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Saga #1-9
Saga, Compendium One
THE ULTIMATE BINGE-READ
Collecting the first nine volumes of the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling series into one massive paperback, this compendium tells the entire story (so far!) of a girl named Hazel and her star-crossed parents. Features over 1,300 pages of gorgeously graphic full-color artwork, including a new cover from Eisner Award-winning SAGA co-creator FIONA STAPLES.
Collects: Saga #1-54.
Collecting the first nine volumes of the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling series into one massive paperback, this compendium tells the entire story (so far!) of a girl named Hazel and her star-crossed parents. Features over 1,300 pages of gorgeously graphic full-color artwork, including a new cover from Eisner Award-winning SAGA co-creator FIONA STAPLES.
Collects: Saga #1-54.
1328 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2019
630 people are currently reading
3,718 people want to read
About the author
Brian K. Vaughan
947 books13.9k followersBrian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 967 reviews
July 11, 2020
instead of rating each individual volume, i’m just gonna rate the overall story (so far) here because it makes more sense to me to rank them as a whole
so, yeah. four stars. this shit fucked me right up and i’m feelin’ feels, but i would 100% read it (and weep) for the first time all over again because it is really that fun (until it’s not fun and gets sad bUt LeT’S nOT taLk aBoUT tHAT)
so, yeah. four stars. this shit fucked me right up and i’m feelin’ feels, but i would 100% read it (and weep) for the first time all over again because it is really that fun (until it’s not fun and gets sad bUt LeT’S nOT taLk aBoUT tHAT)
July 4, 2022
Reviewing as I go: “Saga”, 1300+ pages of comics. Final rating: 5 unflinchingly heartbreaking stars.
Volumes: ☑️1, ☑️2, ☑️3, ☑️4, ☑️5, ☑️6, ☑️7, ☑️8, ☑️9.
————
————
Post- Saga binge review:
Well, damn. This was SO GOOD.
Irreverently funny and achingly heartbreaking. Insane space opera with breathtaking artwork. The story that focuses of people in the middle of ridiculous senseless war and breaks your heart without thinking twice.
Plus copious swearing, gratuitous nudity, well-aimed violence. And, in the midst of all that, overpowering adorable cuteness, vulnerability and love.
And then it rips your heart into shreds. Repeatedly. Gleefully. Mercilessly. But as they say - no pain, no gain.
5 stars.
————
————
Pre-Saga binge review:
With the exception of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood which I read for a college class back in 2004, this is my first foray into the land of comic books. I owed this to Dennis - a solemn promise made when I insisted that he read Stephen King’s The Waste Lands, the book that I loved and he read all wrong 😆.
And because unlike the hordes of long-suffering fans who have been awaiting for Volume 10 for years (!!!) I have the privilege of reading them all as a binge (because yes, I already got them all), I’ll be posting my thoughts here, as I go (under spoiler tags because it’s LONG! Because 1300 comic book pages!!!!)
————
Volume 1 :
Synopsis: two aliens - Alana and Marko - belong to two warring factions in a galactic war. Instead of murdering each other they decide to get together and procreate, creating baby Hazel, whose birth opens the series. Marko is a committed pacifist. Alana is a fan of a trashy space romance book - but a SUBVERSIVE one, clearly. And the entire universe is obsessed with killing this loving couple and getting their hands on the first cross-species baby.
Hazel provides background narration which I choose to imagine in Bladerunner-like voiceover.
And holy crap, this is awesome!
—————————
—————————
Volume 2 :
I’m thoroughly hooked now. That was the moment I got the entire series. Because there’s no way I won’t want to finish.
————————
————————
Volume 3 :
Shit is, dear humans and androids, getting undeniably real. With all the humor and cuteness and seeming normality and domesticity even of the most outrageous characters this story has lulled me into a false sense of security. And it did so just so that it could stab me in the back. Or front. What does that matter?
————————
————————
Volume 4 :
This feels like a transitional volume — and I loved it. It fills in the domestic bliss of Marko and Alana on the planet Gardenia… Oh wait. Bills need to be paid, and Alana has to get a job (and gets into drugs) while Marko is a stay-at-home dad who’s feeling more and more estranged from his wife. Drugs and drudgery are straining this family.
At least the artwork remains wonderfully bonkers.
————————
————————
Volume 5 :
Back in Volume 3, we were warned — don’t kill your darlings; instead kill everyone until only the darlings remain. (George R.R. Martin, you need to take notes). And that’s how things are here.
The problem is — some of these characters turn out to be my darlings, but they are not Vaughan’s. Yeah.
———————
———————
Volume 6 :
Just like 4, this seems a bit of a transitional volume, setting things up in motion again, establishing the setting, the new character development — and, I’m really worried, setting some characters up for eventual sacrifice.
And again I loved it. Unconditionally.
————————
————————
Volume 7 :
Let’s have a very excited little Hazel tell you the gist of this volume:
———————
———————
Volume 8 :
Okay, can we all just pretend that this series ends right here? Because my heart is very happy right this second, and it’s perfect, and I don’t want the next volume to ruin anything:
————————
————————
Volume 9 :
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Heart broken, shreds of it everywhere.
——————
——————
Thank you, Dennis, for introducing me to this series. At least I don’t have to wait for 3 years for the next volume.
Saga is the best.
——————
Recommended by: Dennis
Volumes: ☑️1, ☑️2, ☑️3, ☑️4, ☑️5, ☑️6, ☑️7, ☑️8, ☑️9.
————
————
Post- Saga binge review:
Well, damn. This was SO GOOD.
Irreverently funny and achingly heartbreaking. Insane space opera with breathtaking artwork. The story that focuses of people in the middle of ridiculous senseless war and breaks your heart without thinking twice.
Plus copious swearing, gratuitous nudity, well-aimed violence. And, in the midst of all that, overpowering adorable cuteness, vulnerability and love.
And then it rips your heart into shreds. Repeatedly. Gleefully. Mercilessly. But as they say - no pain, no gain.
5 stars.
————
————
Pre-Saga binge review:
With the exception of Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood which I read for a college class back in 2004, this is my first foray into the land of comic books. I owed this to Dennis - a solemn promise made when I insisted that he read Stephen King’s The Waste Lands, the book that I loved and he read all wrong 😆.
And because unlike the hordes of long-suffering fans who have been awaiting for Volume 10 for years (!!!) I have the privilege of reading them all as a binge (because yes, I already got them all), I’ll be posting my thoughts here, as I go (under spoiler tags because it’s LONG! Because 1300 comic book pages!!!!)
————
Volume 1 :
Synopsis: two aliens - Alana and Marko - belong to two warring factions in a galactic war. Instead of murdering each other they decide to get together and procreate, creating baby Hazel, whose birth opens the series. Marko is a committed pacifist. Alana is a fan of a trashy space romance book - but a SUBVERSIVE one, clearly. And the entire universe is obsessed with killing this loving couple and getting their hands on the first cross-species baby.
Hazel provides background narration which I choose to imagine in Bladerunner-like voiceover.
And holy crap, this is awesome!
—————————
—————————
Volume 2 :
I’m thoroughly hooked now. That was the moment I got the entire series. Because there’s no way I won’t want to finish.
————————
————————
Volume 3 :
Shit is, dear humans and androids, getting undeniably real. With all the humor and cuteness and seeming normality and domesticity even of the most outrageous characters this story has lulled me into a false sense of security. And it did so just so that it could stab me in the back. Or front. What does that matter?
————————
————————
Volume 4 :
This feels like a transitional volume — and I loved it. It fills in the domestic bliss of Marko and Alana on the planet Gardenia… Oh wait. Bills need to be paid, and Alana has to get a job (and gets into drugs) while Marko is a stay-at-home dad who’s feeling more and more estranged from his wife. Drugs and drudgery are straining this family.
At least the artwork remains wonderfully bonkers.
————————
————————
Volume 5 :
Back in Volume 3, we were warned — don’t kill your darlings; instead kill everyone until only the darlings remain. (George R.R. Martin, you need to take notes). And that’s how things are here.
The problem is — some of these characters turn out to be my darlings, but they are not Vaughan’s. Yeah.
