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Review: Saga #7
Saga is finally back, and it’s…mediocre at best. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving Saga so far. This epic adventure from writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Fiona Staples is a fun tale with fascinating characters. But after two months off, this new issue disappoints because not a whole lot happens. And then it cuts off just as it’s getting good. This issue reminds me why I read both Y: The Last Man and Dues Ex, Vaughn’s previous works, in trade paperback form, where there were multiple issues to read through in one sitting. Very little happens in this issue, and especially little to advance the plot.
Saga #7
But at least what does happen is entertaining, as we meet Marko’s parents and they meet their new daughter-in-law and grandchild.
Comic rating: 4/5 Good.
Saga #7 reads like the first section of a larger story, and obviously it is. But that disqualifies it from being a worthwhile single issue. And if I’m going to read Saga in the single issues, I’d like a little more bang for my buck per issue. But again, this is probably just me splitting hairs. I don’t think Saga is meant to be read in the single issues. Those lucky/smart people who are waiting for the trades are in for a treat. Because Saga is just that…a saga. I bet, or at least hope, that this is going to be a great tale overall. But issue by issue, I dunno. I’m still hoping for a little more meat on the bones.
Fortunately, with this issue, Saga does exactly what I hoped it would: it slows down to spend a little more time with its characters. The cliffhanger arrival of Marko’s parents last issue is picked up on almost immediately, and their interactions with their son and his new family are fun, if abrupt. We also get some backstory about Marko growing up, so I suppose that’s nice. We also check in, very briefly, on some of our other characters, though nothing comes of that. This is just a set-up issue for whatever happens next. I just hope it’s more exciting than this.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review! And you can get caught up with my prior review of the first six issues here.
6 Coolest Comic Book Ghosts
BOO!! Did I scare you? No? Oh well, I tried my best. I’ve never been much of a horror fan, either books or movies, but I absolutely love Halloween. I love it when society as a whole unites behind this sort of epic pageantry. All the kids in the world dressing in costume to get free candy door-to-door? Awesome! A day where it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a costume to work or to class? Sign me up! I’ve already bought the spooky pumpkin mask I plan to wear when I’m out and about on Wednesday. Not to mention the Batman tie I only wear on Halloween.
Or maybe I should just walk around wearing a sheet over my head. Because what’s more synonymous with Halloween than ghosts?
Witches, I guess…and Charlie Brown
And when we’re talking about science fiction and super powers, who better to use than ghosts? They’re spooky, mysterious, and often associated with horrible murder! Plus they have a ton of super powers. They can fly, pass through walls, howl, and wear pretty awesome sheets. So it should come as no surprise that ghosts are a pretty popular topic when it comes to comic books. For Halloween this year, I’ve put together a list of the 6 ‘ghoulest’ ghosts in all of comics!
Review: Saga: Volume 1
I’ve gotten a request from an old friend of mine to review something other than superhero comics, and I’m going to take him up on that request because I would like to expand the reach of my blog. Unfortunately, the only non-superhero comic I’m reading these days is Saga by writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Fiona Staples. This is unfortunate because I would like to read more independent work, but it’s fortunate because Saga is probably the No. 1 most high-profile, independent, non-superhero comic on the stands today. A lot of comic book fans are reading Saga, and I think that makes it the perfect addition to my review cycle. I’ve decided to review the first six issues in one fell swoop – seeing as how they make up Volune 1 – and then pick up from here on out issue-by-issue.
Saga: Volume 1
Saga is a strange and heartfelt story about a young couple trying to raise their newborn daughter in the middle of a war. But it just so happens that it takes place in outer space and everybody is some kind of freaky alien. On top of that, it seems like Vaughn and Staples are trying to be as insanely weird as possible, sometimes sacrificing story for weirdness.
Comic rating: 4/5: Good.
There is no denying that Saga is, so far, a very well-written and well-drawn comic. Vaughn and Staples are two professionals at the top of their game, and that shows on every page. It’s the story and the progress that I find at least slightly lacking. After six issues, our two main characters, Alana and Marko, seem to be spinning their wheels as they bounce from one threat or danger to the next. Even though we’re told that they’re on the move, the setting still remains “vague alien wilderness”. They have fought off a new threat or evil menace in every single issue, and none of their opponents have stuck around long enough to make any kind of lasting impact.
It’s like Vaughn thinks we have no attention span and he must fill his book with as much new action as possible. The main characters are in a near constant state of panic from all this action. But I would prefer him to slow down and take time to smell the roses of this universe he is trying to build. As a result, I don’t feel as connected with this world and these characters as I would like to be. I’ve seen my fair share of weird alien worlds in fiction, but Vaughn’s is particularly strange, and yet he’s not giving us much of an opportunity to get to know everything he’s created.
That’s not to say Saga is too out of control. Underneath all of this action and weird excitement, Vaughn and Staples are creating something rather beautiful. I just wish they’d let that part shine more than the constant need for action.
Join me after the jump as I introduce you to the characters and run down the story so far.
Henchman-4-Hire 