I’d hope I don’t need to tell you that buying Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ Saga is a good idea. I hope that you, as a discerning reader, already have either pre-ordered this book or 100% committed yourself to the idea that you should buy this Image Comics title.
But in case you haven’t and have not been sufficiently convinced by those who have already praised this book, let me take a stab at doing that.
I’ve been a fan of the writer many know as BKV since I started reading comics again after a hiatus in the early 00’s, with his Y the Last Man being one of my all-time favorite comics as well as the book that got me back into them. His creative partner on this endeavor, Staples, is an artist that shockingly few know – to my constant amazement. Her first prominent work – a little, under read mini-series from Wildstorm called North 40 – earned her an Eisner nomination and my eternal adoration. They’re two of the most talented creators in the business, and supremely nice people to boot.
They’re earning a lot of buzz for Saga, but I say this unreservedly: it’s not enough.
I know this will come as a) hyperbole and b) an apples to oranges comparison to some, but in Vaughan’s prodigious career, he’s never written a better first issue. That includes some greats, people. Not just the aforementioned Y, but Ex-Machina and Runaways – two gems of gems – as well.
On one hand, Saga wins from a sheer cost/value standpoint. This book is a robust 44 pages (with no ads!) of pure imagination and brilliant character work for only $2.99. Think about that. That’s more than twice as many pages as you get in a New 52 book from DC for the same price.
Not only that, but this first issue finds Vaughan doing what he does best: creating a new world that is familiar in ways but still special in many others, and filling it with fully realized, marvelously engaging characters. I’m not just talking about the leads either (although Marko and Alana are wonderful), but supporting characters who don’t get a lot of screen time (yet) but manage to stand out with what they have.
In the time since the close of Ex-Machina, we didn’t see or hear much about Vaughan. However, it’s clear that the time away has been good for him, as this is him at his most confident and assured as a storyteller.
Then you have Staples putting down some work that is, simply put, about as gorgeous as anything you can find on the racks. The visuals in this book are truly unlike anything else you’ll find in comics, but in only the best ways.
If I could recommend one book for our readers to try out this year, in a year that includes mega events and any number of high profile launches and relaunches, it wouldn’t even be a contest. This is that book.
Saga is your new favorite book, and when March 14th comes, I wholeheartedly hope each and every one of you walks out of your shop with this book in your hands.