———————
———————
Volume 6 :
Just like 4, this seems a bit of a transitional volume, setting things up in motion again, establishing the setting, the new character development — and, I’m really worried, setting some characters up for eventual sacrifice.
And again I loved it. Unconditionally.
————————
————————
Volume 7 :
Let’s have a very excited little Hazel tell you the gist of this volume:
———————
———————
Volume 8 :
Okay, can we all just pretend that this series ends right here? Because my heart is very happy right this second, and it’s perfect, and I don’t want the next volume to ruin anything:
————————
————————
Volume 9 :
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Heart broken, shreds of it everywhere.
——————
——————
Thank you, Dennis, for introducing me to this series. At least I don’t have to wait for 3 years for the next volume.
Saga is the best.
——————
Recommended by: Dennis
September 14, 2023
cut to the chase and read 1300 pages of this
November 29, 2022
(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Saga, Volume One
- Saga, Volume Two
- Saga, Volume Three
- Saga, Volume Four
- Saga, Volume Five
- Saga, Volume Six
- Saga, Volume Seven
- Saga, Volume Eight
- Saga, Volume Nine
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Saga, Volume One
- Saga, Volume Two
- Saga, Volume Three
- Saga, Volume Four
- Saga, Volume Five
- Saga, Volume Six
- Saga, Volume Seven
- Saga, Volume Eight
- Saga, Volume Nine
November 12, 2023
Legitimately one of my favorite things I’ve ever ever read.
Also, totally broke me as a person.
Also, totally broke me as a person.
April 8, 2022
4 ⭐
Post-Read:
Well… This was a much better experience than my first graphic novel!
If an R-rated version of ‘Futurama’ with far greater emotional depth and a lot more nudity, violence and coarse language sounds like your jam, then you’re in for a treat. This will make you laugh and squirm; it’ll warm your heart and it will break your heart… And usually all within a single volume.
Vaughan and Staples pretty much tick all the boxes; Staples magnificent artwork and Vaughan’s dialogue work beautifully in tandem; each one equally as essential to the success of the other.
Thanks to Nataliya and Dennis for inadvertently pushing me to pick this one up. I had intended to give this a go at some stage but their clear enjoyment really sealed the deal, and it paid off!
Pre-Read:
My initiation into the graphic novel scene was not ideal. The first, and only, graphic novel that I’d read prior to this one was Brandon Sanderson’s ‘White Sand’ which, ladies and gentleman, is so unbelievably woeful it had me seriously contemplating gouging out my own eye and throwing it into Mimir’s well in exchange, not for supreme knowledge but, for a permanent, selective memory wipe!
However, GR amigos Denise and Nutella unreservedly loved this series and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let anyone have any bloody fun without me, so here I am!
This Compendium makes up the first 9 volumes, or 54 chapters, of this “Saga” (it’s an absolute cinder block), so I’ll give a small review for each volume as I’m going and post them here.
Volume 1: 4⭐
First impressions - R-rated Futurama.
This is right down my Kirstie Alley! It could not have come from the imagination of an entirely sane person and I’m down for that. The tone is set in the first dozen or so pages in which there’s a birth (the birth of the story’s narrator), a brutal mini-massacre and a sex scene involving two TV-headed robots… Wearing human skin? Vaughan and Staples don’t really let up on the ludicrousness for the rest of the volume and it’s highly entertaining.
It's a space romp that follows a fugitive family from their very first moments as such. There’s gruesome violence, explicit language and a large amount of gratuitous nudity, so it’s not one for the kiddy-winks no matter how aesthetically pleasing it may be.
The dialogue feels very natural and candid, the character designs are unique and the art in general is just very pleasing to the eye. A very positive start! Welcome to Sextillion, bitchesss!
Volume 2: 4⭐
A bit more of a family-time vibe to this volume as the in-laws come to stay. Some great choices as far as character pairings/dynamics go and some illuminating flashbacks make this much more about character development than the first volume. The series seems to already have found its sweet spot swaying effortlessly back-and-forth between tender and personal, and grotesque absurdity.
Special Note: As China’s Greeting Pine, in the beautiful mist-shrouded valleys of Huangshan has retained its blazing green needles through countless Autumns; so too will the full-frontal image of Fard, the Gigantic Triclops, and his festering junk haunt my dreams until long after my few remaining hairs have greyed and many fonder memories have long since been lost to the cruel vacuum of time.
Volume 3: 4⭐
Alana and Marco are coming to terms with the reality of life as a family of fugitives and trying to define what a sustainable long-term future looks like for themselves and little Hazel while simultaneously dealing with the grief of recent events.
We discover the true "opposite of war", there are not 1 but 2 cases of unlikely insta-love and one small step for Hazel... Oh, and sharks, flying sharks. All of this is delicately sprinkled with just the right amount of subtle, heart-warming moments.
Volume 4: 4⭐
This one felt a bit shorter than the previous 3 but GR says all issues are the same length so I don’t know. It felt like it went by very quickly in any case. For the first half of the volume, Vaughan and Staples take the foot off the gas a bit. Our favourite little family have settled down (kind of) and are trying to live a semi-normal life with Alana working and Marco playing stay-at-home dad. Insecurities on both ends lead to an increased susceptibility to external temptations in the form of drugs and infidelity. You don’t need me to tell you that though; one look at Marco’s new haircut is enough to know he’s in crisis.
The slowed-down domestic portion of this volume felt like a deliberate attempt to suck us into caring about these characters on a deeper level by portraying them as, despite their extraordinary circumstances, just an everyday family with regular, mundane problems. It works and at the same time, it feels ominous; a sort of threatening calm before a violent storm. This, along with some previous heavy foreshadowing of bad things to come and the chaotic introduction of a bonkers new antagonist, Dengo, in the latter half of the volume, have me predicting some heartbreak in the very near future.
Volume 5: 4⭐
Hell of a body count in this volume. You’d be wise to remember this ominous passage from an earlier issue:
’The advice to “kill your darlings” has been attributed to various authors across the galaxies… And Mister Heist hated them all. Why teach young writers to edit out whatever it is they feel most passionately about? Better to kill everything in their writing they DON’T love as much… Until only the darlings remain.’
Volume 6: 4⭐
I know, I know! They can’t all be 4 stars, surely?! You might be right, I’m finding it difficult to separate my level of enjoyment for the series as a whole from that of each individual volume at this point; particularly if I don’t stop and write one of these immediately after finishing each volume. In all honesty I think it would be painful reading these one volume at a time, there’s just not enough meat in an individual volume to satisfy imo. It’d be like watching a season of your favourite show one episode a week, and I’ve never been able to do that!
Anyway, years have passed since Volume 5 and little Hazel has grown up cute as a button. This one’s a volume of both freedom and institutionalisation, separations and reunions; with one in particular tugging on the heart-strings. I must be getting sentimental in Fatherhood.
Little Ghüs rises to become defender of the weak and Klara goes full ‘Orange is the New Black’.
”I’d learned one thing by that point in my education… when anybody in these cruel worlds offers a helping hand… you shut your fucking mouth and grab it.”
Volume 7: 4.5⭐
Brutal, shocking and poignant; the best yet! Shit goes down here without a bit of warning (well, ok, there was a little bit of warning) so come prepared. I can’t really say much more than that.
I could’ve done without the robot cock. It looked like a corpse had been festering in a lagoon for 3 weeks and has somehow managed to maintain a boner.
”I’ve had a lot of relationships in my time, platonic or otherwise, but the ones I think about most are those that never quite made it to term. The dashing first date who didn’t call you back. The lady on the train you had that amazing conversation with but never saw again. The cool neighbour kid you met the first time a week before he moved away. I guess I’m just haunted by all that potential energy
Volume 8: 4⭐
Animated faeces, an unexpected connection and we get some torturous flashback as ‘The Will’ goes through the wringer. Feels like a preparatory Volume going into the last of the Compendium.
”My parents taught me never to get too attached to new people who came into my life, since attachment is the root of suffering. But the times I’ve suffered most were when I had no attachments so who knows, right?”
Volume 9: 4.5 ⭐
Vaughan’s got balls that’s all I’m gonna say, and I dig it! I mean, I don’t dig it, it’s awful, but I dig it! A courageous and heart-breaking ending to a great compendium. Happy-ever-afters are a fairy tale.
