writing by Brian K. Vaughn is terrific, and the artwork by Fiona Staples is stunning - lush and vivid with lots of great character deigns.

Throw in lots of unexpected events and you have another strong comic in this series.

Good stuff!


Grade; B+

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Saga #11

This one definitely isn't for the kiddies.

But the grownups will love it.

Saga is telling the story of a hero, and with this issue, we go back to the very beginning of that hero's story. And when I say beginning, I mean the moment of conception.

Which is to say, the opening page features her parents doin' the deed.

And that's the delight of this series - you really have no idea what's going to happen next.

That can be good, as we find our odd family unit flying in a rocket ship that's made out of a tree trying to escape from a "giant evil space fetus" while bounty hunters are terribly close by. I know, it sounds crazy, but it's actually pretty awesome.

Writer Brian K. Vaughn knows his craft, and he's weaving an adult, involved science fiction epic loaded with great characters, unexpected twists and turns (including several in this issue), action sequences, some delightful dialogue and lots of humor.

And the art by Fiona Staples is a constant delight, with creative layouts, original designs, expressive characters and clean storytelling.

Buy the collections, pick up the back issues - if you liked Y the Last Man or just enjoy science fantasy / science fiction, this is a wonderful, rewarding series.

Just not for kids.

Grade: A

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Saga #6

This comic is seriously messed up.

But that's a good thing!

One of the things I love about Saga is that it's completely unpredictable. Just when you start to feel comfortable and think you know where the story is going, it suddenly moves in unexpected directions.

But it all follows an internal logic, so it never feels like writer Brian K. Vaughn is just throwing curves to shock you.

The story follows an unusual family. Two aliens whose races are at war have somehow fallen in love and produced a child - and the Saga in the title is apparently the life story of that little girl.

They're definitely an odd couple. Alana's race is science-based, while Marko's uses magic. They have a babysitter who's a ghost, and they hope to escape the planet-wide manhunt that's been dogging their trail by finding the Rocketship Forest.

And that doesn't include the focus on the bounty hunters who are in pursuit, or the strange and deadly royal investigator who's after them, and... well, let's just say a lot has happened in this opening story arc.

The art is also a real treat. Fiona Staples has crafted some amazing work here - sometimes panoramic, sometimes personal, but always fresh and exciting.

I can't advise picking up this issue cold - better to wait for the soon-to-be forthcoming collection - but this is an amazing, creative story that will mess with your mind in all the best ways. Profane, vulgar, creative and imaginative as can be, it's well worth tracking down.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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Saga #2

Among the weaknesses of too many comic books out there today are: a shortage of likeable characters involved; no romance; little to no humor content; and a lack of surprises - most stories are all too predictable.

The good news is, you'll find none of those problems on display in Saga.

The second issue finds us three days in on the life of baby Hazel, whose parents are trying to find a way to escape from an alien planet. They're under attack from (seemingly) all sides, and their solutions are alternately delightful and harrowing.

We're slowly learning about the universe this new family inhabits, and it's a strange setting, full of wonders and horrors alike.

We're seeing masterful work here. The story by Brian K. Vaughn just seems to spill out effortlessly, but it's expertly crafted and propels you along until you run up against that last page, which leaves you begging for more. We're still learning about the characters, but the odd love story at the center of events is very touching.

The art by Fiona Staples is a real delight, as she brings alien landscapes to vivid life and populates it with all kinds of creatures - some beautiful, some terrifying.

We're going to have to be patient - that last page for both of the first two issues screams, "You gotta wait 30 days for more, pal!" - and the story is building slowly.

Ah, but it's certainly worth the wait. Highly recommended!

Grade: A

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Saga #1

Well, this one definitely isn't for kids - but it's mighty entertaining.

Saga follows the time-honored tradition of telling a big story from the very beginning - namely, the birth of the main character.

The humble birth is the result of a forbidden love between a couple from different races - and as a result, many powerful forces are aligning against them and trying to hunt them down.

To tell more would spoil the fun that awaits. The story written by Brian K. Vaughan is a delight, with great dialogue, loads of surprises and wonderful characters.

The art is by Fiona Staples, and it's wonderful - expressive, personal and panoramic all at once, with great character designs and powerful layouts.

My only complaint is that it's very difficult to review this comic without giving away too much. It's a heck of a deal, with 44 pages for a mere $2.99!

All that and a cliffhanger ending - I can't wait to see where this goes from here!

Grade: A

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