Friday, July 20, 2012

Saga Issue 1: 4.5


            I just had to pick this comic up. The cover is of a gorgeous couple and a babe. The woman is freakin’ breast feeding and standing there looking like a badass while- not going to lie- the man looks like a Rambo version of Mr. Tumnus. I was sold on the cover alone. As I’ve said going off the cover alone is a bad habit I need to break. Good thing Saga, which was the comic, turned out brilliant. From art, to character design, all the way to storyline was nothing but grade-A work.
            So 9/10 times I visit the same comic book store, also the same one I’ve been going to since I was 14 and over time I’ve developed a tiny bit of an ongoing conversation with the owner. I do mean tiny bit since I am horrible shy around new people. When I went up to the till with Saga he could do nothing but continuously praise this comic and was thoroughly convinced that I would enjoy it. When the owner of a comic book shop that has been around longer than I have (no cracks about my age people) sings the praise of some random comic you found on the shelf while you buy it: that equals a good sodding find.
            The writers of Saga have this insane talent for incorporating multiple back-stories (some taking place on different planets and in different parts of the timeline) and character perspectives all into one issue. At no time did it become convoluted. We have the back-story of the main characters that found love in a very Romeo and Juliet kind of way. They are from two warring planets/moons. Here’s a piece of Fayth’s Fact: I am so sick of Romeo and Juliet sort of love stories but here it works. Probably since the woman, Alana, is a smart ass that wears the pants while Marko, her partner in crime, is kind of a nervous wreck through some of this. He worries more and when he’s not worrying he’s like a naïve child. Alana is definitely the cynical one with her husband to balance her out.
            Then there’s their child, Hazel, who is born in the first issue. She also narrates this issue and her voice and little points of perspective are amazing. The thing that blew me away the most was the language and turn of phrase used in this issue. Hazel has a few good quotes but the ones that had me laughing out loud many, many times were from Alana. If something gets me to actually stop reading and start laughing it means whatever that thing is will stick out greatly among the masses. Since the rest of the issue is serious and dark at times and revolves around a plot to kill these two lovebirds, Alana’s little quips were a great breath of fresh air.
            Also need to give a warning for future readers (mostly for the young’ns) there is a far amount of nudity from both male and female characters. All except for the very brief robot sex scene it’s all very tasteful. I know, I wish I didn’t have to give warning for humanoid bodies being shown but it’s the society we live in so I shall have to deal.
            Saga: 4.5 out of 5. It’s almost there just wished there was a little more of a quickened pace pushing us towards the overall storyline since we can gather there will be a huge turn of events for the whole universe. It is the first issue so hopefully that picks up later on once the entire introduction to another galaxy is done. Will definitely be keeping up this series for quite some time. Check back for my reviews of later chapters and see just how it’s holding up.

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