Post-Read:
Well… This was a much better experience than my first graphic novel!
If an R-rated version of ‘Futurama’ with far greater emotional depth and a lot more nudity, violence and coarse language sounds like your jam, then you’re in for a treat. This will make you laugh and squirm; it’ll warm your heart and it will break your heart… And usually all within a single volume.
Vaughan and Staples pretty much tick all the boxes; Staples magnificent artwork and Vaughan’s dialogue work beautifully in tandem; each one equally as essential to the success of the other.
Thanks to Nataliya and Dennis for inadvertently pushing me to pick this one up. I had intended to give this a go at some stage but their clear enjoyment really sealed the deal, and it paid off!
Pre-Read:
My initiation into the graphic novel scene was not ideal. The first, and only, graphic novel that I’d read prior to this one was Brandon Sanderson’s ‘White Sand’ which, ladies and gentleman, is so unbelievably woeful it had me seriously contemplating gouging out my own eye and throwing it into Mimir’s well in exchange, not for supreme knowledge but, for a permanent, selective memory wipe!
However, GR amigos Denise and Nutella unreservedly loved this series and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let anyone have any bloody fun without me, so here I am!
This Compendium makes up the first 9 volumes, or 54 chapters, of this “Saga” (it’s an absolute cinder block), so I’ll give a small review for each volume as I’m going and post them here.
Volume 1: 4⭐
First impressions - R-rated Futurama.
This is right down my Kirstie Alley! It could not have come from the imagination of an entirely sane person and I’m down for that. The tone is set in the first dozen or so pages in which there’s a birth (the birth of the story’s narrator), a brutal mini-massacre and a sex scene involving two TV-headed robots… Wearing human skin? Vaughan and Staples don’t really let up on the ludicrousness for the rest of the volume and it’s highly entertaining.
It's a space romp that follows a fugitive family from their very first moments as such. There’s gruesome violence, explicit language and a large amount of gratuitous nudity, so it’s not one for the kiddy-winks no matter how aesthetically pleasing it may be.
The dialogue feels very natural and candid, the character designs are unique and the art in general is just very pleasing to the eye. A very positive start! Welcome to Sextillion, bitchesss!
Volume 2: 4⭐
A bit more of a family-time vibe to this volume as the in-laws come to stay. Some great choices as far as character pairings/dynamics go and some illuminating flashbacks make this much more about character development than the first volume. The series seems to already have found its sweet spot swaying effortlessly back-and-forth between tender and personal, and grotesque absurdity.
Special Note: As China’s Greeting Pine, in the beautiful mist-shrouded valleys of Huangshan has retained its blazing green needles through countless Autumns; so too will the full-frontal image of Fard, the Gigantic Triclops, and his festering junk haunt my dreams until long after my few remaining hairs have greyed and many fonder memories have long since been lost to the cruel vacuum of time.
Volume 3: 4⭐
Alana and Marco are coming to terms with the reality of life as a family of fugitives and trying to define what a sustainable long-term future looks like for themselves and little Hazel while simultaneously dealing with the grief of recent events.
We discover the true "opposite of war", there are not 1 but 2 cases of unlikely insta-love and one small step for Hazel... Oh, and sharks, flying sharks. All of this is delicately sprinkled with just the right amount of subtle, heart-warming moments.
Volume 4: 4⭐
This one felt a bit shorter than the previous 3 but GR says all issues are the same length so I don’t know. It felt like it went by very quickly in any case. For the first half of the volume, Vaughan and Staples take the foot off the gas a bit. Our favourite little family have settled down (kind of) and are trying to live a semi-normal life with Alana working and Marco playing stay-at-home dad. Insecurities on both ends lead to an increased susceptibility to external temptations in the form of drugs and infidelity. You don’t need me to tell you that though; one look at Marco’s new haircut is enough to know he’s in crisis.
The slowed-down domestic portion of this volume felt like a deliberate attempt to suck us into caring about these characters on a deeper level by portraying them as, despite their extraordinary circumstances, just an everyday family with regular, mundane problems. It works and at the same time, it feels ominous; a sort of threatening calm before a violent storm. This, along with some previous heavy foreshadowing of bad things to come and the chaotic introduction of a bonkers new antagonist, Dengo, in the latter half of the volume, have me predicting some heartbreak in the very near future.
Volume 5: 4⭐
Hell of a body count in this volume. You’d be wise to remember this ominous passage from an earlier issue:
’The advice to “kill your darlings” has been attributed to various authors across the galaxies… And Mister Heist hated them all. Why teach young writers to edit out whatever it is they feel most passionately about? Better to kill everything in their writing they DON’T love as much… Until only the darlings remain.’
Volume 6: 4⭐
I know, I know! They can’t all be 4 stars, surely?! You might be right, I’m finding it difficult to separate my level of enjoyment for the series as a whole from that of each individual volume at this point; particularly if I don’t stop and write one of these immediately after finishing each volume. In all honesty I think it would be painful reading these one volume at a time, there’s just not enough meat in an individual volume to satisfy imo. It’d be like watching a season of your favourite show one episode a week, and I’ve never been able to do that!
Anyway, years have passed since Volume 5 and little Hazel has grown up cute as a button. This one’s a volume of both freedom and institutionalisation, separations and reunions; with one in particular tugging on the heart-strings. I must be getting sentimental in Fatherhood.
Little Ghüs rises to become defender of the weak and Klara goes full ‘Orange is the New Black’.
”I’d learned one thing by that point in my education… when anybody in these cruel worlds offers a helping hand… you shut your fucking mouth and grab it.”
Volume 7: 4.5⭐
Brutal, shocking and poignant; the best yet! Shit goes down here without a bit of warning (well, ok, there was a little bit of warning) so come prepared. I can’t really say much more than that.
I could’ve done without the robot cock. It looked like a corpse had been festering in a lagoon for 3 weeks and has somehow managed to maintain a boner.
”I’ve had a lot of relationships in my time, platonic or otherwise, but the ones I think about most are those that never quite made it to term. The dashing first date who didn’t call you back. The lady on the train you had that amazing conversation with but never saw again. The cool neighbour kid you met the first time a week before he moved away. I guess I’m just haunted by all that potential energy
Volume 8: 4⭐
Animated faeces, an unexpected connection and we get some torturous flashback as ‘The Will’ goes through the wringer. Feels like a preparatory Volume going into the last of the Compendium.
”My parents taught me never to get too attached to new people who came into my life, since attachment is the root of suffering. But the times I’ve suffered most were when I had no attachments so who knows, right?”
Volume 9: 4.5 ⭐
Vaughan’s got balls that’s all I’m gonna say, and I dig it! I mean, I don’t dig it, it’s awful, but I dig it! A courageous and heart-breaking ending to a great compendium. Happy-ever-afters are a fairy tale.
May 27, 2023
Exciting how this series takes on topics like parenthood, war, trauma, sex positivity, interracial marriage, mourning and drugs with a big dose of humor
The man who told you that was a mercenary, the only occupation less reputable than life coach
We follow Hazel growing up, the child of two opposing soldiers who are united by love. In a sense this could be called a kind of Romeo and Juliet in a sort of Star Wars universe, but than much more x-rated. The characters are complex and morally grey, with even the pacifist father of Hazel being haunted by guilt.
Violence is also a major part of the series, with the war between two superpowers (kind of techno utopia versus fantasy magicians) leading to collateral damage to many worlds and characters. Mercenaries turn out to be saviors to children, casual victims have relatives who want revenge, the ripples of violence are profound and our main characters are far from being perfect. In a sense I was reminded of Star Wars Omnibus: Knights of the Old Republic, Volume 1 which I really enjoyed as a teenager.
Finally on a lighter note there is a lot of sex positivity and being realistic about relationships.
I most enjoyed Prince Robot IV, who is a foulmouthed humanoid with a real ass TV as head and who has quite a bold arch. From a more critical perspective I sometimes felt kind of manipulated: when someone gets a bit more screen time and background story I almost immediately felt dread because there is a high chance in Saga: Compendium One that these characters meet a gruesome end soon. Eager to continue the series!
