Posted on

Saga Vol 2 Graphic Novel Review

Saga Vol 2Erica gives this comic five starsSaga Vol 2 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Volume 2 is definitely taking the story in interesting and new directions. I like it alot. I’m glad that the story’s growing and that Hazel apparently has insights into both the past and the future. I’m always curious to see what foreshadowing Vaughan’s layering down.

Staples’ art remains beautiful. The outer space drifting vibes work so well with her pencils. I love the script quality and how inside the tree ship there’s a different, more organic feel going on.

I’m wondering if Marko and Alana don’t break up in the future. Or at least maybe their marriage deteriorates. Or perhaps one of them dies. This book was definitely full of the history of Marko, and I can’t help but think that Barr’s death might be a foreshadow of Marko’s own demise.

Alana and Marko’s love story was cute over D. Oswald Heist’s book. They’re pretty dorky. And it’s not surprising that soldiers would want some normalcy in their lives. Especially since they’ve been fighting far longer than any of the characters have been alive. Continue reading “Saga Vol 2 Graphic Novel Review”

Posted on

Saga (Vol 1) Graphic Novel Review

Saga Vol 1Erica Gives This Comic Four StarsSaga (Vol 1) by Brian K. Vaughan
Art: Fiona Staples

I was worried at the beginning of this that it was going to be a yet another tale of demon and angels mating. Call me pleasantly surprised when I realized it was just different types of aliens having a war. Huzzah! (I’ve just been reading too much Judeo-Christian demon pregnancy stuff all of the sudden.)

I didn’t know what to think of the book being from Hazel’s, the baby’s point-of-view. (Well, her retelling it as an adult.) But Vaughan pushes it further than just a child born from the parents of two warning sides. Which is a pleasant surprise. But he does love his road trip stories. Or in this case, a space trip story.

The character building in Saga is a tad better than the world-building. Vaughan’s definitely more talented with getting the readers into his characters’ heads early on. Though interestingly, I feel that Alana is the character I know the least about. (Arguably, I’d say that Vaughan does have issues with giving more information about women and their motivations.) Marko, however, we learned quiet a bit about. And Prince Robot IV, who I could care less about.

I appreciate the set-up of The Whim being more than just out for money and sex. I liked the Lying Cat (no surprises there). And kind of rooting for him especially when he tries to rescue the underage girl from life as a whore. But at the same time, he’s a bit of the angry manchild with a heart of gold and in love with The Stalk. Too bad she died so early in the tale.

I suppose we’ll see how Hazel figures in her own story. The great test if Vaughan can really write well-rounded women characters. (See the controversy over Y: The Last Man.) Not sure how I feel about Isabel as a character.

While I understand why they had to get off the planet, it would’ve been cool to explore more of the hidden places. I love the opening idea of a planet where the native populations have been killed off and it’s largely unexplored by the conquerors. (Horrible idea, but interesting in how the “winners” could lose due to having the planet kill them.)

But, of course, who could resist flying through space in a tree rocket-ship that’s driving itself wherever it wants.

Staples’ art is gorgeous, and I’m greatly enjoying it. I hope she keeps it up.