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Saga #1 (2012)

by Brian K. Vaughan(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Image Comics

series

Saga

review 1: More fun than I thought I could have with a comic book. I'm nothing of a comic aficionado, and try to avoid most of it, which is probably why I enjoyed this so much; it didn't invest too much in one aspect of fantasy, avoiding the vibes I get from other series that instill unbridled, passionate responses (obsessions?) from readers. Instead, it's a cocktail that feels more human than anything else I've browsed.The character/setting design & pacing more than make up for some of the expected devices of the genre (lead characters with underestimated strength, for example), so much so that I didn't mind them being used to advance the story. Because in the end, for this volume anyway, it wasn't about exploring new devices or defying tropes in the genre; it was about establishin... moreg characters that feel like fresh personalities in familiar roles, and then beginning to probe those roles to introduce a wonderfully distinctive journey. Saga #1 centers around setting up relationships, and how these relationships, the character's situations, and often both together, shift the character's principles; something I look forward to the rest of the Saga series being laden in.
review 2: I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to start this. I had been hearing only good things about it, and it was blowing up the graphic novel scene. However, some of the characters looked quite a bit... animalish for my taste. That sounds really close-minded and intolerant, but I grew up in a conservative household, and furries or anything close to animals is definitely not my thing. In fact, I'm a little shocked by it. So yeah, my own issues held me back. I can't say I wasn't embarrassed to be seen reading it around my family (especially the pages with sex or swearing), but I am glad I read it. When someone first said this was "Romeo & Juliet mixed with Star Wars", I admit I rolled my eyes a bit. That's a trite storyline these days. However, the story focused less on that, and the fact that they were already together and had a child together added a slightly different spin than other "Romeo & Juliet" plotlines. There was a large range of characters that shifted the focus so it wasn't just about this couple, and the war aspect kept the story interesting. I really liked that neither Marko or Alana fit into traditional gender roles (and I'm writing this review after burning all three volumes in a single day, so I know later that Alana is tough and a former solider, but she also likes being domestic and romantic novels. Marko likes doing dishes and doesn't want to use his sword to kill, but he is also fiercely protective and breaks his rules in times of need). I felt like Brian K. Vaughn understood his characters, and knew that you couldn't fit them to a mold. Again, some of the scenes I found to be pretty to very weird, kinda like Chuck Palahniuk, but less dark, somehow? I don't know, like I said, I tend to be more "vanilla" when it comes to my personal tastes, and that's just my preference. Overall, interesting concept, good take on a classic story, and did I mention the art??? Fiona Staples is really making a name for herself in the art world, and for good reason, too. She is an incredible artist with a lovely balance between realism and cartoons. The shading is gorgeous, the lines are clean but also a little sketchy (looks like a refined sketch, but isn't quite graphic art). There is violence/blood, sex/references, and swearing, so keep that in mind when picking up this graphic novel. less

Download links for: Saga #1

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