The man who told you that was a mercenary, the only occupation less reputable than life coach
We follow Hazel growing up, the child of two opposing soldiers who are united by love. In a sense this could be called a kind of Romeo and Juliet in a sort of Star Wars universe, but than much more x-rated. The characters are complex and morally grey, with even the pacifist father of Hazel being haunted by guilt.
Violence is also a major part of the series, with the war between two superpowers (kind of techno utopia versus fantasy magicians) leading to collateral damage to many worlds and characters. Mercenaries turn out to be saviors to children, casual victims have relatives who want revenge, the ripples of violence are profound and our main characters are far from being perfect. In a sense I was reminded of Star Wars Omnibus: Knights of the Old Republic, Volume 1 which I really enjoyed as a teenager.
Finally on a lighter note there is a lot of sex positivity and being realistic about relationships.
I most enjoyed Prince Robot IV, who is a foulmouthed humanoid with a real ass TV as head and who has quite a bold arch. From a more critical perspective I sometimes felt kind of manipulated: when someone gets a bit more screen time and background story I almost immediately felt dread because there is a high chance in Saga: Compendium One that these characters meet a gruesome end soon. Eager to continue the series!
April 12, 2021
Some thoughts
✨ Overall loved the journey, although felt it did get a little slow in the middle
✨ Ghüs is my most favourite character, but also love Alana and Lying Cat - all of characters are so complex and multi-layered which I loved
✨ It is incredibly RAUNCHY at times, which I wasn’t expecting... but I cannot complain
✨ Artwork is amazing as are the different planets and worlds created
✨ Hazel’s inner monologues were my favourite parts, they would give me straight-up CHILLS at times
✨ Many, many emotions
✨ Definitely ranks highly as one of the best graphic novel series I’ve read (well... what we’ve got so far!)
4 stars!
✨ Overall loved the journey, although felt it did get a little slow in the middle
✨ Ghüs is my most favourite character, but also love Alana and Lying Cat - all of characters are so complex and multi-layered which I loved
✨ It is incredibly RAUNCHY at times, which I wasn’t expecting... but I cannot complain
✨ Artwork is amazing as are the different planets and worlds created
✨ Hazel’s inner monologues were my favourite parts, they would give me straight-up CHILLS at times
✨ Many, many emotions
✨ Definitely ranks highly as one of the best graphic novel series I’ve read (well... what we’ve got so far!)
4 stars!
March 22, 2022
Sea cual sea tu sexo, todos perdemos algo en una guerra… pero lo primera víctima siempre es la verdad.
En principio, Saga (2012-), de Brian K. Vaughan (1976-), parece una sencilla odisea galáctica familiar vertebrada sobre una historia de amor interracial (a lo Romeo y Julieta), pero rápidamente te das cuenta de que la historia amorosa queda relegada a un segundo plano ante la complejidad de la aventura. Poco a poco van surgiendo múltiples temas secundarios que parecen dirigirse todos hacia una única meta: mostrarnos que la aceptación de la diversidad (cultural, social, amorosa, racial, étnica, por procedencia —migrantes—, de género…) es el único camino para conseguir la paz entre los seres vivos.
Es verdad que nos movemos dentro de la Ciencia Ficción, dentro de un escenario de guerras y viajes intergalácticos, pero este envoltorio se difumina rápidamente al darnos cuenta de que la crítica social que atraviesa toda la obra es fácilmente aplicable a nuestra sociedad contemporánea. Una crítica al poder, a la hipocresía, a la manipulación, y, en particular, al odio al diferente como detonante de los inacabables conflictos entre los seres humanos.
Saga es militante tanto política como socialmente, en contra de las desigualdades de todo tipo. Por un lado con el relato, un guion de una gran calidad literaria, con continuas frases ingeniosas y sentencias bien razonadas que es difícil no sentir como auténticas. Y por otro, con unos dibujos complejos que recrean al detalle el también complejo universo imaginado (mezcla de fantasía y mitología). Un perfecto uso del color y de las medidas y una realización realista y explícita añaden otro golpe mortal a la mojigatería que también critica la obra. No se esconde nada en el dibujo de Fiona Staples (1982-): sexo interespecies, interracial, gay, desnudos integrales, transexualidad, un parto…. Saga no solo cuenta, sino que también muestra escenas representativas de esa diversidad de la que hace gala y ahí radica su fuerza para penetrar en la conciencia del lector. No parece lo mismo leer que ver. ¿Somos tan tolerantes como suponemos?¿Cómo reaccionará cierto público ante esas imágenes?
Pero Saga no es solo un tratado de no violencia enmarcado en un escenario de guerras sin cuartel. Saga es también una obra entretenida, llena de aventuras, personajes creíbles y situaciones emocionantes llenas de tensión que consiguen mantener el interés. K. Vaughan no desaprovecha ningún recurso para conseguirlo: cambios de escenario, de tiempo y hasta de personajes (los enemigos se convierten en alidos y viceversa), elipsis, perspectiva infantil, cliffhangers…, además de no temblarle la mano en hacer desaparecer a personajes relevantes (Sí, eso que tanto nos atrajo en Canción de hielo y fuego y que la convirtió en una historia tan peculiar).
Saga me ha parecido una Space Opera de una modernidad apabullante y contada con una profundad poco habitual. Quedan aún muchos otros temas sin comentar en estos nueve volúmenes de más de mil trescientas páginas. Así que solo me queda esperar la continuación de las aventuras y desventuras de los indómitos Marko y Alana.
En principio, Saga (2012-), de Brian K. Vaughan (1976-), parece una sencilla odisea galáctica familiar vertebrada sobre una historia de amor interracial (a lo Romeo y Julieta), pero rápidamente te das cuenta de que la historia amorosa queda relegada a un segundo plano ante la complejidad de la aventura. Poco a poco van surgiendo múltiples temas secundarios que parecen dirigirse todos hacia una única meta: mostrarnos que la aceptación de la diversidad (cultural, social, amorosa, racial, étnica, por procedencia —migrantes—, de género…) es el único camino para conseguir la paz entre los seres vivos.
Es verdad que nos movemos dentro de la Ciencia Ficción, dentro de un escenario de guerras y viajes intergalácticos, pero este envoltorio se difumina rápidamente al darnos cuenta de que la crítica social que atraviesa toda la obra es fácilmente aplicable a nuestra sociedad contemporánea. Una crítica al poder, a la hipocresía, a la manipulación, y, en particular, al odio al diferente como detonante de los inacabables conflictos entre los seres humanos.
Saga es militante tanto política como socialmente, en contra de las desigualdades de todo tipo. Por un lado con el relato, un guion de una gran calidad literaria, con continuas frases ingeniosas y sentencias bien razonadas que es difícil no sentir como auténticas. Y por otro, con unos dibujos complejos que recrean al detalle el también complejo universo imaginado (mezcla de fantasía y mitología). Un perfecto uso del color y de las medidas y una realización realista y explícita añaden otro golpe mortal a la mojigatería que también critica la obra. No se esconde nada en el dibujo de Fiona Staples (1982-): sexo interespecies, interracial, gay, desnudos integrales, transexualidad, un parto…. Saga no solo cuenta, sino que también muestra escenas representativas de esa diversidad de la que hace gala y ahí radica su fuerza para penetrar en la conciencia del lector. No parece lo mismo leer que ver. ¿Somos tan tolerantes como suponemos?¿Cómo reaccionará cierto público ante esas imágenes?
Pero Saga no es solo un tratado de no violencia enmarcado en un escenario de guerras sin cuartel. Saga es también una obra entretenida, llena de aventuras, personajes creíbles y situaciones emocionantes llenas de tensión que consiguen mantener el interés. K. Vaughan no desaprovecha ningún recurso para conseguirlo: cambios de escenario, de tiempo y hasta de personajes (los enemigos se convierten en alidos y viceversa), elipsis, perspectiva infantil, cliffhangers…, además de no temblarle la mano en hacer desaparecer a personajes relevantes (Sí, eso que tanto nos atrajo en Canción de hielo y fuego y que la convirtió en una historia tan peculiar).
