Review- SAGA

SAGA VOL. 1 (Image, 2012; Softcover)

Collects Saga Nos. 1-6 (cover dates March- August, 2012)

Writer: Brian K. Vaughn

Artist: Fiona Staples

Everyone and their brother was singing this series' praises, so it piqued my curiosity. Could it possibly be anywhere near as good as Brian K. Vaughn's other works? I guess that there was only way to find out. Saga has all of the Brian K. Vaughn hallmarks that we've come to know and love. It's own self-contained scenario. Fully formed characters that are immediately identifiable and likable. And finally, a road ahead with oodles of hurdles present. In Vaughn's past work the journey was sometimes better than the destination (Runaways). Other times, the end is so thought-provoking that it haunts you for months and even years after you read it (Y: The Last Man and Ex Machina).

The gist- A child is born to an inter-species couple. The child's parents are of warring factions, and this a, well, saga of them trying to escape the war and provide a better, safer life for their child and themselves. Think of it as Romeo and Juliet with an urban sprawl, fleeing to the suburbs metaphor...in space. It's really much more interesting than this, with plenty of action, humor, and heart. I'm not sure if I am on board for Volume 2 or not. I have way too many irons in the fire as it is. We'll see. You could certainly do much worse than Saga.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Standard fare trade paperback.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. This has a really nice paper stock. It is coated and has a nice feel and weight to it.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Glued binding on a softcover. It is what it is.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. This boasts the same thick, wax-like coating that Marvel and now DC use on their trade paperbacks. Very durable.