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“Saga” Will Return in January 2022

By | October 10th, 2021
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Cover by Fiona Staples

During yesterday’s “In Conversation with Brian K. Vaughan” panel at NYCC, Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples made the the announcement that their acclaimed domestic space opera “Saga” will return from hiatus in January 2022, with a new run set for 54 more issues.

The series follows star-crossed lovers Alana and Marko, who hail from opposing sides of an interplanetary war, from the birth of their daughter Hazel, all the way through her youth, with Hazel narrating her own life story in retrospect. The series was critically acclaimed for its inspired use of sci-fi allegory, memorable side characters and unique design sense, merging elements of classic space opera like Flash Gordon and Jack Kirby’s Fourth World with modern fashion and solarpunk design.

The cover for the upcoming issue #55 retains this, showing a more grown-up Hazel (who looks to have a new obsession with stage magic, like Brian K Vaughan’s other famous protagonist, Yorick Brown of “Y: The Last Man”), alongside two new supporting characters, echoing the family portrait layout of the issue #1 and #54 covers.

“I’ve really missed connecting with readers through the pages of ‘Saga,’ so I’m thrilled to roll up my sleeves and dive into this world again,” said Staples. “The next arc is really going places I never imagined and I’m so grateful that we’re able to keep doing this.”

When “Saga” originally launched it was near-universally acclaimed, and continues to be evaluated as one of the greatest modern independent comics, often outselling “The Walking Dead,” and becoming a fundamental part of the modern popularity of the trade paperback format.

The comic went on hiatus back in June 2018 after a monumental cliffhanger in issue #54, which was set to run for at least a year; the break will finally come to an end after three-and-a-half, and will mark Brian K. Vaughan’s return to comics after finishing “Paper Girls” in July 2019. With the first half of “Saga” running from 2011 to 2018, we could likely be getting “Saga” all the way until issue #108 in 2029 or 2030.

“Other than my own family, collaborating with Fiona Staples on ‘Saga’ is the most important thing in my life, so I can’t thank readers and retailers enough for their patience,” said Vaughan. “I think our next 54 issues will be even more shocking, strange and spectacular than the first 54, so we can’t wait to be back on the shelves at your local comic shop soon.”

“Saga” #55 releases January 26, 2022 and will be an oversized 44-page issue, retailing for US$2.99, the original cover price from 2011, with Vaughan confirming that they will retain that price point for as long as it is possible.


James Dowling

James Dowling is probably the last person on Earth who enjoyed the film Real Steel. He has other weird opinions about Hellboy, CHVRCHES, Squirrel Girl and the disappearance of Harold Holt. Follow him @James_Dow1ing on Twitter if you want to argue about Hugh Jackman's best film to date.

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