Saga me ha parecido una Space Opera de una modernidad apabullante y contada con una profundad poco habitual. Quedan aún muchos otros temas sin comentar en estos nueve volúmenes de más de mil trescientas páginas. Así que solo me queda esperar la continuación de las aventuras y desventuras de los indómitos Marko y Alana.
December 19, 2021
I binged this series over 3 days on Hoopla and I am not okay. I was so intrigued the entire time, I just wanted to see what happened next. All of the characters were so complex and it really shows that everyone's the protagonist of their own story. I'm seriously in awe of the depth. There's a ton of gore, sex, nudity, and just general vulgarity in Saga, but it doesn't feel trashy when it so easily could. The art is gorgeous, even when what it's depicting is not. Hazel's inner monologue gave me chills at times, and several plot twists had my mouth hanging open.
While this rating is for the complete 9 volumes, I would have to say that my favorite is Volume 7, or the time spent on That being said, I adore this entire series and have reread it once since the first writing of this review. The cast and the setting are just so vibrant and colorful! If I had to choose a favorite, I would probably say Petrichor, although I also find Prince Robot IV very interesting. Even the "bad" characters are still intriguing (note that "bad" is in quotations, as there's rarely any cut-and-dry heroes and villains in Saga) and I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
I did admittedly love this a little less upon rereading it this summer, mainly because it made the slow pacing in the middle three volumes stand out even more, since I knew that they were leading to my favorite arc by far. That being said, I still love this series and I can't wait to see where it goes next!
While this rating is for the complete 9 volumes, I would have to say that my favorite is Volume 7, or the time spent on That being said, I adore this entire series and have reread it once since the first writing of this review. The cast and the setting are just so vibrant and colorful! If I had to choose a favorite, I would probably say Petrichor, although I also find Prince Robot IV very interesting. Even the "bad" characters are still intriguing (note that "bad" is in quotations, as there's rarely any cut-and-dry heroes and villains in Saga) and I can't wait to see where the story goes next!
I did admittedly love this a little less upon rereading it this summer, mainly because it made the slow pacing in the middle three volumes stand out even more, since I knew that they were leading to my favorite arc by far. That being said, I still love this series and I can't wait to see where it goes next!
September 19, 2019
You like comics?
You'll like this one!
You'll like this one!
January 6, 2022
2η ανάγνωση:
Αγαπώ! Το foreshadowing που γίνεται στην αφήγηση είναι οριακά τρομακτικό! Ανυπομονώ για την συνέχεια!
1η ανάγνωση:
Μου άρεσε πολύ!!
*θα γράψω περισσότερα αργότερα*
EDIT:
Ξεκίνησα να διαβάζω τους τόμους, φτάνοντας όμως μόλις στον δεύτερο αποφάσισα να σταματήσω και να το πιάσω ξανά από την αρχή με αυτή την έκδοση που περιλαμβάνει και τους 9 τόμους. Ή μάλλον καλύτερα και τα 54 τεύχη/κεφάλαια. Κατά συνέπεια το διάβασα όλο συνεχόμενα, σαν μια ιστορία, χωρίς να ξεχωρίζω τόμους.
Το Saga δεν είναι μόνο μια ιστορία επιστημονικής φαντασίας. Ούτε απλά μια ιστορία αγάπης. Και δεν μιλάει μόνο για την διαφορετικότητα αλλά για πολλά παραπάνω. Μιλάει για την έννοια της οικογένειας, για το τι σημαίνει να είσαι γονιός, τι σημαίνει να είσαι πρόσφυγας, τι σημαίνει να είσαι στρατιώτης. Τι σημαίνει να γεννιέσαι και να μεγαλώνεις εν μέσω πολέμου. Για την φτώχεια, την ειρήνη, τον πόλεμο και τις επιπτώσεις του, την απώλεια, τον θάνατο, την αγάπη την φιλία, την εμπιστοσύνη και την ελπίδα. Για τα fake news, τις εκτρώσεις, τον εθισμό και την ενδοοικογενειακή βία. Μιλάει για τον άνθρωπο, τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, τον σύγχρονο τρόπο ζωής και όλα αυτά χωρίς να υπάρχουν ανθρώπινα όντα στις σελίδες του. Κέρατα, φτερά, πολλά μάτια, αραχνόμορφα σώματα ή ζώα που μιλάνε. Δέντρα-διαστημόπλοια, δράκοι, πληρωμένοι δολοφόνοι με ηθικούς φραγμούς και δύσκολα παιδικά χρόνια, αριστοκράτες με κεφάλια-τηλεοράσεις, συγγραφείς αντιπολεμικών ερωτικών μυθιστορημάτων, κόκκινα φαντάσματα και μια γάτα-ανιχνευτή ψεύδους που νιαουρίζει LYING! Την αγαπώ αυτή τη γάτα!
Έχει δράση, έχει αγωνία, έχει μερικά τρομερά plot-twists. Είχε αναπάντεχους θανάτους, μερικούς από τους οποίους πόνεσαν.
Ήταν αστείο και συγκινητικό και αιματηρό και σκληρό και εκδικητικό, ελπιδοφόρο και αξιολάτρευτο και τρομαχτικό και αληθινό χωρίς να γίνεται στιγμή διδακτικό.
Το σενάριο ώρες ώρες ίσως να μην φάνταζε τόσο πρωτότυπο αλλά οι χαρακτήρες του είναι τόσο στέρεοι και ρεαλιστικοί και υπέροχοι, με ανάγκες και προβλήματα, με όλα τα θετικά και τα αρνητικά τους, τα λάθη και τα σωστά τους.
Και φυσικά το σχέδιο! Το σχέδιο είναι εκπληκτικό! Η Fiona Staples είναι εκπληκτική! Χωρίς αυτήν το Saga θα ήταν ένα διαφορετικό κόμικ. Τα σχέδια, τα χρώματα, η κίνηση μέσα στα καρέ, όλοι αυτοί οι διαφορετικοί εξωγήινοι! Τα εξώφυλλα! Τα εξώφυλλα είναι φανταστικά! Θαυμάζω ειλικρινά τη φαντασία της και εύχομαι να συνεχίσει να με εκπλήσσει με τον συναρπαστικό ποικιλόμορφο και επικίνδυνο κόσμο που έχει δημιουργήσει με τον Brian K. Vaughan.
Ανυπομονώ για τη συνέχεια!!
Περισσότερα εδώ:
https://wordpress64426.wordpress.com/...
Αγαπώ! Το foreshadowing που γίνεται στην αφήγηση είναι οριακά τρομακτικό! Ανυπομονώ για την συνέχεια!
1η ανάγνωση:
Μου άρεσε πολύ!!
*θα γράψω περισσότερα αργότερα*
EDIT:
Ξεκίνησα να διαβάζω τους τόμους, φτάνοντας όμως μόλις στον δεύτερο αποφάσισα να σταματήσω και να το πιάσω ξανά από την αρχή με αυτή την έκδοση που περιλαμβάνει και τους 9 τόμους. Ή μάλλον καλύτερα και τα 54 τεύχη/κεφάλαια. Κατά συνέπεια το διάβασα όλο συνεχόμενα, σαν μια ιστορία, χωρίς να ξεχωρίζω τόμους.
Το Saga δεν είναι μόνο μια ιστορία επιστημονικής φαντασίας. Ούτε απλά μια ιστορία αγάπης. Και δεν μιλάει μόνο για την διαφορετικότητα αλλά για πολλά παραπάνω. Μιλάει για την έννοια της οικογένειας, για το τι σημαίνει να είσαι γονιός, τι σημαίνει να είσαι πρόσφυγας, τι σημαίνει να είσαι στρατιώτης. Τι σημαίνει να γεννιέσαι και να μεγαλώνεις εν μέσω πολέμου. Για την φτώχεια, την ειρήνη, τον πόλεμο και τις επιπτώσεις του, την απώλεια, τον θάνατο, την αγάπη την φιλία, την εμπιστοσύνη και την ελπίδα. Για τα fake news, τις εκτρώσεις, τον εθισμό και την ενδοοικογενειακή βία. Μιλάει για τον άνθρωπο, τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, τον σύγχρονο τρόπο ζωής και όλα αυτά χωρίς να υπάρχουν ανθρώπινα όντα στις σελίδες του. Κέρατα, φτερά, πολλά μάτια, αραχνόμορφα σώματα ή ζώα που μιλάνε. Δέντρα-διαστημόπλοια, δράκοι, πληρωμένοι δολοφόνοι με ηθικούς φραγμούς και δύσκολα παιδικά χρόνια, αριστοκράτες με κεφάλια-τηλεοράσεις, συγγραφείς αντιπολεμικών ερωτικών μυθιστορημάτων, κόκκινα φαντάσματα και μια γάτα-ανιχνευτή ψεύδους που νιαουρίζει LYING! Την αγαπώ αυτή τη γάτα!
