SAGA (1-4) by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Saga  by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Publication date: March 14th 2012 - Now (continuous)

Publisher: Image Comics

Format: Comic Books/Volumes

Buy it here: Amazon, The Book Depository, Reed Comics (recommended)

Now, let me start by saying I am not a fan of comic books. I have never collected them nor paid any particular interest to them, but Saga is something else entirely.

Part epic, part space opera, and part social satire - but all awesome. Saga was once described to me as being like Game of Thrones in space. Whilst being compared to such a modern masterpiece is a compliment indeed (in my opinion), it also does Saga a disservice in that it is incredibly unique.

Whilst the themes aren’t particularly groundbreaking and often focus on old tropes such as forbidden love and raising a child in dangerous times, Saga breathes new life into these themes and places them in a tremendously realised, although entirely fantastic universe and somehow still makes it believable.

The dialogue flows well and is laden with Britishisms, the artwork is beautiful; flitting effortlessly between stunning interstellar worldscapes and visceral sci-fi warfare.

And that’s another thing that struck me: it is surprisingly deep, yet rarely feels preachy or heavy handed in its message about the futility of war. For me the best representation of this in Prince Robot IV, (Yes there are robots in Saga as well a myriad of other weird and wonderful races) the television headed protagonist/antagonist who undertakes a dangerous mission to find our two star-crossed lovers and their newborn baby in order to return to his own young family. He also suffers from severe combat PTSD and his struggles with it adds layers to an already complex character whose morals are as grey as his skin.

Which brings me on to our main characters Alana and Marko - two rival combatants who got together over a love of literature and decided to take on a universe that wants to kill them. If it seems I am over simplifying this, it’s because I am. The story is driven by their interactions and efforts to eek out a safe existence for their child and fend of the numerous bounty hunters and robotic aristocrats that want them all dead.

Volume Four signed by Brian K. Vaughan

Without these interesting and well developed secondary and tertiary characters the story would be rather plain, but thankfully it isn’t. The art never falls short of stunning, and Fiona Staples is one of the best (although admittedly, I haven’t seen many) comic book artists I have ever seen.

To summarise, you can read all the reviews but the only way to do Saga justice is to read it for yourself. No character really seems to have plot armour except the main two and it surprised me how much I ended up caring about the bad guys, (I’m looking at you The Will).

Oh and it also has seal men and lying cats, if that isn’t enough to make you go and read it nothing will. Saga is one of the most refreshing, most fantastic things I have ever read and it is a must read for any sci-fi, fantasy or comic book lover.

A little tip: if you buy the comics from Reed Comics, there's a chance you will get one through the post signed (as we did above).