Graphic Novel Saga Vol.1… A Review

Romeo and Juliet in a space odyssey vaguely familiar to any Star Wars fan, but with such wonderful characters and storyline that all similarities are long forgotten after a few pages. Written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by artist Fiona Staples, Saga is a Comic book/Graphic novel. Saga Vol. 1 (which is what I read and am reviewing) collects the first 6 issues of the comic book.

Saga opens with the galactic war raging between the plant Landfall, the technically advanced people that have wings enabling them to fly, and the orbiting moon Wreath, where the people can wield a pretty good sword and have magical powers to enhance their abilities. Alana, a soldier from Landfall, and Marko, a soldier from Wreath, fall in love ( a big problem for the powers that be) run away to the distant planet Cleave and have a baby (an even bigger problem). Not only are they trying to survive the devastation of the war that is raging on between their people and planets, but they are trying to survive the posse of soldiers from both planets who want them dead because of their forbidden love (and their desertion). This is what great stories are made of! Love, tenderness, revenge, adventure, fantastic worlds and believable characters; And that's what makes this a winning series. It has won an Eisner award for the series when it came out in 2012, and a Hugo award for Best Graphic Story when the first trade paperback came out.

I don't read a lot of Graphic novel series, I basically enjoy the stand alone Graphic novels like Blankets, and Mail Order Bride, but I had heard so many amazing things about this series, plus it was on so many "best of" lists, I had to check it out for myself. I was not disappointed! The artwork is great, but typical of your "superhero" kind of comic book. The text is not hand written like I like, except for when Hazel their baby narrates part of the story, which is great. But the story, that is what makes this worth reading.

Saga has 18 single comic book issues out now, and 2 Trade Paperbacks, which collects the first 12 comic books. Trade Paperback vol. 3, which will include issues #13 -18, is due out in March. So, there is plenty of time to catch up and enjoy the story from the beginning! This just may be the beginning of something wonderful...