We all have our favorite comic books. Favorite characters, favorite stories, favorite costumes, that sort of thing. But we all have that one series that we want everyone around us to love and enjoy as much as we do. That one comic that you want everyone to be just as excited about as you are for it. For me, that is a recent series called Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples, published with Image Comics. With the second trade paperback hitting shelves this week, I felt it most appropriate for me to tell you about this now. Especially since they are on hiatus until September, you have time to catch up.
How I describe Saga to new readers is as if Star Wars took place in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, with more sex, more blood and less lightsabers. I’ve also heard it compared to Game of Thrones, but I’ve honestly never read the series so you’ll have to tell me if that is a fair comparison. The stories narrator, Hazel, is the daughter of Alana and Marko, lovers from different worlds. The problem being is that these two worlds have been at war, since before they were born. Marko was a prisoner of Alana’s people, Alana being his guard. They fall in love and run away, being chased by the governments of both worlds. This triggers two bounty hunters after them, The Will (with his trusty accomplice Lying Cat) and The Stalk, of Marko’s world. Of Alana’s world, Prince Robot IV chases down the pair in a rush, as his wife just sent him some surprising news.
Staples draws, inks and colors the comics herself, working closely with Vaughn on character design and artistic direction. There has also been indication that there is an ending in mind for the series, along with the fact that issues are planned at least five in advance, makes me feel like they know what they are doing and we will not be disappointed. The thing that will disappoint me is that it will probably be too short for my liking!
So what is your “one comic” that you want everyone in on? Tell us about it! Also, let me know what you want to see written here. I’ll be back with some fun new thing next week, should I head back to the Big 2 or stay with the independents? Let me know!
Saga is a huge bucket of epic comic action. I picked up the Vol 2 trade this week and am super excited to dive back in. Vaughn and Staples are a superb comic duo.
My “one” comics right now that everyone should be reading is Princeless from Action Labs. It’s a great all ages book for everyone but I specifically think every little girl in the world should be handed the first trade volume.
My “one comic”……. Phil Foglio’s “Xxxenophile”, now out of print and hard to find. Failing that, his “Girl Genius”.
Xander Cannon’s KAIJU MAX from Oni. Imagine the HBO prison series OZ, but for giant, japanese KAIJU monsters!
Yeah, my ‘Zilla! It’s that good!