Title: Saga Vol 2 | Issues Collected: 7-12 | Author: Brian K. Vaughan (site) | Artist: Fiona Staples (site) | Publisher: Image Comics | Pub Date: 2013-7-3 | Pages: 160 | ISBN13: 9781607066927 | Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Language: English | Triggers: None | Rating: 4 out of 5 | Source: My local library. | Purchase on Amazon
Saga Vol 2
From award-winning writer Brian K. Vaughan (Pride of Baghdad, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, Done to Death), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and horrific monsters, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters her strangest adventure yet… grandparents. – Goodreads
Collecting: Saga 7-12
Saga Vol 2 Review
The plot in Saga Vol 2 moves along nicely. The bad guys are still after Alana, Marko, and Hazel of course. And there’s a very narrow escape involving a planet-sized embryo that is just nightmare-inducing. I don’t care as much about the story line involving Lying Cat and his companion, but Lying Cat is just awesome enough that I was glad he stuck around. (There are some scenes that are a little weird to see when you consider we’re being told everything from the mouth of their daughter, Hazel. ) And then there’s the parents/in-laws as well as mystery person. Not telling who the mystery person is, but it’ll be worth it for you to pick up the second volume and see for yourself.
I think the main thing that appeals to me about Saga is that the characters are so damn human. I mean, yes, they have wings, horns, magic powers and whatnot, but the snappy dialogue and relationships are pure human. Like “Cool. So glad I got to do this in a towel.” when Alana is meeting her father-in-law are so typical of what my wise-cracking mouth would say that I can’t help but laugh. Marko’s dad quickly grew on me. He seems like a stand-up guy and makes me like Marko a bit more just knowing whom he came from. And the babysitter will forever be on my good side, especially after the King Kong thing.
Seeing more of Alana and Marko’s backstory in Saga Vol 2 was fantastic. It’s a love story you just can’t help but cheer on. Especially the part where it’s post-coitus and they’re having an argument about a certain event. I laughed so hard it brought tears to my eyes, and then I had to sit on the book to keep my eight-year-old from investigating it. She hasn’t quite learned yet that half the things that make mommy laugh aren’t meant for little eyes. I was actually reminded within the first pages of reading Saga Vol 2 that it is not for kids. In fact, it’s one I actively shield from my daughter’s eyes. Because, you know, a full-page spread of an overweight three-eyed giant with a tiny dick and big saggy balls is not something a kid needs to see. Actually, it’s not something anyone needs to see because it was just that bloody disgusting. Shocked a laugh out of me in the library.
With lots of action, love, and snark, Saga Vol 2 was strong enough that I picked up both the third and fourth volumes from the library this week. Look for those reviews later.
Lol!! Ah man. You made me laugh. Yea, no one needed to see that “overweight three-eyed giant with a tiny dick and big saggy balls.”
I love the characters in Saga too and the artwork, graphic as it is. The characters’ humanness makes them very relatable.
Glad I made you giggle. That reminds me, I have volume 4 waiting to be read!