Έχει δράση, έχει αγωνία, έχει μερικά τρομερά plot-twists. Είχε αναπάντεχους θανάτους, μερικούς από τους οποίους πόνεσαν.
Ήταν αστείο και συγκινητικό και αιματηρό και σκληρό και εκδικητικό, ελπιδοφόρο και αξιολάτρευτο και τρομαχτικό και αληθινό χωρίς να γίνεται στιγμή διδακτικό.
Το σενάριο ώρες ώρες ίσως να μην φάνταζε τόσο πρωτότυπο αλλά οι χαρακτήρες του είναι τόσο στέρεοι και ρεαλιστικοί και υπέροχοι, με ανάγκες και προβλήματα, με όλα τα θετικά και τα αρνητικά τους, τα λάθη και τα σωστά τους.
Και φυσικά το σχέδιο! Το σχέδιο είναι εκπληκτικό! Η Fiona Staples είναι εκπληκτική! Χωρίς αυτήν το Saga θα ήταν ένα διαφορετικό κόμικ. Τα σχέδια, τα χρώματα, η κίνηση μέσα στα καρέ, όλοι αυτοί οι διαφορετικοί εξωγήινοι! Τα εξώφυλλα! Τα εξώφυλλα είναι φανταστικά! Θαυμάζω ειλικρινά τη φαντασία της και εύχομαι να συνεχίσει να με εκπλήσσει με τον συναρπαστικό ποικιλόμορφο και επικίνδυνο κόσμο που έχει δημιουργήσει με τον Brian K. Vaughan.
Ανυπομονώ για τη συνέχεια!!
Περισσότερα εδώ:
https://wordpress64426.wordpress.com/...
April 13, 2022
Yes, so I realize I never posted a review of the absolutely stunning, thrilling, wildly-entertaining beautiful piece of work that is Saga. Honestly how dare I.
I have to put it into simple words: I think everybody who reads this will love it. Especially those with an affinity for sci-fi!! This comic series has got to be one of the most wonderfully crafted heartfelt, comical, and gut-wrenching stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The art is spectacular as well. As I write this, I’m literally running out of my list of commendable adjectives I usually keep in store for my 5-star reads because it was really that good. I don’t know if I have never felt more enthralled by a world than this one… that’s saying a lot.
I remember I posted a little “read with me” video if you wanted to see my short description of the synopsis. That was a while back, but if you ever wanted to check it out it’s there :) I’d love for you all to read.
I have to put it into simple words: I think everybody who reads this will love it. Especially those with an affinity for sci-fi!! This comic series has got to be one of the most wonderfully crafted heartfelt, comical, and gut-wrenching stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The art is spectacular as well. As I write this, I’m literally running out of my list of commendable adjectives I usually keep in store for my 5-star reads because it was really that good. I don’t know if I have never felt more enthralled by a world than this one… that’s saying a lot.
I remember I posted a little “read with me” video if you wanted to see my short description of the synopsis. That was a while back, but if you ever wanted to check it out it’s there :) I’d love for you all to read.
November 30, 2022
Click to enlarge images
One of the reasons I like reading comics in big collected editions is the hope of getting a more or less complete story. A vain hope, in this case. Even after 1300+ pages there is still no sign of an overarching shape to this story, which perhaps makes Saga an appropriate name. Unfortunately, the effect on me was a little wearying. Almost every one of the 54 issues collected here ends in a new cliffhanger, and after a while it becomes clear that the resolution of one will only be used as the creation of another, ad, apparently, infinitum.
Which is not to say that there isn't lots to like here. The central characters are extremely endearing, and the sheer imagination involved in creating these disparate peoples, worlds and adventures is magnificent. We have intergalactic bounty-hunters, a race of television-headed royals, subaquatic journalists, hatching eggs the size of planets, lupine abortion clinics, and a dozen other things less easy to describe. Sometimes these coexist uneasily with a more terrestrial, even parochial idea of what constitutes Big Issues (corporal punishment is bad, trans rights are important, etc.), but on the whole the ambition is impressive.
Fiona Staples matches Vaughan's craziness every step of the way. I like her artwork, but I don't love it – the lack of detail in the backgrounds and the use of bright, primary colours makes everything seem a little – well, cartoonish. I kept comparing it in my head with more complex European space operas like the works of someone like Enki Bilal, which are genuinely dark and strange in a way Saga isn't. Here, Vaughan's gestures towards ‘maturity’ are evident mostly in his compulsion to introduce random sex scenes at strange moments, though to be fair, I do love the way Staples's art handles these sections. And emotional complexity in Saga is really just one technique, endlessly repeated over the 1300 pages: introduce a new character, make us care about them, then kill them off as callously as possible. It works well the first couple of times but, like everything in this book, the effect is dulled by repetition.
In the end you have to give props to the many excellent things on display here, but I would like it a whole lot more if it had a beginning, middle and end, rather than just being (like the apocryphal précis of history) one damned thing after another. When, nursing your injured wrist, you finally reach the end of this mammoth volume, the final three words are ‘To be continued’. That about sums it up.
March 26, 2021
AYO FOLKS SOMEONE JUST COMMENTED ON THIS 3 MONTH OLD REVIEW 💀
the casual use of slurs (specifically the r-slur, the f-slur and the s-slur) was so unnecessary and it ruined the books for me.
also the rampant fatphobic and ableist language. why was that needed in a book where no one is human and therefore socialisation is different from humanity?
the only trans character’s narrative wasn’t handled well at all — they were consistently misgendered by a character we are SUPPOSED to like.
overall you can tell this story was written by a cishet white man.
fiona staples is an extremely talented artist though.
the casual use of slurs (specifically the r-slur, the f-slur and the s-slur) was so unnecessary and it ruined the books for me.
also the rampant fatphobic and ableist language. why was that needed in a book where no one is human and therefore socialisation is different from humanity?
the only trans character’s narrative wasn’t handled well at all — they were consistently misgendered by a character we are SUPPOSED to like.
overall you can tell this story was written by a cishet white man.
fiona staples is an extremely talented artist though.
September 5, 2019
I hate this book. I hate this series. I hate Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples for what they’re doing.
So...why do I also love them and their incredible work of art so much?
Saga is brutal. It is fucking brutal, man. But it is beautiful and messy and real and funny and true and did I MENTION beautiful? But it’s also brutal. And you can’t forget that. Because as much as the characters in this may look like something from a fairy tale, the main characters and those in their orbit are not living one. Not even close.
I cried reading the final pages of this, and the story is only halfway done. It was one of many times my heart broke during the hundreds of pages leading up to that moment, always to be just barely put back together by emotional duct tape. There are so many well rounded characters here, and so many you care about, and everyone should read this.
Because I love it. And I kinda hate it. Thanks for that, Brian and Fiona. Gotta live with that bit of cognitive dissonance hangin around.
So...why do I also love them and their incredible work of art so much?
Saga is brutal. It is fucking brutal, man. But it is beautiful and messy and real and funny and true and did I MENTION beautiful? But it’s also brutal. And you can’t forget that. Because as much as the characters in this may look like something from a fairy tale, the main characters and those in their orbit are not living one. Not even close.
I cried reading the final pages of this, and the story is only halfway done. It was one of many times my heart broke during the hundreds of pages leading up to that moment, always to be just barely put back together by emotional duct tape. There are so many well rounded characters here, and so many you care about, and everyone should read this.
Because I love it. And I kinda hate it. Thanks for that, Brian and Fiona. Gotta live with that bit of cognitive dissonance hangin around.
