Graphic Novel Review: Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

 
 
Alana and Marko, two soldiers from opposing sides of the galactic war who fell in love and ran off together, bring a new life into the world when Alana gives birth to their child, but they soon realize it's not easy caring for a baby when you're on the run and everyone is out to kill you. Meanwhile, The Will, one of the assassins sent to kill them, deals with some personal problems of his own.

Graphic Novel Review: Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan | reading, graphic novel reviews, fantasy, science fiction
Title: Saga Vol. 1
Series:
Book Number: Volume 1 of TBA
Pages: 160
My Rating: 4 Stars
More Info: Goodreads, Publisher
 

Review:

This was the first graphic novel I’ve ever read, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but I really enjoyed it!

I didn’t really know what to expect, so I was happy when it reeled me in within the first few pages.

What amazed me the most was the characters. I guess I figured I wouldn’t be able to connect with the characters as much as I do in books, considering there were no descriptions and very little insight into their thoughts and backstory, but I was impressed with how much depth they had and how much I felt for them! Marko was absolutely adorable; he really does seem like someone who is beautiful on the inside and out. And Alana was kickass. But it wasn’t just the main characters—I even felt terrible for The Will and kind of liked him, despite the fact that he was trying to kill the main characters, because he was also shown to have a good side.

The story itself was a little confusing at times when I was still trying to figure out who was working for who, who was on what side, what was going on with the war, etc.  (I think I’m just not used to having to figure everything out from pictures and dialogue rather than textual explanations, being a newbie and all), but eventually I got a feel for it, understood what was happening, and could’ve kept reading straight through the next two volumes in one sitting had I not been freezing to death in the bookstore and in serious need of food 😛

Overall, it was funny and artistic and beautiful and explicit all at once which is a pretty great combination if you ask me.

 

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  1. Kaja

    I’m glad you liked Saga. It was the second graphic novel I read in English (I read two others when I was younger but they were translated + I adored Nimona by Noelle Stevenson) and I thought it was pretty great for beginners. I’m currently at Vol 3 and I’ll have to get to 4 and 5 soon!
    I liked the wonky worldbuilding, the artwork is pretty amazing.
    And Marko is SUCH A SWEETIE! (With wicked battle skills, but hey, whatever.) I also want to cuddle Hazel 🙂 Mm, and I agree, I like grayish villains, too, it makes things much more interesting.

    1. Kristen Burns

      The worldbuilding and all the different creatures are so random and out there! Wait until you see Robot IV’s dad in Vol. 4 lol. The art is incredible though. I was browsing some other graphic novels while at the store and realized I don’t like the art style in a lot of them.

      I like The Will even more the further into the series I get. What’s really interesting is that, by the end of Vol. 4, none of the previous “villains” even seem to fit the bill anymore.

  2. Tracy (@Cornerfolds)

    Someone actually sent me the first two volumes in this series in a book exchange last year. I had provided an extensive list of books I’d been wanting, along with telling them I mainly read YA and they sent me this, so… I sent it back. It sounds like it would have been a good read anyway! I’m really glad you enjoyed it! I might just have to check it out at some point!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Haha, I can’t blame you for sending it back when it was pretty much the opposite of what you asked for. (Seriously, why do people do that?) It is a fun read though!

  3. Greg

    I haven’t read Saga but heard so much about it- graphic novels are so hit or miss (at least in my experience) so it’s pretty nice when you find one that hits on all cylinders. From what I’ve heard this series does. And it’s nice when “villains” are drawn so that you can empathize with them too, they’re not just one dimensional. More fun that way. 🙂

    1. Kristen Burns

      I want to try some different graphic novels next year, so I’m sure I’ll experience some misses once I start reading more. I do love the “villains” in this series though. I’ve just started Vol. 5, and at this point I’m actually rooting for the original villains as their goals and whatnot have changed. It’s confusing my head lol, but I like it.

  4. Heather @ Random Redheaded Ramblings

    I love Saga, I am new to graphic novels in 2015 and this I bought for my birthday in November. It is so brilliant, I love the illustrations, the lead characters look so gorgeous and the story though it takes a little getting used to was epic. Plus I think even though he is a bad guy The Will and his talking kitty are the best. I have read Volume 2 and it is consistently great. Hope to get my reviews for this done soon.

    1. Kristen Burns

      It sounds like we COMPLETELY agree about this series! I have this whole list of reasons why The Will is great (aside from the whole assassin/whatever thing lol). I’ve finished volumes 1-5 but just haven’t written up my reviews for the other four yet, but I agree they are consistently great. But ugh, now comes the waiting for more volumes -_-