September 28, 2019
I hated reading this. I hated it because I love the characters, but the plot just won't stop throwing our protagonist family into just the worst scenarios, just over and over.
The series (seeing how this is an omnibus) is filled with blood, action and character, but I think that it is defined by its quiet moments. By it's heartfelt moments, from the literal beginning to the cliffhanger ending.
A rather beautiful piece of literature that grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn't stop shaking you, even in the brief moments of peace. And, as a very wise writer named D. Oswald Heist once said: Peace is just the pauses between wars.
The series (seeing how this is an omnibus) is filled with blood, action and character, but I think that it is defined by its quiet moments. By it's heartfelt moments, from the literal beginning to the cliffhanger ending.
A rather beautiful piece of literature that grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn't stop shaking you, even in the brief moments of peace. And, as a very wise writer named D. Oswald Heist once said: Peace is just the pauses between wars.
October 9, 2019
A great story, but it meandered a bit too much in the middle. And, not to sound like an old prude, but.....some VERY gratuitous stuff in here. Aside from shock value, what was the need?
May 26, 2021
I don't remember a story making me cry so much...
It is a masterpiece.
It is a masterpiece.
August 27, 2023
So many thoughts. RTC
July 19, 2022
After seeing the amount of praise that this series has received, I jumped at the chance to read it. Perhaps it was the form factor in which I read it, but it felt very overwhelming both character and plot wise, to the point where I didn't really find myself caring about anything that happens. Unfortunately, it began to feel like a chore by the halfway mark, and I only made it to the end by telling myself to be a reading trooper. A two star for the art and the clear passion that's gone into this story, it just isn't for me.
TRIGGERS: violence, gore, nudity, NSFW, everything else under the sun
TRIGGERS: violence, gore, nudity, NSFW, everything else under the sun
August 1, 2020
5/5 stars
Oh my. This compendium is absolutely stunning. I read all 1300+ pages in a single day because I couldn't put it down, and I don't know if I'll find a graphic novel quite like it again. It also absolutely destroyed me and I'd like to unread the last few pages because they broke my heart.
The story is a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a little bit Game of Thrones, and it's all set in space. It's full of bizarre fantasy creatures, from tiny talking rodents to humanoid television sets, to giant planet devouring infants, and it all fits together seamlessly in this world. I was extremely impressed by the delivery of so much info at such a good pace in this format; I hadn't expected the level of world building I'd find in a series of novels in a graphic novel series, simply because so much of the storytelling is visual, but Saga absolutely delivers. As the main characters (a couple and their child) travel through space, trying to find a home for their family despite being hunted by monsters, government agencies, and exes, we're gradually introduced to a wider cast and new facets of this vast universe.
There's also some excellent use of narration. The story is being told by the fleeing couple's daughter, but the actual narration is used sparingly. There are little pieces of it woven into panels here and there, drawing your attention to certain themes and recurring elements as needed. I thought it added a lot to the story, and added a lot of emotional emphasis to certain scenes. The themes themselves were well written, and there are some interesting conversations about morally gray topics that take place between characters.
Okay, characters. Possibly the best part of this series (but please don't ask me to choose, it's all good). The dialogue is SO strong and the characters are developed quickly and naturally. Their reactions to their environment are very distinct, and you get an idea of who they are and what they value from the very first scenes. Alana and Marko, the main couple, are everything, and I adore them with my whole heart. I don't know how many times their dialogue made me laugh, but they also had serious moments that carried an appropriate amount of weight. They're young and naive in some ways, but they've also been through a lot and they're going to fight for what they have, and I loved their relationship. I loved that they struggled, and doubted each other and themselves, and I liked that they were able to go through phases where they were distant from each other and phases where they were very close. It felt like a real relationship.
The secondary characters are also great. The plot follows several different groups like Game of Thrones, so you'll switch between the main group, bounty hunters, a royal family, etc. They've all got their own agenda, it's all intertwined, and none of it is boring. There is also excellent representation in this book. There are a wide variety of skin tones, gender expressions, and sexualities in the cast, and I thought it was all done really well.
I also have to take a minute to talk about the art because it's beautiful? So so beautiful. And funny too. The artist is great at capturing movement in wide landscape shots, and the facial expressions and emotions of the characters were drawn well too.
My only real complaint is that there's a lot of nudity, which I don't generally mind, but some of it felt gratuitous. It wasn't all necessary. However, I did really appreciate that the women weren't overly sexualized, and that the amount of female nudity and male nudity was pretty balanced. It was also pretty body positive, and showed things like stretch marks on a character that had given birth as well as a variety of body types.
Overall, this is an incredible story with enormous scope, intelligent and humorous writing, beautiful art, and characters that will break your heart and put it back together again. It's definitely not a story for kids (see content warnings below), but I'd recommend it to anyone else who likes sci-fi/fantasy.
Content Warnings: violence, murder, sexual abuse (including referenced sexual assault of a child), graphic sexual content, PTSD and scenes depicting the effects of trauma, war, on page miscarriage and discussion of abortion, substance abuse and addiction (drugs), homophobia/transphobia (from characters, but not perpetuated by the narrative).
Oh my. This compendium is absolutely stunning. I read all 1300+ pages in a single day because I couldn't put it down, and I don't know if I'll find a graphic novel quite like it again. It also absolutely destroyed me and I'd like to unread the last few pages because they broke my heart.
The story is a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a little bit Game of Thrones, and it's all set in space. It's full of bizarre fantasy creatures, from tiny talking rodents to humanoid television sets, to giant planet devouring infants, and it all fits together seamlessly in this world. I was extremely impressed by the delivery of so much info at such a good pace in this format; I hadn't expected the level of world building I'd find in a series of novels in a graphic novel series, simply because so much of the storytelling is visual, but Saga absolutely delivers. As the main characters (a couple and their child) travel through space, trying to find a home for their family despite being hunted by monsters, government agencies, and exes, we're gradually introduced to a wider cast and new facets of this vast universe.
There's also some excellent use of narration. The story is being told by the fleeing couple's daughter, but the actual narration is used sparingly. There are little pieces of it woven into panels here and there, drawing your attention to certain themes and recurring elements as needed. I thought it added a lot to the story, and added a lot of emotional emphasis to certain scenes. The themes themselves were well written, and there are some interesting conversations about morally gray topics that take place between characters.
Okay, characters. Possibly the best part of this series (but please don't ask me to choose, it's all good). The dialogue is SO strong and the characters are developed quickly and naturally. Their reactions to their environment are very distinct, and you get an idea of who they are and what they value from the very first scenes. Alana and Marko, the main couple, are everything, and I adore them with my whole heart. I don't know how many times their dialogue made me laugh, but they also had serious moments that carried an appropriate amount of weight. They're young and naive in some ways, but they've also been through a lot and they're going to fight for what they have, and I loved their relationship. I loved that they struggled, and doubted each other and themselves, and I liked that they were able to go through phases where they were distant from each other and phases where they were very close. It felt like a real relationship.
The secondary characters are also great. The plot follows several different groups like Game of Thrones, so you'll switch between the main group, bounty hunters, a royal family, etc. They've all got their own agenda, it's all intertwined, and none of it is boring. There is also excellent representation in this book. There are a wide variety of skin tones, gender expressions, and sexualities in the cast, and I thought it was all done really well.
I also have to take a minute to talk about the art because it's beautiful? So so beautiful. And funny too. The artist is great at capturing movement in wide landscape shots, and the facial expressions and emotions of the characters were drawn well too.
My only real complaint is that there's a lot of nudity, which I don't generally mind, but some of it felt gratuitous. It wasn't all necessary. However, I did really appreciate that the women weren't overly sexualized, and that the amount of female nudity and male nudity was pretty balanced. It was also pretty body positive, and showed things like stretch marks on a character that had given birth as well as a variety of body types.
Overall, this is an incredible story with enormous scope, intelligent and humorous writing, beautiful art, and characters that will break your heart and put it back together again. It's definitely not a story for kids (see content warnings below), but I'd recommend it to anyone else who likes sci-fi/fantasy.
Content Warnings: violence, murder, sexual abuse (including referenced sexual assault of a child), graphic sexual content, PTSD and scenes depicting the effects of trauma, war, on page miscarriage and discussion of abortion, substance abuse and addiction (drugs), homophobia/transphobia (from characters, but not perpetuated by the narrative).
October 18, 2022
In the late 2000’s to early 2010’s I loved Brian K. Vaughn’s writing because his modern style of dialogue added levity to a medium that felt uninviting to me as a teenage girl. As an adult with a fully-developed prefrontal cortex his character dialogue makes me want to smash a big stack of cartoon plates over my head.
Every single person talks the exact same way, swears the exact same way, quippily insults each other the exact same way. It’s not even an 00’s thing that Brian K. Vaughn eventually outgrew, either: the 2022 #55-#60 arc has honest to god “snowflake” and “trigger warning” jokes that feel like they’re supposed to land with someone 15 years older than me. It’s grating, off-putting, and ages every page instantly.
With an adult’s beautiful mind, his writing is also not nearly as smart or progressive or feminist as I used to think it was, which I’m basing partially on how every woman calls another woman a slutty fat cunt at some point, and partially on which fan letters he chooses to just publish in their unedited entirety at the end of each issue. Like…you know you don’t HAVE to give an eight-paragraph platform to every person who hated your trans character, right? …right??
Anyways. It sucks because I think the overarching narrative and relationships within Saga are genuinely interesting. I actually really like the characters!! I am appropriately sad every three issues when another one is killed off! But at this point, so much of what I love about Saga can be directly attributed to Fiona Staples, who is doing 99% of the physical labor of this comic. I’m in absolute awe of the amount of emotional weight, world-building, and tone she is single-handedly carrying in every issue. There is truly no one else out there even remotely on her level.
Every single person talks the exact same way, swears the exact same way, quippily insults each other the exact same way. It’s not even an 00’s thing that Brian K. Vaughn eventually outgrew, either: the 2022 #55-#60 arc has honest to god “snowflake” and “trigger warning” jokes that feel like they’re supposed to land with someone 15 years older than me. It’s grating, off-putting, and ages every page instantly.
With an adult’s beautiful mind, his writing is also not nearly as smart or progressive or feminist as I used to think it was, which I’m basing partially on how every woman calls another woman a slutty fat cunt at some point, and partially on which fan letters he chooses to just publish in their unedited entirety at the end of each issue. Like…you know you don’t HAVE to give an eight-paragraph platform to every person who hated your trans character, right? …right??
Anyways. It sucks because I think the overarching narrative and relationships within Saga are genuinely interesting. I actually really like the characters!! I am appropriately sad every three issues when another one is killed off! But at this point, so much of what I love about Saga can be directly attributed to Fiona Staples, who is doing 99% of the physical labor of this comic. I’m in absolute awe of the amount of emotional weight, world-building, and tone she is single-handedly carrying in every issue. There is truly no one else out there even remotely on her level.
October 16, 2023
9/10 this comic will definitely be a classic when it finished if this is how the first half wrapped. The ending of this book is a 10 for sure.
April 27, 2023
It has been a very long time since I’ve had this much fun with comics! The story follows Alana and Marko, two former soldiers, now deserters from their opposing armies, who got married and went on to found a family. We see their daughter, Hazel, growing up on the run with her parents in a (mostly) hostile universe in which they encounter new friends and enemies alike.
And this is where Saga shines beyond any other comic I’ve ever encountered: Our fugitives meet a broad range of people who more often than not want to either capture or kill them. Unless there’s no other way, Alana, Marko…
… and their very diverse rag tag group of friends…
…and great sidekicks…
…will treat people with respect…
…kindness and the kind of simple decency I wish all of us would apply…
There are certainly very adult topics and scenes but they’re very obviously not included to “disturb” or “provoke” but they’re sensible parts of the story. This might not be something you want your kids to see but it’s part of our adult lives so why exclude it?
The story deals with issues such as war, racism, and sexuality in a thoughtful and nuanced way. It never feels preachy or heavy-handed, but rather adds another layer of depth to an already complex narrative.
The world-building (or rather: universe-building!) in general is brilliant: Vaughan has created a rich and complex universe, filled with different species, cultures, and technologies. The attention to detail is impressive, and I found myself fully immersed in this fantastical world.
The characters are also incredibly well-developed. Alana and Marko are complex and flawed, but ultimately relatable and likeable. Their love story is at the heart of the narrative, but the supporting characters are just as important. From the ghost(ly) babysitter Izabel to the bounty hunter The Will, each character has their own distinct personality and backstory.
The artwork by Fiona Staples is stunning. Her style is unique and dynamic, and she brings Vaughan's imaginative world to life with vivid colours and intricate details. The character designs are also impressive, with each species having their own distinct look and feel.
At times, the artwork feels slightly psychedelic, adding immensely to the overall enjoyment.
I only regret that I managed to get started on yet another unfinished series - and that cliffhanger at the end of “Compendium One” is just plain cruel!
If you have even the slightest interest in comics, graphical novels, epic space operas and/or science fiction, read this!
Five out of five stars! 🌈
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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
And this is where Saga shines beyond any other comic I’ve ever encountered: Our fugitives meet a broad range of people who more often than not want to either capture or kill them. Unless there’s no other way, Alana, Marko…
… and their very diverse rag tag group of friends…
…and great sidekicks…
…will treat people with respect…
…kindness and the kind of simple decency I wish all of us would apply…
There are certainly very adult topics and scenes but they’re very obviously not included to “disturb” or “provoke” but they’re sensible parts of the story. This might not be something you want your kids to see but it’s part of our adult lives so why exclude it?
The story deals with issues such as war, racism, and sexuality in a thoughtful and nuanced way. It never feels preachy or heavy-handed, but rather adds another layer of depth to an already complex narrative.
The world-building (or rather: universe-building!) in general is brilliant: Vaughan has created a rich and complex universe, filled with different species, cultures, and technologies. The attention to detail is impressive, and I found myself fully immersed in this fantastical world.
The characters are also incredibly well-developed. Alana and Marko are complex and flawed, but ultimately relatable and likeable. Their love story is at the heart of the narrative, but the supporting characters are just as important. From the ghost(ly) babysitter Izabel to the bounty hunter The Will, each character has their own distinct personality and backstory.
The artwork by Fiona Staples is stunning. Her style is unique and dynamic, and she brings Vaughan's imaginative world to life with vivid colours and intricate details. The character designs are also impressive, with each species having their own distinct look and feel.
At times, the artwork feels slightly psychedelic, adding immensely to the overall enjoyment.
I only regret that I managed to get started on yet another unfinished series - and that cliffhanger at the end of “Compendium One” is just plain cruel!
If you have even the slightest interest in comics, graphical novels, epic space operas and/or science fiction, read this!
Five out of five stars! 🌈
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Mastodon | Instagram | Pinterest | Medium | Matrix | Tumblr
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
September 16, 2019
Heartbreaking portrayal of cycles of violence that go on and on and on and on ;~; Deaths are inevitable but painful to read anyway. A pervasive sense of grief and loss and dread throughout. Narratively and graphically beautiful regardless of the content. Apparently there are 54 more issues to go—am itching for more!
August 2, 2020
Picked this one up due to not being able to find the last volume I left off at and this was a huge portion of the already published series so why not. Great and sad ...did I mention a tragic ending with that cliffhanger omg.
May 2, 2023
I binged it! And I was not disappointed! The dialogue is sharp and funny, the illustrations are touching, there is definitely a character for everyone, whether you're looking for a cute and cuddly seal-man (protect Ghüs at all costs) or maternal badass (Alana), and the space opera is the right mix of bleak/devastating/jaded and hopeful/heartwarming, and okay, just downright hot.
December 2, 2024
Downloaded this to reread a few volumes and catch up…only to finish all 1.3k+ pages in one sitting. Oops🫢 Forgot how addicting this series is😭 AMAZING storyline with found family, a star-crossed romance, and well written characters! The romance is more of a subplot but the main plot itself is SO good and adventurous. Many emotional scenes, especially that painful end to Vol 9❤️🩹 Also loved the themes of family, impact of war, politics, and gender identity.
July 10, 2020
At this rate, who is going to be left to kill for volume two? (Also damn, volume 9. Just...damn.)
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